I got up really early on a recent Friday Morning.
Yes, I meant to.
I had a wedding to perform on the beach at sunrise.
The couple wanted a quick ceremony at the very top of the weekend to move their relationship to the next level.
It would be just the three of us in the early morning twilight.
Amy and Tim found me on Thumbtack.com.
She and I had talked and pared down the wedding ceremony to the bare minimum length, with just enough mention of our Lord to make it clear this is a Christian ceremony.
A quick introduction.
I'd prompt each them to share their vows.
I'd ask the "I do" question of each of them.
I'd guide them through the exchange of rings.
Then I'd get to pronounce them Husband and Wife.
So, I got up early, really early.
Since I planned to come back after and go back to sleep.
I left my morning tea for later.
I put on my pants, shoes, shirt with the collar, and my cassock, and then my cross.
The smaller sliver and crystal cross.
I had hoped it would catch the light of the rising sun just right.
I got in my car and it was still fairly dark out.
There were no stars visible though.
By the time I got the the beach there was a general glow to the cloudy sky.
I hadn't planned on the effect of the classic marine layer we experience here.
The morning air was cool and crisp.
I saw my couple in the distance.
We met up, said a brief hello, and walked out onto the sand.
The ceremony was beautiful and poignant.
Their vows were heartfelt and touching.
Then I spoke that line and they were married.
(Well except for the paper work.)
We walked back off the beach toward there car to sign the license.
We had to pause for Amy to put her shoes back on.
Tim, lightheartedly cajoling her that the ceremony was quicker.
Back at their car I signed the license and it was official.
(Except it needed to be filled with the county.)
It was a beautiful reason to get up so early.
Being able to make the brides wish for a sunrise beach wedding come true was well worth getting up so early.
My only disappointment was that the change in the morning light was so subtle it went unnoticed.
