The bride and groom stood barefoot under a tent with Lake Shelby in the background when they were married the night of Saturday, August 25th.

The tent was of Biblical derivation, constructed by the groom’s father.

The bride and her bridesmaids were ushered to the tent carrying parasols.

So were the mothers and the aunts.

The wedding was an informal one; none of the wedding party wore shoes.

The minister, Todd Magruder of Christian Fellowship, also known as, CFS, evoked the Captain and Tennille’s song, “Love Will Keep Us Together” before getting down to the serious stuff.

He explained the difference between a “contract” and a “covenant.”

A contract can be broken under certain conditions.

A covenant cannot.

Marriage is a covenant.

Jeff’s kiss of his bride was right off the silver screen.

For all nine frames, click here.

And “A New Hope” from the 1977 Star Wars Episode IV was the music to which the couple left the marriage area. (Neither were born then, right?)

Everyone recognized it was a Star Wars’ tune and started laughing. I found out the title when I looked at the programs that I found in a box under the table where people were signing the wedding book and a mat for a wedding picture. Had they been passed out ahead of time, I think it would have ruined the delightful surprise.

Then the official wedding photographs were taken.

I hung around.

At the end of the pictures, the photographer had the wedding party line up with Lake Shelby in the background and jump.

It took three times before everyone jumped at the same time.

The groomsman on the right seems to be having the most fun. (All the photographs can be enlarged by clicking on them.)

And this was not the only time there was laughter.

It was sunset on a perfect day that followed one of heavy rain before all the pictures were taken—including one of the wedding party all jumping.

Then, the party began in an adjacent picnic shelter.

I got a shot of Jeff and Catherine walking off into the sunset.

The meal and decorations were Chinese.

There were lanterns around the pavilion.

You could see the moon rising over the lake.

If you wonder if the bride was hungry, take a look at what she piled on her plate.

“Catherine could always make me laugh,” father of the bride John Morrison recalled while making his toast. “ I hope Jeff can make her laugh.”

There were two best men and two best women.

The best men recounted the pleasure in watching the two grow in the their Christian faith while attending the University of Illinois at Springfield. Both were described as “selfless,” although Black apparently threw some pretty good parties.

The second maid of honor to speak said she was glad that Cat had found a man to cook and clear for her, a talent she was not know for. I promised to send her a shot of Catherine with her astonished mouth wide open.

But you know it has to be online for others to see, as well, right?

Why should the laughter end with the wedding?

After all, Cat said she wished she (maybe she meant “we”) could get married every two years so they could gather all of her family and friends together again.

The groom and bride both talked a little, but couldn’t agree on where they met.

Oh, they knew it was while ringing bells for the Salvation Army, but when Jeff mentioned a store in Springfield, Cat immediately corrected him.

At some point, I got a picture of the groom’s parents greeting the newly married couple at the dinner table.

I didn’t give the sage advice that Alan Macdonald, husband of State Senator Virginia Macdonald gave me on his 50th wedding anniversary, but I shall now.

After telling him that marriage had not (to that point in my life) been a strong suit, I asked how one stayed married to the same woman for 50 years.

“It was tough at first, Cal,” he said. “But, after I learned to say, ‘Yes, dear,’ it got a lot easier.”

Since Jeff readily agreed with Cat’s memory, I think he may not need my admonition.

Cat had to throw the bouquet, what, three times.

She must not have practiced much.

Jeff didn’t do much better with the garter.

While taking it off, the “Where no man has gone before” Star Trek tape was played.

Another big laugh ensued.

Meanwhile the kids were enjoying a “professional juggler,” my son informed me. He even got Brain Pankey‘s card and insists that we find him the next time we go to Springfield. (Just to remind me, the number is 217-529-3623 and his hangs out at 3216 S. 4th Street.)

Then, there was that first dance.

If you can’t see the love in both of their eyes, click on the picture to enlarge it.

And Catherine’s dance with her father.

Then, the music became more boisterous.

My 10-year old didn’t need a partner to display his steps…all self-taught, as far as I go.

He got up on the concrete top of the dividing wall of shelter after he finished making me queasy at using the plastic chair backs and seats.

Eventually, the recent college grads and, perhaps, some still in college, invited him to dance in the middle of their circle.

Needless to say, the recognition by the adults thrilled him.

Park rules required shutting down the party at 10, so all got to bed—or at least on the road—at an early hour.

The couple is now off camping at some undisclosed (at least to me) location.

Presumably someone else took the presents to their new home in Springfield.

The groom is from Casey and the bride from Cary, Illinois.