The Wedding of Peter Bradrick & Kelly Brown in Wake Forest, NC
This post is a bit late, but to borrow the well-worn truism, "Better late than never." My dear friend and brother in Christ, Peter Bradrick, was wed to a fine young lady, Kelly Brown, two weeks ago yesterday. I had the privilege of attending and serving as a groomsman. Also, I managed to take quite a few pictures. (Below are 52 of them.)Peter and Kelly's wedding was not simply another ceremony. It was not a mere repetition of mankind's pattern of marrying and being given in marriage. The event was a victory for the forces of Christ and His Kingdom. Two young people from God-fearing, Christ-honoring, Kingdom-advancing families have come together and pledged to live as a representation of Christ's love for His bride, even as they raise up legions of children, we pray, for the glory of God. The Brown and Bradrick families have been at the forefront of reformation in the family, Christ-centered home education, and biblical New Testament churches. They have made tremendous sacrifices and faced adversity for their faithfulness, but this wedding was but one payoff for decades of fervent prayer and God-honoring family life.
The wedding was in the Chapel at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake Forest, NC. Wake Forest College used to use the campus before it moved to Winston Salem and became Wake Forest University.
The inside was massive and impressive.
At the rehearsal, Peter explained how the wedding would flow. His bride is on the left, and Phillip, his brother and best man, is on the right.
Pews in the chapel.
The organ was grand and glorious. The music added a special flavor to the wonderful occasion.
Isaac Botkin stands tall on the stage.
Another view of the chapel.
Beat the drum, Phillip and Stephen! (Peter's younger brothers.)
The groomsmen gathered in the back room during the rehearsal to get a feel for what we would be doing the next day.
Many flower girls participated in the event.
Fellowship was one tremendous aspect of the weekend, and we gathered informally in the foyer after the rehearsal and prior to the rehearsal dinner. Jeff Pollard is on the right.
After a wonderful rehearsal dinner at the Brown's home, we had a time of sharing. Phillip read a poem he wrote for his brother.
Kelly and Peter enjoy listening to a reminiscence from one of their many friends.
All of us, including Wes and Tim, enjoyed singing at the Brown's.
Bill Einwechter and Michael Gobart converse prior to the ceremony on Saturday.
Providence, ever the dapper lad, enjoyed munching on some goodies prior to the event.
Valor, the ring-bearer, also looked spiffy.
Scott Brown and Michael Bradrick addressed the attendees prior to the entrance of the wedding party. (Thanks to Mark for taking this and subsequent pictures during the ceremony.)
The wedding party sang, "O Give us Homes" to the tune of "Be Still My Soul."
"This is my beloved son, in whom I am well pleased."
Peter eagerly and joyously awaits the entrance of his bride.
He looks happy right about now.
Hand in hand, smiling, eyes fixed upon each other, Kelly and Peter typified the young, happy, godly couple.
Mr. Bradrick escorts his wife off the stage after they gathered with their unmarried son for the last time.
Likewise, Mr. Brown escorted Mrs. Brown off the stage, both having hugged their unmarried daughter for the last time.
Here is a distant shot of the bride and groom, accompanied by their wedding party and elders on the stage.
For the first time in their lives, Peter and Kelly drew their lips together in a romantic kiss.
They look very happy if you ask me.
The elders prayed over Peter and Kelly prior to introducing them as man and wife.
Entering the room as two single young people, the couple departed as man and wife under Christ.
Back at the Brown home for the wedding feast, Peter greeted everyone and was, as one would expect, more excited than I have ever seen him.
Another picture of the happy couple.
Brian Howell, a good friend and former colleague, enjoys a sublime, rose-smelling moment.
Mark Stubblefield, having married Amy just 3 months ago, is interviewed by Caleb Walsh.
Wesley Strackbein looks on in the midst of a crowd that includes Matt and Jenny Chancey (on the right) with their family.
Peter and Kelly cut the cake.
Kelly, donning a beaming smile, feeds Peter a tasty morsel.
Peter reciprocates.
We had pictures taken in the early evening under the sun at the Brown's farm. What a glorious venue! (Thanks to Michael for taking this picture and the proceeding pics of the wedding party.)
Here is the groom with his groomsmen and ring-bearer.
The bride, her bridesmaids, and the flower girls all posed for a pic.
This picture brings back memories of when our friendship began: the 2003 Vision Forum internship. Each of the men standing on the rock (L-R, Nathanael Cordz, Tim Horn, Peter Bradrick, Nathaniel Darnell, and yours truly) were mentored by a great, godly, fearless leader, Doug Phillips (front and center). None of us will ever be the same thanks to that internship. During that time, Peter was a tremendous example to me of dedicated leadership, loyal friendship, and hard work. I count my friendship with him a great honor and privilege.
When all was said and done, the couple having departed and most of the guests having left, some of us stayed for awhile at the Brown's and sang. Pictured above are members of the Serven clan, yet another dear and godly family that I am privileged to count as friends.
Bill Einwechter and Michael Billings share a hymnal. I enjoyed interacting with both of these likeminded men during the weekend in NC.
My friends the Walsh family also were present.
A group of us gathered at IHOP after our fellowship ended at the Brown's. I set my camera timer, and this was the result.
A thousand feeble words by C.S. Hayden cannot improve on this picture, in my humble opinion.
Amy and Mark shared the story of how they became acquainted, courted, became engaged, and married -- all within about a year.
Sticky IHOP syrup carafes -- 'nuff said.
On the Lord's Day after the wedding, we journeyed again to the Brown's farm for a worship service. Two men, Doug Phillips and Jeff Pollard, preached excellent messages about manly friendship and I Timothy 1:5, respectively. Accompanied with singing, food, and fellowship, the gathering of believers represented what every Lord's Day ought to be.
My friends Nathan Serven and Justin Turley stand in front of the tents where we met for worship. In God's providence, Justin rented a vehicle with two other guys and had to depart for the airport at the same time Nathan and I did. Because they had extra seats, the five of us rode together and enjoyed discussion on the hour-long journey. Nathan and I flew the same airline, and my flight was to leave before his. Typically, I don't enjoy flight delays, but I was grateful to learn that my flight was delayed 45 minutes, so Nathan and I enjoyed extra conversation and fellowship in the terminal.
posted by C.S. Hayden @ 10:45 PM
9 Comments:
I live in Wake Foest-about 2 minutes from the church where they were married!!
I have seen many pictures about this wedding on the blog and you are the first to say where it was held-right in my neck of the woods.
Great Post, CS!
It was indeed a wonderful time! You've captured it well.
Thanks for sharing! It was worth waiting for. :)
Excellent post. Thank you for taking the time to share (and the photos were very good and the lighting/composition was great).
Praise the Lord!
CS.
Thanks for posting the pics. The wedding was truly a glorious event. I also enjoyed discussing matters of substance as we waited for our respective flights.
NS.
These are the things in life that are priceless: Loving, Godly parents. Beautiful gifts from God in the form of little chubby children. Raising those little chubby children for the Glory of our Lord and Savior!!! (whoo hoo!!) and having the honor of being part of a God-centered friendship.
Yes, these things are priceless....
what a wonderful, wonderful God we serve. :-)
Thanks for all the great pics, Caleb. What a WONDERFUL example Peter and Kelly are at a time when there is such a great need for these kind of examples! It's a real blessing to meet and hear of couples who waited for God's best!
Looking forward to future posts!
~Angela~
So...will the next post be in celebration of Peter and Kelly's one year anniversary? ;-)
Thanks everyone for the comments.
To the commenter whose comment was deleted: It's clear from a brief glimpse at your website that your views differ from historic, orthodox Christianity. I cannot embrace your ideas about equality that run counter to Scripture.
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