We picked a perfect venue for the family luncheon! After the wedding we had about 75 close family members and friends meet us at the Brick Oven restaurant in Provo, Utah. We had a room to ourselves with an attendant on staff at all times. The food was set up nicely, kept warm, and delicious. We had a few different choices of pasta, green salad, and brownies. The cost ended up being around $10 per person, which was split 3 ways between the bride's family, Christopher's father, and me.
2 hour break before the wedding...whew!
Jared and I ran to my house to recoup and change. I should mention here that Jared was a rock throughout and could not have done a better job of making sure that I had everything I needed throughout this very special and emotional day. After a brief rest, we went to Sears to look at tools, dressed to the nines. It was a nice break from the stress, and he picked up a tool set that will no doubt be used for home improvements in my home. At one point during the reception I felt a bit overwhelmed and needed a break. He held me in his arms in the foyer and danced a slow dance with me, then sat with me and made me laugh until I felt great again and was able to rejoin the festivities.
The reception itself was gorgeous. Deni Ward, owner of I Do...Weddings, is a dear friend of mine. She transformed the room into a beautiful reception hall of red, black, silver and white. I will post pictures as soon as I get them.
Debra was a lovely bride in a white dress with a red sash. The rubies and diamonds in her wedding and engagement rings were the inspiration for wedding colors. Chris wore a black tux with a red tie. They are a beautiful couple.
At the end of the night we opted for glow sticks instead of the traditional rice throwing. The kids (I guess they are adults now) ran the gauntlet of glow sticks and jumped in the car (decorated by Chris's brothers and sister in law) to drive off to their new life together. Debra's dad promptly jumped in the back seat where he stayed for a few minutes...frankly, I was surprised that he got out :) The honeymoon was spent in Seattle (without Debra's dad).
Chris and Debra are off on a new adventure, and I am starting a new era in my life. The kids are grown. I am 41 years old and am in a stage of life that generally doesn't occur until 50 or 60. In some ways, I am very lucky. I don't always feel it. I want to live in a family setting, and think a house is always happier filled with children, but there are definitely some perks to living on my own schedule and having fewer responsibilities.
I am now helping some friends of mine plan their wedding, and look forward to one day planning my own.
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