Jared and Larissa's Wedding

Thanks, Deja, for taking these photos for us during the ceremony! 

I cannot wait to see the professional photos taken during the wedding and reception - they are going to be stunning.  I know, however, family and friends are waiting to see some glimpses of the lovely event, so I'll share the snaps Deja and we took. 

The signal came that the wedding party was in place down in the grove of palm trees. From the OTHER side of the waterlily display, the grandparents entered, then myself and Tiffany (Larissa's step-mom). 

Game time - Jared and Michael walk down the ramp and to the front of the pavilion. 

Some shots of the wedding party - Stacia was a Junior Bridesmaid

Alex (Zander) and Stacia (and the secret service guy)

Nolan and Arielle

Stephen (A.K.A. "Phen") and Krista 

Michel and Logan 

Jamin and Brittany 

Josiah and Johnna

 Taylor (Larissa's youngest sister) and Campbell 

Lucas stole the show - but wanted Mom to walk with him

Warren and Veronica usher Larissa into the Pavilion 

Jared's first glimpse of his bride 

The ceremony was beautiful - combining traditional with unique. They chose to recite Ruth's words to Naomi to each other - especially poignant as they are about to leave for Alaska, and we certainly have tribes of people for both of them to join. LOL  They chose to have a unity cross instead of a candle or sand or such....I'd never seen that before and really loved it. 

There's a new Mrs. G in the land.....

Michael made the announcement for family and wedding party to stay and all others to begin heading to the reception.  We took photos and then all rejoined at the Le Grand ASU Alumni center for the reception.

Here are a a couple of photos I snapped with my phone while Penny and Kelly took what promises to be some gorgeous wedding photos.

Wedding Party - minus 2 flower girls and ring bearer

F -Kirsten, Jerome, Grayson, Kassidy, Steven, Krista, Johnna, Michel, Logan, Stacia
R - Jodi, Sean, Arielle,Nolan, Brittany, Jamin, Josiah, Chris, Cassidy, Alex

Wedding Day - Morning Prep

Wedding day - there was some question about afternoon storms due right when the wedding would begin....but the cooler temps were much nicer for being outdoors. Larissa had a Plan B, but we continued on with Plan A  and trusted the weather to cooperate. 

The girls and I were happy to start our day with a drive to Larissa's grandmother's to pick up decorations and the wedding cake.  We were told to avoid potholes - but that is HARD in San Angelo. I drove very carefully, and Stacia and Arielle both held and guarded cakes. 

We made it! 

Larrissa assembled a display table and we made the rest of the tables match. 

Bows for the seat covers

Larissa's sister Kassidy

Larissa's sister Kiersten

Tiffany - Larissa's step mom and mom of Kassidy & Kiersten

Veronica (Larissa's Mom) with the Groom's cake

 Annie the Wedding Planner

Love both cakes - laughed at the groom's cake

 We were thrilled to be able to help with the set up. I was happy Larissa included us. I left the building with a box for the groomsmen and headed to the cabin where they were getting ready. Krista and Arielle did the makeup and hair for the the Junior Bridesmaids - Kiersten, Kassidy and Stacia.

Stacia gets a touch of makeup 

Alex

Jerome is our nephew, Jared's cousin

Stephen and Jerome

Jared and Michael 

Michel helps Josiah with his boutonniere

Jamin helps Alex with his boutonniere

 Kelly came out and took a lot of photos of the groom and his men. I think they're going to turn out great! Here are some I snapped.

Michael snatched moments to reread the ceremony

 The girls were getting ready and taking photos at the Alumni center where the reception will take place. As the afternoon drew to a close we began to assemble at the Waterlily Garden. Deja took my camera and took some fun shots.

Michael and Jared check the site one last time. 

Larissa's Grandmothers, Tiffany and I stage here and wait....

Crazy.cute! Shannon corralled this adorable trio as we waited for our cues
Shannon is one of Larissa's Aunt and the mom of  Lucas (and possibly Campbell?)
I snatched this photo from Shannon's Facebook. 

Friends assemble

I was glad to have Mary and Earl to share my front row - everyone else was in the wedding. LOL 

Love these kids

 Praying with Jared

And then, we saw flashes of teal and white and sunflowers through the trees. Everything was in place for us to have a wedding!

Graduation/Rehearsal BBQ

We topped off our spectacular Saturday with a Graduation/Rehearsal BBQ out at Lake Nasworthy.  I had brainstormed options with Deja "earlier." I asked if she'd be willing to help me so that I could be at the rehearsal and still pull this off. Not only, Deja, but all of Team A jumped in to help. The plan was for us to go shopping early in the week and then spend a day pre-cooking......when we broke down, Doug and Deja took over. We lost four days. They pulled this together. We are so thankful! 

Deja & De'Etta

Alex & Everson 

Coach Armstrong and Jamin

Rousing conversation

Doug and the guys

It was a blast to have Michel and Steven here!

Yes, you. 

Tiffany and Warren give Jared a graduation gift

Warren (Larissa's Dad) and Jared

The Tassel was worth the hassle

Josiah

Steve

Who invited him? 

Jerome - Earl and Mary's son - Cousin from CO

Last photo together as singles - the next time Jared sees Larissa she'll be coming down the aisle. 

After all left the groomsmen played basketball, Earl, Mary, Michael and I visited. It was a great day.