Friday, June 01, 2012

The last wedding post...


I was hoping to return to regular blogging by now but I'm still recovering a bit.  The house was neglected as both the wedding and the garden had to take priority, not to mention a mountain of laundry which I haven't even started!  Victoria was in such a snit from no attention, too.

So... I will write now and then start regular pondering next week.

I did like my dress!  I have no waistline being short-waisted to begin with and then expanding each time the doctor increases my insulin (I told you I was beginning to resemble the Pillsbury Doughboy).  So, I was looking for a dress with a light jacket to cover the midsection. 

At the wedding, I realized my dress (green with a few purple flowers) was very similar to the mother-of-the bride's dress (shorter and a light purple with green accents).

The wedding was lovely.  The bride and her mother had been putting it all together on a very tight budget but no one would have known both families had to pinch pennies (and both the bride and groom being college students). 

I had found a vintage deep purple velvet purse at Goodwill a few months ago and it added lots of elegance, so much so that I could keep it with me.  I'd said I wasn't going to cry but "just in case", I added one of my pretty vintage hankies to the contents of the purse... a very good thing indeed.

The first time I cried was when the bride's mother called me out of the kitchen (where Steph and I were doing last minute preps) to tell me our children were sitting in the back of the church, holding hands and praying while waiting for the photographers (the outside pictures were taken before the wedding).  We both cried!

I cried off and on during the service, it was so Christ centered. Then the tears really came with the dance for the groom and groom's mother (that being moi') at the reception.  Christopher had asked his sister what song he should choose and she told him it had to be one of my favorites... Garth Brook's The Dance (which always makes me cry!).

The rehearsal dinner was held at a caterer's in the same town as the wedding.  It was delicious and the only thing I had to do for the rehearsal dinner was meet Christopher there in late afternoon to help decorate the tables.

He and I had experimented with those "beads" that expand into marble size "beads" when in water.  All of the small glass bowls came from Goodwill and the six tall glass containers were (I believe) from Hobby Lobby... really inexpensive.

It was his idea (I'd never heard of them) and it turned out so lovely with clear "beads" mixed with a few purple "beads" for accents immersed in water and then battery operated tea lights in the water to make them glow... two small glass bowls and one tall glass container on each table.

We decided flowers were only needed at the bride's table and he ordered a gorgeous Spring bouquet of purple flowers mixed with a few other colors.   It cost more than all the other table decorations combined but they showed how special she was to him.

The music for the dance with the bride and bride's father was I Loved Her First by Heartland.  Oh, my... that is a tearjerker!  I told hubby it was a good thing that wasn't around at Stephanie's wedding or he wouldn't have made it through the reception.

As much baking as I did, it is truly Stephanie who made it all beautiful.  Christopher told me whenever someone talked about how beautiful the food was, he'd say... "Well, you see, my sister has a degree in Interior Design."... and that explained it all.  She's been that creative since she was a toddler.

Speaking of children and all, we did enjoy spending time with the entire family again.  Anna celebrated her second birthday the day after the wedding at our home with her parents, siblings, and my son-in-law's parents (whom we always enjoy seeing).

I must admit Grammie was a bit in a fog that day as I developed one of those "knots" in my back while standing in a long reception line.  It started hurting so much I could not sleep, even though I was so exhausted from the wedding. 

We had a lovely meal on the deck, the only thing I had to make was the potato salad.  Between the busy-ness of wedding week and no sleep the night before, it was a good thing I've made the same potato salad recipe since the 80's so I could (almost literally) do it in my sleep.  :)

Stephanie said I could serve potato chips but my potato salad was the only food I make she'd asked for before arriving.  I use the original Holoise's recipe and I think the real secret is mixing in most of the mayo "sauce" when the potatoes are still hot.

The next day, her hubby took the kids to a park in our town so Stephanie and I could have a longer visit.  She treated me to a buffet lunch at our favorite Indian restaurant near the campus and then to a chai latte' at our favorite coffee shop just down the street.

I do have the world's best son-in-law!  It was so good to have more time together before they left in the early morning hours the next morning.

Both Steph and I are still very tired but it was worth all the work...

19 comments:

Angela said...

It sounds like a lovely, lovely time. I cannot quite imagine it as mine are not yet close to marriage, but I'm sure I will cry then too:)

Heather L. said...

Thanks for posting more details! I would have cried if I had found my kids praying before the wedding too! What a delight to have children walking with the Lord. Hope you continue to get rest!

Morning's Minion said...

Thank you for sharing photos and words about such a lovely family occasion.

Anonymous said...

Thanks for sharing all these nifty ideas!! It is not the cost that makes any difference in the length of the marriage. IN fact, one hears moreso if those gazillion dollar weddings that last such a short time!! We have a daughter yet who is not married...we still pray she will be found one day ere long. But I shall try to remember what you have shared here, for reference later...maybe you could make a link on the side someplace of all the ideas from the children's weddings that you have shared? I imagine I am not the only one that hopes to one day use some of your ideas!!
Elizabeth in NC

Vee said...

May you have wonderful days to get back to normal savoring all those sweet memories you've shared with us here. Never worry about showing me wedding pictures. I love seeing them! I am unfamiliar with your dance song, but I do know "I Loved Her First." I'll find yours, too, so I'll know what it is.

Deanna Rabe - Creekside Cottage Blog said...

It all sounds wonderful and I am so glad to hear of all the special touches, songs, memories!

Deanna

Anita said...

It sounds so lovely! I'm very happy for all of you. Thanks for sharing details.

Cheryl (copperswife) said...

I love hearing the details of the wedding, reception and rehearsal dinner. Such fun! What a blessed thing it must have been to have "caught" those two praying together before their wedding. Priceless!

Grandma Linda's Daydreams said...

Brenda, The wedding was beautiful, I looked back at previous posts, and saw all the wonderful desserts and sweet children. I'm happy for you to have all this joy in your life, and this blessed event to plan and enjoy with loved ones. It turned out so wonderful! You should be so proud of your
beautiful kids and family.
I just found your blog and of course, I am now following!
I love your cheerful zinnia header too!
Now you can relax and bask in these lovely memories!
Blessings!
Linda @ Grandmalay'sDaydreams

matty said...

Hello, My Dear!

How I have missed visiting! What a lot of news I had to catch up on. You and Steph, even 1000 miles apart, are the Queens of Catering! Everything was lovely and your young couple is striking! Love glows from every pore and around their darling faces. God Bless 'Em!

Hope you are recovering! I promise not to be so absent in the future!

Sending lots of hugs for a wonderful and restful day!

Matty

Sharon Lovejoy said...

Good morning dear Brenda,

I've been out of town and was happy to return and find a comment from YOU! Lovely wedding and photos and I hope for all joys for them.

FYI, I have an app on my iPad called Star Walk. At night I take the kids outside, hold the iPad up and the names of the constellations, stars, planets, everything appear in place perfectly, even nebulae, it is just FANTASTIC. I was introduced to this by an 86 year old (young) friend. It is so wonderful.

Sending love and congratulations and maybe a tiny sigh of relief for you?

Sharon

Susan Humeston said...

I'm SO happy for you -what a beautiful family!! I would have cried too if I knew my daughter and her future husband were praying. You have done well, good and faithful servant. Now for some much deserved rest. Work in the morning - the dishes, the laundry, the garden - in the afternoon, lay on the couch and read/ponder. I loved reading about your son's beautiful and economic wedding - after all, that is the BEST kind. I believe it is silly to spend tons of money on a wedding, when the couple will need to know budgeting tricks. You looked lovely, your husband looked Indiana Jones-like and another wonderful generation is set to honor the Lord. Be proud, my friend, you deserve it.

Susan Humeston said...

I'm SO happy for you -what a beautiful family!! I would have cried too if I knew my daughter and her future husband were praying. You have done well, good and faithful servant. Now for some much deserved rest. Work in the morning - the dishes, the laundry, the garden - in the afternoon, lay on the couch and read/ponder. I loved reading about your son's beautiful and economic wedding - after all, that is the BEST kind. I believe it is silly to spend tons of money on a wedding, when the couple will need to know budgeting tricks. You looked lovely, your husband looked Indiana Jones-like and another wonderful generation is set to honor the Lord. Be proud, my friend, you deserve it.

Susan Humeston said...

Oh, by the way, this should NOT be the last wedding post!!! Weddings are mile markers in life - they are very important!! The decorations you and your wonderful daughter created are BEAUTIFUL!! Such talent! Like mother, like daughter. You post about the wedding as much as you want. Where will the young people be settling? Nearby? If so, how delightful for you.

Grace K. said...

Congratulations to the lovely couple! So happy for them - and glad we could "share" in your family's special day, Ms. Brenda. You have such a beautiful family. :)

And may I add that those desserts y'all made look AMAZING??? So delicious and professional!! I would love one of those cakeballs!

Anonymous said...

Thanks for sharing photos and memories about the wedding. I'm sure it was beautiful and touching. Best wishes to the newlyweds as they begin their new life together. Health and renewing of strength to you.
Blessings, Sharon D.

Front Porch Grace said...

Ah, how lovely it all sounds from your remembrances.

Your "up all night" experience the night before the wedding reminded me of my own sleepless night the night before my daughter's wedding. I reckon it's a normal thing?

How wonderful that your son-in-law gifted you and Stephanie with time to enjoy each other.

Hope you are recovering well.

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