It was Saturday morning and we weren't sure what to do. Suzanne
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was lounging on the couch and Benjamin and Sarah
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were on the computers when Jane
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came home and spurred us to action. So, David
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got dressed up and announced that wheels up time would be 1400 hours. This caused the rest of them
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so that we could get to the church
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on time. We even had time to pose for a few pictures
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before following these people
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across the street
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and to the church.
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Once we got in, we got the feel of the place
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and knew what hymns were being sung.
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The sun filtered through our pew
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as we waited for the proceedings to begin.
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The ushers brought a flower for this lady
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and then amused a baby
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while the cameras were ready to record things
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and a few stragglers arrived.
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Billy's parents were seated
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as was Melissa's father's wife.
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So, it was time for the main event. The groom and best man were waiting with the minister
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and flanked by more groomsmen
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while the bridesmaids began to enter
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and assemble one by one on the stage
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so that everyone stood
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and blocked my view of the bride entering
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The ceremonial candle was lit
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and the wedding could begin
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much to the amusement of this little boy.
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The minister addressed the couple
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as the crowd watched
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and then they ascended to the stage
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to face each other
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and take their vows as the bridesmaids
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and groomsmen
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watched. At this point, the minister asked that all photography stop. So while we were happy to have to have our pictures, we knew that a good thing was over until we made our way outside.
Once outside, we were able to get our pictures at will as the newlyweds greeted people
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in the non-receiving line receiving line and the photographer took the occasional crowd picture
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before getting back on focus with the receiving line
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and then a glimpse of the bride's father.
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After a few more crowd shots
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and one of the bridesmaids
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it took a major effort to capture the man with the Nascar tie
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even though I could not see his tie yet. This was interrupted when the cameras focused
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and the bride and groom re-emerged from the church
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to be greeted by bubbles
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and more bubbles
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after which I caught at least a small glimpse
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of the Nascar tie and then returned to the bride and groom.
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After all, it was their day. They were still there
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as was the crowd
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as we captured the bride's father
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on his happy day. It took a few tries to get a picture of this lady's ink. She kept lifting her cigarette to block the view
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and then the final picture was from too far.
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So we crossed the street
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and headed home.
We came back to the relief fire house
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station 303
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a few hours later for the reception. Things began with this salad
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and then we took a picture of the others at our table -- a bridesmaid's husband and his inlaws
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who work at Verizon and watched Melissa grow up from when she was this high. Bridesmaid/Groomsman pairs kept entering
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though I did pause to record this lady's ink
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while waiting for the bride and groom to enter
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and dance too fast for me to capture
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As others danced
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we recorded the other people at our table
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who are the Allentown Caging folk. Then I got my main course
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and a picture of the bride and groom
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up close but in questionable light. The bridal bouquet got thrown
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and caught by someone who was blocked from my view. The cake appeared
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and was fed to one another in light
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and in darkness.
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The final event recorded was the tossing of the bride's garter. He tried
to find it
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reached higher
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to the amusement of the crowd
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reached a little higher
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to Melissa's concern and then pitched the garter
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to someone we couldn't see.
We ended our evening with a picture of Kristen's parents
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and a tasty piece of wedding cake.
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Good luck to Melissa and Billy. Have a good life together!!