Hello dear friends! After what feels like way too longI am back herein one of my favorite spaces to share my personal stories.
The wedding has come and goneand it left me so full of love and emotionI have been stymied for days as were to begin.
I finally realized today just to share the day from my perspectiveas Mother of the Bride.Becauseright here this is my space.My online journal of sorts.I know everyone who was at the weddingcame and leftwith their own version and experiences.It was a magical night to be sure!
I have decided to share firstWhat We WorethenThe Wedding Ceremony and ReceptionMother of the Bride Advice.
and
Untangling an Estrangement
Because isn't that what so much of life is aboutsharing our stories honestlyin the hopes of helping others.
Of course crowns were a plenty at the wedding!From the ones we wore hereto Ellis's fresh floral party crown for the receptionto crowns for Ellis's gorgeous bridal partyand finallycrowns in dozens for props for the photo booth!
But the truly meaningful crownis the one Ellis is wearing here for the ceremony.
It was one of the first crowns I madeeven before she was born!
It is made out of millinery pieces gifted to me by Jeff's grandmother.She had sent me one of my favorite gifts ever …A box filled with pieces of millenary trimsfrom when, as a young womenshe worked at Saks Fifth Avenue in the hat department!So how beautiful and meaningful that my girl chose this crown for her wedding day!
We had a fabulous photographer(s)who expertly captured the men getting ready at the hotel
and
so much morewith a poetic eye!I'll share more about Elyse in my next postbut until then I have huge gratitude for her capturesthat we as a family will treasure always!
Elliot, the groom who thinks of everythinghad all his groomsmen meet up in the morningfor a classic professional shave at the barber
before getting ready at the hotel.
And wow!Did they all clean up ever so dapper!!
Meanwhile in our fabulous venue with it's own historic "getting ready room"Ellis and her girls were also busy dressing for the day!
My favorite hairdresser Sydney Nelsonwas there to make sure everyone had hair and makeup done!
I can't tell you how glad I was to have her therebecause by the time for my makeup to be doneI was such an emotional messI don't know if I could have even done my own!So thanks again Syd for being therenot only for makeup and hairbut for your loving ability to calm.I will be ever grateful.
One of my favorite parts of the wedding ceremony were the vows Ellis and Elliot did for each other.Man, there was hardly a dry eye in the place.And boydid that set the tone for the evening celebrating love!
Did I mention Elliot thinks of everything
andhe also knows his girl well …
He had made sure she had a new Tiffany necklace for the occasionand that was one hard secret to keep!
I think Ellis probably thought I had just dropped the ball regarding finishing accessories.
Like I ever could.
Finally it was time to put on her Vera Wang wedding dressthat had been hanging so patiently at home
baggedwaiting for it's big reveal!
With dresses and crowns in placeit was time for pre ceremony pictures in the Rock Garden.
Time was made for a sweet blind hand holding …
Which left our handsome groom with love overflowing.I have loved Elliot for a long time as he and Ellis have been together for over five years.But I never have loved him morethan I do nowafter the wedding ceremonyseeing just how much he truly loves our girl.
It's not an easy thing to marry off your daughterat least not for this MommaBut boy seeing the love they truly have for each othermade it a Really Great Day.
A family milestone
reverently achieved.
As a parentyou couldn't ask for anything more
than to witness such love for your daughter
by her husband.
And her for him,
One of the other things I was really looking forward to …
When my husband saw his 'little girl'
for the first time in her wedding gown.
We arranged for the moment to be captured.
Priceless it was.
As in any wedding …
There were so many stories inside of the wedding story.
One of my very favorite
is right here.
Slater my son that had been estranged for years
has been making his way back for over a year.
In a story so touching and personal
with his permission
I will be writing soon
about how we were able to
Untangle an Estrangement.
And we definitely have.
Slater was not only 'at' the wedding
but fully present
and
My Wedding Hero to be sure.
Always there to support when I needed it most
(which before the ceremony was often).
He was the one to walk me down the aisle
and
we were both overcome
at how far we have traveled back to each other over the last year.
Prayers can be answered.
And Hope does spring eternal.
I will share our story at a different time
as encouragement
to anyone who is traveling the pain of estrangement.
Having my three togetherfor the weddingmeant everything to this Momma's heart.
So by nowin this part of our story everyone is dressed and readyfor the main event!
One oh so happy gorgeous bride …
Plus one super loving handsome groom!
Stayed tuned for the ceremonyand all our fabulous reception decor!!
As always my friends
I wish you love and joyas you style your life
Thank you ever so much for following alongon our family journey. xoxo
linking with
The StyleCrone's Hat Attack