What a busy weekend this was!
As usual in weddings, we had a bit of the drama ..
After one night at the b&b, the CA group, minus my brother, decided to stay somewhere else. Their excuse was that the stairs were too much for my grandma. That may have been a valid reason, but I tend to think there was more to it than that.
I learned of this just as I was walking into church. Then while in church, as I was loading up the Bible on my phone, I got a text from my mom. It was telling me that she'd been told that she might not like it there and might want to go somewhere else.
Needless to say, once I was alone that afternoon, Mr FT had to talk me carefully away from the edge.
Mom ended up deciding to stay at the b&b.
Something that didn't affect me directly - Mr FT's sister's boyfriend's youngest son who was dying of cancer - they decided to take him off life support Saturday night. So, the boyfriend obviously didn't come to the rehearsal or wedding.
Then there were the things that slipped through the cracks in my planning and / or in remembering what to bring. Such as ... knowing where the college cafeteria was located before taking a group there for lunch ... Or ... remembering to tell my uncle about the Shoe Game *before* the reception AND bringing a suggested list of questions ... Then of course the Unity ceremony ... I kind of over complicated it. By the ceremony, it worked out fine, but I think it got people confused.
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Saturday night - the dinner started 30 minutes late because people showed up late. We only had 11 people, and there were 5 on time...
Because of the small number, we used several big long tables instead of separate round tables. I think that worked out very well to help facilitate conversation.
The rehearsal itself was a bit chaotic, and due to Mr FT being very tired by the time we'd ran through it a 3rd time ... we didn't go over the reception at all. Which is partly why the Shoe Game was a surprise to my uncle. And luckily, when it came time for the cake cutting, Mr FT just followed my lead.
After the rehearsal, Mr FT and all but those staying at the b&b left. My mom, my brother, and my Ohio aunt and uncle stayed up teaching the Ohio aunt how to play Rook. After awhile, they went to bed. My mom, brother and I stayed up talking. Then later went to a grocery store for water and snacks.
I got to my room around 12:30 a.m. Managed to get maybe two hours of sleep.
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Sunday morning it was raining and thundering til nearly 7 a.m. I was really worried the Model A car wouldn't come.
We ate a lovely breakfast provided by the b&b for guests. Then my brother went on some errands for me, and I got ready for the hair and makeup ladies.
I think my mom enjoyed having her hair and makeup done. (Her first time being airbrushed!) The ladies commented that it was nice how relaxed the morning was - prompted probably by my telling my mom that whatever made her happy, made me happy as far as hair/jewelry, etc. Plus my brother came up several times with different things for me.
I got a little panicky once the hair and makeup were done .. because it was now 5 minutes into the time we were supposed to be doing our first look, and I wasn't even dressed!
My mom helped me get dressed (made me take off my fitbit!) My brother had to help do the top hook though ... it was a *wee* bit tighter than I had remembered.
Around this time I was told that the Model A had arrived and it was really cool! 
Mr FT and I had our first look - he was amazing!
We took lots of pictures with the Model A car. So many, that we started to *really* get behind in our schedule.
Finally we went inside and started taking the family photos. About 12:10 non-family guests started arriving ... Also, Mr FTs back was really hurting. So I had him sit down and then we took pictures of just me with various family members. I cut out probably 1/4 of the photos I'd been thinking about ... Then Mr FT took photos with his family (only his sister and nephew were there.)
It was 12:20 now! My brother and I headed upstairs. Then my brother told me to wait there, and he'd be right back. When he came back he had something in his hand. He'd taken some of dad's ashes and some dirt from the b&b garden and mixed it together - so dad was with us in a way. I nearly lost it right there. So very sweet of him.
Right at 12:30 Edelweiss started and we headed down the stairs to meet my groom.
Overall, the ceremony went very well. The only small glitch was that T, Mr FTs nephew started the We've Only Just Begun song too late .. I signaled him to x-nay it.
We had lots of comments about my brother's singing - he did a knock out fantastic job of God Bless This Broken Road.
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Did you know that there isn't anywhere for the bride and groom to sign on the marriage certificates on the actual day? I guess I hadn't looked at them closely enough ..
After the signing was done, Mr FT and I were left alone for a little bit to breathe. While we were waiting to be called for the reception, I heard my phone beep. It was a text from the lady who was going to video the ceremony - she'd been in a car wreck and totaled her car! I hadn't even realized she hadn't come! I had to reassure multiple times that I wasn't upset - just glad she was ok!
Finally we were called down for the reception. We made our grand re-entrance, had some toasts (Mr FTs sister and nephew both spoke - which I was really glad for!) and then a little more drama.
My aunt came by our table and asked if we'd like her to get plates for us. We both told her thanks, but we'd like to get it ourselves. Not ten seconds after saying that, my mom shows up with two plates of food. Oops.
We both ate a few bites, but then I realized that time was getting away from us, and we needed to "mingle." Mr FT was a trooper (at least at the time) as we made the rounds.
About the time we were on the next to last person, my brother asked me if we were ready to cut the cake. So we moved over to the food room and did the cake cutting.
This was about the time I realized that I hadn't told my uncle about the Shoe Game - which we were to play while my Aunt cut the cake... Luckily he was able to catch on pretty quickly, and even got audience participation (no inappropriate questions thankfully!) Everyone seemed pretty impressed that we both were pretty in sync with our answers.
Next everyone got their cake / dessert and moved into the foyer for the slideshow. (this was another piece of drama - the projector guy realized that the picture would NOT show up on the wall, so he ran back to the church and got a screen) The slideshow/video last just under 12 minutes. I *think* people enjoyed it.
After that we headed to the carport for a group photo. Just as we were finishing, the first few drops of rain could be felt.
Mr FT and I at this point were supposed to go upstairs and change. Never happened - too many people wanted to talk to us!
At one point we were ushered out of the carport (where we were talking with his nephew) and then ushered back ... where we found my car decorated and filled with balloons! All the doing of my brother he'd had it completely cleaned out and detailed too. (badly needed!)
I had planned on doing the cleanup myself with Mr FTs help, but my family pretty much took care of everything while we were doing more mingling.
By about 4:15 we scooted upstairs and changed. I came back downstairs to see if there was anything left to do. Not much at all.
Mr FT came down about 15 minutes later (he'd laid down to rest his back.) We started working on hauling stuff out to the cars. I got waylaid a few more times into conversations - Mr FT was starting to get really frustrated (he'd had NO sleep)
Finally we said our final goodbyes and made it to my place about 5 p.m. Where after putting away the perishables (Oh my, the leftovers ....) we fell onto my bed utterly and completely exhausted for the next 5 hours.
During this time I did get the first opportunity to use the phrase "check with my husband first" (in regards to an appointment with the will & trust guy for the conference - a free thing!)
Today I need to take back the tux, and will be having lunch with my mom here soon. We might also open up our joint checking this afternoon (if Mr FT gets up early enough.)
So now after having survived all that, here is your reward ... (These were taken by family)
My mom and her brother in law - just thought this was a really cool picture.
G - the car owner, and N - our fabulous innkeeper!
Where we stood in front of for the ceremony.
My lovely 94 yo grandma.
My uncle and officiant who is leaving for Egypt in one day!
My family
Mr FTs family
Married :) Some first pictures
April 25th, 2016 at 04:14 pm
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I was actually at a wedding this weekend and found myself thinking that I hope your wedding goes well!
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Congratulations!
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Best wishes for a wonderful future together.
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We won't be leaving for our honeymoon till May 8. I took today off from work for recovery and errand running - which I'm very glad I did!
I will have more pictures to share soon, I'm sure.
Buendia - As much as I'd love to go back to Santa Fe, unless there are several super fantastic deals on speakers or some such thing, I doubt I'd get Mr FT to make that distance of a trip.
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I didn't sleep the night before my wedding either. . .
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