Wandering Wallaces

Let the Festivities begin...and so they did for the Final Wallace Wedding...Ever! Robyn Lynn united with John Akins on October 17, 2010...but the activities were four days in the making!

Friday, October 15 brought Jan and Jim to Della Terra, location of wedding, reception, and housing for "The Givers!" We started the afternoon with a trip through the Rocky Mountain National Park with Kelly (Robyn's twin) and her husband Matt Marlow (photographer extraordinaire of this Wallace wedding!). The sights and elk were so grand to behold, that John and Robyn decided over "pizza by the indoor pool that night" to unite with the four of us and "see the park at sunrise!" We jammed into the Marlow's Motorcoach...and enjoyed the beauty and majesty of Estes Park, Colorado on the official "Morning-of-the-Day-Before!" Then, after walking Estes, the rehearsal luncheon got the entire wedding party together...for food, fun, fellowship, and gifts to one and all...Jim and I especially appreciated our gift this past November...as we travelled to Pensacola, checked into a pre-arranged motel, enjoyed a pre-paid gourmet dinner and wine, and then, headed off to see Mannheim Steamroller and their 25 Celebration before turning in and returning home the next day!) Gifts given...and then all were off to Della Terra to rehearse and commune with the absolute beauty of the outdoors in October. The eyes could not fully chose a pallet for the myriad of colors surrounding us. God's beauty...so magnificent! Then, the PM brought us together for an "Akins Family-Wallace Family"
dinner before joining all participants at an evening of bowling...might not have been the best bowlers of the night, but the comradery and fun was not to be equalled! On the morning of the 17th...girls gathered at Della Terra for primping and sharing "The Day" with "The Bride"...from AM treats set up by a maid and her mom to a luncheon spread for all to enjoy. The groomsmen enjoyed the "theatre" at Della Terra and a luncheon spread of their own. Then, after the Bride and Groom's Special Moment and pictures...the conclave united for pictures prior to the ceremony. Then...the ceremony began..the procession...and the dictates from the dias...where the groom's father and the bride's father shared as wedding officiants for the Scottish rites ceremony that Jim had written for the bride and the groom and their day. I was and am so very proud of his tendered expertise...a first for him, to be sure, but one that I am sure John and Robyn will treasure. The Binding of the Hands with the Clan colors...the Golden Horseshoe of Prosperity...the clanging of the anvil...all made so meaningful by Jim's words and actions.
With the presentation of Mr. and Mrs. Akins, the ceremony ended...as their lives began, two as one united. The reception was enjoyed by one and all with dinner, dancing, Bride and Groom's dance, Bride and Father of the Bride sharing their dance to a special rendition of "Angel in my Arms"...and wine flowing! But, all good thing must come to an end...and so when JOhn and Robyn departed, the reception calmed and closed. However, the morning brought many of the friends and family back together again at a brunch-before-flights....and an opportunity for our "Fifth Daughter," Ethylea Griffitt, to present the ceremonial bride and groom hats that she has designed for all our girls...in fun and merriment.

Four days of flavor, fun and merriment shared by many...May those of you watching enjoy the times as did we...and may your prayers and wishes be for the future of "Mr. and Mrs. John Akins"...two now as one united.