Before I start on Christmas...

I want to think back on last weekend. There's so many things I want to remember. Little moments and pieces of the entire picture that I hope will stay in my memory. But just in case I think I'll jot a few things down here.

Thursday started our weekend. We drove down to Lincoln and spent the morning with basically just our two families and some very close friends. (well, and a few media people!) The ceremony was beautiful. Our friend, Pat Blewett, performed their ceremony and he did an amazing job. I so appreciated his attention to reminding us that so much of the "for better or worse" part of marriage happens within the walls of a hospital. And that those "worse" parts serve to grow us and bind us together like the "for better" parts never could. SO true. One of the most touching moments of the whole morning was when I peeked up during prayer and saw  Katie and Garrett standing with their heads bowed and their foreheads touching- such a tender moment. After the ceremony we took some pictures, talked to the newspaper and tv stations that had come and ate cupcakes. :) Then we headed back to Valley and relaxed for a bit.

p.s. A moment of "happy" on Thursday? A bouquet of felt flowers from the fabulous Princess Lasertron! Katie's loved her work for a long time and I knew her "real flowers" would never make it through Thursday and Friday so I sent a quick email off to Megan who graciously rushed an order through and made the most amazing bouquet. Katie loved it! :) And seriously, you have to see her work in person to appreciate the amazing detail that she puts into her pieces. Breathtaking.

Friday was just so much calmer than I thought it would be. Katie and Jillian (maid of honor) and I met for bagels in the morning (because most good days start with bagels, don't ya know?!?!?) and then I headed off to church to finish up details while Katie went to get her hair done. Seriously? I just can't imagine things going much smoother than they did. We were missing a bridesmaid's bouquet (well, we actually weren't missing it, it never got added to the order!) but they quickly whipped another one up and brought it to the church. Before you knew it we were rehearsing and eating Jimmy John's for lunch. And then, it was picture time. I'm almost convinced that I know know why our house in Bennington hasn't sold yet. I remember when we moved in being in "awe" of the light in that house and wishing that Katie would get married there. Well, that wasn't going to happen. But I was SO excited when Becky suggested that we head over there to take some pictures with just Katie and Garrett. I was thinking a couple of weeks ago about needing to find a perfect spot for a "hanging dress waiting for the bride" picture and wishing that our church was one of those "architecturally beautiful" churches that you see in amazing wedding pictures. Well, we ended up with a great "waiting dress" shot in the doorway of the balcony of our "old house". I was SO happy about that. Silly? maybe. But sometimes it's the little things that bring the biggest smiles. :) Becky did a fabulous job and from what I've seen already we're going to have a hard time choosing pictures. :) One more little "glitch". My friend Debra put together a slide show of Katie and Garrett's engagement pictures but when she went to save it to dvd it wouldn't burn. UGH! She was in tears when her dear sweet husband suggested that they just take the whole computer up to church and hook it up there. Gotta love it when a man will do whatever it takes to save the day". The band and Mitch did an incredible job on the music. The bridal party all walked into a Collin Raye song, "All My Roads" which was just so "Katie and Garrett". Pat performed another great ceremony. He's got such a knack for pulling together a serious moment with just enough humor to make the whole thing flow. I loved the moments of laughter and watching Katie and Garrett react. During Mitch's second song Katie and Garrett obviously were having a "moment" and Scott looked at Katie and told her to "shush" (LOL! Dad trying to get his moment of authority in, I think...) Katie's reaction was just a classic Katie look. I wish I'd captured it to share with you. Totally fun. The rings? Well, the best man (Garrett's brother Luke) tried to fool everyone into thinking he'd lost the rings. You'd be surprised at the rustle that worked through the audience while he "searched" for them. :) I think this may have been in reaction to my announcement during rehearsal to the groomsmen that they were not to stand with their hands folded in front of them. I just hate that look! So they were instructed to stand with their hands at their sides, or behind them but certainly not protecting their "man bits" (to quote my friend Miley!) and then certain veiled threats were made if they forgot my instructions. I'm happy to report that they all did very well! LOL! :) Katie and Garrett walked out to "Everything" from Michael Buble which pleased Scott to no end. We both LOVE that song! Dinner was good. But I wish I'd gone with my instinct and had it served instead of doing buffet style. It was a long line and I ended up playing "hostess" and I missed enjoying that part of the night. But all in all, I'd say it was an amazing evening. We cleaned it all up and got ready for the rental company to come and pick up everything and take it over to the barn the next morning and headed home for a short night's sleep.

Saturday? We met the rental company and drug all the "stuff" over to the barn and spent ALL day transforming the space into the rustic chic space that my mind had been concocting for months. Seriously have to say that I was SO pleased with how it all turned out. Poor Scott made several "additional trips" to one house or the other to pick up things I'd left off my master list and my "helpers" (Tami, Miley and my brother and sis in laws, Chase and the nephews and nieces) worked SO hard all day to pull it all together! We ate Little Caeser's pizza for lunch, cut up yards and yards of burlap, stapled 100's of flowers and paper chains, fought with heaters to stay warm, created diversions for trash cans and just generally flew around like crazy people. The desserts were amazingly good. I only wish they'd pre-cut the cheesecake. When they (Heartland Cafe) delivered it I asked if it needed to be refrigerated and she insisted it didn't but by the time I got around to cutting it, it was entirely too soft and I couldn't cut it in small pieces like I'd planned and it was "gloppy". Not nearly the pretty spread I had pictured but it tasted great which I guess is better than it looking great and tasting horrible. :) We had SO many people show up. WAY more than had RSVP'd. And even though I'd planned for some "extras", I didn't plan for 100 extras so we didn't have any extra food- save a few cookies. The wedding cake (from Cupcake Island) was quite frankly the most delicious cake I have EVER eaten. It was stunning. The coffee bar (Jo On the Go) was fun and everyone enjoyed having their own "special" drink created just for them. If I'd known we were going to have so many people there I'd have had two baristas... but again, I had no clue. I just kept thinking of that old saying, "If I'd know you were coming, I'd have baked you a cake!" (and ordered a little more dessert and coffee!) Oh well, I'm pretty sure no one went hungry although I bet there were a few of us who wished we'd gotten to taste a couple of the cheesecakes and pies that went first. :) We danced and partied ALL NIGHT LONG! It was a blast watching the kids "get down" and I totally loved the fact that I "knew" all "their music" and they knew little to none of "mine". I'm pretty sure that I was the only one over 40 there who had any clue what most of the songs were... ah, yes. It feels good to be the "hip" one of the older bunch... :) We tore a lot of the decor down before we left on Saturday night and then headed home for yet another "short night".

Sunday found us at our "old house" with Garrett's family and our family opening up presents and enjoying a leisurely Sunday morning breakfast. And then we headed out to the barn to finish the clean up and make sure everything was in order for rental company on Monday morning. Sunday afternoon we NAPPED! That was amazing. And Sunday night we grilled out steak with my brother's family and my mom and sister and niece. And finally, a LONG night's sleep.

Monday? The clean up of details. Cake stands to Cupcake Island? Check. Columns to Mulhalls? Check. Lunch with a good friend. Ahhhhhhhhh, yes. Check.

And now? Now I prep for Christmas which is going to small, intimate and calm. At least I hope it will be!

Thanks for reading this far... although this post is mostly about me having a place to "remember it all", I hope you enjoyed the re-cap! :) Wait till later in the week when I show you K&G's wedding favors and maybe we'll even have a new "make IT up" kit that goes along with those pictures... just maybe... :)

Comments

[Leonie - Australia]

You did an amazing job Kelly, from looking at the photos it was everything a wedding should be, congratulations!!

[holly k]

I'm so glad you decided to remember it on your blog so I could read all of the details too. It just all sounds so amazing. I'm so, so happy for Katie and Garrett and all of you! I love you!!!

[mickey]

sounds like a perfectly magical weekend. The bride and groom are just adorable, and their wedding(s) was (were) beautiful. Love all the special little details. You did so much work, and I am sure they appreciate the special weekend you helped them create. What a blessed event. Congratulations to all of you. How fun to have expanded your family. ;o)

[becca]

Love the photo of K & G praying. LOVE!
And the Princess bouquet? Delicious!
I'm glad you posted this--not only so you can remember (now that you're old) but so I can too. (because I'm old as well)

xoxo.

[elizabeth Rosemond]

so amazing! i've had goose pimples from the day you announced their engagement. i got married a year ago and i can still remember every single detail.

oh, i agree with becca...that Princess bouquet is divine!!

[sasha farina]

:) this post got me smiling from ear to ear.. with some tears to sweeten the pot. LOL.. whatever! thank you for typing all these.. i feel as though i was there.. ! *hugs* K...

[Jeanette]

such breathtaking photos you've shared. Not only are you a wonderful decorator when it comes to homes but also one for weddings! I know who to consult with for the next event we host!!!!!!

[Wendy WendtVanGuilder]

I love hearing about stuff like this! Thanks for sharing!