John and I were simple people. No need for a big fancy wedding. We had one bridesmaid and one groom- Wendy & James O’Rourke. They were the people who had set us up on way back on August 30, 1997. John’s aunts, Linda, Marie, & Di, cooked the food. It was just a simple, relaxed, low key ceremony. To this day, I have people telling me how much they enjoyed our wedding.
In fact, to John marriage was just a piece of paper. We didn’t need a marriage license to show that we loved each other and cared about each other. To John, getting married was merely a formality. It didn’t change anything in his eyes. Later, he did say that he was glad we were married before we had Nathaniel. We were also very fortunate that we were married when he passed away because there are so many benefits that are available to MARRIED people.
To me, getting married meant a lot- it is a commitment of love between two people till death do us part. That being said a marriage license doesn’t signify love and people can be truly in love without being married. But, for me, marriage was important, even though I knew it wouldn’t really change anything for us.
Sometimes you hear people say- marriage changes everything. You’ll even hear stories of people who dated forever & then got married and were divorced in less than a year. Then there are the people who become controlling after a ring is on a finger. For us- nothing changed. We were in love before we were married… we were in love after we were married.
We didn’t have a photographer. Photos were taken by friends and family. Here are some of my favorite images from the day… feel free to check out our website for more photos.
Mary K. & John P. Smith II
The Kiss
Wedding Party- Wendy O'Rourke, Mary K. Smith, John P. Smith II, James O'Rourke
Us & the Jeep
Yes, you guessed it… there is a story. John’s Pontiac Grand Am had been starting to get some wear and tear on it. He decided he wanted a new vehicle. I suggested that I would be game to pay for the Jeep (John paid the mortgage & I paid the other bills) if we could get married. He agreed. We got the Jeep in May 2005.
Cutting the cake
A good time was had by all
John told me after the wedding that he had a hard time looking at me. Both of us were wishing that Ann (his mom) could have been there. She passed away from cancer in 2004. He said he had to really concentrate to keep from crying and he knew that if he looked at me that he’d lose it.
We also may be one of the few weddings out there than can say they had horses playing during the ceremony. As Reverend Jim Jones was going through the proceedings, Winston was having a grand old time playing with his Jolly Ball– he’s such a ham.
Speaking of Jim Jones… how often it is that you have a Brown marry a Smith officiated by a Jones. Talk about generic! John had lots of fun with that one 🙂
Good memories…. lots of good memories…
LOVE ALWAYS
Rainbows & Mourning Doves 