As a Wedding Officiant, I have the honor of conducting ceremonies, providing guidance and fulfilling legal documentation for couples, in 2016 I was the one planning my wedding. My husband and I got married in City Hall in 2011 and while saving for our church wedding life took over. Our initial plans were to have the traditional Greek wedding with both of our families and friends which was about 422 people in total. In 2016 we got the news that my father needed a surgery, which was invasive and risky. With less than two weeks to spare, it was imperative to the both of us to have our church ceremony. Most stories begin with we met, got married bought a house and had children. That timeline and or story does not apply to my life, and I would not have it any other way. Having our children with us every step of the way made our church wedding special and significant. The children helped create every detail of the wedding, from the bows on the bells to the flowers. Our oldest was the usher and escorted my mother down the aisle. Our middle son was the ring bearer, and our youngest was our flower boy. The ceremony was filled with all the traditions, the candles representing the light of Christ, sharing of the glass of wine as we shall share everything in life. The silver platter (wedding tray) that initially belonged to my grandmother, which held our wedding crowns (stefana) that symbolize the union of two people becoming one, rice which symbolizes a couple accruing foundation and growing a life together and Jordan almonds that symbolize purity. After the ceremony, we gathered at one of our favorite restaurants, where my husband and I shared our first dance. It was followed by a dance that I got to experience with each one of my sons and lastly a dance with my father. This was my favorite event, not only because it was my wedding, but also because of all the love that went into every moment.
Our First Dance
