A Fairytale Ending From the “Venue Disaster”
The morning began with a sweet email from the bride’s father asking me for some information. He didn’t want to bother his daughter on her wedding day. After all she had been through with moving her venue just a couple weeks before he wanted her day to be perfect. I assured him everyone was in place to make that happened. I told him not to worry and that I personally promise to see to it that her day is wonderful!
Soon the chapel bells chimed at Highland Park United Methodist Church and the heavy wooden doors opened to reveal a gorgeous bride and her proud father. I have seen lots of weddings but something about this one brought me to tears at that moment. Maybe it was because in this day and age when you see a couple embrace the elements of a traditional wedding complete with the organ playing the wedding march, it just tugs at your heartstrings. Or maybe it was because all three of us have fallen in love with this sweet bride and her adoring husband. They come from good stock and everyone was there with nothing but the best of wishes for this couple.
The sanctuary is gorgeous and didn’t need much help but the stunning flowers created by Darrell Ward Designs added the perfect finishing touch. Everything went off fine except for a cute little flower girl dropping her basket at the beginning of her descent down the aisle. It took a little prodding from her mom to abandon the fallen petals but everyone loves a precious flower girl!
Other than that everything was wonderful and the catch in the bride’s voice as she recited her vows touched me as it reiterated what a sensitive thoughtful girl our client is. Jessica and David were glowing as they went down the aisle. They truly looked like the topper on a wedding cake!
The reception took place at The Crescent Hotel Gallery Ballroom. On the terrace, the guests enjoyed a cocktail hour with mini beef wellingtons, crabcakes, and grape salad on crostinis while they waited for the arrival of the bride and groom. Pink lemonade was passed to help with those who were parched but not ready to belly up to the bar just yet.
After the first dance, all the guests were seated and served a delicious dinner of a duet of beef tenderloin and chicken. I just love a plated dinner because everyone finishes at the same time and so we can get the party started sooner. However, it was another hour before we could cut the cake as the Gacke and Teed men failed to tell us they were putting on the comedy hour…we only had them down for a toast…but the room was filled with laughter as many stories of their youths were shared. You can tell this is a couple that places great emphasis on family and I love it!
Finally, it was time for cake and eyeballs. Wait …what? Yes, David is an eye doctor and they had Panini Bakery make truffles that looked like eyeballs instead of a groom’s cake. The really funny part happened when you bit into them as they were actually cherries on the inside! This is just a small example of David’s great sense of humor.
Thanks to our friend Brian Prescott of Simply Music, the dance floor was packed. He really knows how to get a party going! Kathy and I loved seeing how much fun this whole group was having on the dance floor! Then all too soon it was time for them to depart. In a shower of bubbles, they ran off for a well deserved honeymoon. Jessica’s dad came up and whispered in my ear…”You were right.” I turned and looked at him with a quizzical look and he said “It WAS Wonderful!!” That just made my night!!
We wish them a lifetime of bliss. ~Beth
