Monday, November 19, 2012

flower girl dresses

emolyn kate ~ 4
elsie lane ~ 2


My daughter Miranda was the lead in Hello Dolly when she was in the 8th grade and wore the most beautiful gowns.



One of which we transformed into the flower girl dresses that my granddaughters wore in their Aunt Miranda's wedding. Yes, in keeping with the theme of these wedding posts, even Emolyn & Elsie's dresses have a repurposed story. 
So thankful my friend Kathi made these gorgeous gowns using the lace fabric and pearl buttons I salvaged from the gown that Miranda wore 14 years ago. They turned out beautifully! And I could tell that Emolyn & Elsie loved wearing them too.


Just prior to the start of the wedding, I found Jack & the little E girls out on the porch steps. The interaction between the three of them was priceless.






Here they are walking down the aisle ~ the evening of the rehearsal.


And here they are walking down the aisle ~ the day of the wedding. 
Are they cute or what!

Thursday, November 15, 2012

Pinkerton Photography wedding slideshow

IT'S HERE ~ the moment you've all been waiting for ~ professional photos from Kelsie Pinkerton Photography!!! Oh my gosh ~ outstanding ~ extraordinary! 

Don't get me wrong, I am forever grateful for the amazing, candid, heartfelt photos from friends and family, but I'm telling you, I could hardly wait to see the wedding through Kelsie's lens. She's amazing, so artistically gifted, so sensitive!
And what she does that sets her apart from the others, you will experience in the following link. Trust me, I have yet to watch this without crying. And if you think it's just because I'm the mother-of-the-bride, you would be mistaken. I have wept over every slideshow Kelsie has ever created over the years.

Once the slideshow is over it will automatically take you to Kelsie's blog post of the wedding on her web site, for even more breathtaking photos. You don't want to miss those either.
Simply stunning!

Be sure to have your volume up, and if beautiful photography makes you cry, a few tissues.


Ok, I can't have a blog post without a photo, so I was pretty excited to see that Kelsie and her 2nd photographer (and friend) Sarah had their photos taken at the Photo Booth!
Thank again Kelsie & Sarah!!



Tuesday, November 13, 2012

wedding snapshots


My sister Kathy and her daughter Kristen came to the wedding, all the way from Oklahoma.
I can't tell you how thrilled I was to have them here and thankful to have them share in such a special day. We had way too much fun together!


Kristen captured some of my most favorite photos of the wedding. Love the flowers!


Miranda decided she wanted the parents and grandparents wedding day photos on display at the guestbook table... along with cd's of Aaron & Miranda's favorite songs for the guests to take home as gifts. Love this idea.


Miranda also asked if I had an old mailbox that she could have on display at the gift table for cards. Of course I would. Does that make me a hoarder? Don't answer :) Yes, I happen to have two that I found in alleys over the years. This one wasn't as beat up as the other. I love the color she chose and that she let me keep the red metal flag as is.


Their mother's are sisters, but these cousins could easily be sisters as well!


My beautiful daughter waiting to walk down the aisle...


Miranda's dear friend Carla from England loved spending time with Emolyn & Elsie.


I loved that my sons Tyler (23) and Shawn (30) escorted me down the aisle. I remember thinking at this moment that I didn't want to miss a thing, I wanted to take it all in, to savor every moment, the way my daughter looked at Aaron, the smiles on the faces around me, the late afternoon glow, the quiet calm...


... and then she stepped out with her Dad... all lovely, peaceful and assured. I had to remind myself to breathe.


At one point in the ceremony both Dads shared, and it was so emotional and personal.


I love my mother-in-law with all my heart and will cherish this photo forever. Thank you Kirsten for capturing this special moment.


And then this amazing thing happened immediately after the ceremony ~ the backyard was transformed into this magical wonderland of loveliness.


The tables were repositioned, the wine bottles corked, the candles lit.


Such a sweet, beautiful, magical night ~ family & friends gathered under a canopy of twinkling lights, to celebrate the union of Aaron & Miranda. I will never forget it as long as I live.


The night had to end, but for these two, it was only the beginning. And oh what a start to an already deeply committed, God-honoring relationship. We were blessed to have witnessed such an event. God is truly good and faithful.

Monday, November 12, 2012

Twins wedding attire


Shawn 30 ~ Twins 6 months

Shawn 4 ~ Miranda 18 months
26 years ago our son Shawn (age 4) was in our friend's wedding. Shawn's Daddy officiated the wedding, I coordinated the wedding and poor Miranda was sick at the wedding. (she had a cold) 
Randy borrowed a suit, I borrowed a friend's dress and we bought a suit for Shawn.
Of course I still have that suit after all these years.
Well, when I found this on Pinterest, I knew immediately what I wanted to do with that suit for Shawn's twin son's wedding attire. Shawn & Nicole were thrilled.


I mean how cool that both boys would be wearing something their Daddy wore as a little boy!


Here's what I started with...


I couldn't use the actual vest because of the faux pockets, but the pant legs allowed me to not only sew both vests, but also line the vests with the same fabric.


I even found three more buttons almost exactly like the original three.


I was SO pleased with how they turned out!


Jonah was so pleased that he decided to take a bite out of Nathan's vest.


Which did not please Nathan in the least... "oh Mimi, what's a brother to do?"


HERE THEY ARE!!! ~ looking all dapper dan with their Momma & Daddy, big sisters and the Bride & Groom ~ PRECIOUS! Oh, and PRICELESS too ~ 
as their wedding attire did not cost a cent! 

Tomorrow I'll be posting a bunch of candid wedding pics as seen through the eyes of our guests!

I'm linking up with the following Linky Parties ~

Saturday, November 10, 2012

mother-of-the-bride dress

So while we're on the subject of dresses, let's talk about my dress.
Remember, this is about preserving the stories for my sake. So bare with me.


Soon after my daughter got engaged, Miranda & I began to share a Pinterest board that Miranda titled Dresses for my Mom. We pinned many dresses on that board that gave each of us a sense of what she wanted me to wear and what I was drawn to wearing. Well, one day I found a dress at Kohl's that I thought was perfect for a backyard wedding. It was 80% off and I had a 30% off coupon. Which meant they paid me to buy it right? ha! Well, as the bridesmaids began picking out their dresses, it became apparent to Miranda that I needed an intervention. So she sat me down and lovingly told me that my dress was too casual. And she was right. Back to the drawing board... I mean Pinterest board.

One of the dresses I had pinned was the ModCloth Blueberry Iced Tea dress. I knew I wanted that 50's retro/ vintage feel. But with the wedding just weeks away, I didn't feel comfortable ordering one. You know, might not fit, reorder, panic sets in... so I hit the streets for a similar one. Miranda told me to check out Francesca's. So I did. And there it was. The dress. And I paid full price ($48.00), which I have only done twice in my life ~ a Liberty of London dress when Target released the line just months after returning from visiting Miranda in London, and then a year later a cardigan I really wanted at Target.


Anyway, as much as I loved the dress, I knew the accessories would make or break it. The dress came with a turquoise ribbon, so a skinny belt and necklace was on my agenda. Miranda wanted me to keep with the vintage theme, or I probably would have chosen one of those beaded bib necklaces. So, being the thrift store guru that I am, I began to do quick run-thrus whenever I passed one. Then I remembered I had store credit at Back to the Rack consignment store in Tempe. And there it was ~ a Lapis stone copper pendent. So perfect. And get this, I had already seen a similar color skinny belt at my little thrift store down the street for 2 dollars. So with necklace in hand, I went back to the thrift store. A perfect match. Houston, we have lift-off!


Btw, the gal gave me 25% off the $18.95 necklace. So after applying my store credit, it cost me a cool 73 cents. I know! I even make myself sick.

Here's the deal ladies, I loved wearing my dress. So comfortable. The perfect length. Elastic around the waist. Breathable cotton. And a color I have never ever worn in my life. So why not for my daughter's wedding. Made me feel all the more special... like I was the mother-of-the-bride or something :)

Each of the photos were taken while in the stores with my iPhone, for Miranda's take. She was thrilled with my choices.


Btw, Miranda had the bridesmaids and the mothers wear various shades of navy and blue. And as you will see, we all blended beautifully!



Friday, November 09, 2012

the wedding dress


My first glimpse of my daughter's wedding dress was through the lens of a camera. And then I set the camera down... and just stared... remembering all those times she played dress-up as a little girl. And there she was, standing before me, my little girl, my little princess... all radiant and glowing... in love with her knight-in-shining-armour. I could barely breathe.
And then I cried.


Miranda found the wedding dress she had always dreamed of ~ and then had me come with her to make her final decision. 
I was a mess. The dress was so Miranda. So stunning.
It was unanimous ~ she said yes to the dress!


Miranda chose the floor model, requiring some alterations and professional dry cleaning.
But oh what a savings ~ like mother/ like daughter. ha! 


We were beyond pleased with the care and attention we received from Wedding Belles Bridal Boutique in Gilbert. And I would highly recommend them.


I could tell Miranda loved wearing her wedding gown throughout her entire wedding day. That's not always the case for some brides. I will notice tugging and pulling and adjusting going on, especially those that are not familiar with wearing a strapless gown. Probably not the best day to test out your first strapless. :)
I'm so thankful Miranda felt beautiful and comfortable and free to dance and eat and celebrate with her guests. That's so important for a bride to remember... to not only love how she looks in her dress, but how she feels in her dress... that unbridled freedom of being herself, to move about the venue without feeling restricted or uncomfortable in any way. 
Ladies, love wearing your dress!

Ok, you've got to check out the shoes Miranda wore with her dress on her wedding day!
You can read about her Sseko Charity Shoes on her blog ~ HERE.

Wednesday, November 07, 2012

backyard transformation


I love before & after photos, don't you? Here's just a few...
The wedding party arrived a couple hours before the wedding rehearsal on Friday to set up 32 round tables & 250 chairs and transformed an already breathtaking backyard into Miranda's dream wedding.


And this was 24 hours later ~ a couple hours before the wedding ceremony was to begin.
Oh my gosh, truly the most beautiful wedding venue I could have ever imagined for my daughter's wedding!


The wedding was in the backyard of the Hearn House in Phoenix. An Arts and Crafts style home, that I have coveted for over 20 years, when I first began calling it my house. Yes, whenever we'd drive by I would say, "Oh look honey, there's my house." 
And my husband would say "Sugar, if I ever win the lottery I will buy you that house."
And I would reply "Oh honey, I would be happy just going to a yard sale there and then asking to use their bathroom so I could see the inside."
Well, I can imagine God getting all excited ~ 
"She has no idea that one day her daughter will be getting married there! Gosh I love my job!" Ok, so maybe He didn't say it quite like that. :)
But yes, you can imagine my complete and utter joy when I found out my daughter was getting married at ~ MY HOUSE! All these years, and we had no idea they even had occasional weddings in that backyard!


The Hearn House was built in 1906, and has a beautiful balcony that overlooks this enchanted backyard. I knew that some time during the reception I would walk out onto that balcony and take in the the sights below ~ friends and family celebrating and dancing and laughing, eating and drinking and loving one another. I had to somehow capture it, so I would never forget how this moment made me feel. 
Good Lord, I was not in Phoenix, Arizona anymore. I was in heaven.

Monday, November 05, 2012

The Wedding


Miranda & Aaron are married!


Oh my gosh ~ and what a fairytale! 
The wedding was everything & more than I could ever have imagined for my daughter. 
Beautiful, authentic, God-honoring, poignant and magical.


And that's me, mother-of-the-bride, mere moments before walking down the aisle arm-in-arm with my two sons Shawn & Tyler. I don't think I have ever felt more peace, joy and contentment. 
Truly one of the best days of my life.


Watching Miranda being given away by her Daddy brought me to tears. Ok, so I was in tears most of the ceremony! Love that my tenderhearted husband cried while sharing during the ceremony. Ok, so most everyone was crying. 

It was that kind of wedding.

Ok, so let's get started on all those Wedding/ DIY posts, shall we?! For I have oodles in the making. And you don't want to miss a single one. 
I can honestly say, every aspect of this wedding has a story to be told, 
with photos to be posted. 
I am overwhelmed with a myriad of emotions as I reflect on the friends and family that gave of themselves to love and honor Aaron & Miranda. 
Unbelievable acts of generosity, sacrifice, love and goodwill. 

But above all ~ let's praise God from whom all blessings flow!