Weddings start successful family affairs

The beautiful wedding of Brandon and Jillian Watters blended rich fall colors with love. (Photo by Kurk Johnson)

Waking up to the news that two unrelated weddings ended in a deadly brawl in Philadelphia early Sunday morning, I was remembering my cousin's wedding this weekend with a sigh of relief...nothing visibly bad went down at the marriage of Jillian and Brandon Watters in Huntsville, Ala.

"This is one great big family reunion," said Tonya Douglas, mother of the bride. And it was. I took my whole family of five with me because I felt wanted and loved at this special occasion. "The father of the bride, Alfred Douglas, made everyone feel important and beautiful," said Ilea Johnson, cousin of the bride.

Bride Jillian dances with father, Alfred, as grandparents look on. (Photo by Tomi Johnson)

This wedding was the only one where I didn't have to pull out my Kleenex, for I always cry at weddings. Why didn't I need tissues this time? Because everything was fun, upbeat, and natural.

Photo by Tomi Johnson

No wedding is perfect, nor should it have to be. One candle remained stubbornly unlit during the lighting ceremony. The minister, Dr. Wayne Snodgrass, walked in on a cane to the beat of the music.  The groom made jokes. The bride read her own vows which highlighted how she had loved her groom since junior high school. The entire audience laughed. There was no asking for anyone to hold their peace.  

The bride's shoes were as frilly as her gorgeous dress which seemed poured onto her body. The orange satin bridesmaid's dresses were exceptionally pretty. The flowers, designed by the bride's family which has owned a florist for over 50 years, were exquisite. At the reception, older family members watched the crowd dancing, remembering when they were young and more flexible. Afterwards, the bride's siblings and cousins partied until 4:00 a.m. at different venues around the city.

What a wonderful way to remember the happiest day of a couple's life!

 ©2012 Tomi Johnson. All rights reserved.