Instead of colored sands to represent the joining of our selves and our lives, we used earth, sand, and rocks from the geographical locations most important to our hearts and our personal histories. These alternating layers won’t just symbolize our union, but also our past, present, and future. To explain the meaning of the ritual and the significance of each bottle of earth, I wrote some words for our pastor to share during the ceremony.

Earth.  We are born of the substance of earth, and during our lives we walk and roam it until we die and return to it.  Soil and rock are the foundation of this planet, and today we will use it as a symbol for building the foundation of your marriage.

Miss Bunting, you were born in the territories of Wyoming.  These river stones, screened from Little Goose Creek at the foot of the Big Horn Mountains, represent the beginning of your life and whence you came.

With that, I poured in the pebbles that had been carefully shipped to us from dear friends in Wyoming.

Mr. Bunting, you were born in the distant country of Japan. This fine soil, which has traveled so far from Japan to be with us here today, represents the beginning of your life and whence you came.

Miss Bunting, while you may have been born out west, you spent your childhood and adolescent years growing up in Northern Michigan. This sand, taken from the shore of Berry Lake where you spent many summers, represents your maturing into the woman you are today.

Mr. Bunting, you also spent the majority of your adolescent years in Northern Michigan, and it was there that you first met Miss Bunting. This rich loam soil brought from the land on which your mother still lives, represents the time when your paths first crossed.

Mr. Bunting was spilling the soil everywhere, and we couldn’t help but giggle at the mess he was making. (To give him credit, the jar he was pouring from had a wide mouth while the vase we were pouring in to had a narrow mouth.)

Mr. Bunting and Miss Bunting, you were both born in vastly different places. As you grew, those places grew nearer to one another. This is your past and the present before you, earth and soil and sand from the places that you have touched and been touched by.  And now these two histories are joined as one, never to be separated again.  It is upon these two separate stories that you shall build the foundation of your marriage.  Most of the vase is empty, and that is because you have so many adventures ahead of you.  So, go now together and fill this empty space with the earth and sand and soil of the places you have yet to visit, walking along hand in hand as husband and wife.

The end result is a beautiful piece that we proudly display in our home. We have since added a new layer of fine, white sand from the beaches of Mexico where we spent our honeymoon and we intend to continue adding layers with each place we spend significant time together.

After the Foundation Ceremony was complete, Mr. Bunting’s aunt, who had traveled with her husband from Texas, came forward for our second reading: “Chapter One of One Thousand” by O.J. Preston. We felt this excerpt was particularly fitting because of the ‘adventure’ undertones it carries.

“For two people this dawn brought on a magical day

Now husband and wife they head on their way

As a boat setting sail may their journey begin

With calmest of waters, most helpful of wind

And if they should stumble upon turbulent sea

May it pass them unharming – leave them be.

For here are two people whom love has well bitten

Here opens their book which has yet to be written

As the first page unfolds and their life inks its path

May it write a true story where forever love lasts

Let their journey be happy till death do they part

Of one thousand chapters may this be the start.”

We’re just a prayer and a kiss away from being married, now!

*Marked photos are copyright Bryan and Mae Photography. Unmarked photos are personal or guest photos.

Follow the adventure:

• We had a fluffing party and rehearsed.
• I woke up and got ready with my girls.
• I step into the prettiest white dress I’ll ever wear.
• Mr. Bunting recounts getting ready at the Man Cave.
• Wishin’ and prayin’ and hopin’  and thinkin’ for perfect weather.
• I received the most important Post-It Note. Ever.
• We race toward one another for our first look.
• Mushy-lovey photos ensued shortly after.
• We strutted our stuff as one big happy Bunting Bunch.
• Our guests started to arrive: welcome to our wedding.
• I went into hiding… and panicked.
• Our wedding party assembled on time, but the bride was missing.
• I arrive fashionably late in a horse-drawn carriage.
• We listen to a reading and turn to wave at our guests.
• We exchange our vows, which inspire both tears and laughter.
• Mr. Bunting slips on my wedding band, and I his.

Today, I will be marrying my best friend. It seems so incredibly surreal that our engagement period is about to draw to a close, and that our relationship is about to enter an entirely new territory. I feel like we are leveling up. We have been dating for over seven years, and though we both knew within our hearts that we would eventually marry, it is still almost unbelievable that our day is finally upon us. The entire wedding planning process has been such an amazing adventure, and it has certainly had its ups and downs. But you know what? Despite all of the stress, drama, and occasional fits of tears, planning my wedding to Mr. Bunting has been an experience I will forever treasure. There have been so many new and wonderful memories made, and I can honestly say that I have thoroughly enjoyed and savored every minute of it.

Throughout our engagement, people continuously told me how it was such a lot of time and money to invest into a single day. In the beginning I may have agreed, but I quickly learned that the wedding is not just the day, it is the entire process and experience. Planning this wedding has made me realize, even more so, just how blessed and fortunate I am to have Mr. Bunting and everyone else in my life. I have grown closer to my family. I have gained new family. I have seen just how much my friends love and support me. And most importantly, it has been proven time and time again, stressful situation after stressful situation, joyful discovery after joyful discovery, that Mr. Bunting and I are so perfectly matched.

Hive, I want to thank you for letting me share my experience with you, and for all of the support and kindness you have in return shared with me. By no means is this a goodbye, since I will return from our honeymoon with some last-minute DIY projects, details, and of course all the juicy recaps, but I do want to simply say: thank you. And see you on the married side!

Sincerely,

Miss Bunting, soon to be Mrs. Bunting