Abby and Joel's Wedding

This post is long overdue, Carl was using a new camera and didn't realize some settings weren't right so our personal pictures didn't turn out very well.  I opted to wait for the professional photographer who unfortunately took months to return the finished photos. Once I had the pictures, I then dropped the ball because of silliness around here. 

But with no further ado:


June 27, 2015
  Joel and Abby's Wedding 

  Joel Vanden Heuvel asked for Abby Lockwood's hand in marriage.

Abby said Yes. 

Time flew by and suddenly the day we had all worked and planned for had arrived, Saturday, June 27, 2015.  The weather was perfect, not too hot and no rain in sight.  

 Rehearsal was the night before.  We all went through the routine twice and all questions were answered.

Running through the ceremony

Joel and Abby rehearsing the candle lighting

Moms, Grandmothers, Aunts, Uncles, all anxiously waiting.

Our Neighbor Son, Eric and his wife, Vanessa

 

All done!

 There I am, sitting around like usual.

After a nice rehearsal dinner with the bridal party and parents, we set up the tables at the hall for the wedding supper.  Everything went smoothly and it was time to go home and get ready for the big day.
 
Everything was a blur of activity the next day; Carl and I were going to set up refreshments for after the ceremony at the garden for the bridal party and guests.  Last minute details were, as usual, keeping us running in circles.  The wedding was at 1PM, so we were in high gear. 

My friends Ann and Sharon had volunteered to come back to our house after the ceremony and set up the food so I wouldn't have to rush home from church.  Still, there was lots to do before the wedding and I was a sweaty mess when Carl told me it was high time to get in the house and get ready to go.  Yikes, it was nearly eleven!  Why didn't anyone tell me before this?  (Ok, Carl did, but I didn't listen; just one more thing and I'll be right there.  My famous last words.)

Abby had kindly asked me if I wanted to go along with her bridal party and her mother to have my hair done.  I probably should have said yes; indeed, I debated it, but I know how I am; I'd never be able to get everything done that needed doing, so I opted out.  My friend Nancy had given me a wonderful haircut and I was hopeful that with a little hair product and a lot of luck, I'd be more or less presentable.  

I jumped in and out of the shower at eleven-fifteen,  grabbed a blow dryer and curling iron, applied what passes for makeup for me (which is pretty dismal) and ta da, 11:45PM, where's the car?  It's time to go to church.

 I had bought my dress back in March which was early for me.  For once I didn't want to be frazzled looking for a gown at the last minute.  Carl and I had gone all the way to Algoma on the recommendation of a friend who had a good experience with the proprietor.  I'd never seen so many dresses in one place and found what I needed in under an hour.  Carl had a new suit and shoes for the wedding too, and we cleaned up fairly well.

We picked up Mom and arrived at church right on time.  

The first vision of loveliness I saw was the bride, beautiful Abby. 
 

 
 

Abby and I hugging, with Mom and Gina looking on.

 Abby was radiant, I'd been privileged to be invited when she selected her wedding gown, and it was perfection.

          Abby's Mom and stepfather, LeeAnn and Brian

Abby's Grandmother, LeeAnn, her sister, Maid of Honor, Kate, and Kate's daughter, Greta. 


  While the bridesmaids helped Abby get ready, Mom and I wandered upstairs to see what was going on with the menfolk.

L-R: Eric, Joel, David, Cody

Ah, yes, the usual goofiness. 

When The Boss (Carl)  showed up, they behaved themselves.  There, that's better.

We had our family pictures taken:

 Our sons, David, the Best Man and the Groom, Joel

 

How do you tie a tie again?

Me, messing around with Joel's flowers. 

 

Say cheese. 

 Last minute jitters.

David, looking calm and collected.

Our family

Soon it was time for Carl and I to head upstairs to greet the guests as they came into church.

I'd left Mom with Ann who was taking some wonderful candid shots.

Mom being ushered to her seat.

 

                     Carl and I making our entrance.
                         And:  The bride, Abby, with Brian.
    

I didn't cry.  (Much.)  Ok, a little.  I think Carl did, too.  

You may kiss the bride.

LeeAnn and I light the mother's candles.

Abby and Joel light their marriage candle.

"For the first time ever, Mr. and Mrs. Joel Vanden Heuvel!"

Kate and David

Brian and LeeAnn

   

 Carl's parents, Don and Rosemary

 Mom

The receiving line

Part of the receiving line, it was long!

Joel hugging Grandma Lucille

Signing the marriage certificate

More family photos:

Abby's dear Granny

Joel's paternal grandparents, Rosemary and Don

Joel and Dave

Joel and Carl

Joel and Mom

                       A whole bunch of Vanden Heuvel's

Next, it was time to head to the garden for a few hours.

What a beautiful bride!

Abby's family

Some of Joel's family

Grandma Lucille (Mom was 95)

What?  Is someone photobombing us?

 

While the professional photographer was taking photos, Carl was taking a bunch of his own. 

 

David and our friend, Briana

Curtis and Lisa

Pretty bridesmaids taking a break in the shade

 Dave and some ball balancing

Smiles!

 Dave and Eric

Me, wandering around in circles like usual, this time in heels.

Brian

Cody

 L to R: Vanessa, Grandma and Granny

 Jill (Joel's other Mom) and Mary Miller, our good friends.

David and Kate

 Pretty in Pink, Clara

 Handsome Jack, Abby's nephew

 Cody and Grace, trying not to fall in the pond.

 Emily and Richard

 Cody, Briana, Clara and Grace

 Emily and Richard, Jill and Jake

 Alright, almost 5PM, time to leave for the hall.

 

Mom painted and decorated the little church card box, it took her months, but she loved every minute of it.

 

Brian led us in prayer and contemplation

 Joel and Abby made the bouquets and decorations for their wedding.

 And the Lego Wedding Cake.  (They both love Legos.)

Let's eat!

But first, the happy couple must kiss.

Their first dance together as husband and wife.

            
Abby and Brian and the Father and Daughter dance.

 

 Joel and I and the mother/son dance.  When did he get so tall?

 

 

Time to Party!

Carl, visiting with our friends Patti and Mary.

 Carl and I took a few turns on the floor, too.

The Old Mr. and Mrs. Vanden Heuvel have been replaced by the new 2015 models.

Time for the Grand March, and a little garter shenanigans.

All too soon, the day was over. 

We didn't lose a son, we gained a beautiful new daughter!

 

Our hopes and prayers for Joel and Abby are never-ending.  

We love them dearly.  

                          And they lived happily ever after.