I feel like there's no better introduction to the season than to talk about the first two weddings of the summer. Let me start out by saying that this particular wedding season is shaping up to be one of travel. Of course the farthest I've ever travelled for a wedding was a whopping 1617 miles to Colchester, VT (what up, Stotyns?!), but this season combined will end up being nearly 942 miles, as each wedding (apart from one) will require at least an hour of travel. But each mile is well worth it when I consider the couples involved. That's what makes the first two weddings so special. Explaining each one in great detail would take up more than one blog, so I'm going to try to make it relatively short despite the many great details/suggestions from each.
Both weddings involved a couple I mentored when I was in college. What I mean by that is, at one point, I was each person's "freshman mom"/leader at the BCM (Baptist Collegiate Ministries). I specifically mentored the brides, but was able to mentor the grooms by way of family groups as well. So, in a way, each wedding was BCM family reunion (see the seemingly random photo below).
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| My BCM roommate Casey, our Associate Director/Friend Kimily, and me. This wedding was the first time we had been together in a few years! |
Argos
The first wedding belonged to Aaron and Tori Argo. I was blessed to be able to see this couple from the first meeting, to the first DTR (Define the Relationship conversation), to the moment they became husband and wife! I can remember having weekly dinners with Tori: sharing life, sharing what Christ was doing with us, and discussing what that Aaron Argo guy meant to her. I also remember mimicking Aaron Argo's laugh with the squinty eyes/raised shoulders, and his reaction to me telling him to shut his face (that has nothing to do with the wedding, but I love those moments!) Needless to say, I was incredibly proud of my Tori and "Little Aaron Argo" on the day they finally said "I DO!"
On top of it just plain being a day of pride and joy, the Argos had a beautiful wedding! They got married in her home church in Inola, OK and held their reception at a beautiful ballroom at Rogers State University in Claremore. The color was pink (Tori's favorite) and the party was hopping with cake, cupcakes, awesome finger foods, and a few grandparents who schooled us all on the Twist! (I also got the pleasure of catching my 12th bouquet at this reception.) All in all, it was a personality wedding with both the bride and groom represented, and Christ front-and-center.
Recommendation from this wedding: Instead of just having a slideshow during the ceremony, the couple had a slideshow with a voiceover of them sending a message to their attenders. It was so unique and creative, and I think everyone really enjoyed the extended personal touch. The Argos certainly know how to make people feel loved:)
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| Me and the Argos:) |
Boles
Ahhh, Josh and Chelbe Boles! I met Josh his freshman year, and his high school sweetheart Chelbe the following year when she joined us at UCO and became my "BCM daughter". Of course, this was somewhat awkward since I had spent the entire year prior joking with Josh about how I was gonna marry him one day. But I knew Chelbe and I would be close the first day I met her when I creepily addressed her on this issue and her response was "Oh yea, he's already told me about you. I think we'll all get along quite well together!" Ever since then, we've been jokingly telling people we're going to start a polygamy colony out in the desert (I know, we have a creepy sense of humor:)
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| Me and my future commune mates. Love you guys! |
But this wedding brought me to tears because of the long history of the couple and how joyous the occasion was. Not only does the fact that they've been together for more than four years strike me as impressive (staying with your high school sweetheart throughout college isn't easy!), but they went against the odds and took a risk with an...duh duh duh...OUTDOOR WEDDING!!! For those new to my blog, and to the state of Oklahoma, that is quite a feat! Not only are outdoor weddings risky anyway, but with this particular home state of ours, the weather can change at life altering paces. It can be hotter than a wildfire on summer days, can rain randomly at the drop of a hat, and (as we've seen in the past few weeks) bring on damaging tornadoes.
But the Boles looked at the odds and said "pish tosh" and had their wedding at the beautiful Lyndley House of Duncan, OK. I'm going to go ahead and say this is the recommendation of the wedding, the Lyndley house was GORGEOUS and the food was fantastic (not to mention, this place came right out of Pinterest!)
Needless to say, this has been a great season thus far, and I anticipate it getting better and better as the summer moves forward! I will try to be more consistent with my posts and address topics as well as specific weddings. If anyone has any recommended topics or questions they would like for me to address, I will gladly take requests! Until the next time, keep lovin them weddings!
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