2. Ceremony

So I arrive at the chapel at Meerendal.  I was all comfortable until a certain point, and then I started to sweat profusely and just really panic.  I kept thinking, we really should have opted for a “bring and braai” or a “Spur Wedding” suddenly this has all got very complicated.

I have enough makeup to play a clown in a circus, I am wearing a huge dress and it is really all a bit much.

We had the wonderful skill of our friends Wesley and Ryan playing for us – they entertained the guests before the proceedings and everyone said how brilliant they were.

Ryan and Wesley played Prime Circle’s “She always gets what she wants” as I walked down the aisle – could not have been cooler, could not have been better done.

We had drinks before the ceremony and invited people to take drinks with them into the chapel, so they could sip on brilliant Meerendal wine while the ceremony was going on.  Never been to a wedding that has done this, and I thought it was just the most brilliant idea I have ever come up with.

This me walking down the aisle with my stepfather – Hein van Reenen.  I was literally shaking like a leaf, he had to help me out of the car, and I am glad we have a few minutes to just stand outside together before we walked in to the chapel.  Why was I so afraid?  No idea.  The idea of getting married and that fact that we were minutes away from it was still a huge deal for me.

It was wonderful to have him there walking with me.

I loved this chapel, it was quaint, a little bit grubby and really great.

I like the way people are quaffing wine in the background …. the way weddings should be.

I walked in and gave Kennith a kiss hello – which felt like a natural thing to do.  He was all “you can’t kiss me now, you need to wait until later..”

I was bouncing around like a bride possessed.  I could not stand still, I was fidgeting, and could barely hear what was going on.  Our marriage officer, Barry Gray, who also married our friends Joyce and Leon.

I love this image.  I am gripping Kennith’s hang so tight right here …

Pepe and Isabelle – Isabelle is such a serious little baby.  No smiling from her, but lots of thumb sucking.

Alice reading the Velveteen Rabbit – always makes me cry.

Kennith’s cell phone rang while the ceremony was going on …. I don’t make this stuff up.

I really love these two images ….

Connor and Georgia.  Connor is holding on to the rings.

Offering big brother advise to his sister.

Steven reading Kahlil Gibran “The Prophet”

The kids lighting everyone’s candles ..

When Connor does a task he makes sure he does it correctly.  He got that he had to light one candle per row, and the guests would then light from one to another – Georgia on the other hand wanted to light every person in each row.

Kennith and Celeste doing the vows … I might be giggling as I think Kennith tried to slip in an “obey” ….

Kennith puts my ring on …. and it was such a beautiful wedding band, Kennith did such a  great job ….

You may kiss the bride part ….

Signing of the register with Leon and Joyce

Kennith gives me an extra little squeeze because I wrote “Barlow” in the line for my surname … or because I did not run out the door … or because I cleaned up quite nicely ….

Everyone standing for the family blessing …

Kids join us and Barry conducts the family blessing … Georgia also sets her hair alight at the same time … but we just patted out the fire and took that in our stride.

Me getting a quick cuddle from my poep …

And into the sunshine as Mr and Mrs Barlow …

As jaded as I am about the idea of weddings and wedding days, I can truly say that I am converted.  The whole day was magic, and it really meant a great deal to Kennith and I.

Even after sixteen years and three children and all the stuff we have gone through, getting married on the 17 July 2010, was still a totally magical day.