The Wedding

Today was the much anticipated wedding day for our youngest daughter Sarah and her groom Nolan Smith. When we awoke at 5:00 am weather.com was checked and it was posting 0 % chance of rain until noon then it jumped to 35% chance. That seemed to be ok as the wedding pictures were suppose to start taking place at 9:00 am but by 8:00 am we were getting quite a down pour. The Sceggel family pictures were delayed until 2:30 pm meaning I didn't have to arrive at the fellowship hall until 10:30 am. Yesterday evening Karin held a vaulting clinic and mentioned that Ribbon was so thirsty she drank out of the hose when they were cooling her off. We have an automatic waterer in the mare pasture so I thought that better be checked this morning. It was working ok but since there is a water tank in the big field that joins the mare pasture I just decided to fill that too. As that tank was filling I noticed the mare pasture needed another bale and even though it was raining decided to take the skid steer and give them one. The skid steer started sliding in the mud, not turning correctly and I kind of got it stuck next to a tree but was able to get it out and drop the bale in the feeder. Then as I was turning off the water I looked to the right and saw the electric fence was down and dragged into the field. I went tromping through the slippery wet grass and mud restringing the entire line. By the time I made it back to the house Mark informed me that the phone kept going off. The main message was BRING TOWELS! Even though the chairs for the wedding were set up under the pavilion the rain was so heavy they were getting wet. I arrived to find my family hard at work.

 Above Joan, Amy and Diane are stirring the pulled pork and below  Sophia, Hannah, Diane and Amy are working on the salad.

 Above Willie and Karen Hoffstettor are arranging the fresh fruit while below Bill and Bethany are getting ice in the cups so Berlica, Faith and Mackenson can put them on the table.

 Above Hannah, Sophia, Diane and Kary are still working on the salad while Bill and Levi fill the tubs with water and ice.

 Rhonda made the lemonade and kept the drink containers full.

 The weather deteriorated as the time for the wedding arrived. The bride, her attendants, her flower girl and sign carrying boy waited inside for an umbrella escort as the rest of us made our way to the pavilion.

I didn't have my camera for the actual wedding ceremony but was able to steal the picture below off someone's Facebook page.

 The minister had to speak LOUDLY into the microphone when the rain started pounding the pavilion roof. There were a few drips but for the most part everyone stayed almost dry during the ceremony. Once Sarah and Nolan were pronounced husband and wife and introduced to the crowd of many witnesses we ran into the fellowship hall for the reception. The candy machine was the most popular of everything during the wait to sign the guest book and not just by the children. The adults had just as much fun choosing which to try. We went through 40 pounds of candy, a hundred slim jim sticks, and 3 big cans of mixed nuts from of the candy table and machine. Since most of the guests were a little damp and the air conditioner was set low most people went straight to the coffee table to warm up. I realized pretty quickly a half gallon of French Vanilla creamer wasn't going to make it. Dan ran to Sam's club and bought 4 more. It took a while to get everyone in and seated before the wedding party could be introduced as they made their way up to the head table.

 The best man gave his speech and then it was Rhoda's turn. Both the best man and Rhoda had us laughing.

 Nolan and Sarah excused each table to go through the food line. This gave the guests time to congratulate the new couple. Below they are getting ready to cut the cake.

 Above I was introducing my grand daughters to some of the guests and below the single crowd is getting ready for the bouquet toss. Now just for the record we made Eva Jean and Shirley go up.

 Sarah looked back and tossed it way up to the ceiling to give everyone a fair shot.

 It landed right in Shirley's hand! It must be a sign

The party was still going strong when for some reason Nolan and Sarah wanted to leave.

 they were sent off with candy sprinkles and bubbles. Check out the sprinkles in the puddles below. Sarah had asked Anni to clean  up the sprinkles thinking they could just be swept up but it was a little harder with the amount of rainfall. She ended up sweeping them up then had to hose off the driveway as the melted sugar made the black top slick.

 The little boy below was having a ball jumping up and down in one of the many puddles.

Join us in congratulating Nolan and Sarah.

After they left the rest of us got to work cleaning up. The men had a big job, the chairs had to be brought back inside and the picnic tables put back under the pavilion. The bridesmaids worked on taking down all the decorations, a lot of the men helped put the chairs and tables back and within a couple hours we were done and ready to leave for home. I've spent the evening washing table cloths and have the last load in the dryer. We are SO ready for bed tonight.