WHAT'S UP WITH THAT? 'UFOs' a gift of love

Wedding guests light sky lanterns to release during the reception for newlyweds Jaclyn Christine Smith and Wesley James Henry on Saturday.

On Sunday, several people began reporting they had seen strange glowing lights in the sky the evening before. The Brentwood Police Department reported it had received no reports of UFOs or other strange activity. “I’ve heard nothing about aliens from outer space visiting Brentwood,” City Manager Mike Walker stated.

Still, the reports kept coming into the BHP office. Late Monday, the mystery was solved.

Jaclyn Christine Smith and Wesley James Henry of Brentwood were married Saturday in an evening ceremony at Remnant Fellowship Church on Franklin Road. The church-wide ceremony was attended by approximately 1000 guests including family, friends and church members. 

During the reception, the night sky lit up as the couple and their families and guests released hundreds of glowing sky lanterns into the almost stormy night sky. “The weather pattern that evening created a spectacular event for not only the wedding guests, but for the communities of Brentwood and Franklin as the almost 4-feet tall sky lanterns were lit and lifted off and soared up to a mile high into the night sky providing a spectacular display that lasted for 20 minutes or so over the Brentwood church,” explained church spokesperson Candace Anger.

The bride’s family was inspired by the idea of sky lanterns by the song, “I Will Give Him Praise” that was written by Michael Shamblin. He performed it during lanterns’ release.

Once a source for biodegradable sky lanterns was secured and city codes officials issued an OK, the planning for the release began, Anger explained. “But nothing could have been more perfectly planned than what God planned for the weather that night,” she said. “Right at the time of the lantern launch, storms threatened, yet in the last moments before the lantern launch, the storm split and went to the north and the south of the city.” The result, she said, was a “delightful and moving experience” for the bride and groom and their guests.