Pass the Tissues

As you know by now, we spent last weekend in Paris to celebrate, photograph, and officiate over the wedding of our good friends Jess and Scott. You read that right – I’m now an ordained minister and have officiated over my first ceremony.

It was the trip of a lifetime with two incredible traveling companions, and I must say, performing this ceremony for them was a pretty powerful experience. Powerful enough to make this grown man weep like a little girl, much as I did on my own wedding day. I had, however, set that teary expectation the moment they asked us to be involved in the journey, so at least I followed through on my word.

It took place in the beautiful Luxembourg Gardens, in a more private corner of the park. After all was said and done, I actually cried more throughout the ceremony – on our tiny, intimate platform in a usually very public place – than the bride and groom. Combined.

Jess and Scott’s parents had each given them a sealed letter for me to open and read in place of more “traditional” readings during the ceremony. After I had read the heartfelt thoughts of each set of parents aloud and made it through them relatively dry-eyed, I took a moment to impart a few words of my own marriage-y wisdom to the couple. Now, this is where the waterworks really started flowing – and where I may or may not have snorted out loud. The words I read echoed everything I love about being married to Kim (she cried behind the lens, too – bingo!), and I encouraged the couple to find their own sources of joy. At the same time, my reading served as a reminder to work through some of the challenges of being the best spouse that one can. Which, for me, is a pretty emotional sentiment.

Marriage is rarely perfect, but I can say with complete certainty that Jess and Scott are perfect for each other, and I truly feel that their ceremony was perfect for them. Thank you to Mr. & Mrs. Lively for allowing us to be a part of it (and for all the tissues).

PS! Mrs. Lively shares more photos and details right here.