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There are a couple of places you can go to look at pictures. If you're looking for silly pictures of the two of us, or just everyday life pictures that we appear in, you'll want to go to Tara's photo gallery.

If you want to see our wedding pictures or pictures of wedding stuff, like the reception site in the middle of winter, or our different cake ideas, you'll want to go to Tara's family's gallery. Scroll to the bottom to the "Events" section to see wedding photos.

Our wedding party was made up of our nearest and dearest. There was discussion at one point in time (just to make David nervous) of having seven attendants each, but in the end we decided to walk with our four closest chums. Click here to visit the page that will introduce you to our bridesmaids and groomsmen.

Our dear friend and best man Shawn wrote a wonderful toast to give at our reception... but he didn't get to! Our timing was off and we had to leave the site before he got to give his toast. So, to make permanent all those nice things he said (so he can't take them back!), we've decided to post the toast here. (haha... that rhymed! post the toast...) Anyway, here it is:

*start speech by bawking like a chicken*

So, it's been seven years since I first met the bum our freshman year at Taylor on FoSo. For some reason, I was immediately drawn to a tall, gangly, card-playing math major on my floor. And despite an unhealthy fascination with the designated hitter, he hated the Yankees, so we became good friends.

More importantly, however, we became euchre partners. Frankly, he's the best euchre partner I've ever had, and we had a lot of success together in tournaments in Gerig and across campus at Taylor.

I don't want to give the wrong impression, though--Dave and I did other things together besides play cards: we played computer games, too. Our favorites were Descent and Worms. To commemorate those times together, I wanted to work in a quote from Worms, but "the first of many!" didn't really seem to fit the occasion.

Anyway, I first heard of Tara our junior or senior year at Taylor. Dave wanted to rebel against everyone in Chorale hooking up and getting married, and he did so by taking a "fake wife," a one Ms. Tara Woodrum. Now, I didn't know Tara, but I knew her sister Melissa, and she was pretty cute, so I approved of Dave's fake spouse. Eventually, though, Dave stopped referring to her as his wife--I didn't press the issue, but just stored it in the back of my mind.

I finally got to meet Tara our last semester at Taylor when the three of us took a class together with Dr. Spiegel. Between dry-eraser jokes, I was able to see who this Tara person was, and how she and David interacted. And to be perfectly honest, I liked her right away: she laughed at our chicken sounds and groaned at our math jokes...what more could you want?

The final straw in my mind with regard to the two of them took place on the road trip Dave and I took after graduation. Officially, the purpose of the trip was to see the Indians and the Cubs play some baseball, but the real motive was to visit the Woodrums in Pennsylvania. At one point during the trip, Dave just casually mentioned to me, "You know, some guy's going to have a fun time winning her heart." At this point, I was like, "Dave, c'mon, you like her--admit it already, and get hooked up." But, they waited....and waited...

But finally, they did start dating. I had the privilege of being friends with both of them, so I was privy to most things that happened in the relationship. I occasionally got to play mediator, but more often got to play devil's advocate. Very early in the relationship, though, it was very clear to me that this thing was going all the way. I got to watch the relationship develop, and just wait...and wait......and wait...

But David finally did propose and afford us this gorgeous ceremony. And I harass him about the length of time it took for Dave and Tara to get to this point, but I really respect their discipline and patience throughout this relationship. At every stage in the relationship, they always made sure that not only they were ready, but that it was God's timing as well. This is how you do relationships--Dave and Tara did it right.

So, to the new couple: May God honor your commitments to Him and to each other, and bless you many times over for the glory that your relationship has brought Him.

Quite a few people have asked us for a copy of the scriptures that were read at our wedding. Rather than emailing them to every guest, we're putting them here. We had two readers: Dave's cousin Sarah and Tara's honorary little sister Laura, readers 1 and 2 respectively. They didn't read the reference - just the verse text. Here's the transcript:

Reader #1 (Sarah)

So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples. (John 13:34-35)

Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of highest privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory. . . . And this expectation will not disappoint us. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love. (Romans 5:1-2,5)

We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in him. God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them. And as we live in God, our love grows more perfect. So we will not be afraid on the day of judgment, but we can face him with confidence because we are like Christ here in this world. Such love has no fear because perfect love expels all fear. . . We love each other as a result of his loving us first. (1 John 4:16-19)

Antiphonal Section (Sarah & Laura)

#1: Therefore I, a prisoner for serving the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God. (Eph 4:1)

#2: Since God chose you to be the holy people whom he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. (Col 3:12)

#1: Be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults (Eph 4:2a)

#2: You must make allowance for each other’s faults (Col 3:13a)

#1: because of your love. (Eph 4:2b)

#2: and forgive the person who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. And the most important piece of clothing you must wear is love. Love is what binds us all together in perfect harmony. (Col 3:13b-14)

#1: Always keep yourselves united in the Holy Spirit, and bind yourselves together with peace. (Eph 4:3)

#2: And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are all called to live in peace. And always be thankful. (Col 3:15)

Reader #2 (Laura)

Continue to love each other with true Christian love. (Hebrews 13:1)

May grace, mercy, and peace, which come from God our Father and from Jesus Christ his Son, be with us who live in truth and love. . . Love means doing what God has commanded us, and he has commanded us to love one another, just as you heard from the beginning. (2 John 1:3,6)

I pray that your love for each other will overflow more and more, and that you will keep on growing in your knowledge and understanding. For I want you to understand what really matters, so that you may live pure and blameless lives until Christ returns. May you always be filled with the fruit of your salvation – those good things that are produced in your life by Jesus Christ – for this will bring much glory and praise to God. (Phil 1:9-11)