Thursday, August 4, 2011

Pre Wedding-ness

We all know that before that Big Moment when the bride starts her walk down the aisle, there are myriad details to be taken care of ahead of time--from planning to decorating to rehearsing to organizing. This post covers a few of those pre-wedding events.

Decorating and Pre-Rehearsal

Meagan’s sister, Kristin, and her dad made a great decorating team.

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When all the decorating was done it was decided that, since Nathan wasn’t around, Meagan should practice walking down the aisle to The Surprise Song.

She and Frank did the Big Walk a couple times, alternating between tears and giggles, sobriety and laughter.

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When they got to the front the second time around . . .

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. . . Frank suddenly launched into some spontaneous funky, vocalized beat boxing. And that’s all it took for the dancing to commence.

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Spencer (Nathan and Meagan’s nephew) and I watched happily from the sidelines.

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The Real Rehearsal

On Friday evening, it was time for the real rehearsal. I loved that Nathan opened it with prayer.

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Nathan is about to walk to the front center aisle to wait for Meagan.

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The look on his face as he waits is priceless.

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This shot shows the final rendition of the decorative balls that Frank made.

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Steve scrounged around during rehearsal and found a bass guitar (which is the instrument he plays) with his dad’s name on it. I hadn’t realized that there was such a thing as a Ken Smith guitar.

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After the rehearsal, it was on to the rehearsal dinner which was held at Meagan’s family’s church. My sister, Debbie, had spent the afternoon with me helping to decorate and set up; I couldn’t have accomplished the task without her and Sarah’s invaluable assistance. Since the wedding was featuring bright colors, we did a brightly colored rehearsal dinner, too.

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Since Nathan has worked at Chick-Fil-A on and off for about five years, we thought some Chick-Fil-A Party Platters would be just the thing for the meal. Also, the manager at Nathan’s restaurant gave us a 50% discount on all the food as a wedding gift to Nathan which was lovely. Since I love Chic-Fil-A and bargains, I was one happy mama.

And speaking of mama’s, I hope am I am half as good a mother-in-law to Meagan has Steve’s mom has been to me. I have been so incredibly blessed with both a wonderful mom and a wonderful mom-in-law.

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The picture sums up the week pretty well—a colorful, joyful celebration!

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Comments

Anonymous said, “So I keep reading about a cake reception. Did you also have a lunch reception following the ceremony? Just curious.”

Immediately after the wedding, there was wedding cake and punch on the lawn in front of the church for all the wedding guests. That was where Nathan and Meagan cut the cake and did the whole “feeding the first bite to each other” thing.

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Then after some photos were taken back inside the church, there was a formal sit down lunch at a local country club.

Note: there have been a few requests for pictures of the dresses that I had considered in the dress-choosing process. I’ll post pictures of those soon.

12 Had Something To Say (Just click here!):

Love Being A Nonny said...

I love that you are taking us through the wedding. I have never heard of a cake reception after the ceremony before the lunch...but I love the idea!

Anonymous said...

I haven't ever heard of a cake reception either. Was the luncheon just for a select group of people? And just out of curiosity, why wasn't the wedding held at Meagan's family church? I love hearing all of the wedding details! Keep 'em coming! :)

Gayle in AL

Anonymous said...

May Meganate wedding stories and photos never cease. I, for one, am enjoying each one immensely. Thank you, Becky, for giving your blog readers the privilege of sharing in such joy!

Anonymous said...

It to am following along enjoying every picture and story. I have to laugh as all the questions that come to my mind are being asked by someone else. We are enjoying so much but I hope we are not being nosey!

Kathy

Anonymous said...

Becky, since you are from WI, too, I am guessing that you will remember we do weddings differently up here.... the wedding is held either late morning or early afternoon (same as down there), then pictures etc for the bridal party; but the bride's parents will host out-of-town guests with refreshments/ snacks usually at their home or another location.

Then around 4 or 5 guests begin meeting at the rented hall for cocktail hour/dinner/dancing concluding around midnight.

I remember when my brother got married in Texas they served a formal lunch immediately after the cermony and everything was complete by late afternoon/early evening. I found that so odd and I wonder if you do/did as well??

On another note, I absolutely love the colors Megan chose for her wedding.....beautiful!!!

Deb in Green Bay

Margie said...

I'm glad I'm not the only one who had never heard of a cake reception but it sounds lovely. Also there would be no problem having room for desert if it came first.

Anonymous said...

I must say, I am so impressed with Meagan's CRAFTY dad! Has he always been so talented? Did he take a class on flower arranging? Did Steve help him out at all?

L. in AK =]

Guerrina said...

I am loving all the posts taking us through the wedding! Don't stop! The 1st wedding I was ever in I was the flower girl (7 years old) and I remember after the ceremony we all went to the fellowship hall of the church and it was a cake & punch reception - end of story. As I've watched many weddings (not the Meaganate's) take on the proportions of a Broadway show, I've often wondered why the "simple" reception was left behind - would leave so much more money for a honeymoon and starting life! Great idea & great job, Meaganate & family!

Anonymous said...

I just love all the wedding stories!!!
Hope they last a loooooong time.

Yesterday I went to the library to hear your song, and all the computers were being used for a class. ugh.
Will try again next week.

mrs pam

Catherine said...

You are such a sweetheart, Becky. I am so enjoying this.

I love the way both Nathan and Becky's lives are so incorporated in the wedding from Chick Filet to the RV. It's all wonderful. I love the bright summer colors and the casual rehearsal dinner is perfect.

Thank you so much for the upcoming fashion show of dresses. You were the perfect, elegant mother of the groom.

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