Nate’s wedding

I hummed the song “From this Moment” for days after my youngest son’s Aug. 18 wedding in St. Louis. That weekend the entire Hershberger clan converged on a hotel at the corner of I-55 and Lindbergh Drive. Single Hershbergers and friends sat up to all hours of the night talking and sharing stories. Parent Hershbergers were awakened early by playful Hershberger kids and the myriad of last minute wedding details needing their attention.
His and her families joined together to cut up vegetables, fruits, meats and cheeses for the buffet, arrange party trays, blow up balloons, decorate the tables and the church fellowship hall. Kissing kin on both sides worked to ease the transition of their single loved one into life as a married couple.
We were repeatedly impressed with the bride’s preparation and forethought. She welcomed out-of-town guests with be-ribboned baskets of muffins, pastries, napkins in the purple and orange wedding colors and a folder detailing the schedule of the weekend’s activities. We did not all follow the program exactly, but it did reduce the confusion that inevitably ensues when so many people try to coordinate their activities. The bride’s attention to detail included making sure the four-year-old flower girl knew the proper way to do her job and then had her practice.
From the beginning I said I didn’t care whether they married or when, but I just wanted to be invited to it — then I came up with lots of suggestions of ways to make it a family wedding. Too many ways, the week of the wedding my son decided he was officially experiencing wedding stress. He had had a nightmare about his family coming, bringing weird gifts and stuff and everyone wanting something.
Stress and all, he and his bride managed to pull off a wedding with a balance in both family’s participation. They planned the date around his sister’s return from her summer trip so she could sing at the wedding along with a niece. His brother did a dramatic reading. Her nephew was the honorary ring bearer. Her cousins lit candles and ushered; their friends and siblings were attendants.
From the decorating, to the barbecue rehearsal dinner, to cleaning up afterwards it was a communal celebration of marriage.
All the preparation converged as we waited our turns to enter the church at 2 p.m. Saturday. Just before the bride entered with her parents, the flowergirl walked carefully down the aisle dropping a handful of petals with each step. The bride with her crown of orange and white summer flowers, long flowing white gown and bouquet of roses captured the imagination of our 2-year-old granddaughter who thought she saw a princess.
Everything went smoothly until the bride and groom lit the unity candle as my daughter sang “From the Moment.” In the middle of the song, choked-up with wedding tears little sis missed a couple phrases. Bride and groom looked at each other and bit back their own emotions.
Pronounced husband and wife, they kissed and left the church, followed by the flowergirl dropping more flower petals.
The church emptied into the reception hall, the flowergirl gathered up all the petals and put them back in her basket. It was a great family wedding. We wish the new couple well in their life together.