Wednesday, November 5, 2008

Teaser 3: Temple Emergence

For an LDS temple wedding, a small number of people are present to witness the sealing. All of those who witness the sealing leave the building before the bride and groom and the entire crowd waits outside for the new couple to emerge. We invited everyone invited to the dinner later that evening to join us as we emerged from the temple as husband and wife.

Most of the time the couple come out, maybe raise their arms in triumph and then stand around awkwardly for a few moments before they figure out they are supposed to start hugging people. That wasn't the case for us, as upon emerging we were greeted That Groom's parents grinning and walking towards us, looking, shall I say, a little bit mischievous.

Then, the coins came pouring out on our heads.



If you look closely in the middle of the frame you can see me screaming in shock and delight, for I happened to know exactly what they were doing. I wrote a post for the Bridal Guide a few months ago talking about different Danish and Polish traditions I was interested in incorporating into the wedding, and this was one of them. To quote myself:
Probably my favorite Polish tradition is throwing pennies at the bride and groom as they leave the ceremony. The best part of this practice is that the bride and groom must stop and pick the pennies up after they are thrown at them. It makes for some really great photos! The pennies are supposed to be an indication of financial fortune in the future, which must be why this bride and groom look so eager to bend down in their wedding attire and collect them.


I don't know if I was eager to be picking them up, but I really didn't have any other choice with all of our family and friends saying "Oh, I see one over here." and "Woohoo, you guys missed one."



Everyone present loved it. I even had one little cousin come find me afterwards and hand me $1 in quarters. "Here," she said "I forgot to throw these when you came out because I was so excited."

Reasons why I love these photos:

1. Isn't it obvious? A real Pole incorporate a Polish wedding tradition into my thoroughly American wedding. My folklore professor would be so proud.
2. This was obviously something that had been planned ahead of time. Someone else planned something for our wedding. To think I didn't have to do any work to make this moment happen :)
3. In the second photo I am attempting to both hold the coins and keep everyone from getting a look down my dress. My train wasn't bustled and so I kept gathering coins underneath and sweeping them around. Don't worry, my family pointed all of them out to me.


Kelli Nicole, you amaze me.

10 comments:

Dawn and Spence said...

I honestly don't think your wedding/reception/honeymoon/photos could have been any better!!! AHH! I love EVERYTHING!! :-)

Dawn and Spence said...

Just in case I didn't make that comment quite clear enough, I loved everything about your wedding/reception/honeymoon AND all of the photos that went along with it. Everything everything everything. hahaha

Cate Subrosa said...

I loved your second point. I wonder whether anything I didn't plan will happen at my wedding!

Ellen Mint said...

That is a really cool idea.

I was just wondering if you're gonna turn all those pennies into a little bracelet or not? It'd make a really cute memento.

Ellen Mint said...

And for something I wasn't planning have happen I just did a post on the ceremony music that was all the organists plan.

It was so nice not having something to worry about.

Tara Vorhes said...

What a fun tradition to include! Gorgeous shots...

Whitney R said...

wow, Kelly is great.

The penny dealy looks like a lot of fun :)

Kaitlyn said...

What a great, non-awkward way to greet you! These pictures (and all the rest) are just plain amazing!!

Jenna said...

Guilty-I hope it's a good surprise if it does!
blab-We can't find the bag right now! But if we do I think it would be really fun to do something with them.

Marnie Bergeson said...

Just checking in on THAT BRIDE/THAT WIFE. When is your title going to change? I'm glad you're happy.