On the day the invitation came in the mail there among the Christmas cards, I immediately texted the sender.

We’ll be there. A five-week engagement? You guys are crazy.

My friend, quick to the draw, shot off her response.

Good. Yes. (Mothers of brides do not have time for long texts.)

But pulling up in a drizzly church parking lot somewhere off the grid in Bentonia last Friday night, you would have thought guests had marked their calendars for this event a year ago. It was, in fact, a very good thing the Hendersons were uncharacteristically early.

I had learned of their planning mantra by phone. “They want a simple wedding. We’re going to keep it simple. Very simple.” Yeah, right, I thought to myself. So how are you going to do that?

Well, my friend showed me how, starting there in the vestibule with magnolia leaves tied in tulle and further inside, where a spread of plain white candles romanced center stage. The look even continued on her face, plainly evident when she entered the packed sanctuary wearing a no-stress-here smile.

The simple spilled over into Sunday suits on the guys up front, where the groom was securely flanked by his father (the officiating minister) and brothers – his and hers. About that time, two (only two) bridesmaids descended, causing a trio of bow-tied boys seated in front of us to turn around for a better view. Their watching turned to gaping when the bride entered the scene and started making her way toward her man.

A simple lacey train – no beading, sequins or applique – soon trailed beside us, and I admired a dress that held no designer label within its seams. It was, instead, the work of her mother’s hands. What kind of woman makes a wedding dress in less than a month – during the holidays? (note to self: You have a remarkable friend.)

Meanwhile, the lights dimmed, putting the spotlight where it should be – on the vow-making. Nicole was looking at her groom like he hung her moon, and I could sense the hands of time passing through our long, shared history of Barney birthday parties and hand-me-downs and chemistry books. That’s when her dad (another preacher) interrupted my reverie with something he called wedding pictures, though not the typical close-ups of something-carat rings and a bride’s blue shoes you might expect. His were written sketches of the biblical symbolism behind a groom coming for his clothed-in-white bride. Making a conclusion about marriage done right, he even referred to happily-ever-afters. “This is no fairy tale,” came the proclamation. “This is the gospel.”

That father was followed by another who spoke solid words of laying down your life and cherishing what’s important, instead of chasing after perfect houses and perfect jobs. “If you truly love each other,” the minister told his son and new daughter-in-law, “you will cherish each other.”

And in the candle glow, soft and dreamy, another young couple covenanted before a crowd to do what they are to do until death does them part.

I must admit that my eyes couldn’t help but grow misty at the sight of them, a pair so set on simple, now taking on the most complicated quest of their lives.

In the end, when the cake (made by a friend) had been cut and the giddy newlyweds departed for parts unknown (until work on Monday), my friend and her family could say that they did stay true to their mantra – even in a day when, according to online nuptial source, The Knot, such affairs cost an average of $29,858.

Simple indeed – simply beautiful.

Wesson resident Kim Henderson is a freelance writer who writes for The Daily Leader. Contact her at kimhenderson319@gmail.com.