The Wedding: The Ceremony and Traditions

You are invited

to share in our Wedding

which took place on

May 24, 2008

in Exeter, CA

At the home of the groom's parents

Our wedding day was so wonderful, and we have many people to thank for it, but mainly, we have to thank our parents. The Mitchells worked so hard on their yard during our year-and-a-half engagement to make it a dream to get married in. My parents helped plan so much of it from across the country, and then when the day came, my Mom was running around making sure everything was ready. Thanks to Brooke and my bridesmaids for all of their wonderful help, and to everyone else for making it an unforgettable event.

* * *

Getting ready with the ladies

Leah is putting my necklace on me

My Grandma is giving me her sapphire engagement ring. It fulfilled by something old, borrowed and blue and was a nice memory of my Grandfather. (Note the lace gloves that she wore "because Andrew likes them"... too precious!)

Brooke giving a warm-up toast.

Here I am in front of the living room window.

I could see out this window to the ceremony site and watch everything finally come together.

A series of me and my bridesmaids

(there are many more pics of the girls because they've shown more interest in getting these pictures)

The excited bride


The calm and collected groom

The groomsman looking oh-so sharp

This may not be the most flattering picture of me,

but I just couldn't resist the expressions on our faces

Thank goodness I have such good friends to come and fill up my side of the chairs!

The walk down the aisle was the most overwhelming part.

Love you, Dad.

My Dad gaining a son

Saying our vows

I had a request to post the vows that we said. Drew and I created our own distinct vows but with many similarities, so here is what we chose:

"I, Andrew, in faith, honesty and love

Take you, Addi, to be my wedded wife,

I will care for you,

honor, and protect you

from this day forward

I will love you in sickness as in health

In poverty as in wealth

in sorrow as in joy

and will be true to you

by God’s grace.

Trusting in him,

so long as we both shall live.
.
I pray we might grow together

Into the likeness of Jesus Christ

Our lord and savior.

With this vow, I seal my love to you Addi."

* * *

"I, Addi, in faith, honesty and love

Take you, Andrew, to be my wedded husband.

To have and to hold,

from this day forward.

I pledge to you my life

As a loving and faithful wife.

To share with you

God’s plan for our lives

Together united in Christ.

I will love you in sickness as in health

In poverty as in wealth

In sorrow as in joy

And will be true to you

by God’s grace

Trusting in him

So long as we both shall live

With this vow, I seal my love to you Andrew."

* * *

Our first kiss as husband and wife. I love this picture.

After the ceremony, we went on a private fifteen minute carriage ride to catch our breath and take some pictures.

The rings!

Our great wedding party

We broke it down early.

The ladies stealing my husband for a pic

Me and the guys

Mr. and Mrs. Mitchell

Two of the three men I love most in the world (Toby isn't pictured)

The whole Mitchell clan!

We needed a grand entrance into the tent

Our first dance was to David Gray's "This Year's Love" because it has been our song for years. Before we even began dating, Andrew told me that there was a song with my name in it. As it turns out, he is not saying anything close to "Adelaide" but it really does sound like it. Here we are, laughing because the song was so long!

For those of you who don't know, Adam used our words to compose his amazing song. He had us each write a paragraph or poem about the other, which we couldn't see, and sent it to him a few months before the wedding. So while the rest of you heard a lovely song, Andrew and I heard our own words beautifully woven together and sung by someone very close to us. It was one of the best moments of the evening! We love you, Adam.

Onto the cake cutting

The nice and gentle tasting that probably disappointed a lot of people.

My father and I danced to "The Way You Look Tonight" at my brother's wedding last year, and then proceeded to listen to all 800 versions of this song until we found the perfect one. We chose the Michael Buble version because my Dad liked the steady beat and I preferred his voice greatly to Rod Stewart's!

* * *
Also note the red converse sneakers ... my Dad's favorite.