Saturday I awoke and it wasn’t going to be “just another day.” Today is my daughter, Sarah’s wedding day. I awoke early, went out to the coop and woke up the rooster, and got on with the finishing touches for the big celebration. But first I started a big pot of coffee for the household. As the coffee was brewing the groom, Josh, appeared from the basement and asked if he could help with the last minutes details. I said “sure”, but before we headed off to the Weddin’ Barn I had one extra task.
The night before the minister noted there wasn’t any Christian symbol at the front of the barn. I started thinking about the scrap wood I have lying around the house but it just didn’t feel right. As I awoke I thought of some old barb wire over in he sheep pasture on top of the hill. I walked over and grabbed a roll and headed back to the house. I pulled out a length of wire and bent it back on itself about three times. Then I came part way down and started the cross pieces. I did a couple wraps at the cross intersection and finished with long tail of wire so I could hang the cross on the wall at the front of the barn.
When we got to the Weddin’ Barn, Josh and I hung the cross at the front of the barn. John, the owner, was there doing his last minute details. First order of business was to get the beer wagon in place. Now I was thinking the beer wagon was no heaver than a standard trailer. Boy was I surprised! John came over and said he had moved it last night by himself, but he had used his skid loaded for a little helping hand. He started the skid loader and proceeded to move the beer wagon into place for the big celebration. I strung out the power cords and tapped the beer kegs and root beer keg. I run a little beer and root beer thru the lines so they guess would have refreshments ready at hand.
Josh and I headed around the barn and set up a 10×20 tent for extra seating for our dinner guess. Laurel and I had a enough seating for about 200 guess in the barn but the RSVP count was at 230. I spotted a few extra tables if we would need them and we would transport extra chairs from the mow. I still need to make a run to the store for ice and a few other items. Josh and I jumped into the car and dashed over to the store. On the way a mentioned I should get my hair cut. So we made a small detour and inquired about getting the Father of the Bride fitted for the big show. The manager told me it would be a 20-30 minute wait. I said that would be ok and we would go and do our shopping thus, killing two birds with one stone. We picked up our supplies and went back and waited a few minutes for the manager to call my name. Chris, the manager, asked me about my needs for this hair cut. I told her my daughter was getting married today and the camera needs to capture my best appearance.
After the hair cut Josh and I headed home to get ready for the wedding. After a little time grooming in the bathroom, we changed into our wedding clothes. We both had long sleeve white shirt and dark wool pants. Josh also wore a vest. Then we needed a knot to tie it all together. I stayed in my bedroom trying to tie the perfect Shelby Knot. It took me 4 try’s and I still wasn’t happy but it still looked respectable. Now Josh was totally lost when it comes to tying a tie. He said the last time he wore a tie it was a clip-on. I stood in front of him and spun up a perfect Shelby Knot to adorn the groom on his wedding day.
Revealing the Groom
We headed back to the Weddin’ Barn and waited for Josh to get his first look at his bride. Sarah was in the bride’s room getting ready for her big day. The photographer came as scheduled and placed Josh in he doorway of the hay mow with his back out. He stood waiting for Sarah to stroll up the ramp and tap him on the shoulder and giving him his first look at his wife to be in a few short hours. Shutter buttons snapped photos of the happy couple and faded away leaving the couple a few private moments to themselves in the doorway of the mow.
Over the next few hours combinations of bridal party and family photos filled the photographer’s SD card.
Then came the hour for the service. All the chairs were filled leaving a stand room only crowd filling the back of the mow. The day was hot and the humidity high. There is a big fan high in the mow to draw hot air out, but we turned it off for the service. After the statement of marriage, three readings and a song the minister said to leave the fan on and he would talk over the fan noise. With the power of a good sound system the minister’s voice filled the mow with his words for all to hear. They did shut the fan off for the other song that was sung by my Dad and his brothers. They dedicated the song to Josh’s parents who had died and August 16th would have been their 34th wedding anniversary. The 5 five brothers sang their hearts to Josh’s parents and to all who weren’t able to be there with us on this day. The service ended with the introduction of Mr. and Mrs. Weltzin. The newly formed family exited the mow to cooler weather and greeted their guess.
More to come from the reception and dance….
Prickly Ash Hill Farm 