The Day My Sister Got Married

5 ~ 5 ~ 12

You know that feeling of pure contentment? That overwhelming sense of peace on earth. It sneaks up on me from time to time when I least expect it. Bailey's wedding day was easily one of the best days of my life. Of course behind my own wedding day and the day my sweet baby was born. But I'd say that my baby sister's wedding day made it's way right up into the #3 spot. I've been chomping at the bit to write all about it. And it's been forever and a day since I wrote about the pre-wedding events. I'm a bit behind of blogging so I hope my memory serves me well. Here's my story of the day my baby sister became Mrs. Miller.....

My busy mind was in overdrive all night long. I woke up three times that night thinking of tasks that needed to be done the following morning. Worrying about anything and everything. Imagine that! Ha. I couldn't seem to come up with a concrete plan for the morning which was causing my mind to go in circles. This was getting me nowhere. Looking back I honestly think I was supremely nervous for my sister and how her big day was going to play out. Little miss let out a big wail around 6:30 that morning to which I responded with a silent prayer...."Oh dear Lord, please let my baby go back to sleep." It worked. Whew. Good thing because at that time I'd only slept about four hours. Angel baby slept until 9:00 and got up and dressed....

"When's this shindig start? Will this outfit be appropriate?"

Riley and Gman drove out to the winery to set up the load of wedding chairs out in the field. I wandered the house aimlessly trying to figure out what to do. I had cancelled my hair appointment and let Presley have it instead since there isn't much to do with such short hair and I figured I could manage it on my own. First order of business was to tackle the wagon situation. Lisa had got her hands on a lil red wagon but it needed some prettying up. I wandered the aisles of Hobby Lobby that morning for inspiration when all of a sudden a vision came to me. Burlap? Check. Ribbon? Check. Rope? Check. Next step: get Hallie to give up the wagon long enough for us to decorate it....

"Fat chance momma"

David had a "Pinterest moment" with me while Lisa and Marion supervised our work.....

We were all pretty pleased with the finished product. $10 and 15 minutes later we had a pretty cute wagon....

Not too shabby for a wedding day project

Nothing like waiting til the last minute. The wagon took a load of stress off mainly because it meant that we had a place to contain Miss Flower Girl during her trip down the aisle. Riley and Hal spent the rest of the morning and most of the afternoon at the house while I packed my bags and took off for a day of girly fun to get all wedding'd up! My first stop was at the salon to take pics of the girls getting their hair done. Bailey was loving her hairdo complete with veil and all.....

Presley was a big fan of her side do with a fishtail braid and pretty curls hanging down....

Heather was a little less than excited about her curls but put on a brave face at the salon....

Bailey had made t-shirts for everyone and of course had a pretty pink one for herself. Too cah-ute, huh??

The stylist was a sweetheart and took a picture of the four of us. I insisted on wearing my shades to hide some very tired eyes and no makeup......

We picked up Dara and grabbed some wedding day grub on the way to the winery. Us girls split up once we got to our destination. Dara and I went to help Loretta with some decorating and organizing in the reception hall while the other girls started putting on their makeup. The bride had arrived with her dress in tow and got set up in her bridal suite on the third floor. I don't think any of us were huge fans of the two flights of stairs leading up there. In fact, we all tried to limit our trips down as much as possible. Ok, maybe I'm just speaking for my lazy self. ;)  Presley went off a picture-taking mission with my camera (love that girl!) Amber, Whitney, Presley, Heather, Dara, Bailey and I all scurried around trying to get ready. Of course my camera was on fire as it got plenty of work throughout the afternoon.

Dara and I were slackers who still needed to wash our hair, style it and put our makeup on. We ended up having to improvise due to the interesting bathtub faucet. But hey, it worked!

I just love this picture of Bailey getting ready.....

The bride made these adorable and thoughtful bridesmaids care packages for all of us complete with a poem tied to the front.....

We each had our own tiara. But I was thinking that she needed to be the one wearing the sparkly accessory to match her bling bling sandals....

It was near time for Mandy, our favorite photographer and friend, to arrive with her wedding entourage. Bailey finished up her makeup, which turned out gorgeous by the way....

Some girls were ready to put their dresses on so of course that meant it was time for a group pic in our shirts!

As you can see Dara and I are still in the getting ready phase!

The afternoon flew by way too fast! Three hours felt more like three minutes while we were getting ready. I just couldn't believe that at the end of the evening by baby sister would be a married woman. At the risk of sounding completely corny, I have to say that all of the different emotions had gotten to me and I felt a little weepy all day long. SHE'S MY BABY SISTER Y'ALL!!!!!!

I've got to brag on her, I just have to......she was the most calm, cool and collected bride I've ever seen. Not a hint of nerves and she was actually the one calming me down about my hair worries.....but this is coming from someone who had to breath into a paper bag and have someone fan her because she was having a near panic attack on her wedding day.....so it goes without saying that I was thoroughly impressed by Bailey's relaxed demeanor on her wedding day. She's the lucky one who inherited our mom's calm gene....

Speaking of momma....it wasn't spoken but I know that she was on a lot of people's minds that afternoon. She would've been the life of the party! But Bailey wasn't without plenty of women to love and support her. Her very soon-to-be mother in law spent a few minutes in the bridal suite with Bailey...

The six maids were dressed, hair done, makeup complete......the bride's hair, veil and makeup were in place....all that was left was the dress. Bailey watched and waited for Miss Mandy to arrive while I continued to snap, snap snap pics....

It wasn't long before Mandy appeared in all her spunky and fun glory. This lady is nothing short of amazing. A multi-tasking momma she is.....

Fixing Dara's hair that I had wrecked!

My favorite quote of the day from the bride-to-be: "ok, so can I put my dress on yet?!" You had to have been there to hear the excitement in her voice as she begged Mandy to put it on. Mandy responded with "not yet mama."

Giddy girl

Much to her delight it was finally time to step into her dress. Aunt Lana (Bailey's "nana") was there to help her put it on which brought me to tears alone before she'd even put the dress on. Those two have a very special and lasting bond...

Modesty forced all of us to turn around and cover our eyes while she slipped into the dress. I couldn't help but laugh at Mandy and her assistants as they dramatically turned around to please the bride....

No peeking!

Once we all got the clear that it was time to uncover our eyes Lana was working on zipping her up and I was in awe....

The girls were loving it as well.....

And she was just a little excited.....

All those evenings of sitting on her floor in her wedding dress at home had prepared her for finally wearing it on her BIG DAY!

Mandy was busy doing her magic with her own camera of course.....but she took a break to snap some pictures with my camera. I felt like the crazy camera lady asking the photog to take a picture with my camera. No shame here though. ;) These next few are some of my favorites from Bailey's big day.

It was the time we were both looking forward to and dreading at the same time. Outdoor photo time. :/ Mandy makes everything fun though and kept us laughing while we waited in the heat....

BUT......it was so stinking hot. Like humid hot. Like dresses sticking to our bodies hot. Like hair melting and necks sweating hot. Yuck.

Possibly having a mild panic attack about my hair right here....

Once we grew accustomed to the heat things went by quickly. The group shots were lots of fun and unique. I am dying to see them! It was a rap so we all waddled back inside in our 5+ inch heels to rest, cool off, reapply deodorant and lip gloss, wipe the glistening sweat from our faces and get off of our aching feet. While we were waiting a very special member of the wedding party arrived in all her sass and glory. Well hello there Hallie Grace!

"Hey y'all! Is it time to get this party started?!"

My pretty little flower girl and I had our own mini photo shoot before she completely lost it in the heat...

Beginning to lose it....

....continuing to lose it.....

....just plain ticked off....

.....distracted by the bouquet.....

....contemplating if she can destroy them or not....

.....andddddddd she's completely lost it.

I guess we can thank the wad of red gum on the porch that changed her mood. After running towards it happily and getting a handful of the sticky stuff and being quickly swooped up by three of us, she seemed to cheer up a bit....

Minus the messiness of this picture I love the way Bailey is looking down at Hal ;)

They looked so gorgeous together!

These next few pictures were taken while we waited for Spencer to lay eyes on his bride....

She's clearly thrilled ;)

Peaking outside to get a good view

Spencer was standing in front of the porch of the B&B waiting for Bailey to walk up behind him...

Sweet. Sweet. Moment.....

I am in love with this picture of her peeking over at us. You can just see happiness written all over her face...

From that point on time began to fly at warp speed. Nanny, Papa and Riley kept Hal occupied inside which took a load off my mind. We trekked out to the front of the B&B for a whole wedding party group shot (which was FUN FUN thanks to Mandy's props) and the next thing we knew it was show time!!! My sister was the picture of beauty and serenity. She was so calm. Not at all looking like she was nervous about walking down the aisle in front of 200 people. I, on the other hand, was arm in arm with Josh (Spencer's brother and the best man) and on the verge of having a mini panic attack. I guess weddings have that affect on me. Holy Moses I was so afraid of falling in my heels or dropping the ring. When I really stop and think about it I do believe most of my nerves can be linked to the flower girl's impending performance...and the fact that I had absolutely no control over what she would do. But on with the wedding!!! All five bridesmaids and groomsmen marched their way down the aisle arm in arm looking smashing I might add. As Josh and I made our way down to the front I veered off to place a special bouquet on what would've been momma's seat in between dad and grandma. Instant tears welled up in my eyes as I lay the flowers down knowing what a special day it was. I took my place in line with the other girls and was quickly brought back to the reality by the sounds of my screaming child. There she came down the aisle being pulled in the wagon by one of the ushers. She had her bow in place (shock of the century) and her huge fluffy tulle dress hung over the sides of the wagon. She had her backup dress underneath which was now being used as a tutu instead of a dress. But it was hard to care because it was so darn funny. And she looked so precious. The crowd laughed as my hot, cranky, itchy, angry child made her way to the front and veered off as the crying was soon drowned out by the sound of the bride's song.

The tears they were a flowin'...trust me!

We watched with everyone else as the music began and dad and Bailey came out through the trees. This is always the part at weddings that touches me the most. It's imagining what that dad and daughter are thinking at that moment. It's seeing that smile on the bride's face. It's JUST FLIPPIN' COOL! So there we all stood in our sweaty bridesmaid glory.....

And across the way stood our handsome and even sweatier counterparts.....

The "I Do's" were exchanged as well as the rings. Oh, the rings. Hehe. Josh gave me a peek at the gag ring he planned to hand Spencer instead of the real thing. It was priceless watching Spencer's face when he was handed a huge gaudy pink gem. The groomsmen on the end tossed the real ring to Spencer in a quarter machine container. We were all still laughing as he opened the container and slipped the ring on her finger. Keith, the pastor, kept the ceremony light and fun with plenty of his humor thrown in. He compared a marriage ceremony to getting a building permit. From here on out he challenged them to build up their marriage with the best supplies, tools and resources they could. It was a great message to take away for anyone who was married, engaged, or wanting to get married someday. In the blink of an eye it was "you may kiss the bride" and just like that my sister was a married woman.....

Presenting Mr. and Mrs. Miller.....

We all walked out to a song that Bailey and I chose (more like I said "OMG Bailey, you have to play this song, it's perfect!!"...and she agreed!) Thompson Square's "Baby, I Got You." We stuck around down in the field to take group family pictures only a few including the screaming flower baby. She was just beside herself about having to take more pictures. I'm curious to see how ticked off I look in most of the group shots. There was a fake smile plastered on my face as I held a squirmy screaming child. Nanny took over Hallie duty once it was clear that pictures were not going to work out with her in them. After pictures it was time to do our matron of honor and best man duties by witnessing and signing the marriage license. Things just got really real folks. Mrs. Bailey Miller's new signature....

Back down at the reception hall there was a CROWD of people waiting in line for food, getting drinks at the bar, relaxing outside at the various tables on the patio, or in Hallie Grace's case, DANCING. The food table was looking spectacular thanks to Loretta and her wedding magic. Check out this fruit sculpture! I just can't get over how amazing this looked....

The place was packed which meant I had no choice but to put on my social butterfly wings and make my way around to greet guests. So many familiar faces and ones I hadn't seen in so long. Church friends, mom and dad's friends, family we hadn't seen in awhile, etc. The high heels came off almost immediately and were replaced by a sparkly pair of sandals. The bride and groom spent a few minutes alone up in their suite after Mandy loaded up plates of food to take them. With camera in tow I made my way around the grounds taking pictures along the way (of course) making sure I saw every last pretty face. My dad was on a personal mission to get each guest out to give the bride and groom a message for their wedding video. Here are a few snippy snappy shots I took prior to the beginning of dances and cake cutting.......

Grandma and Great Aunt Wanda

Testing out Meme's wheels

Partying it up with Nanny

Cousin Carmen heard about the party and wanted to join in too!

Mom's old boss, Roger, and his beautiful wife Jenni

+ their two sweet girls

Oh and there's my sweet girl!

Papa and Carm out on the patio taking in the nice evening weather

"Bartender, I'll have a juicebox."

My grandma's sisters, Colleen and Shirley, and cousins Rita and Chelsea

My beautiful best friend

Ya see this? It's trouble is all it is. ;)

The bride and groom emerged from their quiet little moment to make their grand entrance. Spencer looked thrilled as he walked up carrying a bouquet of flowers....

Being the picture freak I am, it was a must to take a picture of all three of us girls before she was mauled by the crowd...

The couple's first dance was at the top of the list once they made it inside. The Keith Urban song they selected was just perfect and beautiful. I didn't get to see much of the actual dance as I was chasing lil red around all over the place. But I did get to witness a very precious and memorable moment as I watched my dad and sister had a father/daugther dance....

Can ya feel the love people?!?!

Hallie caught the dancing bug majorly and couldn't wait to get her groove on and start boogieing once the Spencer and Kim's dance was over. She looked like a drunk crazed person as she swirled and twirled and caught the attention of the guests eating at their tables. I'm quoting the dj here: "I didn't think we'd be playing this one so early in the evening but we have a request from Miss Hallie Grace for Justin Beiber's "Baby, baby." She danced her tiny little heart out by herself on the dance floor and spun in circles until she looked like this.....

I was blown away by her. Not that she was dancing like a pro....but more the fact that she was not the least bit shy about all of those people watching and laughing. She just kept going....and going....and going. I was exhausted just watching her. She's just like her daddy.....but I'll get to that a lil bit later in my post....(the Fanning dance saga to be continued)


It was cake cutting time!!! The time when all the guests get really excited because they've been staring at the cakes thinking "Gimme, gimme!" I missed the cake smash moment but I hear that he let her have it! ;)

Next we were approached by Loretta and asked if we had toasts prepared to say. Um, oops. And winging it wasn't an option for this jumble-headed maniac. I was sad that I didn't go up there with daddio and Josh but it was best that everyone not be subjected to my word vomit (and probably alligator tears). The guys did a spectacular job on the microphone. My favorite line from Josh was "Bailey, if I'm the best man then why did you marry him?" My dad held himself together nicely as he said a few words about momma. I think it's safe to say that he started a few tears flowing. It was appropriate that the next words out of the dj's mouth were "Bailey has requested we play a song for her mother." He played Carrie's Underwood's "Mama's Song" and Riley grabbed me for a dance.

Handsome-ness all over the place!

So proud of my dad...he's a good great man!

I served the cake alongside Presley and Whitney. Let me just say that I was not cut out (no pun intended) for cake cutting. All those guests with their crumbly sad looking cake on their plates. But the taste made up for it. I almost couldn't resist just digging in while I was serving. The aroma was intoxicating. Hmmm, is there anything in this world much tastier than wedding cake??? If you look closely in the background of this next picture it appears that I'm attacking the cake. It was exactly as it appears. ;)

The bride and a proud Meme

The party was just getting started so I fluttered around with my camera checking out what the party-goers were up to....

Cousins Chad, Tanner and Trevor

Wine selected out by the bride and MIL

HUGE AMOUNTS OF TROUBLE RIGHT HERE! Friends for life!

Goofy guys!

Carm and Katie

Hallie was STILL DANCING!! Nanny joined in!

Cah-ute!!!!

Love this photo of Lana dancing with the queen

She had no shame!

Dad with the Lam Fam!

My aunts gettin' down on the dance floor

Jenni and her girls never left the floor

Here's the part where I introduce you to my husband. No, not Riley. This is my wedding reception husband. His name is Riley also.....RECEPTION RILEY! He only comes out at weddings....when the dj is playing some tunes....when the bar is serving drinks (lol)....and when I'm willing to dance with him. Ladies and gentleman, meet my rug-cutting hubby.....

Reception Riley!

He has been known to steal the show on the dance floor. He has a good track record of busting out some unknown moves when I least expect it. BUT there was a spoiler alert that evening. Ladies and gents, let me introduce you to the famous Hadyn.....

The King

The rest of the evening was nothing but dancing. Non. Stop. Dancing.

The guys snuck up on her

We saw every move known to man....the Dougy, the shopping cart, the oh-so-popular sprinkler and running man, and some of Riley's secret hidden dance moves that don't have a name. Mandy took a moment to "teach me how to dougy"...

Showing me how it's done...

Stopping to pose in between break-dancing

I believe this was the river dancing portion of the evening

"Celebrate good times, come on!"

This is where things really went crazy....

Garrett unleashed

Oh my. The double sprinkler.

He didn't have his own little girl to dance with so he borrowed one ;)

Jersey and I had a blast!

Reception Riley is in full force. And it looks like Garrett is ready for the beach.

After fist pumpin' with Jersey

"Red Solo Cup!"

Marion and Gman mostly watched instead of danced

Marion blowing bubbles

The famous Meatloaf performance

Air-piano player taking requests from the crowd.

Planning their choo-choo train dance. You don't wanna know.

We didn't stop until 11:30 when the rules said we had to leave. Bummer! The dj played up until the last minute. I was on a song request spree all night running from the dj to the dance floor. Some of my favorite memories from the reception were the dance tunnel we made to Chris Brown's "Forever" (from The Office). We all had our dance solos through the tunnel over and over until the song was through. Good times! It was great to see everyone let loose and show off their moves. Also Bailey getting down low while dancing to "Shout" and needing help getting back up in her dress. ;) Oh yeah, and I can't forget Riley and I's impromptu couple's dance to "Time of my Life" that included some very hideous spins, turns and even an attempt at the famous Dirty Dancing lift. Hehe. Reception Riley always gets the best of me, I tell ya. Our feet were barkin' and I honestly was a hot, sweaty mess by the end of the night. There was only one thing left to do before we locked up the reception hall. Load up on leftover cake!

This cake resembles what my muscles felt like at the end of the night. Tore up!

This made me gigle!

Here came the SUPER awesome COOL amazing TERRIFIC part.....my dad, who just happens to be stellar, rented the entire B&B for guests who wanted to stay there. Well, it turned out that the wedding party wanted to stay there. Or part of the wedding party at least. Riley and I had claimed a room and had talked Dara, Garrett and Ashley into staying. Five rooms = perfect to fit us all. The place is just the most perfect quaint little getaway. We gave Daddio plenty of hugs and thank you's before he headed home late that night. We almost had him talked into staying but he had his dogs at home to take care of the dogs. I was feeling very blessed that evening.....very, very blessed.

Riley and I trudged up to our room on the second floor while others claimed their living quarters for the night....

Garrett contemplating which room he shall choose

I was too excited to sleep it turned out and I just couldn't resist joining Ash and Garrett in the tv room for a late night movie. Ok, actually I ignored the movie and just wanted to chat. The newlyweds were upstairs in their suite most likely updating Bailey's last name on Facebook. Hehe. ;) Eventually I retired back to our room where Riley was sound asleep. It appeared that he had danced his booty off. The morning came much too soon. I wasn't ready to leave the comfort of the B&B. The bed and pillows were amazing and so was the quiet time. I can't explain how nice it was to wake up to the smell of an amazing breakfast and look out the window to see this sight....

But we had a big job to do after we ate that breakfast that was wafting upstairs enticing us to come down. We had the task of loading up the wedding chairs out in the field....

If I wave my magic wand will they all just disappear?

Gman and Spencer's dad, uncle and grandpa all came out that morning to help load the wedding chairs. We all polished off the breakfast downstairs together with the newlyweds. Look how happy they are.....

It's no surprise that my camera was around my neck all morning so I was able to get a few more pictures before we got to work.....

Her new father-in-law

Dar & Gar

The beautiful chapel

Made our way out to the vineyard

One last picture of my MARRIED sis!

After we finished exploring the grounds it was time for WORK....

They weren't gonna fold themselves up

With ten of us folding, carrying and loading it only took about fifteen minutes. I was dragging my feet at we walked up to get our bags out of the room. I missed Hallie....but honestly I was a little bit scared to go pick her up. She isn't the best at adjusting to me being gone and that combined with her fiestyness lately had we wondering what kind of child I was going to pick up. I just wasn't ready to leave. I remember standing at the window upstairs replaying the weekend's events in my head as if to record them once more to assure that nothing would leave my memory. So many emotions are tied to a wedding....it's almost as if I had forgotten how much stress, worry, joy and pure happiness are felt at a wedding. It was a strange feeling I had as I stood there staring out at the open field....all of the anticipation was over and all the fun had been had. My sister was married and that was that. We looked at eachother when we getting ready to leave and she said to me "I wanna do that over again!" ME TOO!!!! What a memorable day, night, weekend, etc. The two got off to a grand start and have a whole new life to look forward to.

I have a new brother....and Hal can now officially call his "Uncle S." Here's to the new Mr. and Mrs!!!!!!