On the twenty-second day of the month of March, in the year of our LORD two thousand eight, I married my beloved bride, Melissa Lauren Keen. Over seven hundred friends and family members came from all corners of the U.S. (and even England!) to join in the celebration held at Briarwood Presbyterian Church in Birmingham, Alabama.
It was undoubtedly the happiest day of our lives, and we were so blessed to have such an overwhelming display of love and support as we pledged our troths to one another in the presence of many witnesses.
Below you will find a chronological selection of some of our favourite photos from that day, as well as the vows that we exchanged at the altar, and references to the various Scripture verses that inspired them. We hope you enjoy them!
Family friend & wedding Director Mrs. Brown pinning a boutonniére
(L-R) Father of the Bride, Groom, Father of the Groom
Groomsman Peter Bradrick and the Groom
Dapper Bestman and best brother, Samuel Turley
The Groom and Groomsman Isaac Botkin
Receiving exhortation from Groomsmen
Two happy Patriarchs
Standing with giants: Elders Scott Brown & Doug Phillips
The Bride with her Bridesmaids
(L-R) Peyton, Megan, Molly, Lindsay, Melissa, Sarah, Jennie, and Katie
Seven Maids and one Matron
Flowery wreaths
Nineteen enthusiastic Flowergirls!
Inside Briarwood Presbyterian Church
The pews begin to fill as the music plays
The sound of the Botkin girls’ harps wafts through the air
Meeting of the men to pray before the ceremony begins
A father’s charge to his son
I see her! Here she comes!
“Who gives this woman to this man?”
The key to the Bride’s heart is transferred
I, Justin David Turley, do covenant before God and man…
Groom’s Vows
I, Justin David Turley, do covenant before God and man to thee, Melissa Lauren Keen, to be thy faithful and loyal husband, loving thee and giving myself for thee even as Christ loves His bride the Church and gave Himself for her[1]. I vow to nourish thee and cherish thee [2], to defend thy honour, to fight for thee and our household and protect thee [3], and to dwell with thee according to knowledge, giving honour unto thee as unto the weaker vessel, and as coheir of the grace of life [4]. I vow to thee patience and kindness, gentleness [5] and tenderness, and all my love and affection, delighting only in thee, the wife of my youth, mindful that it is thou who hast authority over my body, and not I [6]. Should the Lord so choose to bless us [7], I will be the happy father to our children, bringing them up, with thee as my helpmeet [8], in the nurture and admonition of the LORD [9]. I vow to cleanse thee with the washing of water by the Word [10], and to tenderly lead thee as thy earthly head [11]. I shall be faithfully thine whether we be abounding or abased [12], laughing or mourning, in good health or poor, and nothing but death shall part me from thee.
Bride’s Vows
[1] Ephesians 5:25[2] Ephesians 5:29[3] Nehemiah 4:14[4] I Peter 3:7[5] Galatians 5:22-23[6] I Corinthians 7:4[7] Ps. 127:3-5, Deut. 28:4[8] Genesis 2:18[9] Ephesians 6:4[10] Ephesians 5:26[11] Ephesians 5:23[12] Philippians 4:12[13] Genesis 2:18, 21-24[14] I Corinthians 11:7-9[15] Ephesians 5:22-24, 33[16] I Peter 3:1-6[17] Titus 2:4, 5[18] Proverbs 31:11, 13-27[19] Galatians 5:22-23[20] I Corinthians 7:4[21] Ps. 127:3-5, Deut. 28:4[22] Psalm 128:3[23] Ephesians 6:4[24] Philippians 4:12I, Melissa Lauren Keen, do covenant before God and man, to thee, Justin David Turley, to be thy faithful and loyal wife, loving thee and serving thee as a helpmeet suitable for thee [13], for the man was not created for the woman, but the woman for the man [14]. I vow to honour and obey thee, placing myself in submission and subjection unto thee in all things, with respect and reverence, as befits the honour due thee as my earthly lord and head [15], [16]. I shall be thy discreet, chaste keeper at home, obedient unto thee, that the Word of God be not blasphemed [17]. I vow to diligently, industriously, and faithfully care for the affairs of thine household so that thy heart may always safely trust in me [18]. I vow to thee patience and kindness, gentleness [19] and tenderness, and all my love and affection, delighting only in thee, my beloved husband, mindful that it is thou who hast authority over my body, and not I [20]. Should the Lord so choose to bless us [21], it will be my delight to be thy fruitful vine [22], raising our children with thee, as thy helpmeet, in the nurture and admonition of the LORD [23]. I shall be faithfully thine whether we be abounding or abased [24], laughing or mourning, in good health or poor, and nothing but death shall part me from thee.
I, Melissa Lauren Keen, do covenant before God and man…
“You may now kiss the Bride.”
Presenting Mr. and Mrs. Justin Turley
“Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth: for thy love is better than wine.”
Post-wedding discourse with our Flowergirls
The Groom and Bride with the Flowergirl Brigade
The sweetest of congratulations from Francesca Morales
Post-wedding Flowergirl games
The Bride with siblings, Sarah, Thomas and Lindsay (L-R)
Mother and Sister of the Groom
The Family of the Groom
Mr. and Mrs. Howard Garrett — Grandparents of the Bride
The Bride and her parents
“Thy lips, O my spouse, drop as the honeycomb…”
“Behold, thou art fair, my love; behold, thou art fair…”
Huge thanks for the Morales and LeBlanc families for a beautiful reception
“He brought me to the banqueting house, and his banner over me was love.”
A beautifully-crafted cake made by friend Trish Huie
“Thou hast ravished my heart, my sister, my spouse…”
“…let me hear thy voice; for sweet is thy voice, and thy countenance is comely.”
The sun begins to set on our wedding day
“I am my beloved’s and my beloved is mine…”
“My beloved spake, and said unto me…”
“…rise up, my love, my fair one, and come away…”
