Another wedding picture is up!

Ely put up just one more pic of Laner&Jess on her professional blog. She says it's her favorite picture she's ever taken.

Once you see it, you'll understand why.

Click here to check out her website.

She is the most amazing photographer ever, don't you think?

Wedding Memories: Being with Family!

And the best part about the entire wedding experience?

Being surrounded by so many friends and family. It was good enough to get to have my sissy bop home for a whole month! But then Jess was home for a week, and family came in from all over, and friends made the trip to the farm! It was just too much fun!!!

Ben thought a week with his Uncle Jess was NOT enough. Good thing he convinced him that he and Des should come out to visit next summer!

Uncles are just so good for cracking you up and teaching you awesome hand motions.

Four out of five cousins were in town! And two brought babies! Only one was born though...baby Hazel is due in October!

Belly cousins! I hadn't seen Liz in FOREVER!

We love our Susie Q. How can you not love those that bring you champagne?

And cousin Polly with baby Hudson!?!? He's the cutest 9 month old around, don't you think? I was so excited to finally meet and cuddle with this baby!

Love my cousin Polly. She's just the coolest gal around. She brought Ben Chaco sandals and Des Toms for their birthdays!

Hudson, his mama cousin MariElena and Gram...I haven't seen Mare since last June in Charleston, when she was preggo with that cute babe!

Sadly most everyone had to leave Sunday, but thank goodness the Charleston crew got to stay until Wednesday which meant the boys and I had a couple of days that we could go out to Gram's and spend more time with them! Whew!

It all went too fast and I am SO happy that I got to see so many of you!!!

Wedding Memories: Reception

What follows the perfect wedding? The perfect party of course!!!

It was SO.MUCH.FUN.

Again, I don't have too many pictures, but I promise to add more as I get them. Just envision the huge white tent, a canopy of white lanterns, mason jars with candles in all the trees, a lively band on the deck, yummy food, big-bulbed white lights to light up the scene, vibrant wildflowers on every table and happy people everywhere you looked!

It was fantastic!

The BAR:

Grab your mason jar and "mark your mug". It was yours for the evening. The chalkboards also show you the direction to the wine or keg.

The "mugs" ready to be marked and filled. I will say I think the peach tea was spiked because it was DEElicious!

The screen behind the cake table...how do I not have a picture of the cake?

Jim and I getting the priviledge to sign the marriage license. It's OFFICIAL!!!

Yes...Lane put on a party dress in the wee hours of the morning! Doesn't she look cute!!!??? I love my sister!

Loved how the chalkboards on the old screen doors turned out. This is the favor table one...

I had so much fun with my own friends that night. Though I felt like I didn't get enough time with anybody, I still had fun. Lis & Lucas came all the way from Phoenix! Then Ash&Zach, Josh&Mic, and Hubble came. Though they will say they crashed the party, Lane really did invite them...even if it was informal. :)

It was the most fun I've had in a long time. We danced the night away barefoot under the stars, and enjoyed time with our very favorite people...

About 1:30 or so the last few guests were leaving and Laner&Jess came in to load up, open presents, and eat a snack. Sus and I braved the late night and drove them all the way to the city, talking nonstop about as many stories as we could share. We were all giddy with out perfect the night was. The drive home, was, well, less giddy, but Sus and I made it and about 4 a.m. I crawled into bed, sad it was all over.

Wedding Memories: The Ceremony

I obviously don't have any pictures of the actual ceremony. I can't WAIT to see what Elyse took because I know they will be gorgeous. But I did steal a few from others...

The entry to the barn where Carrie and Kendra were waiting with lemonade/tea/water, mosquito wipes, and programs that were fans...

The view down to the site when you walked through the barn. You walked down a looooooong rock lined path to get to it...

I had to walk down the long path holding Des on one hip, and holding Ben's hand while he held my bouquet. Then once we got to the "aisle" I continued on alone and they followed me. They did so good. There were no smiles, but no tears either. Des went straight to his Gaga when he reached the front of the aisle, but Ben stood with me for awhile before going to sit with Papa. Notice the motorcycle from the "claw machine" the night before! And please notice their shoes. Their "chucks" or "uncle jess" shoes as they call them!

Mark did amazing. Jess cried through his vows, which made everyone else cry. The message of the meaning of marriage was perfection.

And then we all sang Loving Cup while toasting Lane&Jess with our champagne. Natalie made it through the whole thing and then started bawling while we all sang saying, "This is just too beautiful." haha!

About an hour before the wedding, clouds rolled in and the temperature dropped a good 10-15 degrees. Though this brought a little fear of rain (awesome, since it hadn't rained since like December...) it did bring a perfect cloud cover, kept the blazing sun away, and made for a beautiful evening weather wise!

Wedding Memories: Watching Sis Get Ready!

Saturday was hectic. Wanting to let Laner relax and enjoy the day, we locked her away in the bedroom with plenty of food, drink, and friends while we coordinated with the TEAM of family that was completing all of the last minute preparations. I mean TEAM. My hubbie full took on the role of facility manager and stayed outside in the 110+ heat all day directing, commanding, and doing so that the place looked perfect. Jess' parents and the cousins (+their hubbies) made it ALL come together and despite several last minute fiascos (Thank you Polly for sewing me into my ripped dress!) it all went off perfectly.

So, we all got to get our make-up and hair done which was so fun, but have you ever been able to watch your sis get ready for her wedding day? Because it is SO COOL...

The nerves! The excitement! The nausea! The thrill! It is one of those moments where the emotions just EXPLODE! It was so amazing!

She looked so gorgeous, and she was SO ready to see Jess and just get hitched.

Right before, us married cousins came in and each took a turn holding the handkerchief we had each carried down the aisle and saying a few words to encourage her. It was a very dear moment that had us all in tears.

And then she got to go meet her HUSBAND TO BE. They had a private reveal moment in the barn where he serenaded her with a ukelele...sigh.

When they returned to the house to get everyone ready for photos, her nerves were gone, and she was already in happy, "I'm getting married" mode!

Wedding Memories: The Rehearsal Dinner

After our quick and easy rehearsal, lots of people met up with us at the finest establishment in Seminole, Casadorez. This fun, loud, and delicious mexican restaurant serves good food and huge beers and was the perfect place to gather 60+ people on a Friday night. Candy, Lauren, Pat, Jim, and I all toasted the soon to be marrieds and then we all enjoyed some yummy fajitas with so many friends and family!

Ben ate with Papa...

The couple toasted each other...

Sus was put on Des' duty. He was a wild one, while Hudson behaved so well for his gramma Pam...

Brad bonded with the Wolfes...

Baby Brooks slept soundly the entire time letting his parents enjoy their dinner...

Brooks' parents, Matt&Candy. See why he is so cute?

Des had about 15 of the favors, chocolate cowboy boots and hats. Ben probably had even more than that..

Cousin Cameron won the boys' hearts when he won them toys out of the claw machine. What a stud! Who ever wins at that game anyway? The motorcycle he won Ben even made it with him down the aisle the next day at the wedding. Des' purple watch is still a favorite!

Des being mesmerized by the claw and by his cousin Polly...

After dinner we dropped the boys off and headed out with the young crowd to the Steel Horse, a big ol' country bar. We stayed as late as we could and then came home to rest up for the big day!