It's finally over. One tornado warning, a few torrential downpours, one phone call to the police department, numerous gray hairs and a beautiful wedding ceremony later, we are finally decompressing.It was stressful, a lot of work, but very well worth it.
Wednesday night: tent arrives; three guys put it up in 90 degree heat with about 98 percent humiditiy. They then jump in the lake to cool off.
Thursday: Becky, Brad, Janell and Janice arrive to begin preparations. The cake is made; the tent is decorated, tables and linens are picked up...we decide to go out for dinner. That is nixed when a huge storm blows through and we watch in horror as the tent lifts off the ground, settles back down, lifts off again...Scott is out in the downpour with twine and stakes. He knows in his head that it it probably pointless, but has to try anyway. God is good. The tent stays put, most of the decorations stay up. But the rain continues to fall....
Friday: Three inches of rain overnight. AAAARRRRGGGG!!! The tent has turned into a swamp area, thanks to the drainage of our sump pump. A quick trip to Menards and 75 feet of blue rubber hosing laster, the sump pump is rerouted down a hill. Brad shop-vacs the grass. Sara arrives to help (what a great sister!!) and gets right to work. We run errands like chickens with our heads cut off. Get home with minutes to spare before rehearsal. Hold the rehearsal in the driveway because the yard is too wet.
Friday night: Shelter house at the park is still locked (despite promises by the city that it would be unlocked at 5:30 for rehearsal dinner). Caterer is called and told to delay. 6:45, someone finally arrives to unlock it after we call the police department (non-emergency number, of course.) Grr. We eat, Sara and I leave to get the house cleaned up a little. AWESOME sister scrubs my kitchen floor for me - we were all sticking to it before that. She rocks.
Saturday dawns bright and clear. Things dry out a little. Six AM, we set out chairs for the ceremony, decorate the arch over the patio, put out linens, centerpieces, etc. etc. etc. Use generous amounts of duct tape to keep things from blowing in the wind. Take the sides of the tent down to let the breeze through. Put the sides of the tent up to stop the wind from wreaking havoc on the decor. Back down. Back up. (We lost count of how many times this happened during the course of the weekend.) Pictures begin. Pictures end. The clouds roll in. I pray and pray and pray and pray.... The wedding begins, a few sprinkles here and there. Wedding continues. Scott sneaks down to the beach to set off fireworks during "the kiss" and can't hear, so sets them off during "the prayer." Everyone giggles a bit. Finally, the kiss - more fireworks go off. They are finally married!! Appetizers on the patio...still sprinkling a bit. We rush like mad people to move all the chairs from the ceremony site to the tent for the reception. Get it done; herd everyone into the tent and it begins to pour. Whew. It rains while we eat, then clears off and stays nice and cool for the rest of the evening.
It really was lovely, but Maggie is eloping.
Yes, an outdoor wedding definitely adds a whole new level of stress. And I would have to agree about the sister thing-they are amazing! I think God appreciated the fireworks during the prayer.
ReplyDeleteI can give Maggie some pointers on how to elope in style! Jake, too!
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