Melissa's Amusings: Wedding Preparations &/or Families Bonding

Abbie and Nathaniel became an official Fb couple on September 6, 2015. This occurred between our visit with Nathaniel in the first week of August and our next visit in October.

Abbie's Fb post/pic

Nathaniel's Fb post/pic

Of course we were eagerly awaiting to meet her!!

On our next visit with Nathaniel, we met Abbie at a restaurant, the Stone Cellar for dinner. We had a lovely evening of conversations and delicious food. Right from the get-go we also started meeting her wonderful family. Landon (brother-in-law who works there) treated us to a sampler flight of micro-brewed beer for this special occasion :-)
Later on the same visit, we were invited to join the O'Toole family at her Dad's workplace's ( Pierce Manufacturing -firetrucks) open house. We gathered in Abbie's living room and met her parents (Joan and Tim) and grandparents(Barb and Leo), before heading off to the open house. As we were all moving about getting ready to go, I overheard Barb say to Abbie; "What a fine young man you have there, he's a keeper" (or something very similar). Very heartwarming to hear that, and we had the same thoughts about Abbie :-) We all had a pleasant time visiting while touring the site, picnicking , and watching Abbie & Nathaniel strolling around together with her niece Emma.
I had not taken any pictures of this delightful beginning. I am hoping that by putting it into words, that will suffice in keeping my fond memories intact.

More visits and more fun memories were made:

Rory's(Abbie's nephew) first birthday party...what a cool present his great-Uncle Dave made/gave him!!! (picture is Hollie's-Abbie's sister)

June 4th Birthday cookout for Barb and Nathaniel, they share the same birthday date. :-)

The times we are together are very special and what could bring people even closer than a 'sing-along'!!

By August, exact date I can't remember, they were engaged !!!

Pic that Abbie sent me when the ring they ordered arrived.

Another get together that I don't have pictures of: during our visit in early August, before heading on to Door County; Joan and Tim had us over to celebrate the engagement. It was a joyful evening and they showed us the wedding venue- their beautiful backyard. They had a special meal prepared of awesome gourmet burgers (all this after they had a full day of traveling /driving and had just gotten home). I am not sure who was happier; we the parents or the engaged couple :-)

During the upcoming year, Abbie warmly included me in the different wedding festivities/planning sessions. Starting off with bridal dress shopping!!

First Bridal Shop

So many dresses, where does one start!?!?!?

Helpers

Helpers at play while Abbie is in dressing room.

The show begins :-)

Second bridal shop

Her own fitting room and mirror

As she tried on different styles...

we enjoyed watching.

Getting more serious....

figuring out the different styles...

of the different parts of the dresses that are liked/preferred. A little frustrating at times, but with Mom listening/caring, all is good.

Pockets were liked....but, maybe not in a wedding dress!

When I see this picture the song 'Sisters' from "White Christmas" runs through my head the rest of the day!

'Sisters, sisters There were never such devoted sisters" :-)

Mom trying on a dress for fun !

Beautiful!!

None of the dresses were quite right, Soooo, on to the fabric/sewing store to find the right pattern and material. In no time at all we found a pattern that with a few alterations would be perfect. Luckily, Joan is a talented seamstress!!!

While we were finding the pattern in the cabinet drawer, Hollie found the perfect mix of fabrics. She had Abbie close her eyes and with help walk to where she had the material displayed. There was no more looking and wondering; She found her beautiful wedding dress!!!!

3 layers of fabric

Saying 'Yes, to the dress' !!!!!

The decisions for what was going to be served at the reception was done by having 'Taste-testing' gatherings. We were able to participate in one where Jim brought different types of beers that he could make. After sampling ten different varieties, six were chosen.

The brewing of six cases of beer during the winter kept Jim busy :-)

Along with beer taste-testing, the 'signature' pizza was also decided. If I remember right, Joan had 3-4 different ones for us to decide from.

Jim helped out by 'patting' out the pizza dough.

The Reuben pizza was the winner!

A fun evening of 'taste-testing'!

Bad picture, but the only one I have of this gathering.

One of the fitting sessions while wedding dress was being made:

Keeping company with the seamstress

Amazing talent and patience for altering a pattern and making the dress of her daughter's dreams <3

Lovely pieces

Time to see how the parts are fitting.

Pins facing in direction that pricked the model....

However, with help she was able...

to slip on the skirt.

Re-doing the pins, so that for the next fitting the pins won't prick!

Cutting strips of material for the making of the fabric wall; the backdrop for the wedding ceremony.

Abbie kept us connected when we couldn't be there by sending pics of the latest wedding preparations.

Table top decorations being made.

Tree cookies (Abbie's pic)

Lovely! (Abbie's pic)

Groom and Groomsmen attires:

Different possible tie selections (Abbie's pic)

BRIDAL SHOWER

The bells

The hostesses put a lot of love into planning this delightful shower:

Elegant table settings

Splendid High Tea Delicacies

A Scrumptious ,refreshing cake made by Hollie

Pleasing Present display

Planned Activities

admiring the rings

where can they be????

Winning pile of rings

Nathaniel Trivia Quiz

Emily had too much fun asking the questions as...

Abbie had to add another piece of gum to chew....

whenever she missed a question .

All in all, she really didn't miss that many :-)

TP Bridal Gown Contest

Teacups For Everyone

Emma's 'just right' sized cup

Opening Of Presents

Bride's view

Special sign for wedding venue, hand made by Hollie

I watched Jackie carefully placing the different ribbons and bows into a beautiful display....I wondered why and what happened to it....found out much later!

A Wonderful Gathering Of Friends And Family

'Sisters, sisters There was never such devoted sisters"

lovely ladies

That evening, a bachelorette party

Joan, Ann, and I participated in the dinner portion of party

About a week before the wedding and the preparation activities increase! Time to clear out and clean the back garage.....

Tim's lifelong beetle project is being moved. (from Abbie's Fb post)

and transform it from a 'Sanford and Son' garage (how Joan described it) into an elegant wedding food venue. The following pics Abbie sent me while they were working :-)

Cupboards along the wall will be hidden.

Floor is painted, curtain is up with lights; hiding the workshop wall.

After seeing these pics, I figured there wouldn't be much left for us to help with when we arrived a few days later.....not to worry, there was still plenty to do :-)

But, there was still time for a little 'peek-a-boo' from behind the curtains!

Or just spending some precious moments with these cuties.

I was impressed with how they had planned and organized for all the details involved for setting up a wedding. Everything was grouped together and staged in appropriate areas.

Table decorations ready for when the tables arrive.

Food and party tableware and decorations

Drinks and chips/crackers/appetizers

Attractive vases were even ready and waiting for the bouquets to be made !!

A nice touch that very few would see.

It was time for the different items to be moved to their final reception placement.....

From basement to near door and then from here to reception area.

Final lawn work/maintenance, mowing....

adorable helpers

pruning, edging, and spraying insect repellent on lawn.

Lots of rain made for lots of mosquitoes!

Crafting a light decoration for the garden path.

Checking out the lights at dusk before we call it a day and head off to Milwaukee's airport to pick up Justin.

The enchanting yard lights provided a tranquil interlude....

for mother/daughter time :-)

By the time we arrived the next day, the tent had already been delivered and set up.

So ,we got busy right away stringing lights.

While inside there was a lot of food preparation being done!!

Busy ,but fun!!

Delicious meatballs made and frozen by Joan weeks earlier.

The awesome creative talents and organizational skills of these women were impressive!

Masterminds at work

By late afternoon some of the out of state relatives arrived and we all had an enjoyable time meeting each other and mingling.

Day Before Wedding

During the morning , Abbie and her bridesmaids were having a memorable time making the flower bouquets and corsages.

Abbie had worked at a florist and was experienced....

she is now teaching her skills to her bridesmaids :-)

Nathaniel was needed as a model.

A lot of laughter and good times

A sampling

Now using Geoffrey as a model.

Beautiful bouquets in their pretty vases, all set for tomorrow!

While bouquets were being made outside, beer caps were being labeled inside.

Square stood for 'O'Blood's Irish Red Ale"

Beer bottles are labeled and Nathaniel is working on the music playlist while we keep him company.

Early afternoon was busy setting up a tent over the commodes....

Placing decorative Birch logs at ceremony site...

Getting only one clothes line on the supports for the fabric/ribbon backdrop....

Setting up chairs....

Abbie and Geoffrey making sure that the aisle is a proper width :-)

Relaxing and enjoying the accomplishments of the day !!

Too bad I don't have a picture of my 'Spa water' drink that Joan introduced me to....it is now a favorite for me :-)

It's Rehearsal Time

We did two 'practices' and the anticipation increases tremendously for tomorrow's ceremony!! I do believe that the love, joy, and happiness that we felt shines through in these pictures.