Meant to Bee: One Shell Of A Wedding! : The Ceremony (Part 2)

Come now and declare your union. And we who love you, declare our intent to hold you dear forever and ever.

I, Brian/Amanda, take you, Amanda/Brian, to be my wife/husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, until we are parted by death. This is my solemn vow.

You have chosen these rings as an outward symbol of your union. Everything in this world that has real meaning and power moves in an endless circle. The earth, the sky, and the sea are never ending, an intertwining circle of God's creation. Today, in this holy place, you embody that encircling of God's love for us. Let these rings now serve as a visible symbol of the circle of love - that miraculous life force - that is you.

Brian/Amanda, I give you this ring as a symbol of my vow, and with all that I am, and all that I have, I honor you.

I, on your behalf, pronounce them husband and wife. Those whom God has joined together let no one separate. (Kiss her now!)

Hand in hand as husband and wife, we turned to our loved ones who welcomed us with warm applause.

The string trio began playing Handel's La Rejouissance, Mr. Seashell's favorite recessional from his orchestra days.

I love the symmetry of the next shot: my Dad pats my shoulder as Mr. Seashell taps his Dad.

Mr. Seashell sneaks a glimpse of his new bride.

As we exited the chapel we were greeted by a small reception on the green. Mama Seashell and I thought it would be a great idea to feed our guests before they made the trek down to Newport. Being on a college campus, we weren't allowed to pop any corks (serve alcohol) so we kept it family friendly with Martinelli's Sparkling Apple Cider. There were also Italian wine biscuits which Mama Seashell's godmother lovingly prepared for the occasion.