If anyone wants to renew their Christian faith, I suggest spending some time with some Indian Christians. Jubin's Christian denomination is called Brethren. Basically, it is a Christian faith who uses the Bible as a guide, but that has a deep spiritual connection to God as individuals. The pastor at Jubin's wedding said as wedding guests we should be honored to be in attendance because we would be witnessing something incredibly, and those words jumped around my heart the entire time I was at the wedding. It was an honor and a privilege for me to be a part of this wedding, because I was probably one of ten non-Indians in attendance, and a member of the bridal party. Jubin and Jon were kind enough to invite my dad too, who was truly touched by the ceremony.
This wedding was unlike the average American wedding. The reoccurring theme throughout the church portion was the uniting of three: Jubin, Jonathan, and Jesus Christ. It was mesmerizing listening to the singers, readers, and speakers all re-emphasize this. Even though Jon and Jubin only knew one another a year (again an exception to the norm), they have such confidence that God united them. The main speaker explained how being married isn't easy. They will have good times and bad. But if they have one another and God to lean on, they can come through anything. They will be husband and wife, best friends, supporters, and more and God will be there to support them on their journey. It was emotional at points when the congregation was reminded that it was time for the couple to leave their families and start their own. The ceremony was absolutely amazing because the focus wasn't on the flowers, the white dress, or the tuxedos, which were wonderful. It was really all about love: love they have for one another, love for family and friends, and the love shown to all of us from God.
The reception was also like no other wedding I have ever been too. There was music playing, but it was mostly Christian music. The only exception was when the bridal party was being announced, and we came out to contemporary music. Funny fact: The guy I walked in with and I had to come out to Vanilla Ice’s “Ice, Ice, Baby.” Jubin and Jon thought that would be funny since we were obviously the white minorities. More speakers came up and said blessings for the newlyweds, as well as some other singers. The food was delicious, we were at Villa Lombardis after all, and everyone was enjoying one another’s company. There wasn’t any dancing, but one cool thing that we did was we played bridal party Family Fued. We had to answer questions and tell funny and embarrassing memories we had with either Jon or Jubin. Our answers were shared in front of everyone, so it was hysterical. I told a story about Jubin attempting to curl her hair as a child. She wet her hair, and got a round brush stuck in so bad; her mom had to cut it out of her hair, leaving her slightly bald in the front. One of my favorite parts was when Jubin and Jonathan, followed by their fathers thanked everyone and God for this special day. There were over 400 people in attendance, but I can tell you it wasn’t to put on a show. Their thank yous were so sincere; they just really wanted to share their special day with all of their friends and family. The dad thank yous were really touching. Both men, born in India, spoke in broken English and their love for their children and God just poured out of them.
Overall, being a part of Jubin and Jonathan’s wedding was so rewarding for me. I have witnessed their journey from when they first met up until the wedding. Even though in person they only saw one another a handful of times, they truly knew they were meant for one another. There relationship developed over the phone and the times that they were able to get together, and it is so wonderful to watch them learn about one another. One of the sweetest things that happened at the wedding was Jubin was not happy about the processional music for when everyone walked down the aisle. However, Jubin said she wasn’t going to worry about such a small detail. Secretly, Jon hired a string trio to play and it was such a nice surprise for Jubin, who loves the violin. Another thing that I admired about Jubin on her wedding day was she was her usual humble self, without a hint of being a bridezilla. At one point, someone asked her if she wanted to borrow a mirror, and Jubin’s response was, “No thanks. I would rather not look at myself too much, because it is not about that today. It is about me marrying Jonathan, not my appearance.” Amazing, right? Overall, Jubin, Jonathan, and their family and friends are some of the most genuine Christians I know. It truly radiates from them, without being condescending. Remember, the majority of India is Hindu, so the fact that they are Christians is pretty amazing. They value their faith and this country so much, because they know what it is like to live somewhere else. They pray throughout the day and read the Bible daily, not to be self-righteous, not to gain points with God, but because it truly feeds their souls. So like I said at the beginning if you ever want to refresh your faith…
Congratulations to the newlyweds, my friends:
Jonathan & Jubin Matthews June 27, 2009
This wedding was unlike the average American wedding. The reoccurring theme throughout the church portion was the uniting of three: Jubin, Jonathan, and Jesus Christ. It was mesmerizing listening to the singers, readers, and speakers all re-emphasize this. Even though Jon and Jubin only knew one another a year (again an exception to the norm), they have such confidence that God united them. The main speaker explained how being married isn't easy. They will have good times and bad. But if they have one another and God to lean on, they can come through anything. They will be husband and wife, best friends, supporters, and more and God will be there to support them on their journey. It was emotional at points when the congregation was reminded that it was time for the couple to leave their families and start their own. The ceremony was absolutely amazing because the focus wasn't on the flowers, the white dress, or the tuxedos, which were wonderful. It was really all about love: love they have for one another, love for family and friends, and the love shown to all of us from God.
The reception was also like no other wedding I have ever been too. There was music playing, but it was mostly Christian music. The only exception was when the bridal party was being announced, and we came out to contemporary music. Funny fact: The guy I walked in with and I had to come out to Vanilla Ice’s “Ice, Ice, Baby.” Jubin and Jon thought that would be funny since we were obviously the white minorities. More speakers came up and said blessings for the newlyweds, as well as some other singers. The food was delicious, we were at Villa Lombardis after all, and everyone was enjoying one another’s company. There wasn’t any dancing, but one cool thing that we did was we played bridal party Family Fued. We had to answer questions and tell funny and embarrassing memories we had with either Jon or Jubin. Our answers were shared in front of everyone, so it was hysterical. I told a story about Jubin attempting to curl her hair as a child. She wet her hair, and got a round brush stuck in so bad; her mom had to cut it out of her hair, leaving her slightly bald in the front. One of my favorite parts was when Jubin and Jonathan, followed by their fathers thanked everyone and God for this special day. There were over 400 people in attendance, but I can tell you it wasn’t to put on a show. Their thank yous were so sincere; they just really wanted to share their special day with all of their friends and family. The dad thank yous were really touching. Both men, born in India, spoke in broken English and their love for their children and God just poured out of them.
Overall, being a part of Jubin and Jonathan’s wedding was so rewarding for me. I have witnessed their journey from when they first met up until the wedding. Even though in person they only saw one another a handful of times, they truly knew they were meant for one another. There relationship developed over the phone and the times that they were able to get together, and it is so wonderful to watch them learn about one another. One of the sweetest things that happened at the wedding was Jubin was not happy about the processional music for when everyone walked down the aisle. However, Jubin said she wasn’t going to worry about such a small detail. Secretly, Jon hired a string trio to play and it was such a nice surprise for Jubin, who loves the violin. Another thing that I admired about Jubin on her wedding day was she was her usual humble self, without a hint of being a bridezilla. At one point, someone asked her if she wanted to borrow a mirror, and Jubin’s response was, “No thanks. I would rather not look at myself too much, because it is not about that today. It is about me marrying Jonathan, not my appearance.” Amazing, right? Overall, Jubin, Jonathan, and their family and friends are some of the most genuine Christians I know. It truly radiates from them, without being condescending. Remember, the majority of India is Hindu, so the fact that they are Christians is pretty amazing. They value their faith and this country so much, because they know what it is like to live somewhere else. They pray throughout the day and read the Bible daily, not to be self-righteous, not to gain points with God, but because it truly feeds their souls. So like I said at the beginning if you ever want to refresh your faith…
Congratulations to the newlyweds, my friends:
Jonathan & Jubin Matthews June 27, 2009
Getting my hair done at 4a.m.
Jubin and I after we had our hair and makeup ready to go!
Bridesmaids waiting to walk down the aisle.
Jubin walking down with her dad. Look at that smile!
The Newlyweds!
Mr. and Mrs. Mathews
Full bridal party
Jon perfomed a song he wrote for Jubin. Isn't that sweet?
Time to cut the cake!
Me and the happy couple. My face is all red, because Daddy made me sad when he told them not to move away from me. I hope they live on Long Island!
There they are!
Me wearing the sari. Don't I look a little Indian?
My hair which I loved!
Classic Linus shot. He is squrming all over the place!
4 comments:
Such a beautiful story and the photos are stunning. You look so gorgeous!
Thanks Kathleen it was a great experience!
....Yes, Jamie. You look Indian!
Thanks for sharing the amazing photos and memories of your friends.
jamie you look sooo pretty! I love it! Who knew you had an Indian flare to ya... Looking hott girlie!
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