Best Man Bunting performed his duty of safe-guarding the rings until they were needed beautifully, but now it was time to bless and exchange them and I couldn’t wait to have that shiny new band on my finger marking me as a married woman.

Slipping Mr. Bunting’s ring over his finger, I repeated after our officiant.

With this ring, I thee wed, and with all that I am and all that I have, I honor you.

Mr. Bunting followed suit with my band.

With this ring, I thee wed, and with all that I am and all that I have, I honor you.

I couldn’t help but admire it once it was on!

And because you haven’t seen these rings in detail yet, here are the lovely photographs of them. Mr. Bunting’s band is SK Cobalt and my band is a wrap-around white gold with sapphire and diamond accents.

personal photo

With our rings in place, our Pastor officiant delivered a brief message that he had specially selected for our ceremony. He started with the story of a piece of half-worked marble that had been thrown away by a frustrated sculptor, only later to be discovered by a man passing by. This man brought it home to his studio, and out of that discarded marble he carved the statue that we now know as “David”. That man was revealed to be Michaelango.

While Mr. Bunting and I knew there would be a message, our pastor had kept the details of it a mystery until that moment. I was incredibly touched and inwardly thrilled with his choice. The artist theme really hit home for me being that I am an artist, and though I had heard the story before, it was a wonderful reminder that magnificent things can come out of hard work and perseverance. With that, we listened and reflected upon his following words of what it takes to create a sculpted marriage.

*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.