Falling For You: I Say A Little Prayer For You (Ceremony, part 3)

Hive, I do apologize for my absence in the last few days. Unfortunately, my health issues are still very much a problem and my illness had quite a severe flair-up last week, which ultimately landed me in the ER, but don't you worry, I promise that will finish my recaps come hell or high water!

Anyway, some of you are probably getting fed up of my ceremony posts by now, but this is the last one, I promise! And I truly hope that they will be useful to some other bees down the line, which is why I've been so thorough. After Father C declared us husband and wife, everyone cheered and our little flower girls walked up to the altar; it was time for the rose ceremony. 

This is another element that we really wanted to incorporate into our ceremony, but we weren't sure our priest would be on board. Luckily, he agreed! That said, I really hope that my posts will inspire catholic brides to think outside the box a little bit when it comes to crafting their ceremony. So many people complain that catholic ceremonies are very cookie cutter and lack customization, but you never know what your celebrant will be willing to change unless you ask! 

Your gift to each other for your wedding today has been your wedding rings - which shall always be an outward demonstration of your vows of love and respect; and a public showing of your commitment to each other. You now have what remains the most honorable title which may exist between a man and a woman -- the tile of husband and wife. For your first gift as husband and wife, that gift will be a single rose. In the past, the rose was considered a symbol of love and a single rose always meant only one thing – it meant the words “I love you.” So it is appropriate that for your first gift – as husband and wife – that gift would be a single rose. Please exchange your first gift as husband and wife. 

In some ways it seems like you have not done anything at all. Just a moment ago you were holding one small rose – and now you are holding one small rose. In some ways, a marriage ceremony is like this. In some ways, tomorrow is going to seem no different than yesterday. But in fact today, just now, you both have given and received one of the most valuable and precious gifts of life – one I hope you always remember – the gift of true and abiding love within the devotion of marriage. Mr. Waterfall and Miss Waterfall, I would ask that wherever you make your home in the future – whether it be a large and elegant home – or a small and graceful one – that you both pick one very special location for roses; so that on each anniversary of this truly wonderful occasion you both may take a rose to that spot both as a recommitment to your marriage – and a recommitment that THIS will be a marriage based upon love. In every marriage there are times where it is difficult to find the right words. It is easiest to hurt who we most love. It is easiest to be most hurt by who we most love. It might be difficult some time to words to say “I am sorry” or “I forgive you”; “I need you” or “I am hurting”. If this should happen, if you simply can not find these words, leave a rose at that spot which both of you have selected – for that rose than says what matters most of all and should overpower all other things and all other words. That rose says the words: “I still love you.” The other should accept this rose for the words which cannot be found, and remember the love and hope that you both share today. Mr. Waterfall and Miss Waterfall, if there is anything you remember of this marriage ceremony, it is that it was love that brought you here today, it is only love which can make it a glorious union, and it is by love which your marriage shall endure.”

Somewhere in the middle of our rose ceremony, a cellphone went off, which was hilarious because I had joked that I would kick some ass if that happened. But in the moment, all we could do was laugh, because really, what else are you going to do? Obviously, the person didn't do it out of malice and I'm sure they felt horribly embarrassed. The point of this little anecdote is that things will go wrong on your wedding day, no matter how much you plan ahead. You won't have any control over the mishaps, but what you do have control over is how gracefully you handle them, so smile, and roll with the punches!
 
At this point, we returned to our seats and Father C prepared the Eucharist while the soloist belted out Ave Maria. I've mentioned before how I didn't have very strong preferences when it came to our ceremony music, but the Ave Maria was the one piece I was really adamant about having because it was one of Nanny Waterfall's favourites. 

Papi and Grandma Waterfall had also arranged to have a small replica of La Virgen de la Caridad del Cobre (Our Lady of Charity), the patron saint of Cuba, brought in (seen to the left).

While the Ave Maria was being sung, I prayed to the Virgin Mary for our marriage, for my health and for my deceased grandparents. And I cried. A lot. Mr. W held my hand and helped me get it together. Thankfully, our photographers captured the beauty of the moment, amidst my ugly cry. 

Then, cousin M. walked up to the podium for the prayer of the faithful:

For Mr. and Mrs. Waterfall, on this day of great joy: for the grace to persevere in love, cherish each other in all things, and share their love generously with all those whom they encounter. We pray to the Lord. (Lord hear our prayer). For all married couples, called to show to the world God's faithfulness in their love and tenderness for each other.and for couples who are struggling to love eachother. We pray to the Lord. (Lord hear our prayer). For God's holy people, that through this celebration we may grow in our desire to serve and love the world: let us pray (Lord hear our prayer). For a world of peace and justice for all, the best gift we can give to our children. We pray to the Lord. (Lord hear our prayer). For the members of Mr. and Mrs. Waterfall's families who have died, and for those who feel their absence most keenly at this time of joy. We pray to the Lord. (Lord hear our prayer).

After this, came the Lord's Prayer, and the rite of peace, which has always been one of my favourite parts of mass. It was especially great to see our families and friends hugging on our wedding day!

Then, it was finally time to receive communion. Since it was our wedding day, we got to have wine. Mr. Waterfall was very happy about this part!

While our guests lined up to receive the Eucharist behind us, we prayed some more...

 and we also got to have a private moment to relish in the fact that we had just gotten married!

As a last formality, we went up the altar one last time to sign the marriage register along with our witnesses.

And then, Mendelsohn's "Bridal March"started playing, signalling the end of our ceremony. Our adorable flower girls came back out and started scattering rose petals on our way out of the church, since they didn't get to use them during the processional. It was precious!

It felt so great to finally be married, hive! Next up, the portraits and the reception!

Did something go wrong during your ceremony?

All photos courtesy of the amazing Bachmann Photography unless otherwise specified

Miss a recap?

• We get it started with our wedding trailer
• We had a really intense wedding week
• We handle some last minute drama and get our nails did
• We practice getting married
• We eat all the French food
• We stuff our faces with chocolate
• The girls get pretty, oh so pretty
• The men suit up
• I put on my wedding dress
• I put on my veil and my entourage loses their sh*t
• I show you all my somethings
• We ride a vintage limo to the church
• The bridal party walks the walk
• We have a tearful “first look” on our walk down the aisle
• The ceremony begins with some lovely readings
• We exchange our vows and rings and have a blessing of the hands