Finally...

A Wedding Recap!!

Friday afternoon we traveled up to Waymart, PA in a staggered start. Mom and Dad with Jason, Gramie and Grampy, Theresa and Wayne with Maddie and Abbie, Aunt Deb and Uncle Bob with Mrs. Davis and Mrs. Pommerer, Steve and I, and Erin and Joe. We checked into the hotel and experienced our first snafu - they didn't reserve the correct suite for Erin for the weekend. Thankfully, the rooms they did have for her worked out great and a gratis bottle of champagne softened the blow for everyone!

We hung out for a bit, and then the thirteen of us that were there went for dinner next door to the hotel at Damon's. I hadn't been there since my college days and I was happily reminded of why Steve and I used to go there so often. Erin and I split a tasty breaded zucchini appetizer that I loved! Afterwards, we went back to Erin's room to hang out with everyone. We had a great time (how can you not with family!) and turned in around 11 pm. The guys had a day of golfing in store for them, and we had to prepare to pamper ourselves.

On Saturday, the rest of the bridesmaids arrived and we went to get our nails done. Pedis and Manis all around in tres chic Koala Bear-y. I just love OPI nail color names!

We had some light lunch and then got ready for the rehearsal. Since the ceremony was in a Catholic Church on a Sunday, we had to have the rehearsal earlier in the day on Saturday.

Erin, Aunt Deb, and I waiting to be "rehearsed"

We got the walking down the aisle thing pretty fast, and then it was off to the groom's parent's for some cocktails.

Cocktail hour at the Vinton's home
The rehearsal dinner was at 5 pm at a beautiful Lodge just down the street from the groom's parent's. We were greeted by many more faces (the groom's family) that we had not met yet, and then proceeded to enjoy the mountain air on the deck.

Mom and Dad with Erin & Joe's gift to them
Erin and Joe had presents for their groomsmen and bridesmaids. Our gifts were fantastic! Authentic pearl earrings and necklace to compliment our gowns, a personalized notebook and bookmark, a framed picture from the bachelorette, and wine charms. So cute! I loved the bag that it came in too! The guys got jerseys from their favorite baseball team so Steve sported the Mariners.

Bridesmaids with our pearls
Dinner was delish! We sat around a u-shaped table that felt like it belonged in a castle. This place was beautiful I tell you! We spent a lot of time hanging out and talking, but soon enough it was time to head back to the hotel to rest up for the wedding.

Erin and I shared our last night together in her king-sized bed. Now we're both married, it's just so crazy to think about! Sunday morning the women who were doing our hair arrived bright and early at 7:30 - and with that our wedding day had begun!

She did such a great job on all of our hair, and was fast too. We were all ready by 10 am! Getting ready was a blast, we could take our time because the photographer wouldn't be ready for group pictures and all until 11:30 or 12. The flowers came and were gorgeous - I know Erin was really pleased with how they looked.

We went to a gazebo outside to take some bridesmaid and family pictures, and then hung out in the hotel room for 2 hours until it was time to leave for the ceremony.






Ahh, the ceremony. My responsiblity was to bring the rings so that the best man could hand them to the priest. Everyone kept reminding me to bring them, and in fact Joe even called the morning of the wedding to remind me again. I am not a forgetful person at all! I put the rings in my purse and we headed to the church. When we arrived at the church, Erin was getting anxious that the wedding would not start on time. We all assured her a few minutes here or there wouldn't be the end of the world and in fact most weddings don't start on time. We were able to calm her down, and by then it was time to head in!

My hubby and my Aunt

We lined up outside the church to go in, heard the music cue up, and headed down. I was the last to walk down before the bride as I was the matron of honor. When I got to the end of aisle, the best man hooked arms with mine and asked for the rings. My mind freaked and then I realized - I FORGOT THE RINGS! I told him I didn't have them but that I'd get them. Meanwhile, my sister and father were walking down the aisle, but all I could think about was whose attention I could get to go and get the rings. So I completely missed the emotional impact of that walk, but maybe that was a good thing or else I would have been bawling!

Daddy and Erin

Thankfully, my Uncle was on the alert and I got his attention. I told him they were in a black purse in the backseat. Only later did I find out - duh - all 4 of the bridesmaids had black purses in the car so poor guy had to root through them all. I kept turning around to see if he had brought them back in, and then my Aunt (fellow bridesmaid) got my attention and they were in her hand. CRISIS AVERTED!

I felt so much better once I had the rings in my hands, and thankfully my sister never even noticed.

The ceremony was short, but sweet! We took off afterwards for pictures on the mountain. I can't wait to see what those look like from the photographer. Then off to the reception.

We had a great time and danced the night away. It was great to have all of our family there, and friends that we hadn't seen in a while. My now brother in-law has a large family and of the 186 guests that were there, about 146 of them were from his side! It was a little overwhelming but great to see both of their families come together to support them on their day.

Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Vinton