From Cute . . . to Breathtaking!!!
by Larry Williams
In August of 2008, I was blessed to have the opportunity to work for a wonderful couple by the name of Heidi Todd & Barry Rockburn. Nearly everything about their wedding day was customized. It was a beautiful sunny Sunday at the Bartley Ranch in South Reno. The wedding ceremony was to take place in the Hawkins Amphitheater, a location that had its share of challenges.
One of the biggest challenges was the manner in which Heidi would walk down the aisle. I had previously made a couple trips out to the location to “scope it out”. On the day of the rehearsal, I was there to direct things. It was decided that we would have all the bridesmaids and groomsmen enter from either side of the stage – to the left and right of the front rows, in clear “front view” of the audience. We had made arrangements to sneak Heidi up to the top of the steps at the back of the amphitheater prior to allowing the guests to enter. She would remain there hidden from view. This way she would surprise everyone by coming down a steep set of steps from the top-rear of the amphitheater.
An Unpredictable Twist
On the day of the wedding, as the guests filled the amphitheater and the bridesmaids and groomsmen made their procession to the stage . . . all that was left was for the flower girl and ring bearer to make their way to where the minister stood. The flower girl (Crew) began to walk and drop rose petals as she walked the many steps to the stage. The ring bearer (Luke) was to walk beside her. But he had other things on his mind.
Luke decided to stay behind. He sat his ring pillow down and proceeded to pick up each and every rose petal that Crew had dropped. A couple minutes later, he arrived at the stage with a handful of rose petals and gave them to Crew. The audience was smiling and loving every minute of it. While this was going on, Heidi (our bride) was unaware of what was actually happening because she was at the top of a hill hidden from view. She had to wonder what was taking so long and why she had not heard her processional music.
When Luke arrived at the stage and presented the rose petals to Crew, I played the processional song for Heidi. The audience was so taken by how cute it was to have Luke pick up all the rose petals, most did not immediately notice the entrance of an absolutely stunning bride who was descending upon the crowd by way of the steps above.
By the time they turned around . . . their breathe was taken away! There stood Heidi looking absolutely radiant against the green foliage backdrop of the amphitheater. The smiles they were wearing for several minutes were now joined by many tears. It was an incredible moment! She proceeded down the steps where she was met by her father and her mother. Our surprise Fantasy Wedding Intro worked to perfection. This was just one of many Remarkable Moments that took place that day!
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