A Wedding Story

I love a good wedding story and last weekend's wedding definitely was a story in the making.  Saturday started off as a beautiful day.  I took Libby into town to get her hair done and as we were walking back to our resort to get dressed, we ran into the groom and his guys.  They were headed towards the gondola for some mountain top photos and they all looked dapper!

Since they wedding was on a ranch at the top of a mountain, the bride and groom had arranged for shuttles to escort the guests to and from the ranch.  I got on the first shuttle with my sister in law and her family, my 2 kids, the other flower girl and the ring bearer.  It was a 30 minute ride from the resort to the ranch and we were expecting no problems.  About 10 minutes into our ride a torrential rainstorm started and it only got worse.  About 1/2 mile from the wedding site, the road had washed away and our shuttle slid off the road.  We were forced to all climb out the drivers door (the only way out) and walk to last 1/2 mile in the rain.

even the bride and groom had to walk in the rain.

despite the rain, the tent was absolutely beautiful.

My soon to be sister in law had her heart set on getting married outside, so they opened the bar...

passed out flip flops for all the guests, and waited

3 hours later, it looked like the rain was not going to stop so it was time to get married.

the bride got her wish and she was married outside!!

then it was time for the eating and dancing to begin...

Eventually the rain stopped and we got 1 family photo outside...

and the most beautiful backdrop

I just love weddings and this one goes down in the books!

Days Before the Big Day

I just got back from spending 6 days in Vail, Colorado for the wedding of my brother in law.  To say that these past few days have been nothing but love filled and fun filled would be an understatement.  

The celebrations began at 5 pm last Thursday on the pool deck at our hotel, the Vail Cascade Resort.  This was a great way for everyone to meet and mingle, I finally got the chance to meet my soon to be sister in law's parents.  A wedding is one of the few events in our life where we have all our friends and family together celebrating, so make it big!

Friday morning, while the boys were off golfing the girls were at a luncheon honoring the bride.

our beautifully set table at Larkspur...

and a close up of how my goody bags turned out.  They were a big hit...

Friday evening, a rehearsal dinner at Sonnenalp...

me with my family celebrating (minus Scarlett who stayed home with grandma)

and the happy groom.  I hold Jerry near and dear to my heart.  I have always bonded with him and we can talk about everything.  

and here is my cute father in law toasting the bride and groom.  I want to leave you with the words he said Friday night that brought tears to my eyes

To quote Dionne Warwick,  "without your love, I have nothing at all"...

Wide Open Spaces

And we are off to the beautiful mountains..

surrounding Vail Village...

See you all next week!!

The Wedding March

For the next couple days I will be busy getting ready for my brother in law's wedding inVail, Colorado. The wedding ceremony and reception are taking place outdoors on a ranch and I am beyond excited for this weekend.  We have a fun filled schedule including a cocktail party, bridal luncheon, rehearsal dinner, wedding and farewell brunch which means I have a lot of outfits to plan!

After the wedding, we are staying a few extra days in Colorado to take advantage of the great adventures the state has to offer.

Horseback riding on the range, then up to the top of the scenic mesa...

for some spectacular views...

A little zip lining through the forest...

and what is a visit to Colorado without some white water rafting down the river...

Time to get packing!

Swag Bags

 Back in April I co-hosted a bridal shower for my cousin, who was just married this past Saturday, and had the perfect goody bag thanks to pinterest.  The second my mom asked if I would help with the shower I immediately took charge of the goody bags, a wine carrier that was filled with krispy cream donuts and milk.  The perfect gift for guests as they were leaving the party...  

here is how my goody bags turned out...

I had so much fun putting together these goody bags that I volunteered to do the same for my soon to be sister in law.  I am hosting, along with my mother in law and sisters in law, a bridal luncheon next Friday, but since the wedding is in Vail I knew I could not do a milk and donuts goody bag, I needed something that would travel well.  After obsessing over it for weeks I think I came up with something that is so fun and everyone will love all the goodies...

In each goody bag is a bottle of Essie "happily ever after"...

a mini bottle of polish remover...

a nail file...

and a package of cotton pads...

I love putting together a little gift that says "thanks for coming."  

Girl Thursday

Kicking off another weekend a day early.  Tonight my sister and her family are coming to town, I am so excited!!  

this is definitely on the agenda...

and Friday night, we are finally trying a farm to table restaurant that I keep hearing rave reviews about

Saturday just so happens to be my birthday...

which I will be spending in a small town about 2 hrs away for my cousins wedding.  I will have my hubby and my sisters with me and that is all I want...

Sunday I am shipping my son off to camp for the week...

then off to a party to celebrate my nephew's 2nd birthday...

and his 1 year adoption anniversary

Sunday night my sister is sending her hubby back to Michigan so we can take our kiddos for a fun filled week here...

I am guessing this the only place in the world where you can ride a roller coaster, dip a candle, and see a Dolly Parton concert all at the same place!!

Have a beautiful weekend my friends

Wedding Bells

This past weekend I had a crazy, busy, exhausting, fun filled wedding weekend. Friday night I got to spend some time with my brother and sister...and Dan. It was the perfect night to be outside for a rehearsal dinner.

And on Saturday......the reason everyone was here!!The bride and groom with their matchmaker.
The reception was held downtown at the City Museum. The museum itself is hands down one of the coolest places I have ever been to. You must put this on your list of places to go, you will not be disappointed. Between the aquarium, the 7 story slide, the ferris wheel on the rooftop, or the bus suspended over the roof there is something for everyone. The beer and wine bar doesn't hurt either!!

On the top floor of the museum is a room for parties and reception, which is where we dined and danced last Saturday night. Instead of 1 big wedding cake, the bride had smaller cakes on each table, this was perfect with the family style dinner. I thought the tables were just beautiful.
My dear friend Katie, and brother of the groom, whom I have known my entire life.
The best thing about weddings.....

everybody is so damn happy!!!
and of course at the end of the night, instead of taking the elevator....
we all took the slide!!
which is a little tricky in a dress, heels, and after some wine!!