Brandon & Ashley

After nearly four years of silence, I’m dusting off this blog to put up some photos of Brandon & Ashley’s wedding from last weekend.

Chances are, if you found this blog, you already know Cozz and/or Ashley, so I don’t need to spend much time introducing them. It’s more likely that you were unable to attend the wedding here in Malawi, so let me give you my perspective on the day.

In short, it was wonderful! We all expected it to rain a little during the day, but were surprised to get rain from early morning to early afternoon. But the weather did not seem to dampen people’s spirits much. Here’s what it looked like…

The Kirk of the Hills chapel at ABC, where the ceremony was held.

The Kirk of the Hills chapel at ABC, where the ceremony was held.

130104-235412

John and Barbara Grey’s decorations of the chapel were exceptional! They transformed the whole stage into a lush garden of tropical color!

130104-235633

By the time the ceremony began, there were very few free seats in the chapel.

130105-005622

Ashley’s cool blue shoes, with peacock feathers!

130105-010516

And her bouquet had porcupine quills!

130105-013917

The ringbearers took their responsibility very seriously.

130105-014152

Derek MacPherson led the bride and her father in with the bagpipes.

130105-020622

Ashley’s father Paul officiated the ceremony.

130105-021114

130105-024803

130105-032717

130105-033542

130105-034026

130105-034504

Ashley wore her mom’s wedding veil.

130105-044726

130105-050153

Ashley and Cozz entered the reception by dancing, as is traditional in Malawian weddings. They were greeted by their hosts and hostesses. And then the pelikani – money dances – began!

130105-051607

The emcee would announce an occasion for each dance: dances for various people, for the various events like cake-cutting or candle-lighting, or just for a particular song. During each dance, guests would come forward and toss money to the couple. There are cashiers stationed at a nearby table to break larger denominations into smaller ones, so that everyone has lots to throw!

130105-055950

130105-061718

After each dance, a few people would help sweep the money off the floor and collect it for the cashiers to exchange back to bigger bills. Most dances would yield two or three of these baskets full.

130105-062613

130105-063144

130105-064033

130105-064306

130105-075100

130105-075528

130105-080648-2

130105-083159

The garden at Four Seasons Nursery is normally beautiful, but the Sprousens transformed it into an absolutely stunning venue for the smaller, private second reception.

130105-085729

Cozz and Ashley’s first non-pelikani dance as a couple. 🙂

130105-090347

Ashley’s parents danced to a Chicago song from their first date.

130105-090708

Her grandparents had also selected a song from the early days of their relationship.

130105-091846

130105-092659

The girls were fascinated by the zebra cake, while most of the boys seemed to be satisfied with the other desserts. 🙂

130105-094656

Ashley’s sister (and bridesmaid) Annabelle giving the couple a toast.

130105-101745

130105-103525

130105-104813

Last dance before heading off to their honeymoon!

In short, it was a fantastic wedding!

Southwest by Midwest (part 2)

This is continued from Part 1, which you should probably look at first…

More Dodge City.  Boot Hill is a reminder of the most lawless town in the West.

20090218-090218-114909.jpg

20090218-090218-124036.jpg

Another HDR, but I tried hard to make it look realistic.  I’d love to hear your thoughts.
20090218-090218-134045_-2_-3.jpg
20090218-090218-134925.jpg
20090218-090218-135100.jpg

COLORADO – The Garden of the Gods
20090219-090219-114542.jpg
20090219-090219-153733.jpg
20090219-090219-155024.jpg

This was my first go at HDR… I’m not sure how I feel about it.
20090219-_f1i0200-1_1-1_2-1.jpg

Eagle Mountain
20090220-090220-151422.jpg
20090223-090223-124307-2.jpg

Somewhere along the road, probably in New Mexico.
20090223-090223-134429_-2_-3.jpg
20090223-090223-134955.jpg

20090223-090223-150118_-2.jpg
20090223-090223-155641.jpg

ARIZONA again – the Desert Museum
20090225-090225-095538.jpg

The raptors were amazing…
20090225-090225-104313.jpg
20090225-090225-104632.jpg
20090225-090225-105700-2.jpg

I wouldn’t want to be a rodent of any kind around this guy. 20090225-090225-105715.jpg

Wile E. Coyote
20090225-090225-111212.jpg
20090225-090225-111351.jpg
20090225-090225-120526.jpg

Stars
20090225-090225-132114.jpg
20090225-090225-132300.jpg20090225-090225-133644.jpg

This river otter was sucking on his tail while he was sleeping…20090225-090225-134337.jpg

By the way, the Desert Museum features all plants and animals that live in the American deserts… it’s amazing how full of life the desert is!
20090225-090225-135304.jpg

The Mission San Xavier del Bac in Tucson
20090225-090225-151026.jpg

My grandfather used to call the saguaro cacti “the old generals.”  They stand on guard all around Tucson.
20090225-090225-183613.jpg
20090226-090226-092607-2.jpg
20090226-090226-093136-2.jpg
20090226-090226-093645.jpg
20090226-090226-093917-2.jpg20090225-090225-183003-2.jpg

For another way of looking at my favorite travel photos, check out the Places Gallery on my site.  (When you get there, hit F to go fullscreen!)

Want more Southwest by Midwest?  View the whole gallery.

Southwest by Midwest (part 1)

It’s been a crazy last few months.  We’re settling in here in Malawi, and greatly enjoying our new home.  Things have slowed down a little since we left the US, and we’re finally catching up on sleep.  But there are many other things to catch up on… including posting photos.

In January and February, Rachel and I traveled across a good portion of the USA, sharing about our ministry in Malawi and saying goodbye to friends.  While the goal of the trip wasn’t photography, we couldn’t pass up some of the most beautiful parts of America without making a few quick stops!

It may still be a little while until I have time to take some Malawi photos and put them online.  In the meantime, enjoy a glimpse of wintertime in the heart of America!

ARIZONA – the Grand Canyon…
20090210-090210-172105.jpg
This size doesn’t do the wonder of this place justice.  Check out a bigger version here.

20090210-090210-170404.jpg

I had John Piper’s quote in my head: “Why do you go to the Grand Canyon?  Why do you go to the Alps?  Do you really go to the glories of creation to see how great you are?  …You go there to see, behold, and enjoy greatness; and the Grand Canyon is nothing compared to God.”
20090210-090210-170659.jpg
20090210-090210-172021.jpg
20090210-090210-180056-edit.jpg

I played with exposure blending on this one to capture the detail in the shadows.  What do you think?  Does it look unnatural?  Sound off in the comments.
20090210-grand-canyon-panorama.jpg

ARIZONA – The Petrified Forest
20090211-090211-104847.jpg

Brr…
20090211-090211-110122.jpg 20090211-090211-111453.jpg

Petrified pebbles?
20090211-090211-112907.jpg
20090211-090211-120239.jpg

The Flattops.  To me, they looked like elephants marching under a giant bedsheet.
20090211-090211-120707.jpg
20090211-090211-125027.jpg
20090211-090211-132032.jpg

TEXAS
20090212-090212-090255-3.jpg

Route 66 fans will recognize Cadillac Ranch.
20090212-090212-092035-2.jpg

A fitting tribute to GM’s recent bankruptcy…
20090212-090212-092605-3.jpg

Everything’s flatter in Texas.
20090212-090212-100743-edit.jpg

KANSAS - Just in time for a Midwest sunset.
20090212-090212-171234-2.jpg

Rachel’s hometown library.
20090213-090213-120534.jpg
20090213-090213-162021-2.jpg
20090213-090213-165057-2.jpg
20090213-090213-165557.jpg
20090213-090213-170049.jpg
20090214-090214-061801.jpg
20090216-090216-102507.jpg
20090216-090216-110128.jpg
20090216-090216-124404.jpg
20090217-090217-094637.jpg
20090218-090218-082209.jpg
20090218-090218-083025-2.jpg
20090218-090218-094818-2.jpg

Gettin’ outta Dodge.
20090218-090218-102910-2.jpg

Wyatt Earp’s statue.  “You skin that smoke wagon and we’ll just see what happens.”
20090218-090218-103531.jpg
20090218-090218-113153.jpg

To be continued in part two