Sandra and Derek

Photography courtesy of Tina Halturin Photography

ABOUT THE BRIDE: Sandra grew up in St. Louis, Missouri, and now makes her living as an independent singer/songwriter based out of Nashville, Tennessee.

ABOUT THE GROOM: Derek was born in Memphis but has lived in Houston for the past thirteen years -- up until his recent move to Nashville (for business motivations, of course).

HOW WE MET: In April, at a coffee house in Franklin, Tennessee, just down the street from where Derek's band was recording their latest record, Sandra was performing at a writers round for a small crowd of afternoon tea drinkers. Derek came in for a break from the studio just as the show was coming to a close, and was immediately captivated by the last song. By way of some mutual friends, the two met a week later and felt an instant chemistry, as if they had known each other since childhood.

ENGAGEMENT: Last July, Derek and Sandra were scheduled to play at the same festival in Kansas City and their family and friends had come in town also to attend the show. That afternoon in a nearby park, Derek proposed with a letter he had written just after they met, with poetry, and with a gorgeous ring. They then walked to a restaurant where two dozen of the largest red roses sat waiting on a corner table.

PLANNING: The engagement was just shy of six months, with the wedding set for just after the Christmas holidays. Derek was on the road during the Fall, and Sandra was in Nashville making arrangements over the phone. They spent their time making sure that all the major things were decided carefully so as not to create stress on the big day, and the details were chosen because of heartfelt meaning, not just for the sake of tradition.

ATTIRE: Sandra found her dress at a small boutique just down the street from home. As soon as she tried on the gown, with its delicate embroidery and formal train, it was perfect. The bridesmaid's dresses came next and complemented beautifully with a deep shimmery sanguine red. The last missing piece was the jewelry, and after much research, Sandra and her sister (also the Matron of Honor) chose the stones themselves and custom-made the necklaces for each of the bridesmaids. Derek chose a traditional handsome suit with a silver tie. The groomsmen and fathers had similar suites with black, straight ties.

THE CEREMONY: The service, in a formal sanctuary, was a sacred experience of commitment and joy. All who attended remarked on the depth of emotion and soul that happened in the music, the preaching, and the vows that were exchanged. The recessional was accompanied by Scottish bagpipes from the balcony wailing the melody of "Amazing Grace." It was a majestic combination of both conclusion and prelude.

THE RECEPTION: The new couple rode off downtown in an shiny black antique car to the reception with Frank Sinatra on the AM radio and Sandra's red wool coat around her shoulders. The room was an old theatre in Soulard, with its velvet curtain still framing the stage where the quartet softly played jazz standards. Derek and Sandra mingled and ate and tried to absorb every last bit of things, then made an early exit to rest up for their honeymoon travels -- to the wine country of California, then across the globe to Interlaken, Switzerland!

HOW WE PERSONALIZED THE WEDDING: To remember family, the couple chose the same reception location as Sandra's brother's wedding, the bagpipes to represent the McCracken family name, and the handkerchief of Derek's grandmother. They hand-made the jewelry, carefully incorporated scripture and hymns of faith, and included a solo written by a friend for his bride. There were also things that they excluded that made it more personal. Instead of a unity candle they had a special prayer from a circle of close friends. And at the reception instead of tossing the garter and bouquet, they presented them to two designated friends. The whole day was a reflection of Derek and Sandra's lives, who they are, what they value, and the people they love.

THINGS WE LOVED: Everything was more than we could have imagined. It was a royal welcome into the experience of what marriage should be. It's not just about all the outsides, or what goes wrong or right, but it's more about the freedom that comes from the enormous promises that are made on that day. It was the beginning and the tone of the rest of our lives and I can't believe the grace that's been given. It gets better every day! http://www.sandramccracken.com or e-mail them with questions and/or comments at sandra@sandramccracken.com