What an interesting and exciting weekend we had. Thunderstorms and high winds interrupted the wedding rehearsal on Friday night. But we managed to get our instructions and then headed to Olive Garden in Athens where we had a great time and good food and great service! It was nice to meet all of Stephen and Rachel's friends. They are a faithful bunch and seem like they will be lifelong friends.
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| Madison got her instructions at the rehearsal. |
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| Friends and family |
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| The bride and groom and their dear friends |
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| Such great friends..ready to celebrate with Stephen and Rachel |
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The next morning, June 25, John and I got up early. I just could not believe that this was my son's wedding day. It had been a short engagement and, being the mother of the groom, I had not had a lot of responsibility this time around (unlike being the mother of the bride as I was 4 years ago). I started feeling a little emotional as I thought of my son getting married but I was so happy for him. We love Rachel and feel that she is his perfect match. The Lord is the ultimate match-maker! Their personalities complement each other and we can tell they love each other very much.
We left for Statham and the
http://www.johnolivermichaelhouse.com . We picked up my parents first. Got to the wedding site early and then the wait began. We got dressed, Madison and I wandered the grounds, we got pictures made with Stephen, and got to see the "princess" as Maddie called Rachel. The weather had turned out perfect. Just a little cloudy, cooler than the day before and breezy under the trees. Jake, Stephen's friend who was officiating the ceremony, had prayed the night before at our rehearsal that the wedding day would be balmy, 71 degrees, and no rain. The Lord gave us 2 out of 3. The temp was more like 85 degrees. Just beautiful.
My best friend, Cheryl, came on around 5 and we had her support and help as well as my sister-in-law, Vicki, as we juggled babies and helped out where needed. Our son-in-law was running the sound system along with help from my nephew. My niece was taking the photos and Erin was a bridesmaid. Finally, it was time and I got to be escorted down the aisle as mother of the groom. I enjoyed it immensely. Then we waited for Madison. She came down after the bridesmaids, dropped a few rose petals and then saw me and made a beeline toward me. She was perfect for most of the time. When she got restless we gave her a sucker. Thanks, mommy.
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| Flower Girl getting ready! |
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| We love Cheryl! |
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| I had this one on my hip for a lot of the day! |
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| My special chair !:) |
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| We enjoyed watching the photo sessions |
Rachel and her father came down the aisle. She was beautiful. Her dress was very elegant and simple with just a few crystal designs on her waist and hip. She wore flowers in her hair and carried the lovely bouquet that Morgan made for her. Morgan is a dear friend of Stephen's from UGA and is married to one of his best friends, Garrett! Our bouquets were purple and blue and Rachel's and the bridesmaids also had white roses within those colorful flowers. Jake began the ceremony by reminding us all that miracles happened in the Bible. Moses parted the Red Sea, Jesus healed and raised from the dead, etc. AND today, Stephen McLaughlin was getting married!! Very funny and helped me relax and not be emotional. It was great! After vows, Kathryn, Jake's wife sang "Heavenly Day" by Patty Griffin. A perfect song for the day and the weather.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kWzuLAHnGBQ
The ceremony ended with the rings and the kiss and the introduction of Stephen and Rachel McLaughlin! Such a sweet time.We thank the Lord for this new family.
We sat around tables outside at the reception and listened to some great music from the playlist that Rachel and Stephen put together. No one danced but Maddie. She had a blast dancing in the doorway of the barn. So cute! She would fall to the floor and ask her Lito to pick her back up "Upsy Daisy". This went on for half an hour or more. We ended the day with seeing the couple off. Just an overall satisfying day, blessed by the Lord. I can't tell you how I feel. The Lord is good!
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| John got to sign the marriage license. A privilege! |
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| Beautiful! |
4 comments:
Congratulations on a wonderful wedding and such a perfect daughter-in-law. The ceremony seems like it was so perfect.
Linda
Bambi..this is just the sweetest! I love the pictures and also you express your heart so beautifully! You are right, you are blessed and you have a precious family. I'm so thankful that I was able to share in Stephen and Rachel's special day! Also, to share with your family and everyone! Vickie did a great job with Landon and I enjoyed sitting with them. The Lord worked all that out cause I would not have been able to get those pictures of you had we been on the "right" side! :-) God is good!!
I love you my sweet friend!
Cheryl
Bambi, Great sentiments. Having been the mother of the groom, I know all of your feelings. Things will be a little different--being the mother of the groom--rather than being the mother of the bride
--but it will be okay--like when the babies come. Just go with the flow, and things will be just as special. Love and blessings to Steven and Rachel--and the days to come.
Looks like such a beautiful day! I'm so sorry to have missed it! Many blessings to Rachel & Stephen. Rachel is such a beauty! I hope I get to meet her soon. Congratulations!
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