Wedding Planning…With the Ultimate Coordinator

You’ve heard the familiar cry “Let the games begin!” Well, the game is on — wedding planning is in full swing for the Barkers. For Kelli and me (and sister Kristin!), that is. All Don cares to hear is the briefest recaps of what’s cooking. His thoughts can best be summed up in the question he hollered to me the night of Kelli’s engagement when he overheard me gushing our news to one of my sisters. “How much is this going to set me back?” He plays his Father of the Bride role perfectly, huh :)

Amazing how one little question can kick our lives into a whole new gear. Ever since Jake uttered the words to Kelli, “Will you marry me?”, she and I both have had our brains overtaken by the all consuming task known as wedding planning.

She found out right away that next summer (when they want to have the wedding) is not that far away in the wedding world. A bride and her family have no time to waste in securing the ceremony and reception sites. A few of the places she’s checked into are already booked through next July.

So…we’ve not only been at work trying to get those things nailed down but also have thrown in some wedding gown shopping. Crazy, I know, but hard to resist :) We’ll also have to soon find a photographer, caterer, and florist. The most highly recommended vendors’ calendars don’t stay open for long…

I’ve reassured Kelli more than once in the past 10 days that it won’t be this busy all the time. Once we get a few major things taken care of, we’ll be able to approach the remaining details in a more leisurely fashion. That’s the dream anyway :)

Hosting a wonderful wedding celebration takes a lot of work, requires careful planning and budgeting, and involves some unavoidable stress. But…it yields much joy and lifelong memories as well. We certainly wouldn’t want to attempt it all on our own. Many folks hire professional wedding planners, but we’re calling on our heavenly Father. I found during my first experience as a mother of the bride that He is the perfect wedding coordinator.

This should come as no surprise, though, should it? The Lord God Himself is the ultimate wedding planner. After all, His Son Jesus is described in scripture as the bridegroom of a radiant bride, the church, and heaven itself as the site for His wedding supper. God is certainly no stranger to wedding planning.

As we keep our eyes on Him and take each need to Him in prayer, He will prove faithful as He always does. He’ll show us once again that He’ll walk with us through every situation — even something as detailed and frou-frou as wedding planning. And I’m hoping you’ll whisper a prayer when you think of us as well. Walk with us, too, won’t you?

“Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come…” Revelation 19:7a

Comments

  1. I love the picture of you two. Good luck with your planning!!

  2. I am so excited for the both of you as you imagine and plan for the “wedding” of the year! Your joy is palpable and gives me a diversion for the mundane of my everyday. How well I remember planning my own wedding almost 13 years ago. Billy and I shared such joy in making it happen, focusing on the stuff that was most important to us. I know that God is in the planning, friend, and I can’t wait to watch this season unfold for you.

    You deserve much happiness, Cheryl. Some day, I hope to have the joy of sitting where you are with my own daughter as she plans her own wedding.

    Ah, the joys of having a daughter! And the expense… (poor Don)… should I start saving now?

    peace~elaine

  3. Great analogy Cheryl.

  4. Thanks, gals — appreciate hearing from each of you. Definitely start saving, Elaine :)

  5. Beautiful photo Cheryl!

    What a great time of planning and celebration! Love the “Father of the bride” example of your hubby. GOD will provide.

    Enjoy enjoy enjoy the sweet blessings this time will bring.

    May the Wedding be beautiful and may the Marriage be even MORE so.

  6. Congratulations and best wishes! With a bride as beautiful as Kelly, it can’t help but be a beautiful wedding!

    –r

  7. Oh boy, do I remember the days! Fun and pressure and fun and stress and fun and emotion and fun! I decided early in our process that this was going to be a good time for us–and it was! I pray God’s blessing on you and your daughter as you go through this special time! ;-)

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