the ceremony helicopter

When we last left off, our officiant had just asked us to begin to pledge our vows, as a large and loud distraction appeared in the sky. What was looming above us?

(source)

A helicopter.

Yes, a really loud, low flying, obnoxious helicopter. Really, I shouldn't have been surprised, this is Los Angeles, after all.

We paused for a moment to let the helicopter move on (luckily, it didn't seem to be circling the neighborhood, which can sometimes go on for HOURS here!) and a few guests made silly paparazzi jokes!


After the helicopter was out of earshot, Deidra again asked us to start our vows. She handed the vow book to B, passed him the microphone, and told him to begin.

Unfortunately, seconds after he started reading... it returned! This time, even louder and lower flying than before.


Please watch this hilarious 30 second video if you would like to see exactly what happened! This video begins just as B is about to start reading his vows. You will also get to see exactly how often I do giggle. (Spoiler alert: pretty much non-stop.)



Finally, the helicopter left (for good this time!) and we were both able to recite our vows without too much distraction.

Here are our vows, just as we read them:

Today, a day of joyous celebration
Before God and those closest to our hearts
I, Sprinkle, take you, Sprinkle, to be my partner for life
To grow together and share everything
As lovers, friends, equals, and kindred spirits
To build a marriage, family, and home
With thoughtfulness, compassion, patience, and understanding
To honor our commitment to one another until our last days
And forever bind our souls beyond this mortal plane
I vow to love, trust, and respect you
And to care for you, no matter what may come
Through all trials and tribulations
And through all triumphs and victories
I vow to encourage your creativity and let mine be inspired by yours
To support your successes and include you in mine
With these vows, we become one
And live together with laughter and music in the air
You are my whole world and you have all of me

C then handed us the rings, and we managed to get those on each other's fingers fairly smoothly. I totally fumbled my way through this part, since I got confused and couldn't remember which of his hands to put the ring on.



We said this out loud as we put the rings on:

B, with this ring I give you my heart. Let it be a token of the love that we share, and my commitment to you.

After we exchanged rings, our dear friend Annette came up to do the final reading. We basically gave her free reign to read whatever she wanted, and we think her selection was perfect.

This is what she read:

Blessing of the Hands

These are the hands of your best friend, young and strong and full of love for you, that are holding yours on your wedding day, as you promise to love each other today, tomorrow, and forever. These are the hands that will work alongside yours, as together you build your future. These are the hands that will passionately love you and cherish you through the years, and with the slightest touch, will comfort you like no other. These are the hands that will hold you when fear or grief fills your mind. These are the hands that will countless times wipe the tears from your eyes; tears of sorrow, and tears of joy. These are the hands that will tenderly hold your children. These are the hands that will help you to hold your family as one. These are the hands that will give you strength when you need it. And lastly, these are the hands that even when wrinkled and aged, will still be reaching for yours, still giving you the same unspoken tenderness with just a touch.”

At this point, our ceremony was almost over. There was only one major thing left to do...

All photos in this post: Hazelnut Photography