Tags
Alberta, Caroline, Diana Schwenk, Dr. Suess, family, growing up, humour, Hump Day Chronicles, joy, kids, living in the moment, love, Relationships, Sanctum Retreat, wedding
We are all a little weird and life’s a little weird, and when we find someone whose weirdness is compatible with ours, we join up with them and fall in mutual weirdness and call it love.
The Ceremony
On Saturday I went to Sabrina’s and Daniel’s wedding, a 2-hour drive from Calgary, on the beautiful grounds of Sanctum Retreat, just outside Caroline, Alberta.
Before the ceremony started, children gathered to hear the story Horton hears a Who by Dr. Seuss. In fact the whole wedding had a Dr. Seuss-ish kind of feel to it.
One knew almost immediately that this wedding would be a bit different when a drone equipped with a camera flew overhead!
The father of the groom, Pat Nixon officiated the ceremony, incorporating vows that sounded like they were written by Dr. Seuss himself!
The bride and groom, and all in attendance, giggled when in turn they said, “I love you when we’re rich, I love you when we’re poor, I love you in a ditch.”
I turned to the guy on my left and said, “I hope they’re not serving green eggs and ham at the reception!”
The reception
We gathered in a great, big, white tent, worthy of a party in Whoville and waited for the bridal party, and ultimately the bride and groom to join us.
The emcee, Daniel’s brother Jeremy, informed us that they would not be showing up until it sounded like we were celebrating. He instructed us to say, “OH YEAH,” together in our deepest voice.
You must listen to the above while I continue. Go ahead, click play, I’ll wait…
Ok, all set?
This is the tune that blasted through the tent as, couple by couple, the groomsmen and bridesmaids headed to the dance floor and performed (I use that term lightly) their own choreographed … umm… dance.
They did not look like they felt awkward at all, nor did the wedding guests seem to perceive any awkwardness whatsoever in this display.
Stories for kisses
We were told that the bride and groom would kiss, not by our clinking of glasses with spoons, but by our telling of stories. I had a story to tell, but I chose not to, because my story was one that resulted in damage years ago because of, you guessed it, a kiss, or rather the blowing of a kiss!
Years ago, when I was a volunteer at the Mustard Seed, Annelie another volunteer, blew a kiss at 8-year-old Daniel through the window as she stood outside on the deck.
Daniel, whom it would seem has always been a little more affected by gestures of love than the average person, reacted by running through the window pane, shattering the window.
I did not wish a repeat of this story. So can you understand why I chose to stay quiet?
Many stories were told and much laughter ensued. Here are my two favourites:
A friend of the bride told of a day when she and others were helping the bride move. They’d loaded the car up with all of her clothes and were driving down the street. People in other cars were trying to get their attention with frantic waving and honking.
Somehow, Sabrina’s clothing was tumbling out into the street and the girls found themselves picking up underwear that was scattered all over the road.
A friend of the groom told the story of when he and the groom worked for Daniel’s oldest brother Jason at Mountain Aire Lodge. The Lodge was quite isolated and they were bored one day, so they set off fireworks in the bush. A small fire was started, they put it out and snuck back to the lodge feeling as though they narrowly escaped disaster.
Jason caught wind of their escapade and to teach him a lesson he told Daniel the next day that there had been a dangerous forest fire and lots of damage resulted.
Daniel, who had always thought this was a true story, piped up from his seat at the head table, “You mean that wasn’t true? I fessed up to that incident when I tried to apply for the police force!”
Speeches
There were many good speeches. Some touching. Some funny. The parents of the bride and the parents of the groom gave particularly touching speeches. But I won’t tell you about them in the interests of brevity. One speech did stand out though and exemplified brevity.
The Best Man, Shane, youngest brother of the groom stood at the podium. He admitted being nervous and then shared that he once was told that the Best Man’s speech should not be longer than it takes the groom to make love to his wife. He then thanked everyone and sat down.
~
A lot of other stuff happened. A lovely meal was served. A touching presentation of photographs and music told the stories of Sabrina’s and Daniel’s childhood. Laughter, tears and great conversations were enjoyed.
At some point in the evening, someone asked me, “Where’s Daniel and Sabrina?”
“Dunno,” I shrugged. “Is there a ditch nearby?”
~ HUMP DAY CHRONICLES ~
After thought: Daniel and Sabrina, I know in my heart that your passion for each other and for others will make you a dynamic duo, effecting great change in this world. Congratulations to both of you and God bless.
elizabeth2560 said:
It sounds like a wonderful wedding. And the video was certainly different for a wedding.
Thanks for sharing
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dianasschwenk said:
Haha, there were lots of things that were different for a wedding Elizabeth!
Diana xo
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earthriderjudyberman said:
Sounds like the couple will have many happy memories … “Oh the places (they’ll) go” (also Dr. Seuss). The best man really had a memorable and brief speech. 😉 Best wishes to the happy couple.
I love Yello’s “Oh Yeah” ever since I saw “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off,” but it won’t play here.
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dianasschwenk said:
It sure does sound that way. Sorry the Oh yeah won’t play. It worked at first but for some reason it stopped working.
Diana xo
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Deb Weyrich-Cody said:
I had the same problem initially – when I tried to access the video from the email link – but, once I went to the online version to comment, the video worked fine. (Hope this works for you too: )
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Jean said:
Sounds like a memorable wedding for good friends and loved ones. I wondered: Did the 8 yr. old get terribly injured?
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dianasschwenk said:
As far as I know Jean, no. I don’t think I was there when it happened. You know, how you can a hear a story over and over and you end up remembering it as though you were there? Memory is a tricky thing. When I arrived the next day, the window was boarded up and eventually replaced.
Diana xo
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cyclingrandma said:
Love weddings! Always a surprise on how different they are.
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dianasschwenk said:
Always a risk to have an outdoor wedding but thankfully the weather cooperated! I liked being out in the country Lisa.
Diana xo
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markbialczak said:
Now that’s a unique wedding, personalized to the max! I think they are off to a wonderful start on their journey of marriage, thanks to their wise planning of the ceremony, the follow through of friends and family, and the lovely telling by you, Diana, right here! Great toast, best man. Great toast.
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dianasschwenk said:
Isn’t it Mark? I loved his toast!
Diana xo
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joannerambling said:
I love weddings, and this one sounds like a lovely one
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dianasschwenk said:
That it was Jo-Anne!
Diana xo
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When in New Places said:
What awesome and unique ideas for a wedding! I love the Dr Seuss theme – brilliant!
Congrats to them!! I must mention that the best man’s speech proved to be short and hilarious not a bad combo! 🙂
~ Andrea ❤
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dianasschwenk said:
I loved the best man’s speech. It wasn’t the end though, the emcee called him back to the podium and he said some pretty wonderful stuff about his relationship with his brother. Also, the best man is getting married in a week as well and Daniel is his best man… payback is a B eh?
Diana xo
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When in New Places said:
Oh man, nothing better than that – when the opportunity to strike back with a zinger is fresh!
Tis a B indeed!
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Wyrd Smythe said:
And a good time was had by all!
About the green eggs and ham… is the ham green as well?
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dianasschwenk said:
not according to the way this sentence is structured… 😉
Diana xo
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Wyrd Smythe said:
I tend to agree, but it’s possible to refer to blue plates and cups when both are blue. Green eggs are bad enough, but green ham… that’s just not right! 🙂
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Deb Weyrich-Cody said:
Y’know, I never really THOUGHT about this before… But, you’re right, it DOESNT actually say that the ham is green, does it? We, all of us, just ass-u-me’d it!
LOL, after all these decades, Dr. Seuss “got me” again! This is SO great! THANK YOU, Diana!! (And to Mr. Smythe, as well, of course; )
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Alan A. Malizia: Contagious Optimism! Co-Author said:
Great story Diana. Sounds like a fun filled day. The couple looks content and comfortable. A prayerful wish for a happy life.
-Alan
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dianasschwenk said:
Thanks for your good wishes on their behalf Alan!
Diana xo
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Val Boyko said:
Thank you for sharing their wonderful day! SO much love and quirkiness!!
Love it.
Val x
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dianasschwenk said:
Thanks Val, it sure was fun!
Diana xo
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Jennifer's Journal said:
Now that’s an original wedding. Do you think your daughter’s will give them a run for their money – with their sneakers and all? 😉
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dianasschwenk said:
Haha Jennifer – it’s not a competition. Every wedding is unique in its own way, no?
I can’t wait for my daughter’s wedding! ❤
Diana xo
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Jelaines said:
Your daughter is getting married?
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dianasschwenk said:
Yup. May 9th!
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Jelaines said:
Thanks so much for blogging this!
I love Dr. Seuss, and the joy of the event must have been magical.
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dianasschwenk said:
It was awesome Jan! 🙂
Diana xo
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russtowne said:
What a magical pot of a most extraordinary day! Thank you for sharing all these wonderful stories within a story, Diana.
Russ
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dianasschwenk said:
My pleasure Russ – thanks for reading them! 😀
Diana xo
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Deb Weyrich-Cody said:
Hi Diana, thought you should know that YouTube’s decided to be snarky and won’t play your vid for me… First, wanted me to sign in , then said it was “unavailable on this platform” (unavailable on an iPhone, really?!)
Regardless, sounds like you all had a great time and my best wishes to the Bride & Groom!
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dianasschwenk said:
I’m not sure about your phone but I noticed the same thing. One has to go to youtube to see the vid..
Thanks for your good wishes Deb!
Diana xo
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Deb Weyrich-Cody said:
Have a correction to make: once I actually went to your post, it worked just fine… Great vid (& what a pair they are, eh? ; )
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Sheryl said:
The wedding looks lovely–and the stories were fun to read.
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dianasschwenk said:
Thanks Sheryl, there was a lot of laughing and a bit of crying listening to those stories!
Diana xo
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jmgoyder said:
Absolutely fantastic!
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dianasschwenk said:
It was a beautiful wedding Julie!
Diana xo
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billgncs said:
stories are magic, love is magic – no weird at all, Oh – yeah
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dianasschwenk said:
I agree Bill! 😀
Diana xo
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Louise Gallagher said:
It sounds like a special day for a special couple — and I love the video! 🙂
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dianasschwenk said:
Oh Yeahhhhh!
It was a beautiful day and setting for their wedding Louise.
They’re a cool couple!
Diana xo
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