Wedding + My Family =

My parents have always shown me unconditional love, and I never have doubted that they love me.  But I especially felt loved by my family during wedding planning, the events surrounding the wedding, and the wedding itself.  Throughout everything, my parents were very giving, worked very hard, and insisted that everything be exactly how I wanted.

Because we chose to have our reception at a location that did not have a catering staff, we had to do a lot of work planning the food.  We purchased food from Zoe's, but my Mom prepared vegetable trays, fruit trays, bruschetta dip, and many other things.  Both of my parents were up super early the day of the wedding doing things like purchasing ice and getting the reception location ready.

My Mom helped me come up with ideas, figure out flowers, and pick out my dress.  She was quite the supportive Mom during what at the time were stressful decisions.  She kept me on top of things and did so many things that I can't even remember.

My Dad tried several different ways to print magnets until he discovered the best way to print our save-the-dates.  He also spent an afternoon printing our wedding programs with me.  He addressed every invitation in his fancy calligraphy.  These are just a few of the many things he did!  He was really quite an involved wedding Dad.

My parents were quite insistent on having me make every decision, especially my Dad.  Although at the time I didn't like making all the decisions, everything turned out just the way I imagined.  The cake is a great example of this.  When I was a freshman in college, I saw a wedding cake that I loved.  I had always kept that image in my head, and my actual wedding cake was exactly what I had always pictured.  Both my Mom and Dad spent time going to different cake places and trying to find the perfect one, and we succeeded.

My parents did plan a few surprises for our wedding.  My Dad had a sign printed with a quote from my Mom and Dad, and they had it hanging at the reception.

My Dad also had a picture frame for everyone to sign.

I was also very appreciative of all of my family members who attended the wedding and wedding events.

There are not many pictures of my Aunt Carol because she did a LOT of work at our wedding.  Again because there was no catering staff, etc. at our reception site, that left a lot of work to be done by somebody we knew.  My Aunt graciously volunteered and did more than I ever will know.  I do know that she prepared food for us to take with us once we left which was quite nice... but really that was a very tiny tiny tiny amount of what she did.  So here is a picture of her at the bridesmaid's dinner.

Unfortunately, Carol's daughter, my cousin Brooke, was unable to attend the wedding.  But I'm so glad that she was able to attend one of my showers!

 

To finish off that side of the family, I was so glad to have my Granny Ruby there!  At the time, she wasn't eating very well and had lost weight.  At the rehearsal dinner, she ate the entire piece of chocolate cake,  which was a big deal at the time! (No worries, since then she has gained her appetite back, gained weight, and is quiet the busy, active lady!)

My Dad's side of the family was so supportive in their presence as well.  

My Granny Evelyn hosted the Bridesmaid's Dinner, and she even made the table decorations that involved her drying flowers.  The Bridesmaid's Dinner was such a fun event, and I'm so thankful that she hosted it.

My Aunt Sallie and Cousin Bailey drove down from Nashville.  At the reception, my Aunt Sallie pitched right in and helped where needed..  My Uncle Mark, Aunt Lisa, and Cousin Mark made the long drive from Florida just for the wedding, and I am so appreciative of that. Unfortunately Liz and Sam were unable to come, and they were greatly missed.  Liz was very sweet and called me the day before the wedding.

Since the wedding, JP and my family have gotten along well.  We have spent numerous weekends at my parents, and JP always enjoys his time there.  One of the things that makes me the happiest though is how well JP and my Sister get along.  We all three have a lot of fun when we are  together.

God has blessed me with such a wonderful family, and I hope I can be as much as a positive in their life as they are in mine.