Graymask

It was a beautiful sunny day as we drove to the hotel to meet Maryann I wondered how the day was going to unfold. It was after all our first Coptic Wedding Ceremony, and being an Orthodox church I was worried about restrictions at the church. More on that later but first let me tell you about Maryann and her bridesmaids.

She looked stunning in her lovely dress and everyone was in a very festive mood when I got up to the hotel room. Her mother looked very proud and happy as she helped Maryann to get ready. I couldn't help but think what a beautiful moment it was, one that Maryann would remember every time she views her wedding video.

John seemed quiet on the onset but when I greeted him he gave a broad smile. A gentle soul I thought. I was struck by how calm and self confident he was. Together they looked perfect and I wanted to make sure we captured the day in a unique way. The Coptic Church is based on the teachings of Saint Mark who is credited with bringing Christianity to Egypt. The Coptic Orthodox wedding ceremony is long with several chantings and full of symbolism.

When we got to the church my worries about our coverage dissipated. The priests were very accommodating and restrictions were not strenuous at all. We were able to freely move around during the ceremony. This was essential for us because of the way we like to film weddings. It is easy for a videographer so set a camera down on a tripod for the entire service. That is certainly not the Graymask way as we like to capture the story and not just film an event. The Coptic wedding was certainly a new experience and now I have all kinds of ideas about how to film the next Orthodox wedding.

Maryann and John' rings were blessed and they exchanged and placed on their right hands. At the close of the ceremony two crowns were placed on their heads and a gospel was read. The Coptic Orthodox service is unique in one way in that there are no "vows". We enjoyed the experience and the amazing wedding of Maryann and John. Enjoy the highlight of their beautiful Egyptian wedding set in the city of Houston at the St. Mary and Archangel Michael Coptic Orthodox Church.

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As always your Austin Wedding Videographer

As brides of the 21st century we have the freedom of putting together our own wedding ceremonies. Amidst your wedding planning you may come across many wedding blessings, prayers, vows, readings, scripture, and songs to choose from. If you are looking into adding a few beautiful pieces into your wedding ceremony consider the following ceremony. I look at it as a prayer that is meant to bless the bride and the groom. It is widely known as the ‘The Hands Ceremony’. This ceremony never fails to bring tears to a bride and her loved ones’.

	Long Version:
	[Bride's Name Here], please face [Groom's Name Here], and hold his hands, palms up, so you may see the gift that they are to you. These are the hands of your best friend, young and strong and vibrant with love, that are holding yours on your wedding day, as he promises to love you all the days of his life. These are the hands that will work along side yours, as together you build your future, as you laugh and cry, as you share your innermost secrets and dreams. These are the hands you will place with expectant joy against your stomach, until he too, feels his child stir within you. These are the hands that look so large and strong, yet will be so gentle as he holds your baby for the first time. These are the hands that will work long hours for you and your new family These are that hands that will passionately love you and cherish you through the years, for a lifetime of happiness. These are the hands that will countless times wipe the tears from your eyes: tears of sorrow and tears of joy These are the hands that will comfort you in illness, and hold you when fear or grief wrack your mind. These are the hands that will tenderly lift your chin and brush your cheek as they raise your face to look into his eyes: eyes that are filled completely with his overwhelming love and desire for you. [Groom's Name Here], please hold [Bride's Name Here]’s hands, palms up, where you may see the gift that they are to you. These are the hands of your best friend, smooth, young and carefree, that are holding yours on your wedding day, as she pledges her love and commitment to you all the days of her life. These are the hands that will hold each child in tender love, soothing them through illness and hurt, supporting and encouraging them along the way, and knowing when it is time to let go These are the hands that will massage tension from you neck and back in the evenings after you’ve both had a long hard day. These are the hands that will hold you tight as you struggle through difficult times. These are the hands that will comfort you when you are sick, or console you when you are grieving. They are the hands that will passionately love you and cherish you through the years, for a lifetime of happiness. These are the hands that will hold you in joy and excitement and hope, each time she tells you that you are to have another child, that together you have created a new life. These are the hands that will give you support as she encourages you to chase down your dreams. Together as a team, everything you wish for can be realized. Minister: God, bless these hands that you see before you this day. May they always be held by one another. Give them the strength to hold on during the storms of stress and the dark of disillusionment. Keep them tender and gentle as they nurture each other in their wondrous love. Help these hands to continue building a relationship founded in your grace, rich in caring, and devoted in reaching for your perfection. May [Groom's Name Here] and [Bride's Name Here] see their four hands as healer, protector, shelter and guide. We ask this in your name, Amen.
	Short Version:
	[Bride's Name Here], please face [Groom's Name Here], and take each other’s hands, so that you may see the gift that they are to you. These are the hands of your best friend, young and strong and full of love for you, that are holding yours on your wedding day as you promise to love each other today, tomorrow and forever. These are the hands that will work along side yours as together you build your future. These are the hands that will passionately love you and cherish you through the years, and with the slightest touch will comfort you like no other. These are the hands that will hold you when fear or grief temporarily comes your way. These are the hands that will countless times wipe the tears from your eyes, tears of sorrow and tears of joy. These are the hands that will tenderly hold your children. These are the hands that will give you support and encouragement to chase down your dreams. These are the hands that will hold you tight as you struggle through difficult times. These are the hands that will give you strength when you need it. These are the hands that will lift your chin and brush your cheek as they raise your face to look into eyes that are filled with overwhelming love for you. And lastly, these are the hands that even when wrinkled and aged will still be reaching for yours, still giving you the same unspoken tenderness with just a touch.

Aren't these words just beautiful! Wedding planning can be a beautiful process, just remember to enjoy it!
As always your Austin Wedding Videographer