After all that goodness it was hard to believe that the best was yet to come. But the very best was waiting for us – just a 20 minute drive away – at the Draper temple.

The temple is on the mountainside looking out over the valley below. It is an impressive location and a beautiful place.

The rooms where the weddings take place have super high ceilings. Being in the room itself made me feel so exultant. I think we needed a room that big and a ceiling that high – it seemed the perfect place to match the height of our emotions.

I cannot tell you how handsome my brother looked – there aren’t words. It is a beauty that comes when one is lit from within. To me he has never looked more handsome.

And the bride – oh, the bride! she was the same – as though light was pouring out of her.

I will forever remember them, side by side, looking like true royalty – BEAMING with a light that touched every last one of us.

After the ceremony, as per tradition, the wedding party waits for the bride and groom to come out of the temple as husband and wife.

Chas had something special planned…

At least I have never seen anything like it before!

Let me offer a little explanation. This wasn’t just fun. (Although it was really fun.) It has significance for Sam and Chas. My bro, a much reformed “weak hugger” loves to pick Sam up and give her a spinning hug.

Sam is an artist and painted this for him as a gift, when they were dating.

The writing is in Italian and it is something that Chas often says to Sam, which translates to, “I want good for you always.” They fell in love under shooting stars.

Now, tell me – is that not the sweetest?!!?When I first saw this painting it brought tears to my eyes. It would melt even the coldest heart, methinks!

Here they are! Mr. & Mrs Charles Kelly!

The little flower girls looked lovely – despite being absolutely miserable in the cold – they held it together pretty well.

Clara’s momentary happiness would soon fade into…

…full on CRUSTIES!

She was looking at Jan pleadingly, as I removed her coat, as if to say, “Dad, you’re sensible – are you going to let her do this to me?!?”

Lest you think me a totally cruel mother, willing to expose her daughter the “elements” for a few cheap photos.  Crusty Clara was not with us long.

Once she warmed up she was happy again. See photographic evidence below:

I am both sad and relieved that I don’t have more photos of the wedding to show you.

Sad, because I bet you’d like to see some more, I would too. But this is all I have. Once the professional photographer showed up we weren’t allowed to take any more photos. And we had to be in a bunch of them as well.

Relieved because now I don’t feel like I have to post a billion photos at this current time because that last post there were a million pictures to choose from and it took me three days to load them up and post them.

As I have an “in” with bride and groom so as soon as they have more pictures of the wedding I promise to hit them up for a few that I can post here for your viewing pleasure.

Until then, this is all I’ve got.