Pictures.....Finally

It is hard to believe the wedding is over.

Something that you plan and plan for months and in just a few short hours it is finished.

Thankfully the marriage and memories last a lifetime

Sometimes I think we should do like other cultures and celebrate for days instead of just hours.

Then again that might be really tiring!

Megan and her Aunty Karen (Mark's sister) took the photos and did an amazing job.

There were many, many, many pictures so it took a long time to go through them and pick out some of my favorites to post here. So sorry for the wait:)

Josh & Rebecca's wedding was very non-traditional in many ways.

But it was a reflection of them and their personalities.

As they planned, they came up with ideas that weren't necessarily the norm in todays North American weddings. But that didn't stop them from having it be a part of their celebration. And I am glad they didn't because what resulted was a beautiful picture of their hearts and who they are as a couple.

So I decided to give you a photo journey of the wedding and say a little bit along the way.

It will be very long, so please bear with me!

First the candlelighters came in:

Rita Penner (Rebecca's sister) lighting the candles

Kerri lighting the candles

Then the mom's (Esther & I) came in each carrying in a candle that represented the lives of our children, Joshua and Rebecca. It was from these candles that the unity candle would be lit.

Then the bridesmaids walked in.

It was at this time that Pastor Peter read the text from Revelation 19:7-9

"Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints. And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God. "

He then told the congregation that Joshua and Rebecca desired that the rest of the processional would be a reflection and proclamation of the greater marriage when Christ would return for His bride, the Church.

Next Rebecca's dad walked her down the isle. Teary-eyed sister Raechelle as maid of honor Teary sister Jennifer as bridesmaid

I must say here that the bridesmaids were so sweet as their tears showed their deep love for their sister and brother :) Then the congregation sang the song "The King is Coming" to which Joshua and the groomsmen walked in part way through the song.

Joshua admiring his soon to be bride

It was then time for Rebecca's dad to give Joshua the key which symbolized the key to Rebecca's heart. Rebecca had entrusted her heart to her parents until the day in which she would give her heart to her husband. Today was the day. Here is the exchange of the key: There was then a blessing was said over the couple as the shofar blew. Pastor Peter sharing words with the couple just before they say their vows.

Making a covenant with one another

"First Kiss"

Mr. & Mrs. Joshua & Rebecca Pauls

United in Christ's love

Could they be any happier?

"Running" down the isle

We're married :)

The meal was pizza and pop

Sharing first meal as husband and wife

Football wedding cake

Cutting the cake

One big happy family :)

Our family serenading Josh & Rebecca

Mikaya being her cute little self!

Rebecca's family serenaded the couple

The bridal party The little sistersSome more little sisters

Rebecca's dad was kind enough to share his birthday with Joshua and Rebecca

Sweet love

All 19 siblings

Rebecca and her dad....awwww

Mark's Dad and Mom

My Dad and Mom

Me with the groom

Joshua and the Reuben the ring bearer (Rebecca's brother)

Rebecca and her sister Ruth (flower girl)

Their little girl is all grown up

Their little boy is all grown up

Well......you gotta show them how!

Loving on their sister

The 'cool' guys

Raechelle and Mikaya hanging out in between photo shoots

The bride and bridesmaids

The beautiful bride

Jumping for joy!

Would you quit it already?!?

Set Hut!

Love never fails

Don't look :)

Hope you enjoyed a little peak into the joyful cebration of the marriage of our children. It really was a very good day!