Chuppah Poles 1 & 2

As some of you may know or have assumed, we are essentially having a Jewish ceremony (though the rabbi is going to change a few words to make it non-denominational).  Jewish ceremonies are great!  They're meaningful, have lots of traditions involved, and are short!  Just the way we like it!

Douglas and I ended up watching an episode of Four Weddings and one of the brides had a traditional Greek wedding.  The guest brides really enjoyed the fact that the bride and groom kept looking at each other and giggling through out the ceremony.  Douglas and I discussed how we would probably be like that, except break out into all out antics if we had to go through a long ceremony.  I just don't think we could hold it together and be serious for over an hour.  So, luckily, we're looking at a ceremony that will probably end up being between 20-40 mins, with the 40 min end only being dependent on any extras we decide to throw in.

Anyway, one tradition that we knew we were going to use right away was the chuppah.  The chuppah represents the new home that the bride and groom will be creating.  The chuppah is supported by 4 poles.  These poles can be used to carry the chuppah, should you opt to have a mobile one.  As ours will not be mobile, we don't really need pole holders.

Emphasis on the word need.

After deciding to finalize the wedding party (it's officially finally finalized), Douglas expressed to me that there were a few folks that he really wanted to incorporate into the wedding.  In being good and having read the book the rabbi suggested we read, I learned all of these details about the chuppah which helped my little flash bulb go off (I've found that incandescent bulbs don't have quite the same effect).  Let's use chuppah holders!  I, too, had a few folks I wanted to incorporate into the wedding, but I did not like the idea of having a ton of bridesmaids/groomsmen.  Our chuppah holders will have the luxury of not having to worry about carrying the chuppah.  They get to just stand there and be eye candy for the rest of us.  Oh, and represent hospitality in our new home (must remember to include facts amongst jokes). 

We broke up the chuppah poles, 2 for Douglas, 2 for me.  I've asked my two people and they've both said yes!

Since the wedding site hasn't gone live yet and you've all been very patient waiting on the unveiling of the wedding party, I feel I can share the identities of my chuppah pole holders.  Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you, my pole dancers...holders!  (I simply can not stop making that joke!)  Everyone say hello to:

Ray Harmon

and

Ginger McKnight

Ray has graciously decided to take a weekend off from his life-consuming scheme to take over the world to strike a pose for us.  Ginger has also been gracious enough to put aside her alter-ego, Barwench Hasslehoff, and make an appearance as herself.

In all seriousness, these two folks are very special and I am so thrilled to be able to have them play important roles in our wedding.  Thank you, dear friends.