As I have been saying for many months now I was engaged to a beautiful young lady. As of yesterday about 4:30pm (1630) I am now married to a beautiful young lady.
It was our desire to incorporate all of our many and varied passions. The wedding was held at White Lake, a small lake (about 1500 acres) about an hour from our home. I have been spending summers there since I was about 3 years old and it is as much home for me as anywhere. The ceremony was at the end of the pier in my mother's subdivision. My wife (that seems strange still) wore a beautiful ivory wedding dress and requested that I wear my boot, blue jeans, and brown Stetson. She arrived on a white carriage pulled by two horses.
The first part of the ceremony was very typical vows, exchange of rings, and such. After the exchanging of rings we did our version of a Scottish handfasting ritual, using her family tartan and mine as the cords to "tie the knot." We were piped out by Mr. Robert White, a piper from the Raleigh area. Many thanks go out to Mr. White who went above and beyond the call of duty. He also played Amazing Grace during the ceremony and Scotland the Brave as the recessional.
We left the wedding ceremony on my pontoon boat, and thanks to my new sister-in-law we had whiskey waiting for us on the boat. (Some times you just need a drink. It was Jack not Scotch but it did the job beautifully). When we returned to shore we had lots of pictures made (yes I will post some) and partied for several hours at the reception.
I would like to send my sincere thanks out to all of those who made this wonderful day possible for Elva and I. You all know who you are.

I was asked several times leading up to the event if I would be kilted. The answer was no. First of all my wife (boy it's getting easier) and I met before I was kilted, and she wanted the western attire that she remembered from those days. Secondly my mother, whom I love dearly, does not understand my obsession with kilts and such, and since we were having the ceremony in her neighborhood and the reception in her yard we decided that my kilt would be left at home (not the case with the honeymoon).
We have also decided to attempt a trip to Scotland in 2012, with my new brother and sister-in-law (all hail the blessed providers of alcohol). While there we hope to renew our vows and there I will be kilted...of course.

Again thanks to everyone who helped put together our beautiful wedding, and thanks for all of the warm wishes and prayers.

Graham