Saturday Pre-Wedding

Arielle grew up as a Chaplain's Kid in the Air Force. Typically, brides are given a 2 hour time slot. 30 min to set up, an hour for the ceremony and 30 min to take things down. I saw one reception at the chapel in 20 years of ministry. It's "not allowed," but I did see it - once.  Arielle chose a church that is usually very decorated - pine arches with lights, giant snowflakes and said that would be the bulk of her winter themed decorations. The church went much simpler with their decorations this year - very pretty - but not what we'd expected. Arielle  took it all in stride. She said the focus was always the marriage and the wedding was just a ceremony to "get through." She really doesn't like being the center of attention and was happy to have it simple and short.   We worked with the decorations at the church, covered the manger, moved the poinsettias to the side, put some tulle and candles (all unlit) on the piano and some blue bows on the pews. 

From the start we encouraged the couple to think about what they wanted their wedding to be. We were here to make their wedding dreams come true. They chose a short ceremony. They specifically chose not to do any "unity" ceremony (Isn't that what the whole wedding is about, she asked? ), extra music numbers and such.

Most of their decorating was for the reception and it all came together beautifully. Again, they capitalized on the church's decorations. They added pops of color in blue and sliver.  Oh, yes, Arielle bought all the flowers, bows and centerpieces sight unseen when Krista called her and said someone with a wedding in her colors was selling their stuff for $25.00.  One of the groomsman's mother made this little cake for them. Arielle painted the do dads....

You noticed there are no nuts or mints and the cake is small? They opted for a cookie reception and a hot chocolate bar. The wedding was at 2:00 p.m. and their goal was to be done with the reception by 4 p.m. Good timing for light food. 

They used Arielle's old copy of,  "The Princess and The Kiss," as a guest book. People wrote notes for them in the book. I love it! 

 They also skipped the toast, dancing, throwing bouquets and garters....and it was FINE. Arielle was absolutely right - the wedding is about the marriage to come. The essentials are a couple, a pastor and friends to celebrate.  

Before we knew it, Saturday morning arrived and it was time to get ready for photos and a wedding. I'm sure there ARE pictures of the groomsmen getting ready - but they aren't on my camera. LOL 

Alicia, Arielle and Emily - great friends from Misawa, Japan

Emily, Alicia and Larissa (Jared's wife, our newest daughter)

 We all got busy steaming clothes and suits and tablecloths....and Larissa and Krista were kept busy helping with hair and make up. 

Larissa and Stacia (our youngest daughter)

 

Terrah arrived and did Arielle's make up and hair as a gift! 

 

Almost done

 Thankful to have my girls to help me get pulled together

Krista, me and Larissa

 Arielle needed to be done before the rest of us - so I broke in the middle of my prep and helped to get her into her gorgeous dress. There were a few moment when Sherri and I began to wonder if we'd get all the buttons done up! 

Bella had to play with make up like the big girls! 

A hilarious thing happened when it was time to get Bella dressed in her flower girl garb. She immediately began shaking her head and saying, "Ba, ba, ba, ba!" Not sure what she was trying to say but she was communicating!

 When that didn't work, she began GROWLING. ::snort:: 

In the end, she was happy in her garb! 

Men in our lives!

Nolan, Alex, Cy, Michael, Jared, Izaak (holding Bella) and Jamin 

 This nap was a God send. 

Aunt Krista and Bella 

 Sometimes a girl needs an old friend....

Bella was hilarious when she tried to crawl! 

 Young groomsmen Cory has mentored

Izaak and Bella

Bella wasn't quite up to flower girl duties on her own. Daddy carried her and they both threw flowers. 

Soon it was time for Michael and I to have time alone with Arielle. 

10 minutes to wedding time

#WYFF - Wedding Feet

The day was full of decorating for a wedding and reception, running errands, a therapy appointment or two for Michael, and tracking down last minute details.  Evening found all our feet (#WYFF) on, or around, the platform at Calvary Open Bible. 

Josiah stood in for a missing pastor - I think it was fun for him. 

Wedding rehearsals are full of exciting anticipation - the set up work is done, all the participants have arrived, clothing is in place, errands are done. It's time to bring it all together in a rehearsal and make sure it all works as planned. They do seem almost anit-climatic to write about AFTER the real deal wedding. 😉 I'm going to take the time to back blog as the rehearsal is full of fun memories and I want to document a few things. 

Sherri, Will's wife, is our wedding coordinator. She does a great job of being a liaison between the church and families. She knows what needs to be done, remembers details we would be sure to forget and keeps everything moving smoothly. She's also an incredibly calming presence - though that may be as we are family. No, I think she is calming for all her brides and grooms. 

 The communion table behind Sherri is really a manger - complete with lots of hay.It was fun to brainstorm solutions with Michael, Cory, Travis (Cory's brother) and Jamin....I think the solution was ingenious. We put a small top over the manger, covered it all with a cloth and wa la - a communion table.

We just weren't sure WHAT to do with the piano - but in the end I think it gave an air of elegance to the platform.

Jared - six months into married life

 It was  fun to have Donna share this wedding with us. She was a bridesmaid in BreZaak's wedding. 

Ah, the moment - it's real - this baby girl is going to be getting MARRIED in less than 24 hours! 

Bailey is a college friend, newly married herself, and is making a video of the day for CoRielle. Her husband, Jordan, is a groomsman. 

 The Groomsmen 

Note the two on the left are Cory's brothers; 5 and 6 are Arielle's brothers

 Bridesmaids

Alaina, Alicia, Emily (both friends from Japan) Larissa, Stacia, Krsita and Bre (Gherkin gals)

This photo CRACKS me up - and illustrates the girls' personalities well. All are doing what they were told to do - stand on the dot.  Krista's stance is a bit quirky and whimsical. Bre is looking at Krista as if to say, "WHAT are you doing?" She's checking the girls out - prepared to keep them in line if need be. Stacia is leaning in to the older girls and seems to be thinking, "This could be fun." 

Then there's the fourth Gherkin gal...."I do? Oh - I. DO!" Arielle does NOT like being the center of attention. She finds it off-putting and awkward. They wanted a small, simple, wedding - and we all promised her we'd have her outta there as soon as possible.  She DID seem to have a lot of fun at the rehearsal.

Can't tell you how much we LOVE this couple! 

#WYFF  (Where's Your Feet Friday) is a hashtag sponsored by Fulltime Families. For more glimpses of our Fridays, click the #WYFF tab below the header.

Celebrating Arielle

Arielle chose a Matron of Honor (BreAnne) and a Maid of Honor (Krista). Bre planned her bridal shower and Krista planned tonight's bachelorette celebration.

We met at Krista's for dinner! She served us homemade yumm bowls. While she was preparing dinner,  Larissa and I made Snowball cookies.

Krista

Alicia, Stacia, Bre, Larissa

This sounds cut and dried - but there were "details." Krista had planned a limo ride for us to too view Christmas lights.  The original company she hired for the ride called to say they could not drive into the mountains of South Eugene to view lights with the ice. Later they called to say their garage door was frozen and they couldn't drive the limo that day.  Larissa and Krista are our go-to, get er done, gals. They found another company which had a cancellation, they were given a coupon and arranged it all while they cooked and prepared games for the evening! They rock. We all pitched in to purchase time with Sunshine Limo Service. Our driver was excellent.

We had dinner. We told Arielle we were taking her somewhere special and Krista wanted to blindfold her before we left. This took a GREAT deal of trust as the stairs were icy.

Alicia, Arielle, Me

 We finally got her situated - with blind fold in place. 

Her excitement was PRICELESS! 

Then she was told we were going to go look at CHRISTMAS LIGHTS! 

The first company did not provide snacks so Bre and Alicia brought snacks. 

Gemma and Bella had their first limo ride together

THIS company provided drinks and chocolate - we were well supplied

We didn't make it up to the hills of South Eugene - but the Crescent area has some GORGEOUS lights!

Our ride lasted about 1 1/2 hours, he took us back to Krista's where Larissa had us ready for a few fun games.... The first one was to determine who knew Arielle best.

In the next game we chose our lip color of choice, lathered up, was spun numerous times and attempted to kiss Olaf. 

Good thing Terrah is doing her make up for the wedding

Larissa gave Arielle a cute robe

We had thought we'd be picking Emily up early in the evening, but her plane was delayed. She did make it late into this night - her luggage did not. Alaina was able to join us in time for the movies. We ended the night with more snacks and Disney movies.

This was a great night and it was fun to be invited to join the girls for the fun.  Thanks to Stacia for the loan of her camera for these photos!!!

Busy Day

Doctor's....

Alicia made it here, after being diverted to Portland and then taking a bus down.

Moved some of Arielle's things.

Bachelorette Party

Emily made it in at 11:00 p.m. - her bags are en route....

Details to follow.

When the Trip to the Shower House Becomes an Adventure

There is a special thrill to sliding your feet into ice-covered shower shoes! Everyone should try it once or twice. Yes, I did stand outside in pj's and a sweatshirt to grab these photos.

With the advent of a freak cold snap, we learned a lesson about our RV.....if there is any chance the power may go out, the propane furnace needs to be on.....the power went out several times last night as well as the frozen incident when we got home at midnight.  BUT STILL NO SNOW....

So nice of Oregon to celebrate CoRielle's Winter Themed wedding.

Now we're off to a very full day...doctor's visits, church visit, Bachelorette party, final bridesmaid arriving, Cory's family and WA friends arriving...big day ahead!