Wedding Day!!

Wedding day . . . wow, it arrived! At 7:30 in the morning, our houseful welcomed the three guys from the apartment and Noah's mom into our mix. We set out a quick breakfast of juice, muffins, pastries, and yogurt while final packing got underway. Most of our vehicles were loaded the night before, but we had designated Noah's absent car as the formalwear car, and his mom's car as the food transport car, etc. We were impressively speedy! Just one more detail to take care of before we launched into the day--the gift we've been waiting all this time to give Noah was ready to make its appearance :)

If you read the wedding website, you'll know the story of Noah breaking my office chair on the night he came over to watch movies with several kids from the college and high school groups. He readjusted how he was sitting and the WHOLE arm broke off . . . it's like half-inch plastic, kind of an astonishing feat of strength. Noah was completely dismayed! He stared in shock at the broken arm, trying unsuccessfully to just stick it back together. Everyone thought it was hilarious, except Noah. The word of this incident traveled far and wide, until he was even greeted at church by our pastor saying, "So, I heard you broke a chair at Caelan's house?" Lol! This was before the two of them *officially* liked each other. There were inklings enough that I saved the arm (and I actually like the new design better! All office chairs should come with just one arm :)

After Noah and Caelan got engaged, I told Graysen to see if the arm was still where I had stashed it. He thought it was funny that I'd kept it and we decided to make Noah a special gift. We brainstormed what it would say, then Graysen wrote down my idea of, "May your love ever be stronger than the arm of my chair." When Buck and I redid the tabletop for the deck, we set aside a piece of wood, got it all polyurethaned, and put a bracket on the back. Now the newlyweds have an unforgettable bit of their history--that I would be completely shocked if they ever use in their home decor, lol! But I think Noah liked his gift, he sure smiled big when he opened it :)

8:00 a.m. It was time to roll--everyone in their respective cars or just a car they could find a seat in, and off to the wedding venue we go! I stopped by to pick up the Wedding Czar, and we arrived on scene to see the unloading actively happening with Caelan directing. Czar Jo took over--and once she had her walkie talkie (with secret service-like earpiece) AND official Wedding Czar 2023 button fastened onto her blouse--she took care of everything else for the rest of the day. It.was.awesome.

Caelan went to work setting up the head table and mantle, utilizing many of the wood flower arrangements she's been carefully making over the past several months. It looked beautiful! Meanwhile, the brothers and groomsmen took turns helping Noah hang the rafter swags (I specifically requested we not break the groom, so his time on the ladder was thankfully short--he just wanted everything to look just how Caelan had pictured it, very sweet!). Along with Grandma J and Noah's mom, the guys were decorating tables after Caelan's design--and we discovered at this point that the linens lady (who was pretty challenging to work with, but a friend of the barn owner) thought Caelan subtracted a tablecloth instead of adding one. This meant we were one full table short for our chart. 

Without missing a beat, the barn owner got in his truck and drove 1.5 hours roundtrip to pick up the missing cloth. Upon further inspection, we discovered the chairs had been set up incorrectly, too. But that was pretty easy to fix--just adding some place settings here and there and rearranging the table numbers--and the table layout pattern throughout the entire room, because straight lines are calming. Ha! Once the room "felt" right, the process could continue. All of the table decor was from C&K's wedding, which was pretty special!

When it came time to set glasses and silverware . . . we had the added challenge of not knowing where these things were. We didn't have anyone to ask, because the barn guy was collecting the missing cloth, and the site coordinator had an emergency at her other job and was not there as promised. It didn't really matter, because we are "figure it out" kind of people, and our Czar was no less shy to look in cupboards than we were, lol! The barn guy said he wanted his wedding space to feel like a family, and our family is not hesitant about making ourselves at home and getting done what needs to get done. 

The groomsmen were fantastic! They folded napkins and set out votives, they laid the silverware, and placed the glasses. Meanwhile, Graysen set up his DJ table with lights, speakers, prizes, neon, and tech. Brennen and Buck SWEATED it out outdoors making the white pergola look as beautiful as Caelan imagined. All the while, we kept a wary eye on the sky. Everyone had their own weather app, so we'd pop out phones and compare forecasts. Of course, each app said something different about storm chances and timing, so we focused on Plan A until we knew for sure. Two p.m., when the sound equipment would arrive for set up, was selected as our ceremony location decision time.

Later in the morning, our hairstylists arrived--childhood friends of our girls! They haven't seen each other since they were waiting for their permanent teeth to come in, but it was so much fun to catch up on Caelan's special day! D1 is studying hairdressing, just like her mama--she was shocked when I told her that her mom was the last professional to cut my hair, lol :) I told her Buck takes care of all trimming, and she was a bit speechless. D2 asks good questions and has a calm demeanor (which was good for a busy bridal room, filled with up to 10 ladies getting ready at any given time). She also made really good suggestions for ways her sister could make hair decorations look prettier or where curls should go--clearly these two have paid attention to their mom's lifework!

I'm not sure what the boys were doing at this point--maybe still decorating? Maybe playing XBOX in the guys' room? (the photo below is the only one Buck took the entire day :) The details blend together. But we'd hear on the walkie talkie, "This is Czar to Princess Room; Prince Charming is on the move." Then Caelan knew to stay put and out of the viewing range of the oft-opening bridal room door. The newlyweds-to-be were happy to see each other in the morning, but wanted all the hair, make-up, and clothing to be a sweet wedding aisle surprise.

Around noon, our friend K arrived to set up the cake she'd baked. When she requested *a few more* flowers to really finish the look she was going for, it was no problem! Caelan had a person-sized box of wood flowers available to make K's decorating dreams come true :) And speaking of dreams coming true, when we called earlier in the week for payment, Grandma J snuck in, "And an order of lemon bars!" We tagged them on, ordering the smallest number K said she could make. But when the lemon bar box opened, it turns out K baked enough to feed a small army of wedding preppers! We munched on lemon bars for days--we sent some home on the plane with Grandma J--and there are still more in our freezer! I'm hoping, in return, K liked the bag of bottle tops we've been saving for just this occasion :) Our boys started a tradition of trading bottle caps for baked goods way back when the bakers had a bakery we could enjoy in person--the tabletops were made of bottlecaps sealed under epoxy. I love this little tradition our families have together :)

While I was waiting my turn for hairstyling, Buck, Grandma J, and I took on the daunting task of steaming out Caelan's enormous, layered, sparkly, intricate wedding dress--with train. Oof! Thankfully, C&K let us borrow their industrial-sized steamer, because the little mini steamers we planned to use would have taken all day! I thought that much steam in an already muggy bridal dressing room would mean ruin to the carefully done hair and make-up. So, we hung Caelan's gown in the doorway between the kitchen and the banquet room. We didn't have permission, it just made the most sense to me :) 

Shortly after we began, the barn guy returned--with the missing table linen! He poked his head around the dress and said, "I'm sure glad you're doing that in here! Everywhere else the fire alarms are super sensitive; we've had steamers set them off in the entryway, the bridal suite, and the bathroom." Can you imagine if we'd have set the alarms off while he was away and there was no one around to disengage the fire department? Oh, my golly! Thanks, God, for that bit of injected wisdom!

Throughout the day, our Wedding Czar buzzed between rooms, keeping everything, everywhere on track. She brought with her an "Uh-oh Bag" containing absolutely all the things! When an unfortunately timed reach left a three-inch steam burn on my arm, instant blisters--she had burn cream and giant Band-Aids at the ready! When we, twice, needed to repair the wedding dress (I forgot we told the seamstress we would sew the bottom layers together at home, until I saw the two bright-yellow pin heads x-marking the spot) the Czar had a needle, thread, and clippers ready for action.

And when the threatened storm rolled in shortly before the ceremony--our Czar engaged Plan B, indoor ceremony, in a room that looked like a fairytale. 

Caelan calmly accepted the news, and Czar Jo briefed the guys on the new plan . . . we didn't rehearse an indoor ceremony, so the timing would be similar, but different, the line-up the same, but more crowded at the start, the family seating a bit more complex, but it all worked out beautifully! The photographers arrived on scene and began their detail photos, we served some lunch to all the helpers, and everyone stayed in a cheerful and helpful mood. No matter what the weather, this was a great day! 

And I was happy to spend a few minutes with just my girls in the dressing room. I know Gabby got misty-eyed seeing her sister all arrayed in white. I love their love for each other and how apparent it is in moments like these 💗

Before the rain hit, the photographers invited Caelan outside (once the groom was safely stowed away in his dressing room) for the *first look* with her dad. Aww! So precious! The second photo is one Gabby took and it has proven everyone's favorite of that moment 💕

I can start interspersing some of the photographer's work now, because she sent a picture-perfect array of "sneak peeks" for us to enjoy within just a couple days of the wedding. We'll get the full album and wedding video in a couple months, but everyone is excited to see the "teaser" that will be released ahead of the full video--hopefully any day now!

Three o'clock arrived and so did our guests. As they surveyed the seating chart and found their tables, we were ready! In fact, we were ahead of schedule. 

"Ready to go?" 

"Oh, yes, let's go!" 

All bubbling with energy, we lined up in our pairs in the tiny hallway between the bridal room and the restrooms. A late-arriving couple came through the doors as Brennen and Graysen escorted their grandmas down the aisle. Noah's mom has such a helping heart, she headed straight over to make sure the stray guests could find their spot in the room--but it was her turn to walk down the aisle! So, she hurried back to her place beside her husband, and away they went. Right behind them, Noah and me . . . he was so excited he was shaking (just a little). They've waited (what's felt like to them) so long for this big moment, this wonderful day! I couldn't stop smiling as he escorted me to my seat.

Then the big moment arrived! The music swelled, I stood, and everyone else stood . . . Caelan appeared on her dad's arm and Noah burst into tears. Perfect!

How does anyone rewrite a wedding ceremony? It is just something you have to be there for-- to hear the sound, see the emotion, feel the love. When the Holy Spirit is part of something as special as a wedding ceremony between two young people who have only ever loved each other, there's something a little awestriking about that. 

Having our former worship pastor, who really helped Caelan solidify her perspective on what worship is and what it means, leading us in worship was indescribable--the tears wouldn't stop! They sang It is Well with My Soul, which my sweet friend, Rosie, sang at Buck's and my wedding 22 years ago. Noah's mom said the other song, Never See the End, is one Noah and Caelan played on piano and sang together one of the first times they visited her home. She said she cried then and then Noah started, and Caelan joined them--so it was sweet the wedding couple chose songs that had meaning for both sides of their families :) 

And Michelle played piano for all the important parts of the ceremony--she's been in our family's lives really since we moved here. She directed the very first children's performance the kids did--at a homeschool tea we (randomly) attended. She directed their first choir experience, when Brennen and Chase sang a duet. She taught piano to Caelan and our boys. She accompanied Caelan in a number of college performances, and she played for Noah and Caelan's college graduation ceremony. Another of God's little nods at the bigger family we've formed in this community!

Having Pastor N leading the ceremony, too, was special. I think this is only the second wedding he has performed? He has been a mentor in Noah's life since he arrived in our town; he and his wife took the newlyweds through their premarital counseling sessions. He's a family pastor, helping new families be formed :)

And so, with Pastor N's guidance, Noah and Caelan spoke traditional vows to each other, and, while they exchanged rings, they spoke a second set of beautiful Biblically-sound vows that Noah wrote. In what seemed like just seconds later, they were pronounced husband and wife!

We knew a bubble-filled aisle kiss was in the hoped-for photo captures, so we got special permission to use the bubble making gun indoors. Everyone cheered and celebrated until the newlyweds disappeared into the bridal suite for 15 minutes of quiet before greeting their friends and family as a married couple. At the end of the aisle, both Brennen and Graysen were in tears, happy tears, but wow, what a monumental transition! I gave them each a big hug, as they smiled through their tidal wave of emotions. That's a lot of joy in one room, let me tell you!

Noah and Caelan wanted their guests to feel comfortable, entertained, and involved in the events of their wedding day. Already prepared for them, guests found popcorn, pretzels, and candy for snacking, card games for playing, messages in a bottle for writing (for first anniversary reading), and all sorts of activities Caelan dreamed up to keep guests having a good time while the photographers took family and bridal party pictures. There were also toys--just like in her wedding wish when she was four :) Caelan made cute coloring books, little bags of fresh crayons, a basket of fruit snacks, our Mr. Potato Heads and FAO Schwartz piano from our kids' childhood, and a stack of wooden Paw Patrol puzzles from the current childhood of our youngest guests :)

When Graysen finished his photo obligations, he kept things entertaining by making his scripted announcements over the speaker system and by running the Kahoot! For those who don't know or who weren't there (but really, I think everyone who reads this was :) a Kahoot! is a quiz written, in this case, by the couple with questions specifically related to them--a trivia game. Graysen added commentary before and after the questions and kept everyone laughing. He really did an excellent job.

One aspect of wedding planning that felt like nearly last minute (although it was in the works all along) was the main meal. Our Culinary Queen, a newer friend from church and her amazing family, brought a carload of outdoor games--but the weather put the nix on that side of the entertainment planning. More importantly, they offered to run the kitchen. We were entirely grateful for their help in all aspects of *food* for the wedding, because food is definitely a big part of the celebration!

Two cool things about this--H and her husband and boys helped everything move so smoothly. They set-up the food, kept refills coming, made sure everything looked beautiful, dismissed tables (that was their older son), cleaned up tables (that was their younger son, who really likes kitchen work and was impressed by the "biggest dish pit he'd ever seen!")--our boys have the best group of friends! And the meal itself, Raising Cane's fast-food chicken strips, fries, and toast. Caelan and Noah love this restaurant. They figure, everyone wants to eat what the kids are eating at weddings, so why not serve it as the main course? When the gal at our local store heard about their enthusiasm, she offered delivery service (when it's not offered), coordinated the times perfectly, and even left a very curiosity-invoking, stuffed-to-the-max gift basket for the newlywed fans! We received so many compliments about our fresh fruit salad, and the hot, crispy meal from Cane's--the photographers even gave it a shout-out on their business page :)

After everyone was full (even though I'm noticing all the plates in the pictures before this look unused as of yet :), Graysen announced that he was going to stop for an outfit change--from brother of the bride to DJ of the party :) I wish I would have caught the first moments when he walked out in his sparkly pink coat and rose-colored glasses--it was epic! "Let's get this party started . . ."

In the early evening, we stepped outside to take our own photos with family and friends, hoping to catch some like the beautiful bridal party photos that were snapped earlier. The weather had cooled and softened, and the sunlight and sunset painted rural beauty at its finest! Buck and Brennen's decor that survived the storm made for a lovely backdrop for capturing new memories with friends from long ago and friends from not-so-long ago, and we were so thankful to have both in one place!

Inside there was the first dance, the cake cutting, the conversations among friends and family reunited. So many moments to remember, so many pictures to share! How long can one post be? :)

The marrying pastor's three daughters took in the splendor of this day, absorbing every moment in wide-eyed wonder. As the oldest (nine years) twirled on the dance floor, Gabby heard her say enthusiastically, "I'm going to have a thousand weddings!!" Later, Grandma J saw the three girls playing wedding, immediately putting their freshly gained observations into practice. A few days earlier, when their dad was telling them the things he had to say at the ceremony, like "kiss the bride," the oldest said she planned to get married, but wanted no part of that. At the end of Caelan and Noah's wedding, her parents asked her favorite part of the day, and she replied, "The kissing!!" Ha! 💗

As 10 p.m. approached, Noah and Caelan danced to City of Stars (which was part of their college-romance music score) complete with lifts and spins and twirls--a very romantic last dance of the evening. Then GJ glanced down at the laptop screen to see which song was coming up next on the shuffle. "Should I change it?" he pondered briefly. "Nah, I'll just let it play." Seconds later . . . "Uga-chacka, uga-chacka, uga-uga-uga-chacka," blasts through the speakers. Noah started laughing, we all started laughing, and someone wisely remarked, "Only a little brother could get away with that one!"

After sending Noah and Caelan off on their honeymoon, the family that hadn't already left and the groomsmen worked together to un-enchantering the wedding space. The endless boxes and MOUNDS of leftover food were packed, and the twinkle lights dimmed. Grandma J and I were the last car to leave and stood talking with the wedding venue's owner. I said, "I didn't know your wife, but I bet she'd be really proud of you." He reiterated that he wants to run the place like family, not like business, and said he has to give hugs as the last folks leave. So, we hugged him and said our farewells to the man who let our princess get married in his palace. What a wonderful day!

(This is just my perspective on the wedding day--everyone has their own bright points and memories--the first round of writing and uploading photos has taken six hours and the editing four more, just for this one post; I can hardly imagine the treasure trove of details I've missed or wasn't a part of or the highglights of conversations I shared with family--nieces and nephews and cousins and brothers, I don't get to see very often. It was all important! And we are so grateful for everyone who sincerely cared about Noah and Caelan and wanted to help make their wedding day the grand, glory-filled event that it was. I hope I'm not missing the *story* in the middle of the details; sometimes writing well takes a long time to get from my heart to my head to my hands 💕)