Sunday, August 10, 2008

Brenda and Brian's Wedding


My Aunt Bev and Uncle John. John has now married/reaffirmed vows for my mother and both of her sisters. Quite frankly I'm pretty sure he would have done his own wedding ceremony to my Aunt Bev if he could have.




You can't really see in this picture, but if you look across the lake you can see Toronto from the shore of Lake Ontario in St Catharines. It was a bit cloudy but the weather held out JUST long enough for us to get family pictures and race inside for the reception.





The ceremony had a traditional celtic theme. That's right, not only did we welcome Brian into our family, we also turned him into a Scotsman!The blancmanges have attacked!
My Aunt is radiant, and (amazingly) in this picture not crying.

Brian and Brenda decided not to have people throw confetti, but to blow bubbles instead when they were pronounced. This of course gave my family the opportunity to play all night.

My brother and father looking less goofy than usual. My Dad has kept up the Scottish/Celtic theme, sporting the Buchanan dress tartan.
My Aunt and now Uncle are off to London, followed by Italy. Brian told me on my way out, "we'll be sure to do EVERYTHING theatry while we're there". I think I gave them exactly the same face as my mother is giving right here:


I am very sad not to have a picture of the toast I gave Brian to welcome him to the family. By which I of course mean the actual physical piece of toast that I gave him that said "Welcome Brian".
I hope no one ate it.


An exerpt from Anam Cara, A Book of Celtic Wisdom

In the Celtic tradition, there is a beautiful understanding of love and friendship. Anam is the Gaelic word for soul, and cara is the word for friend. So anam cara is the word for soul-friend. It is originally referred to as someone to whom you confessed, revealing the hidden intimacies of your life. With the anam cara you could share your innermost self, your mind and your heart. When you had an anam cara, your friendship cut across all convention, morality and category. You were joined in an ancient and eternal way with the "friend of your soul."
The soul is a divine light that flows into you and into your Other. This soul-bond awakens and fosters a deep and special recognition and belonging. In the warmth of the love of a true soul-friend, the soul can be itself. The love is the source, centre and destiny of experience. Real love is not manufactured or achieved by the act of will or intention, but rather as an act of recognition.
In everyone's life there is a great need for an anam cara. In this love you are understood as you are without mask or pretension. Love allows understanding to dawn and understanding is precious. When you are understood, you are at home. Understanding nourishes belonging. When you really feel understood, you feel free to release yourself into the trust and shelter of the other person's soul. May you always be in the gentle nest of belonging with your Anam Cara.

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

Tiz, thanks for the great pictures! And, thanks to you and Scott for doing such an amazing job as MCs. You're wonderful and I love you so much! Talk to you in a couple of weeks! Love, Auntie Brenda

Anonymous said...

Hi Tiz - good job! Please accept and also pass along my thanks to Scott - you guys were great MC's - Mutated Cabbages - (you already got even with me by posting a great shot of the "bright side" of my head - I guess I'm going to see a lot of those...*sigh*...)

Anonymous said...

Tiz!, What great photos and comments!! It was a wonderful day and you and Scott did a great job making everyone feel so a part of the event! The Bride came home to pack--I am glad I don't have to lug that suitcsse---I hope it is not too heavy for the plane!! She left about 2.15 and I packed a lunch from all the leftovers so they could leave on a full stomach. I have the beautiful roses Brian sent just before we left for the wedding!! The note said--" and they lived happily ever after--I adore you, Love, Brian!! How romantic!!It is such a treat to observe. I hope they have a wonderful honeymoon!. Thank you for being so special Tiz-Much Love, Grandma M. So many people commented that it was the most beautifu wedding they had ever attended!--

Anonymous said...

Great pictures of a beautiful ceremony. Congratulations to the bride and groom!

Too bad you didn't go with edible bubbles though, that would have really brought out the competitive Buchanan spirit... ;-P

Anonymous said...

Thanks so very much for sharing the pic's and the day. Thank you Tiz for your efforts here and a special thanks to Brenda & Brian for sharing as well. We're so happy for you both!. All our best for today and forever. May God bless...Love Dwight & Kim
[ps: Great blog Tiz. Full marks!]