Saturday, August 29th

The day began with overcast skies, humidity and about 85 degrees . The bride and bridesmaids arrived about 10 a.m. and did some last minute decorating, had their hair styled, and were, for the most part, ready when the groom and groomsmen showed up around 2:00 p.m. By that time, the sky was looking pretty grey. Please don't rain! The photographer took quite a few pictures of the wedding party for the next 2 1/2 hours. At about 4:30, we were told to take our seats and get ready to begin..... OH NO, rain drops, just a few, thank goodness. At 5:00, the wedding began with blue skies around us.

The first one down the aisle was this handsome fella.

He surprised his grandmother and I with the two flowers he was carrying. He laid one in the empty seat beside her, (in memory of his grandfather who passed away earlier this year) and one in the empty seat beside me (in memory of his father who passed away when he was three). Such a sweet, thoughtful jesture, totally unexpected and even as I type this I am doing so through tears.

They wrote their own vows, and neither one of them could get through them without having to stop to compose themselves a couple times. It was very touching to witness, you could see the love and total commitment to each other on their faces.

The newly wedded couple as they walked back down the aisle.

The whole bridal party.

Believe it or not, this is the first picture I have of my three children and I together. I'm usually the one behind the camera. (I'm the old lady with grey hair shining, in case you didn't recognize me. I didn't realize my hair was that grey...YIKES.)

It was so hot in those tuxes and long dresses that they told the bridal party to bring clothes to change into for the reception. Here is the bride and groom's first dance. Don't they make a cute couple?

I thought this was the first time I had danced with my son, until he reminded me I showed him how to dance when he was in the 6th or 7th grade and had a sock hop to go to. He really doesn't like to dance much and accused the bride and I of conspiring to find the longest songs for these two dances.

Here is a shot of my new daughter-in-law, her mother and her best friend line dancing during the reception.

So, now, the bride and groom are in Florida, on their honeymoon, and I am officially an "empty nester." It was a beautiful ceremony and a lovely day. I do believe everyone had a good time.

Hmmmmm, now I have to decide how to turn the extra bedroom into a craft/sewing room. Any suggestions?