I am going to focus on the joy of the wedding in this post and share some pictures from the process. These are photos taken by attendees at the wedding. We have some professional photos coming but I think it is fitting to show the spontaneity of the photos I show here today.
My daughter; Lauren Ashley Gossett, who is our only child, married Matthew Ivan David White on August 13, 2016. The planning started a year before the wedding took place. The venue was the Filbert Farm (the home and property of her in-laws, the Goodwins) and everything was fixed up and rearranged for the wedding. And...since it was DIY, I had a large part in the decorations; the dance floor was Lauren's idea and the families made it come to fruition with elbow grease and lots of talent. Lol.
The photo shown below is the woodshed as it is being converted into the Bar. You would not believe the transformation. It was a great success...we had 2 lovely bartenders and this was the cool spot to hang out!
Before picture of the Bar:
The next photo was taken next to the woodshed. This became the fire pit area with chairs circling the fire area.
Next is another shot of a side yard just to show you the before....all the hard work!
The next photo was taken right after the dance floor was finished and the lights put up. The Kereoke disc jocky set up right in front of the side we are looking at here.
Whoops! I am getting ahead of myself....but I had to show the contrast between the preparation and the real deal! It was sweet!
The next photo is of the open area where the reception took place. The flowers weren't on the tables yet. I hope to get a picture of that! They were beautiful. The roof to the right is the bar area that was shown in the other photo.
Below is another contrast photo! Here is part of the crowd that filled up the tables. The food was wonderful and all prepared by dear friends. The service and food were absolutely A+!
Here is Matthew at the alter (so to speak) with Pastor Rob. Looks like pastor is giving him some last minute instruction and/or bravado! That is the Wisteria overhead and it was beautiful!
The procession has started and here comes Harmony, the flower girl! I think this may have been our only glitch in the whole day. We forgot the real rose petals from my house and she threw the fake ones. Oh, well....
I don't have photos yet of the bridal party coming down to the alter; but then....HERE COMES THE BRIDE! Lauren's dad walked her down the isle to the tunes of a special song....of which I can't remember the title. It was a Disney tune with a dramatic impact. I will have to check on that one! My girl was radiant!
The ring exchange......and a prayer of blessing......
The KISS! Well, one of them anyway.......
Bobbie is the family cake maker and she didn't disappoint. Lauren's colors were teal, black and white and pale gold. We had cake and cupcakes and they were beautiful!
Cutting the cake...and first bites. They both behaved themselves. I think they had a prior agreement. No cake in the face!
Meanwhile....back at the dance floor; first dance was being performed and the bridesmaids and maid of honor are in the background.
It was a hot day and Jamie escaped his dress clothes before I could catch him! Here are Lauren and Matthew dancing with their Dad and Mom.
Jamie (Lauren's dad), surprised everyone with a song he sang called "I Loved Her First." Have you heard it? We had to listen to the recording of the song numerous times before we could stop getting teary eyed. I told him he had better learn it forwards and backwards before he actually sang it to her. He got a little choked up while singing...but made fast recoveries. We heard a LOT of sniffling going on. It was a beautiful and bittersweet place in time. Lauren has always been a daddy's girl....I am attaching a few old photos just to show you some of what was going through my mind as he sang.......
Of course there are many more; but I think you get the idea. Sniff....sniff..... This has continued throughout the years...to this day, in fact. Well...let's say she still depends on her dad to be there for her!
This is all I have to share about the wedding for now. I will create another blog with the pictures that were taken by our dear friend and professional photographer; Brian. It helps to have BFF's who are the best at what they do. Brian's wife Cindy....my BFF; put all of the flower arrangements together for the tables. Also Lauren's bouquet of dahlias. The dahlia fields are very beautiful this time of year. But, that is another story.
Did you happen to miss the blog for her Bridal Shower? It was DIY and the theme was The Mad Hatter's Tea Party! If you would like to see it too....here is the link!
NOW! For my crafting friends.....don't leave and I will show you some of the DIY projects I put together for wedding decor, etc. I will give blog links for instructions if I have them!
Blog link for T-shirts: http://marilyngossettdesigns.blogspot.com/2016/07/diy-t-shirts-for-wedding-party.html
For the Candy Bins: http://marilyngossettdesigns.blogspot.com/2016/07/diy-t-shirts-for-wedding-party.html
No instructions for my wedding invitations....they had pockets inside with all of the info......
Table Markers: http://marilyngossettdesigns.blogspot.com/2016/06/build-treat-station-with-deflecto.html
Mr. & Mrs. Sign: http://marilyngossettdesigns.blogspot.com/2016/05/a-perfect-o-deflecto-diy-wedding.html
Tied the Knot Banner: http://marilyngossettdesigns.blogspot.com/2016/06/our-diy-wedding-tied-knot-banner.html
Box with etched lid: http://marilyngossett.blogspot.com/2016/02/3-d-etched-lid-for-wedding-card-box.html
Luggage Tags: Blog post with instructions not available to view yet......
Thank you for taking the time to share in these highlights from the wedding and a little slice of our lives. It has been a wonderful time! If you have any questions about the projects or something we did at the wedding I like getting questions and comments and you can comment below.
Make sure to take the time to enjoy the small blessings along the way and
Live Life with a Flourish!
Marilyn
A special thanks to Caron & Traci for sharing all of your photos!
And of course to everyone who was involved in any way to
make this the best day of our kid's lives......and ours! xoxo
Oh Marilyn... what a wonderful post! I loved seeing all of the photos and your stories that went with them. What alot of work you went to to make so many beautiful and fun things. Of course, I would/will do the same for my son if the big "M" ever happens! I'm still in awe of Jaimie singing that song... I could NOT have held it together! Love the pictures of him and Lauren as she grew up. Hugs.... MJo
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