The Wedding Week

I come into the peace of wild things . . .

I rest in the grace of the world and am free.

Wendell Berry

Bend beckoned us to participate in the celebration of Clint and Brittany’s marriage ceremony.  Bend, Oregon, home to dense forests, meandering rivers and plunging waterfalls, a magical setting for a magical wedding.

To understand this wedding, you must understand Brittany’s family. Brittany’s father, Richard Budenholzer (my cousin), hails from a from a large family of seven siblings with numerous offspring. Six of the seven siblings attended along with many of their children and even babies. Shout out to Poppy and Theo. Thus, you could say Bend was invaded by the Budenholzers in a peaceful way, of course.

There was a prologue to this wedding. Richard and Joni hosted a welcome dinner on Thursday for the weary travelers to relax and meet new friends and reunite with others. On Friday, the clan gathered at JC’s, the infamous setting of Brit and Clint’s first date. JC’s motto is “We ain’t fancy, but we know how to have fun.” A casual hangout with lots of games like Giant Jenga and pool tables. The perfect counterpoint to the day ahead.

June 4, 2022: The Wedding

Wild and rustic, the setting for Brittany and Clint’s ceremony, matched their personalities. Loving nature may be the foundation of their relationship. Brittany chose forests over beaches years ago, when she moved to be in the mountain environment of Bend.

A wooden, flowered arbor trellis provided the perfect picture frame for the silvery, blue river Tumalo Creek snaking below along with the mountainous backdrop. A spectacular setting.

The Ceremony

Clint, the groom, is stationed in front of this arbor awaiting the bride. Handsome in his dapper gray suit with lavender shirt and bowtie, touchingly, he tears up along with the guests. Even the cloudy skies shower a few tears of support, definitely not dampening spirits.

The many bridesmaids in shades of lavender floated down the aisle escorted by handsome groomsmen including Richie and Landon, Brittany’s brothers. All the guests stood as Brittany and her father basked in this emotionally symbolic moment as they glided along to where the groom awaited.

Their officiant Robin, a dear friend of the family, began with a quote from Aristotle “Love is composed of a single soul inhabiting two bodies.” She remarked on “Love” calling it an unseen force that compels us to share it with the world.

Robin introduced the Hand-Fasting Ceremony, an ancient ritual that uses the wrapping of cords to symbolize the binding of their hearts for all time. It’s a Celtic tradition–a little magical because the couple is literally “tying the knots.” Maybe this is where the phrase come from.

Next were the their individual vows. Clint’s first words melted my heart. “Brittany, as you know I’ve wanted this moment from the day I met you.”  Love at first sight! A cosmic connection! His utmost admiration for Brittany was summarized by his ending words “Simply, you are remarkable, inside and out.” I loved that he ended with one of my favorite Stevie Wonder lyrics, “I love you more today than yesterday.” This tied into the reception later when their first dance was to this song.

Brittany’s vows appropriately used travel metaphors promising to be Clint’s copilot for life even through life’s turbulence. I teared up when she said, “Everything within me recognizes that you are my home, and I feel safe with you.”

The Reception

Evening falls on the Sheppard National Forest.

Time to change gears. All the guests bring their chairs into the white tent with twinkling white lights. Stations for drinks are outside along with heaters. Brittany attracts friends where ever she goes and the guest list reflected the enormous variety of different milestones in her life from her childhood to present day.

The speeches were illuminating. Her bridesmaids related how Brittany is a firm feminist in matters of the heart having advised her girlfriends to never settle for less in relationships.

Richard told a story of Brittany, the cliff jumper, on a family vacation. She was warned to be careful of the jump and be sure of jumping into deep water. She doubled down by doing a precarious and risky flip into the water. Richard, the protective father, ends his speech by asking Clint to always make sure Brittany finds the deep water to jump.

Even though I’ve known Brittany since she was born, my respect for her balloons with each speech. Clint’s family and friends all reiterate what a sterling character he has. Brittany and Clint are well matched.

Tables are pushed away to the sides of the twinkling tent. Clint and Brittany, with their very formal foxtrot, dance to Stevie Wonder’s anthem, “I Love You More Than Yesterday, But Not As Much As Tomorrow.” A perfect bride and groom goal-setting song. A father daughter dance commences, always worthy of a tear or two. Then there’s the transition between the wedding speeches and the unleashing of the dance floor to all the guests. Pent up emotions spill out on the dance floor, and mad choreography is exhibited. The dancing is raucous and heartfelt and energetic. A perfect end to a this romantic couple’s day.

Epilogue

The bride and groom honeymooned in the Dominican Republic and are now back at work, Brittany is in adminstration fighting fires and Clint is a pilot for Alaska Air.

Thus ends the saga of two weddings in one week. Back to back celebrations of love are highly recommended.