Maggie's Wedding, Second to Last Blog Post- Random Pictures

On this, my second to last blog post for Maggie's wedding, I thought I'd include some random pictures that Rob's Aunt Patty took - remember 99% of all pictures posted here were hers!!  Thanks again, Patty.

I may or may not have posted some of these.  A few of these pictures are "ALL NEW!!"

Picture #1 St. Paul's - empty before the wedding.
Picture #2 Rob's cousins
Picture #3 Bridesmaids at the Rehearsal
Picture #4 Guests having fun on the coach bus - which ran to and from the Reception
Picture #5 Dancing Guests
Picture #6 The lovely Horgan Family

Tomorrow is my very last "Maggie" Post - then it's all about KK!

"Family and Out-Of-Town Brunch"

The morning after the wedding, Debbie and I put on a brunch.  The invitees were family, out-of-town wedding guests, and the bridal party.  Ok…with all that was going on, I did nothing for the brunch but supply the venue.  Debbie and her lovely mom, the famous, "Grandma Jackie," did all the heavy lifting.  And Rob's aunts contributed as well. Please note the bounty on my dining room table!

Also of note is the GORGEOUS bowl of oranges shipped all the way form California by my dad.  They  sure were a hit.  We had more than just one full bowl.  When a few were eaten, we replenished them.  And as guests departed, they were given a "to go bag" full of oranges!

My family, all the way from California chipped in too. My mom, cousins Janet and Kim, all worked serving, heating dishes and keeping the table stocked.  Thank you, ladies!

The last picture is of one of the centerpieces from the reception.  They made lovely enhancements for our brunch.  As guests bid us farewell, we gifted our local female relatives with the blooms.  :-)

http://my.bookbaby.com/book/simply-the-best

As always, please consider checking out my new cozy mystery about a wedding planner in sunny Santa Barbara, CA.  It's available on e-book format from amazon, Barnes and Noble and Apple iBooks.

"Their Grand Departure!"

The Departure!

The picture above and to the left are the happy couple getting ready to take their leave.  They stayed around far longer than they needed to, in order to help gather things up - Bless them!  We had to be packed up and out by 11:00 PM, or pay a hefty penalty.  This was a case when many hands made light work.  Thank you to all who stayed behind to lend a hand, AND a car trunk.  We had more to ferry back home than I anticipated.  Yes, the Wadsworth gives each event a "cage" to store valuables to use for parties, but no perishables are allowed.

KK's venue - July 3, 2015, allows the party to break up by a stipulated time, but the vendors and the hosts can tidy and disband at their leisure - much more relaxed!

I finally shooed Maggie and Rob out the door and into their town car - to take them to their hotel…Happiness and Joy...

http://my.bookbaby.com/book/simply-the-best

Please visit my new blog for HELLO! Magazine
http://weddinghub.hellomagazine.com/motherofthebride/2014/08/preserving-top-layer-wedding-cake/

"One of My Happiest Things…"

As my blog for Maggie's nuptials comes to a end…(Never fear, I will continue my blog for KK's journey), I would like to share one of my favorite things about her wedding.

ONE of the happiest events for me personally was that my parents were able to attend.  For my Facebook family and friends…you may have seen these pictures. The first two are of my mom and dad at my own wedding almost 31 years ago - a most joyous day.

The last picture was taken on my iPhone at the reception, and YES, I realize my eyes are closed - it was either this picture or the one with my MOM's eyes closed…aren't I a good daughter?!?  But I cherish the picture non-the less.

A second favorite was the "Anniversary Dance."  I was unfamiliar with it, but this is how it works.   All married people were asked to dance at the reception.  Then the DJ, excuses couples that have been married, one year, then five, ten, fifteen and so on.  My parents won for being married 62!

 I'd like to thank my parents for being such good role models and loving mentors…AND for making the grueling trip form California.  I know I'm exhausted after the cross country flight.  I can only image the fatigue they must feel at almost 96 - Dad - and a MUCH younger mom…  :-)

http://my.bookbaby.com/book/simply-the-best

Please visit my new blog on "HELLO Magazine's on-line Wedding Hub.http://weddinghub.hellomagazine.com/motherofthebride/category/wedding-veil/
Above is a link to one of my posts.

"The Bird Cage"

It is common knowledge that one should consider a house sitter for weddings and funerals especially in the age we live in of social media. Not only did all my friends and family know when and where the wedding would be held - but so did anyone who happened to read this public blog.

But not only could your home potentially be vulnerable, but your reception site as well. We had no " bouncers" at the door of the "Wadsworth Mandion," and anyone could have walked in off the street - think "Wedding Crashers."

Debbie had the very wise idea to personalize a borrowed decorative bird cage - see picture number  one to the right, and two, below. In the second photo, KK and Maggie are standing to either side of the birdcage, (this was stored in our dining room - they just happened to be standing next to it in the photo, it was not a focal point of the picture!).  Guests who brought cards for Rob and Maggie were encouraged insert them into the bird cage by Mansion staff.

It there were any shenanigans attempted by an "ubsub" at the reception, I'm sure someone would notice them walking off with the birdcage…  :-)

In picture number three, you can see gifts to the right, and the now infamous birdcage at the very left edge of the picture.

http://my.bookbaby.com/book/simply-the-best

http://weddinghub.hellomagazine.com/motherofthebride/category/bachelorette-party/

Check out my new blog on HELLO! Magazine on-line for a glimpse into Maggie's Bachelorette Party in Boston!  Just clink on the link above!

Photo below: Patty  Cloherty

"Throwing of the Garter"

Photo: Patty Cloherty

Robert had the BEST idea for "Tossing the Garter."  He was going to stand on the balcony overlooking the massive brick patio, have the single men stand below, attach the grater to a football…and let it fly!  Sadly…it rained, and we had to set up one of those big white event tents over the patio - that is the "room" where you see much of the "goings on" in the posted photos.  The tent made it impossible to use the balcony.  Never fear, Rob put his plan into action, just inside the tent.  It was so fun. The DJ played the theme song to "Monday Night Football" as he threw a perfect spiral.

And guess who caught it?!?  --- The seventh grade younger brother of Tess and Julia's friends.  This young man had had a crush on the much older Maggie for about 2 years when he was 4 to 6 years old. We think now, though, that he more excited about the brand new football Rob had purchased for the event, than the honor of catching the garter -- but he still thinks Maggie's beautiful.  :-)

Please enjoy the pictures of the varied garters below.  I still maintain that a bride should wear two…one to wear and hand down to her daughters, and one to throw.

www.weddingbee.com

www.weddinghairstyleshq.com

www.atlantabridalweddings.com

http://weddinghub.hellomagazine.com/motherofthebride/2014/08/wedding-flowers-honored-ladies/

Please visit my new blog for HELLO! Magazine on-line atheist Wedding Hub.  I'm "The Mother of Bride"

http:my.bookbaby.com/book/simply-the-best

"Tossing the Bouquet"

Time to toss the bouquet!  Our florist kindly offered to prepare - as a gift - a "Tossing Bouquet."  This way, Maggie could retain her bridal bouquet as a keepsake.
(The above picture, and picture to the left are our actual flowers).

But remember…I was not at the hotel when the flowers were delivered to Maggie -- there is still that, 'as yet not divulged situation that created havoc in our wedding day prep'…  so I did not realize until 3 minutes before Maggie was going to toss her bouquet that THERE WAS NOT A THROW AWAY BOUQUET!

What to do???  I ran - in those fancy shoes of mine :-) - to the head table, and started pulling flowers out of the arrangement.  Even in my haste, I tried to get a nice variety  :-)  But then I realized… when Maggie threw the flowers, they would go all over everywhere, as they were not tied together.  I glanced around and spied… bridesmaids' bouquets!  I grabbed one and began pulling off the satin ribbon which covered the flower stems.  My lovely sister-in-law, Teresa, helped me.  We quickly wound the ribbon around the "new" bouquet, inserted pearl headed pins to hold the ribbon, and DONE!  We had a bouquet.  (FYI, underneath the satin ribbon of the bridesmaid's bouquet was green florist tape holding the flowers together.  I'm not sure who's bouquet I robbed… but thank you!)

At this point, I calmly walked into the tent and handed Maggie her "Tossing Bouquet."  At least that's how I WANT to remember it.  Maybe I looked frazzled and haunted… but her Bridal bouquet was saved, and some lucky girl caught my creation.

http://my.bookbaby.com/book/simply-the-best

http://weddinghub.hellomagazine.com/motherofthebride/2014/08/wedding-flowers-honored-ladies/   Please visit my new blog for HELLO! Magazine on-line (the Wedding Hub) I'm "Mother of the Bride"