A Biker Wedding at the Park

Original photo by Robin Hutto. Artistic effects by Sallee Bonham

It was a beautiful day for an outdoor wedding.
The brilliant blue sky contrasted with the tops of the vivid green trees. A slight breeze contained just a hint of coolness, but the sunshine felt warm no matter how long you stood in it.

The first indication that this wedding was a little different.
 A line of polished, chrome-bearing motorcycles were parked across the long side of the parking lot.
Additionally, a large percentage of the people standing in conversational knots were dressed in black leather and blue denim clothing. Black boots seemed to be the popular choice for footwear. Yes, the majority of the people at this event are bikers, Christian bikers.

On the west side of the park pavilion
Neat rows of white folding chairs sat beneath the leaf-laden limbs of several large trees. As Bill and I sat down I noticed tiny, snow-white violets blooming amid the verdant grass that formed a carpet beneath our chairs. "Isn't God great?" was a silent thought inside my head.

As the denim and leather clad guests all sat down for the ceremony
The rumbling of two, slow moving motorcycles was heard. It was the groom and the preacher riding their bikes slowly across the parking lot and up to the edge of the grassy area. Two more motorcycles slowly approached and parked too. The matron of honor, the bride, and their escorts had arrived. The wedding party was dressed just like the guests - black boots, jeans, and leather vests. The bride had a garter around the top of her left boot and held a small bouquet.

Acoustic guitar music accompanied the bride's walk down the natural, grassy aisle toward her fiancee and preacher. The vows were said amid laughter and smiles. The best man patted all of his pockets, as if searching for the bride's ring.

Finally, Mr. and Mrs. were introduced and the sound of rolling thunder filled the air. 
This rolling thunder was formed by the roaring engines of a half dozen motorcycles announcing that a new Mr. and Mrs. had been sealed in holy matrimony.

Suddenly, the roaring motors were silent. The marrying part was over and the eating part was about to begin. Everyone started walking to the pavilion where the scent of charcoal and roasting brats was filling the air.

Bill and I loved that the preacher used Ecclesiastes 4:9-12.
As he began to read the verses, we looked at each other, and I quietly whispered ,"Our marriage verses!" Yes, in that moment Bill and I remembered our own own wedding, six years ago, and how excited we were to become Mr. and Mrs.

Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor. 10For if either of them falls, the one will lift up his companion. But woe to the one who falls when there is not another to lift him up. 11 Furthermore, if two lie down together they keep warm, but how can one be warm alone? 12 And if one can overpower him who is alone, two can resist him. A cord of three strands is not quickly torn apart.