on why we are having a large wedding

Many prefer to have small, intimate weddings, for many reasons.
Perhaps because of cost
Perhaps because they can have a fancier wedding with less people
Perhaps because they want it to be very personal and private, with the very closest relatives and friends.
All of these are valid and admirable reasons.

For several other reasons, we desire to have a large wedding on principle.
(Not just because I like things big and beautiful - but that too)

Joel and I would like our wedding to be as much of a witness as possible, in several ways.
First, the message of the Gospel.
Second, the witness of our covenant before God.
Third, the message of what we believe about marriage and family.

We would like our entire church to attend!
This means that the time will be announced in the service on the Friday morning before our Saturday evening wedding. We by no means expect all 600+ to come (though thankfully the next door church building can hold more than enough people!), but want it to be very much a church-wide service, and a worship service.

This is the community that has watched and counseled our friendship, courtship, and now engagement, and is the main reason we are being married in Dubai and not in Washington, where most of our extended family is (thankfully the closest family will be able to travel). It is also the community and church we will be living among after our wedding.

Covenants should be witnessed, celebration should be shared. I'm so excited about the family and community aspect of everything - even if I'll only be thinking about one person :)

Love,
Cait

(By 'large' I mean the whole church is invited to the ceremony. The reception shouldn't exceed 250.)