Church Pics!

I've stolen pictures of my church, St. John's Episcopal of Youngstown, from the St. John's Facebook group, so that everyone can see the beautiful place where we're getting married! (Don't worry— I don't think the group's moderator, the wonderful Rev. Jeremiah, will mind that I'm borrowing the images.)

Jeremiah also published the banns of marriage for our wedding on the St. John's Facebook group today! The banns are a traditional Anglo-Catholic ritual in which a priest or minister publicly asks the church community if there is any reason why two engaged people should not be married. They do this for the three previous Sundays before the wedding. Our banns will be read aloud at church this Sunday, next Sunday, and the following Sunday. Hopefully no one will stand up and object to the union! :)

I know it seems a little out of character for such a hip, young, modern girl like me to have her banns read. But really, I hate so many modern wedding trends (vulgar excess, credit-swelling expenses, the snubbing of guests and family members in order for the bride to "be a princess") that it feels nice to get back to a more modest, sensible approach to a wedding. Also, my parents had their banns read when they got married, and I'm fiercely proud of my family's wedding traditions (not changing one's name, having an alternative reception) and I want to incorporate my family's customs into my own ceremony!