The beautiful moment that had this bride crying at the altar

The loss of a loved one can make special celebrations bittersweet.

For Brittany Adkins Yost, that occasion was her wedding and the person missing was her granddad.

Ever since she was a little girl, Brittany, 23, dreamed of having her grandfather, Ronald, preside over her wedding. He was a pastor for 60 years and had been a key figure in her sisters’ ceremony.

“I never imagined anyone else officiating my wedding,” said Yost.

“Family is very important to me and including him on a day…would've shown him how much he truly meant to me and a moment I could have always looked back on.”

Unfortunately, Yost’s grandfather passed away one week before she became engaged to her husband Jordan, 30.

Source: Supplied

She thought the dream of having her ‘papaw’ by her side on her special day was over.

At the ceremony, the couple saved a seat for him, but his spirit was about to get much more real for the bride.

As the preacher asked everyone to bow their heads in prayer – Yost was stunned at what she heard. It was her grandfather’s voice giving the blessing. 

“My heart shattered and I instantly burst into tears.”

“Happiness overcame me and the tears kept flowing. My knees became weak but Jordon was holding me up.”

Source: Sarah Irvin Photography

Yost’s brother, sister and brother-in-law had arranged the emotional surprise, using an audio recording from her sister’s wedding.

Her dream of having him ‘officiate’ her wedding had come true.

 “He [Jordan] clenched my elbows while I was soaking in the tears with a handkerchief my sister gave me and I could feel his tears hitting my arms.”

There wasn’t a dry eye in the house.

“…Even today reading comments from our guest, they all mention how wonderful it was to have attended and witnessed such a blessed ceremony and how they have never experienced so much love or memorable moment then during our wedding.”

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Yost says she hopes she can continue to live her grandfather's example and honour his memory.

“My papaw and momaw were married for 72 years so I always had great role models and leaders to how a marriage is supposed to work”

“He was the most God fearing and humble men I've ever known and I was blessed to have had him as a papaw.”