Well. That was pretty great.

Photo Credit: Charlie Mather Photography

OK first let me say, I hope you didn't show up looking for photos of the newlyweds. Together. On their wedding day.

I don't have any. I took not one single picture on Friday.

Yes; I meant to. Yes; I failed. Apologies. I was too busy to remember my camera, and when the time came to use it, I would have been too tired to carry it.

Plus, wouldn't I have looked silly, mother-of-the-bride and all, in a beaded evening gown and wearing a wrist corsage, telling folks to pose up while a hired professional and his assistant were walking around doing that?

Later, at the reception, I was too hungry to do anything but raid the buffet. I wish I'd eaten more but distractions were plentiful. I didn't have a single bite of wedding cake until Saturday, when a few trayfuls of delectable leftover morsels were sitting on the counter in my kitchen, waiting to be dealt with.

It was delicious. Simply amazing. Some of the filling was custard; some was raspberry. I only heard about the raspberry; it was pretty popular with our guests and they ate it all.

Oh look. Here's a pretty picture of Erica with Audrey, taken at her pre-bridal shoot a few weeks before the wedding (the shot at the tippy-top of this post is from that shoot too).

Photo Credit: Charlie Mather Photography

I know; right? Beautiful girls. God bless them.

If possible, they were even more exquisite on the day, as were the rest of the wedding party. 

But more about that later.

Here's one I took of the lovebirds a few months ago. This shoot took place at the historic bridge in Peak, South Carolina, where Chad and Erica got engaged last October:

You have to be careful with graffiti when shooting in such settings where street art is likely to be prevalent. Just carefully read the message, hahaaha. You don't want to be surprised later.

I thought I am Loved was appropriate, though. No; I didn't put it there. I'd forgotten my spray paint.

The way they look at one another. Dear me.

Now I'm recuperating while surrounded at home by enough tulle to sink a battleship if you add all the pink velvet ribbon in North America (don't go looking for any, is all I'm saying. I got the lot) and toss on a sprinkling of cake crumbs.

I've got a few of those favor boxes left too. Styled to look like butterflies in keeping with our garden theme, they were stuffed with Hershey's almond kisses and conveyed the couple's gratitude:

The ring-bearer's pillow -- minus one of the little plastic rings, which fell off at some point during the evening -- is tossed on top of a bunch of table number cards in a box:

Fake -- but convincingly velvety -- roses in blush pink and ivory combined with real baby's breath sigh with relief in another box on the front-room floor, cheek-by-jowl with reserved-table signs:

We had real roses too. The florist provided big ones for the cake ...

... and smaller, more delicate ones to decorate Chad and Erica's sweetheart table.

I particularly loved our cake topper. I'm sure the photographer got a shot of it poised sweetly on top of the cake, but I barely saw it. I love how the porcelain figures resemble Chad and Erica:

It was somewhat hard to find. Cake toppers featuring actual couples tend toward the faintly lewd -- I mean, the bride in the groom's arms with her dress hiked up and her legs thrown around his waist -- really? Really? -- these days. It's discouraging but I was undaunted and eventually unearthed a gem that we'll treasure.

Speaking of treasures, I had fun with some posters I custom-made for the doors of the church, for guests to see as they approached and walked in. There were four, but here are pictures of two:

That's a picture I took of Chad last year. Beside him are photos of both sets of his grandparents, and also his parents, on their wedding days.

Here's the same for Erica:

It was nice. I really liked doing that. It's all about continuity, and a goodly heritage.

Our centerpieces featured glass cylinders from the dollar store, decoupaged with South Carolina maps and lit from within with tea lights. This spoke to Chad and Erica's love of exploring and hiking in South Carolina.

I have eighteen of these, just in case you want one.

I'll share more later but now, I need a nap. TG is relaxing on the golf course today.

Here's a parting shot of a glowing Erica, from her pre-bridal shoot at the South Carolina State House. 

Photo Credit: Charlie Mather Photography

Thanks from the bottom of my heart for your many prayers and well-wishes, the thoughtful congratulatory emails and calls, and the gifts and cards sent by blogging buddies dear friends in advance of the day.

I wish you all could have been there. Later this week I'll share more details.

Meanwhile, the newlyweds are enjoying a leisurely several days in Savannah, with plans to travel down to St. Augustine for a day or two before coming home. 

And that is all for now.

=0=0=0=

Happy Monday

Comments

[Sally]

You said it, kid - BEAUTIFUL in every way! I'm so happy for them, and all of you. Your family has expanded lately, and that's a wonderful thing! :)

The dress, the bride, the bride's sister, the decorations, I could go on and on. You all did fabulously! Love what you did with the photo's on the church doors. Lovely to say the least.

Okay, I'm getting a little syrupy here. :)

Thanks for sharing this, and you get some rest young lady.
xoxo

[Judy]

I LOVE the genealogy doors!!!!!
What are you going to do now? You will miss all the fun you had planning the decorations and such.
No doubt you will be bored
Erica's dress is beautiful--so elegant and a lovely top. I dislike strapless wedding dresses!
They look so purely in love. I pray God continues to bless them in their new life..

[Jennifer]

@Sally ... thanks and don't worry about too much syrup. It WAS sweet but in a good way. xoxo

@Judy ... I've got a few projects planned for the summer! For one thing, I've got a stack of books I'd like to read. We're sick of strapless dresses too; Erica never considered that. Too few girls can "really" wear that style; most should avoid it. I'm glad to say that sleeves -- even of the cap variety -- seem to be back "in" for wedding gowns. Thanks for your prayers! xoxo

[Mari]

Big smiles over here! I thought of all of you and prayed things would so well. Sounds like it did! I love the pics. Your posters of wedding pictures are just perfect. Chad and Erica both have wonderful examples to follow.
Glad you showed those favors too, I was waiting to see what you had been working on!
Beautiful wedding!

[Donna (Texas)]

Leave it to me to be constantly late to the party!!
They are a Gorgeous couple Miss Jenny!! Hope you are getting all rested up...
hughugs

[Julia Hagans]

Dear Aunt Jenny,

Thank you for posting even a few shots, of course I was craving more but I totally understand you not having your camera with you. Erica looked beautiful as usual and I am so glad her day went well, wish we could have been there. Miss you all have a great day.

[Jennifer]

@ Mari ... your prayers were answered! A few little things went wrong and they'll haunt me forever but I need to learn to let it go. I'll tell all about it later. xoxo

@Donna ... Thanks my friend! xoxo

@Julie ... We missed you too! Wish you could have been there and I mean that. Stay tuned and as soon as we get the finished gallery from the photographer, I will share! Love to you, Joe, and little Tony. xoxo

[Cheryl]

Now that is a beautiful bride! I am so glad that it all went well and they are enjoying their honeymoon in Savannah. I do love the picture of Chad and Erica at the historic bridge. I hope that you rest of and catch your breath while Greg is catching his breath of fresh air on the golf course. (I hope you can read this. I have double vision today and I can't tell an m from an n)
Congratulations to the lovely couple!

[Jennifer]

@Cheryl ... you're doing very well for someone with double vision! I hope it clears up soon, unless you just want to keep seeing two of everything good. Like, two ice cream cones? Eat them both. xoxo

[Barb]

Oh happiness! I loved reading your post and seeing the bridal gown. So glad all went well. Whew - you don’t have any other celebrations up your sleeve, do you? I’d be exhausted. Hope you can now sit by the pool and read.

[Jennifer]

@Barb ... my celebrations for the rest of the summer consist of reading a stack of books and paddling in the pool. Until August that is, when we hope to go to Chicago again to see the Cubs play. But we sure have made lots of lovely memories. Enjoy the sand between your toes! xoxo