Liesl's Wedding

Maria told Liesl that the first thing they needed to do was find her wedding gown. "Mother I really want to wear your gown." "Why?"

"I really like it and I doubt I would find anything else I would like more."

"Since that's really what you want to wear, let's go upstairs so you can try it on. I'll bring it to your room."

Maria quietly entered her room so she wouldn't wake Joseph who was taking a nap. Liesl had already taken off her dress by the time Maria arrived. Since she had helped Maria put on the gown, she knew exactly how to put it on. She didn't have the strapless bra but that didn't matter, she could still see how it fit her.

As soon as Maria buttoned the last button, she stood back and looked at her daughter. "You're going to give John palpitations when he sees you."

"Then we'll match. I'm sure my heart will speed up when I see him."

There was no need for Liesl to put on the veil, Maria knew the headband would fit her head. But she did tell her she still needed to buy her shoes and her wedding night lingerie."

Liesl went shopping for those things alone. A week before the wedding, she was ready. She and John had also bought their wedding rings and they had met with Father Paul again to view their wedding certificate. They both were more than ready to be married.

Her wedding day finally arrived. She and Louisa left the house together. Everything she needed was in the Bride's room. She already had on the strapless bra and Louisa held the gown so she could step into it and the buttoned all the buttons. Then she placed the veil.

They both heard the knock on the door. It was Georg. "Is my daughter ready to be married?"

"I am Father."

They both heard the music begin. They left the Bride's room to stand in the back of the church. Now they heard those three trumpet sounds and Georg started them down the aisle. All the guests turned so they could see them. Father Paul and John walked in and took their places in front of the altar. And the ceremony began.

"Dearly beloved; We have come together in the presence of God to witness and to bless the joining together of this couple in Holy Matrimony."

Then he explained the origin of the ceremony and said this. "Marriage is not to be entered into unadvisedly or lightly, but reverently, deliberately and in accordance with the purpose for it was instituted by God.

"If anyone can show just cause why they cannot be lawfully married; speak now or else forever hold your peace." No one in the congregation spoke.

And then to John and Liesl he asked the same question. He heard nothing from either so he continued.

"Who gives this woman to be married to this man?"

Georg answered. "Her mother and I do."

Then starting with Liesl he asked. "Liesl, will you have the man to be your husband; to live together in the covenant of marriage? Will you love him, comfort him, in sickness and in health; and forsaking all others, be faithful to him as long as you both shall live."

Loud and clear Liesl answered. "I will."

The same question was answered by John, also loud and clear he said. "I will."

And then to the people gathered. Father Paul asked.

"We'll all of you witnessing these promises do all in your power to uphold these two persons in their marriage?"

Their response was also loud and clear. "We will." The couple sat together for the readings from scripture. They had been told they couldn't hold hands. They heard the same verses of scripture that Maria and Georg had used. The time had arrived for them to take their vows.

The people present heard them each tell the other. "I take take you,Liesl (John), to be my wife(my husband) and to have and to hold from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish until we are parted by death. This is my solemn vow."

Their wedding bands were exchanged and the ceremony concluded. "Having each given themselves to the other by solemn vows, joining of hands and giving and receiving a ring, I now pronounce they are husband and wife, in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Those whom God has joined together let no one put asunder.

The communion prayers had been said. John and Liesl were given the blessed bread and wine first. They sat while members of the congregation came forward to receive the same. Beautiful soft music was played during this time.

The concluding prayer was said. Then Father Paul announced. "Please give John and Liesl a round of the applause."

Once the applause ended he said this. "John and Liesl invite all to attend the reception which follows in our social hall. They will arrive after pictures are taken."

John's cousin, Mark, was the photographer. "Okay you two, I want you to stand like you were when you were taking your vows, but turn slightly so I can see your faces. Perfect," click went the camera. Now stand together with your arm around the other and look at the camera and smile and another picture was taken. I'll get more at the reception."

The couple entered the social hall with shouts of "Kiss her, kiss her" from everyone. "Shall I comply Liesl?"

John didn't tease the crowd like Georg had done. He brought Liesl's face close and gave her a soft romantic kiss. The crowd cheered and the music began.

Liesl had selected their first dance to be Edelweiss. The musicians played the song all the way through as she and John danced all alone before asking the guests to join them.

Then for the next half hour they played a variety of music suitable for everyone to dance to. They ended with the famous Ländler folk dance which brought everyone to the dance floor.

A light lunch of tea sandwiches and a refreshing beverage were served before their wedding cake was bought from it hiding place. The couple made the required first cut and were given two forks to eat their ceremonial first bite as Mark caught it all on film.

The newlyweds were in hurry to leave. Liesl stood on the platform and tossed her bouquet. Then they hurried to leave for their honeymoon destination. Georg and Maria thanked them all for coming. They received numerous compliments about the wedding and the reception. Louisa carried Joseph who had slept through the wedding and most of the reception.

The family returned home, a tad bit sad, to wait for them to return. And when Georg attended General Guisan's meeting in the morning he heard some good news.