Kimball Wedding #1For 2015

Dateline: 31 May 2015

Mother and Father of the Groom

James, my youngest son, was married yesterday. It was a perfectly enjoyable country wedding, on a lovely sunny day, and proof positive that a wonderful wedding can be had without spending a small fortune. 

The ceremony and reception were held at an old, barn-like building known as the Venice Pavilion, in Venice, NY, about a half hour from our house. This next picture gives you an idea of how big the inside of the building is...

Here's a picture from the wedding ceremony, showing the ring bearer (brides nephew, three years old, with his father) delivering the rings...

This next picture shows James and Bekah (my new daughter-in-law) after the ceremony...

James, with some of his friends and his two brothers (in white shirts) after the wedding ...

A picture of other friends who attended (notice the wholesome glow and happy smiles of these farm-raised young folks)...

Pastor Tom Rofe of Dresserville Baptist Church, and his wife Apphia, filled out the official paperwork after the ceremony. The two of them gave several sessions of pre-marital counseling to James and Bekah (for which Marlene and I are very appreciative)....

James did not have a best man and asked me to give the official toast. I gave a short, prepared speech on the subject of love, as defined by God, then the toast. 

Giving short speeches is not easy when you are an introvert, but Marlene told me I did well, and I got several compliments (even from some of the younger, unmarried folk), so that was a relief. 

I have no picture of me giving the speech, but I have this one (next) of me talking to a man (Mr. Foster) who I never met until yesterday. He was familiar with my chicken plucker and some online writings. When he asked about the Classic American clothespins I make, I happened to have one, and gave it to him. He has some black raspberry plants for me whenever I'm ready for them. 

The unofficial Kimball family wedding portrait...

The official photographer for this wedding (we haven't yet seen any of the pictures) was my future daughter in law, Danielle. She and my son, Robert, are to be married in August. I took this over-the shoulder picture of Danielle at work during yesterday's ceremony...

The following picture is one I took and happen to like a lot. It is a friend, Rob Adsitt, taking a picture of the wedding cake before the wedding....

James and Bekah will be living in our "extra" house just down the road. They've worked at painting and fixing up the inside to make it nice. Last night, they entertained a LOT of friends at the house. Marlene and I kept our distance. 

This morning the happy newlyweds went to breakfast at the small-town diner Bekah's parents own, and where both of them (the newlyweds) work. Then they stopped in to visit Marlene and I before borrowing our car and taking off to the Adirondacks for a short honeymoon. 

It's all good.

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P.S. The oddest moment of the day was when a woman came up to me and asked what church I pastored. That was a first.