Karissa + Rylan: Wedding

I think that anyone who decides to plan a wedding in the icy month of January is brave. Braver than me anyway! Despite the odds, Karissa and Rylan each woke up on their wedding morning to a beautiful winter day, the sun streaming down onto the snowy white fields outside their windows. Grant and I couldn't help but smile at the sunny blue skies as we drove down county roads to the house where Karissa was getting ready for the wedding.



While Karissa spent the first part of the morning at a wedding shower and brunch thrown for her by her extended family, Rylan dropped off a letter and bouquet of flowers to surprise her when she arrived back at the house to get ready.




The ringbearers, waiting for the fun to start. :)




The house was filled with all the ladies getting ready for the day, and helping Karissa make a last-minute decision on which of the 4 pairs of earrings she should wear for the ceremony!










Beautiful.


Karissa and Rylan opted to see each other before the ceremony. It gave them the chance to spend a few minutes alone together, then to greet their close family and friends before the blur of the ceremony and reception.










The ceremony was held at the lovely chapel at Goshen College.








These next three pictures come from a part of the ceremony that Grant and I have never seen before: both sets of parents came up to the altar to pray with Karissa and Rylan before they were sent off as husband and wife. They both seem to have close relationships with their families and, especially knowing that after the honeymoon they were moving to start their new life a few states away, it was a special way to end the service.
















Karissa and Rylan, thanks so much for allowing us to be a part of your wedding day. It was beautiful, and so filled with your love for each other and your families. We hope Jamaica was amazing, and that you are enjoying setting up your new place!