Since Bud, my husband, and I love the natural world we had a simple outdoor wedding in a nature sanctuary at the Dauset Trails Nature Center Chapel near Jackson, Georgia.

The wedding celebration took place with our family and friends in a beautiful chapel overlooking a lake on May 2, 1998. The sunny, cool spring day, the magical explosion of new green leaves on the shrubs and trees, the white and pink wild azaleas and the fragrant honeysuckle made our wedding extraordinary.

Reverend Louis Lowery, our minister and close friend, conducted a personal and moving marriage ceremony. The congregation was amazed when a couple of Canada geese honked as we said our vows.

After the ceremony we had a potluck reception in the newly built pavilion next door. Instead of gifts each guest brought a dish to share.

Since we believe God is in all creation we felt were in a holy place. With little planning we left a lot of space for serendipity. Our goal was to be prepared and to let go of expectations. We were not disappointed. Our friends instinctively provided what we needed. Carolyn Florea, the minister’s wife, and Linda Mizella helped prepare the chapel and pavilion. Dr. Allison Grant made a magnificent fresh flower bouquet for me to use in the marriage ceremony, Shirley Williams videotaped the celebration and our friends were the photographers.

The wedding proved that little money is needed when we are with loved ones and Mother Nature is a guest of honor.

Many of our guests remarked that the wedding was the most fun and the most beautiful they had ever attended. Even with forty folks the cost was less than a hundred dollars. The biggest expense was the $50.00 pavilion. The chapel rental is free. Other expenses included my wedding dress, the wedding cake and the invitations.

To read more and see a picture of Reverend Louis Lowery with Niki and Bud Queen go to the story tilted “Our marriage ceremony and the minister’s dream.”