Monica gets married!
Monica and Jim at the rehearsal dinner
Nikki applying Monica's make-up
Cousin Jamie and sister Jessica help Monica into her dress
Posing for pictures!
Jim and Monica with baby CarolineAbout 11 days ago, my dear friend Monica took the plunge. Back in August, she phoned with the joyous news that she'd gotten engaged to Jim, her then boyfriend. I was very excited for her (remembering the experience of being engaged, myself). Figuring she would be getting married some time in 2008, I looked forward to being back to attend. She surprised me again with the date of the wedding--December 29th, 2007! Would I be back in the country by then? Yes! Could I stand up in the wedding? You bet!!
So, while I was home, I headed to Grand Rapids for the wedding (which worked out well with our family Christmas--we had it the following Sunday). I had my red dress (which had been tailored for me under the gun by local Batavian (and Korean!) Joon, the seamstress extraordinaire), and looked forward to seeing my good buds Becca and Nikki (who were also to stand up in the wedding).
I didn't make it to most of the pre-wedding festivities (since I was visiting with family), but I certainly enjoyed the rehearsal and dinner following (the groomsman I was to walk with, Dale, was about a whole foot taller than me! But he was very nice, and we had fun chatting). It was great to be with Nikki and Becca again, and to see Monica's family too, who I'd gotten to know during my Calvin days.
The day of the wedding I headed to the church at 11:00 to get my hair done by Monica's cousin, Erin. She did a great job, and curled my now long brown locks and swept them up in back. It looked awesome, and I had definitely had fun getting to know Erin, a very sweet and talented girl. After a while the other members of the wedding party started to arrive, and we busied ourselves getting ready (Nikki was a savior and helped me with my makeup--thanks Nik!) for pictures. Then Monica came in with her hair all up, got her makeup done (again, genius Nik), and the girls helped her into her dress. I was quite impressed at how calm and collected she seemed!
We did the typical photo shoot, including some outside in the snow---BRRRRR! Everyone looked awesome, and it was really cute seeing the flower girls and Monica's niece Caroline in little white dresses made by Monica's mom.
The ceremony went fine and without hitch (Paul even found me and took the camera in so he could take a few shots!). I was in between Becca and Nikki up front. Monica and Jim were positively beaming up there, and the pastor said they were the happiest couple to be standing there he'd ever seen. Her dad sang the solo, Amazing Grace, toward the end, and I think that's when most of us lost it.
After the ceremony, there was a fun private bus for the bridal party to take to the reception at the museum. We had fun rocking out along the way, loosening up with beer and wine coolers, getting ready to get out on the dance floor. It was definitely a fun way to arrive in style.
At the reception, Becca, Nikki, Paul and I were at the same table with my college roommate Lisa and her husband Jason. It was great to talk with them and catch up, and to get out and boogie on the floor, just like we did in our college days. It was a blast being all gussied up, dancing and chilling with old friends all night long, reminiscing about the old days. It definitely went by too fast!
Monica looked amazing and she looked very natural circling the hall with Mr. Workman. They were bound for a getaway to Aruba, and by now they're probably back. I hope it was bon voyage, you two!
So, while I was home, I headed to Grand Rapids for the wedding (which worked out well with our family Christmas--we had it the following Sunday). I had my red dress (which had been tailored for me under the gun by local Batavian (and Korean!) Joon, the seamstress extraordinaire), and looked forward to seeing my good buds Becca and Nikki (who were also to stand up in the wedding).
I didn't make it to most of the pre-wedding festivities (since I was visiting with family), but I certainly enjoyed the rehearsal and dinner following (the groomsman I was to walk with, Dale, was about a whole foot taller than me! But he was very nice, and we had fun chatting). It was great to be with Nikki and Becca again, and to see Monica's family too, who I'd gotten to know during my Calvin days.
The day of the wedding I headed to the church at 11:00 to get my hair done by Monica's cousin, Erin. She did a great job, and curled my now long brown locks and swept them up in back. It looked awesome, and I had definitely had fun getting to know Erin, a very sweet and talented girl. After a while the other members of the wedding party started to arrive, and we busied ourselves getting ready (Nikki was a savior and helped me with my makeup--thanks Nik!) for pictures. Then Monica came in with her hair all up, got her makeup done (again, genius Nik), and the girls helped her into her dress. I was quite impressed at how calm and collected she seemed!
We did the typical photo shoot, including some outside in the snow---BRRRRR! Everyone looked awesome, and it was really cute seeing the flower girls and Monica's niece Caroline in little white dresses made by Monica's mom.
The ceremony went fine and without hitch (Paul even found me and took the camera in so he could take a few shots!). I was in between Becca and Nikki up front. Monica and Jim were positively beaming up there, and the pastor said they were the happiest couple to be standing there he'd ever seen. Her dad sang the solo, Amazing Grace, toward the end, and I think that's when most of us lost it.
After the ceremony, there was a fun private bus for the bridal party to take to the reception at the museum. We had fun rocking out along the way, loosening up with beer and wine coolers, getting ready to get out on the dance floor. It was definitely a fun way to arrive in style.
At the reception, Becca, Nikki, Paul and I were at the same table with my college roommate Lisa and her husband Jason. It was great to talk with them and catch up, and to get out and boogie on the floor, just like we did in our college days. It was a blast being all gussied up, dancing and chilling with old friends all night long, reminiscing about the old days. It definitely went by too fast!
Monica looked amazing and she looked very natural circling the hall with Mr. Workman. They were bound for a getaway to Aruba, and by now they're probably back. I hope it was bon voyage, you two!
posted by streetwise at 4:38 AM
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