March 20, 2004
After a lot of hard work the preparations were done and the big day had arrived. The cakes were delivered on time and looked great. The wedding cake was beautiful and the grooms cake was unique and colorful. The DJ arrived and the piano was plugged in and tested which was the final unknown completed. Family and guest began to arrive and the hall began to fill up. Bob Binkle and his wife began preparing the food. We had video cameras set up at each end of the wedding area but did not have (nor wanted) lots of photos taken during the ceremony. The few photos that were taken was when we were introduced as Mr. and Mrs. Key. Shannon's friend, Robin, took some good digital pictures for us of the people as they arrived and during the ceremony. All in all the wedding went as planned with only a few moments where things went a little awry. Rusty sang a love song to Shannon (probably the only one who REALLY enjoyed it) but needed a little help remembering the words. So he created a PowerPoint presentation and Fred Fleming, a co-worker at Noble, was kind enough to change the pages on the presentation that had the words to help Rusty along. The song was written by John Denver and titled 'For You'.
Our kids did a great job with the candles, rings and flower petals. The ceremony was done by Rev. Kitty Key (my Aunt and a Methodist Preacher) and she did a remarkable job. Shiree and Lydia walked their mom down the aisle and were pretty happy to be giving their mom away. The bible verses were read from Papa Key's family bible and Rev. Key presented a memorable ceremony and included all the items we had requested. As the vows were said, there was some confusion as to when it was Shannon's turn, but after some prompting and laugher she got it right.
Once the ceremony was over, the chairs were moved as the guest waited for the return of the Bride and Groom and the champagne was poured. After the best man, Pete Mahon, made the champagne toast, we moved to the head table to begin the dinner/reception. After a few brief speeches were made, theBride and Groom cut the cake served each other. Kristy and Mandy Mahon were drafted to serve the cakes. Afterwards, dinner was served and we stood at the front of the serving line for dinner and greeted everyone as they passed. Rusty's Uncle Ronnie (Aunt Kitty's husband) took photos of the family as they passed by and posed with the new bride and groom. Photos where taken with Megan and Hannah, Micah, Lydia,Shiree, Rev. Key, Trinity, Robin & family, Granny & Pop, Debrina and Tom Fleure and Debbie. Dinner was good and everyone ate their fill. Everyone Seemed to enjoy the dinner and especially the wedding cakes. Afterwards the DJ cranked up the music and the Bride and Groom had their first dance to their song, "Melt" by Rascal Flatts. We danced the night away with the Chicken Dance, Cotton Eyed Joe, some line dances, some two-stepp'n and of course some good slow songs. The bouquet was tossed and Shiree (Shannon's oldest daughter) made the dive and captured it before anyone else could get close. Rusty tossed the garter and it was caught by Brett Key, who really didn't do anything but pull his hand out of his pocket to catch it. Crystal was glad to see that he ended up with it. At 9:30 our Limo arrived and we passed through the line of well wishers as we were pelted with'heart rice'. Climbing into the limo and then waving good-bye through the moon roof, the wedding was over and the Honeymoon had begun.
