Grandpa Bill's Wedding "firsts"

Grandpa Bill with communion elements

The morning following Eileen and Jared’s wedding, Eileen’s mother asked me what “firsts” I experienced in presiding at their wedding. I came up with about four or five but after further reflection I discovered there were far more than just four or five. After doing hundreds (literally) of weddings and spanning a period of fifty-five years, these are the “firsts” I discovered.

First wedding of a granddaughter or grandson.

First wedding in a bird blind (didn’t even know what one was).

Processional was a drummer but in this unique setting it was most appropriate

and enjoyable.

Recessional was a violinist who also happened to be the groom’s father.

A classical guitarist provided the dinner music at the Wedding Dinner.

Went 2,232 miles via Chicago for a wedding.

First wedding I had on an island.

First wedding with mountains in view and snow capped at that.

First time I went on a wedding shopping spree (downtown Seattle for i.e.

flowers, etc.) the day before the wedding.

First wedding which was complete in every way which was put together

in less than 96 hours even though one would have thought it had taken

months to plan.

First time Jackie and I had dinner with a couple on their honeymoon and at

their request!

First time on the wedding cake table there was a cherry pie provided by the

brides father (his favorite pie and Grandpa Bill’s favorite pie).

First time I performed a wedding without a license but with the license in

process and with the understanding this isn’t all that unusual. Most

most important of all it was performed in the “eyes of God.”

First time the bride walked down the “aisle” on a knee scooter (chariot).

First time I took a ferry to get to the place where the wedding took place.

First time I experienced an “Inward Journey” through a wooded area on the

island as directed so beautifully by two of Eileen’s classmates. Very

touching and was provided personally for each member of the two families.

Aisle cloth purchased at a hardware store for the metal “bridge” over a small

stream over which we walked just before entering the bird blind.

First time I had a complete mental block when it came to pronouncing

the couple by name as husband and wife even though I had their names

written in the book with the Wedding Ritual as I always do. I even wrote the

names of my daughter and son in the book for their weddings.

First time I wore a ball cap (Islandwood) and jacket during a rehearsal.

First time Jackie and I stayed on the 35^th floor of a hotel thanks to the

brides parents as a gift for my presiding at the wedding. The view from

Our window was the Space Needle,

First wedding west of the Mississippi and in the state of Washington.

First wedding dinner put together by a group of graduate student friends and who

did so in such a professional way from the floor arrangement of the Commons to the

way in which the tables with food were so attractively arranged.

First time I saw a moon halo.