Guest blogger Mr. Dilettante

It’s a beautiful day in South St. Paul, Minnesota and you have found the live blog for the wedding of Faith and Ben. The assembled characters are beginning to arrive and your humble reporter and guest blogger is Mr. Dilettante.

Update:

First of all, let’s give a shout-out to our worldwide viewership, including Gillian and Cesar, who are enjoying the festivities from Amersham, which is approximately 30 miles northwest of the Tower of London. We have the groom and the groom’s father in the immediate vicinity. Ben is resplendent in his topper and tails, with his hat cocked at a jaunty angle.

Update:

Let’s set the scene: at this point we have a tangle of groomsmen over to the side. The witnesses have begun taking their seats, in front of stately Night Writer Manor. The flower girls have just walked by; they are wearing beautiful bronze and cream-colored dresses — and wrist sweaters. Here at blogging central we’ve had visits from David Strom and his wife Margaret Martin, dapper grooomsman Dan Stover and most recently Brad Carlson. The creme de la creme of the Twin Cities blogging community is here, of course — really, where else would you be? We’re about 15 minutes away from the start of the festivities. Another report shortly.

Update:

Our visitors today have come from a variety of locations, including as far away as Cuba. Cuba, Missouri, that is — we have had no sightings of Fidel or Raul and do not expect any at this time. Gino is also here from Southern California. The groom is astonishingly relaxed, considering that he is now less than 15 minutes away from a life-changing event. If he’s sweating at all, he’s managed to contain it in the headband of his topper, which remains at a jaunty angle and has not drooped in any way. We are also fortunate that the Heathen Brother is nearby to provide clarification on a few issues and likely knows where the bodies are buried.

We’re now less than five minutes away. Hard-hitting play-by-play to begin shortly.

 

Update:

We’re just about to begin. The processional is “Joyful Joyful,” always an appropriate choice for a joyful event. We will have the following scripture readings:

Romans 5:1-2, 6-8
1 John 4:10-11
Isaiah 25:1, Jeremiah 29:11

We expect the arrival of the bridal party in a moment.

Update:

For those of you keeping score at home, here are the featured participants.

The bridesmaids are:

Patience “Tiger Lilly” Stewart, Maid of Honor
Lindsay Irish, Bridesmaid
Casii “Princess Flicker Feather” Stephan, Bridesmaid

We’ll get back to the groomsmen. We are beginning.

Ben has just seated his mother and awaits his bride. The wedding party is emerging. We are singing “Amazing Grace” as they arrive. The maid of honor and best man have just arrived. The bride is imminent.

Tiger Lilly and KingDavid (Patience & Dave Cesarek) clear the way.
Photo by Katherine Cesarek.)

Now arrives the bride. Faith is here, beautiful.

Night Writer here, logging in after the fact with extra details. Let it be known that I was right there next to Faith, in a very snazzy tux, a picture of composure. And I don’t even get a mention on my own blog? “Joyful, Joyful” by the way was sung by one of the bridesmaids and two of the bride’s friends. Lovely.

 

Update:

Faith’s mother, the Reverend Mother, is presiding. She is now reading from Ephesians, reminding Ben and Faith of what the Lord expects of married people.

Ben and Faith have professed their faith in Jesus. Now through their faith, they are ready to wed.

The Reverend Mother is reminding Ben and Faith that Jesus is part of any marriage. They will become one. The power of God will join Ben and Faith together.

We are now talking about witnesses. Everyone here is agreement with this union.

Ben and Faith look great.

(Photo by Brad Carlson.)

So does the Reverend Mother!

Now the vows.

Ben says “I do.”

Ben Worley now tells Faith that he joins himself to Faith. From this moment forward we shall be one.

Faith says “I do.”

Faith now tells Ben that she submits herself to Ben, to be his wife and that from this moment forward, they shall be one.

Now, the ring. The ring is the reminder of their faith and of the promise they have made today.

Now Ben places the ring on Faith’s finger.

Now Faith places the ring on Ben’s finger.

Now Ben and Faith join hands. They are now husband and wife.

The Rev. Mother says, “You may now finally… and without further ado … or fear of bodily harm, kiss your bride.”

(Photo by Brad Carlson.)

Ben and Faith kiss. The deed is done!

Kind of a long kiss, actually, but then they’ve been waiting a long time. Tiger Lilly flinches at first, probably from reflex, but the katana stays out of sight.

 

Update:

Now the recessional begins. It was a beautiful ceremony, but also one that underscores the seriousness of what has happened today. A marriage is a highly consequential event. But there’s also a party to have. And that is next. We’re going to have the receiving line now. Further updates are coming soon!

(Photo by Brad Carlson.)

Update:

We’re back. We don’t want to give short shrift to the groomsmen, especially since they are fairly large dudes and while gentle could conceivably cause some sort of stampede. They also make the bridesmaids look especially good in comparison. They are:

(Photo by Brad Carlson.)

Best Man: David “King David” Cesarek
Groomsman: Dave “Surly Dave” Christison
Groomsman: Dan “Stover!” Stover

They’re all bloggers, too.

And we should also give the flower girls and ring bearer a shout-out, too, don’t you think?

They are:

Arabella Jestus
Moriah Jestus
Deborah Harrison
Catherine Harrison
Christopher Slocum

Let’s set the scene: the caterers are busily preparing the tables for dinner. I am hearing random shout-outs from inside Stately Night Writer Manor, which appear to be cheering of some sort. It’s a happy event.

No caterers! The groomsmen were in charge of converting the seating to a table and chairs layout in the driveway with decorating done by the bridesmaids. An all volunteer group of friends organized the food preparation with a fleet of teen-agers rushing to tables with fruit plates and baked brie and later the entree and wedding cake. Speaking of volunteers, I notice that Mr. D has a prime seat with a good view of the action, but he also happens to be facing into the late afternoon sun.

Mr. D at work, with the Heathen Brother standing by.
(Photo by Brad Carlson.)

I am also now in possession of John’s wide brimmed hat. It’s a good look for Mr. D, who ordinarily favors Bugs Bunny baseball caps. I’m sitting in John’s chair, writing on his blog and even using his laptop. This is almost the dictionary definition of living large. Mrs. D helpfully points out that it’s a very good thing indeed that John has not also handed me the bill for this event.

Update:

We’re back and it’s time for the father/daughter dance. After some of the earlier suggestions were rejected, such as “Butterfly Kisses” and “Funkytown,” John and Faith are dancing to “My Little Girl,” by Tim McGraw.

It’s a beautiful moment.

(Photo by Brad Carlson.)

And now Ben and Faith dance together for the first time as husband and wife. It is also a lovely moment. The song is “Book of Love,” by Peter Gabriel.

We’re going to turn things loose a little bit now, since the party part of the wedding is about to begin. We had a lovely dinner and a lot of fun, including a trivia contest, a la Keegan’s Irish Pub, a local watering hole that played a major role in this couple eventually finding each other. Two local bloggers who shall remain nameless were your winners.

Hey, my team won the trivia contest only to be disqualified for being family of the bride and groom (a number of questions had to do with their courtship). These people are making up rules after the fact, kind of like Minnesota election judges. Dang, I could use that $5 Caribou gift card. Btw, Tiger Lilly came up with the trivia questions and acted as emcee. Marty better watch his back!

The entire wedding party is dancing, or a reasonable facsimile thereof. As a general rule, it’s never advisable for large, middle-aged bloggers to dance publicly; I am not aware of any statutory limitations on such things, but it looks like they are having a lot of fun. More party reportage anon!

(Photo by Brad Carlson.)

Update:

We’re back! The groomsmen just danced with bags over their heads to the Black Eyed Peas. That is probably the best way to do it. It’s early, but thus far the music provider has managed to eschew the “Chicken Dance” and the staple of all Wisconsin weddings, Nick Lowe’s “I Knew The Bride When She Used to Rock and Roll.” This is a classy ceremony, we’ll have you know.

(Photo by Brad Carlson.)

Update:

This you should see. We have the bride, bridesmaids, mother of the bride/officiant and various other women doing a frighteningly well-choreographed version of “Thriller.”

The bride shed one of her ivory wrist-sweaters for the dance. Unfortunately, no photos at this time!!

 

Update:

We’re going to let some of the other assembled blogging talent have an opportunity to address the vast North American Night Writer audience. First, let’s bring on Brad Carlson, sage of Anoka County!

Hi, it’s Brad here. I can’t tell you how thrilled I am for Ben and Faith (and it’s not just because the limo is coming in five minutes to whisk them away). Seriously though, to see a young couple take their first step in a Christ-centered journey is truly an honor.

And I also have to say this is the first wedding I’ve attended where:

a)One person served as both mother of the bride and Officiant (Marjorie Stewart a/k/a The Reverend Mother).

b)Each groomsman was old enough to be the father of each bridesmaid whom they escorted down the aisle.

Whoa, the Electric Slide is playing. I’m outta here!!!!

Yep, I think that was Brad that hit the dancefloor like Adrian Peterson breaking through the Green Bay defensive backfield.

Update:

Brad wasn’t kidding, folks. It is the Electric Slide! Cha cha, y’all! It’s just about dusk and the limousine is here, just about ready to whisk Ben and Faith away. But we’ve got lots of talent here. For example, we have Gino, all the way from Southern California, here to add his unique sensibility to this post. Take it away, Gino!

Hello,all who are still reading this.
Gino here,
First off, i want t thank Ben and Faith for planning their wedding to coincide with my escape from the wretched land on the left coast.
Seems the young lovers have wasted no time putting the joy in marriage: dancing,laughing,smiling non-stop.

They’re on their way…

Oh, now they left. Off to the honeymoon, wedding night, and whatever else they got planned.

I’m sure they’ll be busy…
Oh,yeah…

It should be noted that Gino, who’s full name is Gino Ruffalo, received a special serenade from the Mall Diva and Tiger Lilly during the toasting: a rendition of the Veggie Tales’ “Everybody’s Got a Water Buffalo Song” with “Gino Ruffalo” inserted in the key places. We’d never met Gino of the Shreds blog in person before today but he has been a frequent commenter. When I admonished the girls that everyone doesn’t have a Gino Ruffalo they inserted, “but they wish they did!”

 

Update:

Now that the happy young couple (or is that the dearly departed?) have decamped for their new life together, we’re going to bring this live blog to a close. We hope that you have enjoyed this blessed event and I would like to wish Ben and Faith a blessed life together.

Your faithful correspondent,

Mr. Dilettante

Thanks, Mr. D! Great job! As Larry the Cucumber might say, “I laughed, I cried, it moved me, Bob.” Photos will be downloaded and inserted into the appropriate spots here as soon as we can get to them! There’s a sneak peak here.

The official wedding photographer informs us she has more than 2400 photos of the event to go through, proof and categorize. Expect these about the time the newlyweds return from their honeymoon in three weeks.

 

Listen to a podcast of the ceremony here.