The catholic service (finally) began in la Parroquia de Nuestra Senora del Consuelo, led by Father Juan Berchmans, guests were welcomed by the Groom.
Upon entering the church everyone was handed out white paper fans brought in from Vietnam and the nephews and nieces distributed “The Wedding Post” for guests to read while awaiting the Bride.
Jordan was responsible for the music playlist which included string quartet remixes of the couple’s favourite pop and love songs.
The Groom prepared to walk into the church accompanied by his mother Kathryn to the string quartet version of “My Heart will go On” by Celine Dion (and the Groom’s go-to kareoke song).
The bridal party walked down the aisle holding dried floral hoops that complemented the dried floral bouquets that both Mother of the Groom and Bride held at church.
The Bride was welcomed by the flutist and drummer outside in the square and then walked to the Church entrance to make her way down the aisle with both her parents beside her, she chose “Athair Ar Neamh” by Enya as the lyrics translate to a prayer of thanksgiving to God in Gaelic.
The Bride’s sister and bridal godmother Milena read the first reading from Ecclesiastes / Sirach 26:1-4, 13-26 – below is an excerpt
Blessed the husband of a good wife, twice-lengthened are his days; A worthy wife brings joy to her husband, peaceful and full is his life. A good wife is a generous gift bestowed upon him who fears the LORD; Be he rich or poor, his heart is content, and a smile is ever on his face.
The Groom’s friend Alex Gray delivered the Second Reading on love Corinthians 1: 13, below is an excerpt:
If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.
The Bride’s childhood friend and bridesmaid Michele read the Responsorial Psalm 33:12 and 18, 20, 21, 22, below is the response:
The earth is full of the goodness of the Lord
The Priest delivered the Gospel and Homily about the house built on sand vs rock Matthew 7:24, below is an extract:
Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.
The Groom’s cousin Joe, a surprise guest, delivered the prayers of thanks, below is an extract:
For Thomas and Lorena, that the Lord has brought them to this happy day, keep them forever in fidelity and love, Lord hear us.
The couple declared their intent to marry, exchanged their vows, received God’s blessing, and subsequently their rings.
The Best Man Tom brought over the ring box which contained a plain platinum band for the Groom and a platinum diamond band for the Bride, their rings were run across all fingers to symbolized the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, before being placed on each other’s ring finger.
Signed, sealed, delivered – officially married.
The legal registry was signed by Father Juan Berchmans, the Groom’s Mother Kathryn and Bride’s Father Hector who served as legal Witnesses, and the Bride and Groom.
The newlyweds exited to their Banquet entrance song – “We Found Love” by Rihanna!
The Bride’s nephews distributed confetti that included petals the Groom had given her over the years, as well as petals from an Engagement bouquet gifted by a family friend Cheryl, and additional dried purple and red rose petals prepared in small bags.
After celebrating their wedding at Church and greeting everyone, the couple left the square in a vintage Mustang and got driven through the whitewashed streets of Altea to their banquet – Just Married!
