We had no idea what we were getting into when we decided to attend our dear friend Tonya Sickler's wedding to Bud Poe, (actually William, son of Oscar Poe, and cousin of Winfield).
I just looked forward to it with all my heart and was so thankful the Lord allowed us the privilege.
I had talked to Tonya a few months ago when Crystal at Penn View first heard the news that Tonya was engaged.
Tonya told me the story of how two friends who knew both Tonya and Bud talked to them about each other.
Bud's first wife had died of cancer a few years ago.
He was quite a lot older than Tonya, but when Tonya is already--woops!--well, she is not exactly a spring chick, either!
But it is quite different than a younger person considering the same situation.
(This is the barn!)
Tonya approached their getting acquainted cautiously, slowly, and prayerfully, but it wasn't long before they knew they were for each other.
I was thrilled for them both.
I knew Tonya had wished so much to get married, and she had waited a very long time.
God was just saving her for this very special man!
My heart goes out so to someone who has lost a spouse, and I am so thankful Tonya and Bud found each other!
It is especially good when they are found in the fear of God,
and when both sides of the families are okay with the marriage as they were in Tonya's case.
That is such a blessing!
Tonya's (and our) friend Joy Gault was guest book attendant...
beside a bale of hay that held a basket for cards.
Fern Lefever, Sis. Gault, and Naomi French all traveled over from Colorado Springs, too.
The old pews were decorated with tulle, bows of burlap with teal ribbon, and clip-on sunflowers Tonya said they got at Big Lots!
It was a very laid back wedding with only the basic formalities,
and here Tonya's sister is quickly sweeping sawdust off the carpet in the front before the wedding procession.
Loved the simple stump decorated with teal kerchief and bouquet of sunflowers.
The guests gather in the pews while the keyboard is played on the platform behind the hay bales.
The groomsmen were Bud's own older sons--what a blessing that they were so agreeable and made their father's wedding to Tonya so smooth and fun.
They are to be greatly commended for all they did to make it a happy occasion.
The maid of honor was Tonya's sister.
The other bridesmaid was Bud's youngest daughter.
This was truly a family wedding.
I loved the western shirts these farmers all wore.
The officiating ministers were Tonya's father and Bro. Ken Thompson (who told Tonya about Bud).
Bud's grandchildren were flower girl and Bible bearer.
"Here Comes the Bride!"
Never thought of a bridal procession "down the sawdust trail," did you?
So the wedding ceremony begins.
All Bud's grandchildren sing "Gentle Shepherd."
Bud and Tonya watching them, and all of us asking the Shepherd to guide this new marriage and bless it with His love and peace.
The wedding prayer offered by Ken Thompson.
His vows to her, holding her hand in both his.
Her vows to him, holding his hand in both hers.
I just missed the kiss!
Aww.
Three of Bud's children sing "We Are a Household of Faith."
Very well done.
Presenting the new Mr. and Mrs.
Waiting our turn to go back and greet them.
Carrie has the wedding ceremony in her lap--with the sawdust floor in the background.
Going through the line!
And I will have lots more pictures later of the reception, etc.
Bud's youngest son and Tonya's brother were the ushers.
All congratulating the Iowa farmer and his new wife.
This wedding was delightfully unconventional--something that the slightly unconventional part of me could really admire and enjoy.
To our surprise, an "Old-Time Barn Meeting" was being planned in the same barn the very next week.
The evangelist would be our own much loved Harry Plank with his own unconventional but highly appealing sense of humor.
Here is the announcement tacked to the wall.
And I ponder.
This wedding was unconventional by choice.
By happy choice.
A farmer and his bride planned this brief, sacred, and happy wedding in somewhat their own turf--
farm grounds--fragrances and all!
What if God--or my husband, horrors!-- would want me to do something unconventional?
Would I respond with a prompt and unyielding "No,"
and turn up my nose--
and miss out on a lot of special blessings?
Or would I respond with willingness to look beyond conventionalities,
and envision a wedding in a barn,
an anniversary on a Mission Helps trip,
a vacation at a rustic mountain campsite,
or a mission field in our own neighborhood or city or state,
or a prospect in the gloomiest and most negative situation,
or a redeemed soul in that person we can't abide?
Beauty from ashes is unconventional.
Home schooling is unconventional.
A stay-at-home mother, when a second income could make a big difference, is unconventional.
Having your last baby at age 43 is unconventional.
Dressing yourself--and your big and little daughters modestly--is unconventional.
Keeping at the job year after year after year regardless of what others think of me is unconventional.
Am I willing to be unconventional
for the sake of my Heavenly Bridegroom?
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ReplyDeleteWe are good friends with the Bride's parents and have been for many years! We had seen a few pictures of the wedding on Facebook put on by the bride's mother. But many of this aspect we had not seen. Thank you for sharing these with us!
DeleteWhat a neat post! Thank you for sharing! I actually had an "unconventional" wedding myself... We opted for a private, immediately family only, Christmas wedding at my sisters' house! It was beautiful, romantic, sacred, private, and cheap, and it was exactly what I wanted! Besides, we saved a huge amount of money and had a gorgeous, 15-day honeymoon! :) here's a link to the blogpost about my day if you would ever like to see it! http://backyardstudios.zenfolio.com/blog/2016/8/our-wedding
ReplyDelete~Jonelle (Barnard) Hill