Dave + Laura *Just Married*

The Galbraith
December 16, 2007

I'm so behind with posting this blog entry that I've got some 'splaining to do... I'm afraid all my late nights (or early morning bedtime?) has caught up with me and I couldn't have caught the bug at a worst time. Anyway, I managed to celebrate Christmas with my family and friends, albeit with a sniffle and a cough in between. Now, I have to post this blog for dear Dave and Laura who have been very patient and understanding.

The Clarke-Thornhill wedding was one emotional rollercoaster ride. Laura was giddy with excitement while donning her bold apparel. Dave was exchanging nervous banter with his groomsmen while putting on their boutonnieres. And when they saw each other for the first time, tears would well up on Laura and family members while Dave was all smiles upon seeing his radiant bride. When the ceremony started, it was Dave who couldn't hold back his tears any longer while Laura playfully wiped them away from her husband-to-be's gentle face. When all tears were shed and done, what was evident was the happiness and the love between the two families.

Now, on with the pictures. Let's start with the details...
The shoes...
The rings on an antique cheque writer. We had to set it up to write a cheque for $121,620.07.
The flowers with their studded initials hanging from Laura's bouquet.
Look at how happy Dave was upon seeing Laura for the first time that day...
Laura was truly radiant. Here's a couple of our favorites that we took of her.
The tradition of the bride wearing white did not become popular until mid-20th century. And Laura boldly went for the rich hue more apt for the winter season - burgundy.
At the ceremony, Dave was trying his best to keep the tears from rolling.
He wasn't the only one. The guests, including me, had to keep their eyes from welling up especially when Laura had the poem "Why Marriage?" read during the ceremony. Here's an excerpt from the poem where it really got me...

Because marriages do not fail, people fail
When they enter into marriage
Expecting another to make them whole...

Good thing I had the camera to hide behind from... hehe! But it's not all tears, there were plenty of laughs as well...

Some of the more heartwarming moments were those with Dave's step daughter, Katie-Ann, and Laura's sons, Wade and Regg.
I love this series of photos. Just shows you how much fun these people are. This was during the formal family portrait where Wade and Regg wouldn't quit with their antics.
A close family friend, Dale, who recently moved here from Cardiff, Wales, performed a Celtic handfasting ceremony with the Clarke Tartan.
Here's the wording used for the Gaelic blessing:
Mìle fàilte dhuit le d'bhréid,
Fad do ré gun robh thu slàn.
Móran làithean dhuit is sìth,
Le d'mhaitheas is le d'nì bhi fàs.

Translated as:
"A thousand welcomes to you with your marriage kerchief,
may you be healthy all your days.
May you be blessed with long life and peace,
may you grow old with goodness and with riches."

And here's the happy couple once again, looking very happy and very content.
Dave and Laura, thank you for allowing us to share in your happy day. We hope you had a wonderful Christmas with your family and here's to a great new year!

luv, luv, luv,
gracci