Picket Fences! Part 51



You are invited to the wedding of Julie Edwards, daugter of Peter and Mary Lou Edwards and Nathan Martin, son of Sam and Emily Martin.



The ceremony is about to begin over at Buford Falls Church.



"Family and friends, we welcome you today to witness the marriage of Nathan and Julie. You have shared and contributed to their lives in the past, and by witnessing their marriage ceremony today, Julie and Nathan ask you to share in their future."





The bride's parents Peter and Mary Lou Edwards were seated together on one of the front pews.



Their long-time neighbors and best friends Larry and Joy Anderson were seated behind them.



Michael Jones was seated with his sister Judy. They are friends and neighbors of both the bride and the groom.



The groom's parents Emily and Sam Martin were seated on the front pew on the other side of the church.


The groom's twin sister Nancy Martin was seated beside the bride's sister Carrie Edwards.



Kevin Anderson and Ryan Carlson were seated together. They are neighbors and friends of both the bride and the groom.



The preacher's wife Gwen Spain was sated on the last pew.



Nathan stood at the alter with his brother, best man Jimmy Martin awaiting his bride.





Maid Of Honor Arlene (Anderson) Martin the bride's best friend entered the church and walked down the asile.



Arlene was wearing a floor-length aqua blue gown with a matching bow in her hair.



The bride entered the church, wearing a floor-length white, lace gown and a fingertip length veil.



The bride made her way down the asile to join her groom under the wedding arch.


"Julie and Nathan, may you pledge to each other to be loving friends and partners in marriage. To talk and to listen, to trust and appreciate one another; to respect and cherish each other's uniqueness, and to support, comfort, and strengthen each other through life's joys and sorrows. May you promise to share hopes, thoughts, and dreams as you build your lives together. May your lives be ever intertwined, your love keeping you together. May you build a home that is compassionate to all, full of respect and honour for others and each other. May your home be forever filled with peace, happiness, and love", said Rev. Spain.





"I Nathan, take you Julie, to be my wife, to have and to hold, from this day forth, to love, honor, and cherish, to comfort and respect, in sorrow or in joy, in hardship or in plenty, so long as we both shall live", he said.
"I Julie, take you Nathan, to be my husband, to have and to hold, from this day forth, to love, honor, and cherish, to comfort and respect, in sorrow or in joy, in hardship or in plenty, so long as we both shall live", she said.



"The wedding ring is a symbol of unity into which your two lives are now joined in an unbroken circle; in which, wherever you go, you will return to one another", said the pastor.


"Julie, I offer this ring as a symbol of my love and devotion. Let it always be a reminder of my vows to you", said Nathan.


Then he placed the ring on her finger.



"Nathan, I offer this ring as a symbol of my love and devotion. Let it always be a reminder of my vows to you", said Julie.



The she placed the ring on his finger.


"Julie and Nathan, may your home be a haven of peace and your relationship be one of truth and understanding.
May you enjoy length of days, fulfillment of hopes, and peace and content of mind as you, day by day, live and fulfill the terms of this covenant you have made with one another. And now, for as much as you have made your vows, each to the other, and have declared the same by giving and receiving your rings, I pronounce that you are husband and wife. Congratulations, you may kiss the bride", said the pastor.



Nathan gave Julie a romantic kiss.





"Ladies and gentlemen, it is my privilege to introduce to you for the first time, Mr. and Mrs. Nathan Martin", said Rev. Spain.

There was a reception following the ceremony . . .





Julie cut the first slice of wedding cake . . .



While Nathan waited.



She crammed it into Nathan's mouth.



He laughed at his bride's shenanigans.



Then she gave him a romantic kiss on his cake covered mouth.


"I love you Nathan", she said.

"And I love you Julie", he said.



Julie's dad Peter proposed a toast to the newlyweds.



Nathan and Julie . . .



Joy, Emily, Nancy, Judy, Mike and Arlene and . . .



Also Kevin joined in the toast.


Then Jimmy's dad Sam proposed a toast to the newlyweds . . .



Mary Lou, Carrie, Nathan and Julie joined in the toast.



Nancy, Jimmy, Judy and Mike also joined in.


Before the newlyweds left the reception, Nathan gave the pastor a thumbs up to show his appreciation.



Nathan called Transpotation. When a taxicab arrived a few minutes later . . .





Julie and Nathan got in.



To be continued . . .