A Wedding Weekend to Remember

Jason and Lauren Jenkins. It's official.

After a lot of preparation, celebration and libation, this sweet couple tied the knot on Sunday, October 6, 2013. Oh, but let me back up a bit...

I headed up to L.A. the Friday before the wedding to start getting things in order as Marianne and I were doing the flowers. We were scheduled to go to the L.A. Flower Market really early on Saturday, so I needed to get up there to prep with her. It was such a blast to have everyone around! AJ was home with his beautiful friend Des, Kimmy and Bart were in town, Erica and B were helping with the kids, and Bill and Colleen drove up from SD for the festivities. The whole clan was there! Not only did we have a lot of fun chatting and catching up, but Marianne and I enlisted all of their help, of course...

Saturday was a whirlwind, but it was FUN. At times it was a bit hectic and frightening (were we going to get it all done?!), but mom, dad and Colleen were the best wedding helpers, and Erica and Reggie were great watching Alana and Ry Ry. It takes a village, people. Wait...village people?? HAHA!

Anyway, Saturday night was the rehearsal dinner in Marina del Rey at C & O Italian Cucina. It was SUCH great food and we all laughed until we cried! We let out a lot of steam and gave in to the red wine that was flowing...and boy was it flowing. They really know how to put on a good party! It was such a treat to hear Jason's speech - you could just feel the excitement for his big day pouring out of him. Mazel.

Sunday came and it was go time. Everyone helped load up Dalcorp One (my parents' gigantic motorhome) with all of the flowers and decorations, and Colleen, Marianne, dad and I headed out early to Shanghai Red's Restaurant in Marina del Rey. We got there just in time to start getting everything set up. To be honest, I wasn't sure we could pull it off. The wedding was at 5pm, it was currently 3:15pm and there were still customers at the restaurant milling about. It was time to MOVE IT people!

With a lot of frenzy and a few minor freak outs on my end, we were able to get everything out and ready just in time. I have to say...the colors, the designs, the centerpieces...everything just GLOWED in the light of the setting sun. Then the music started...

It's hard to describe what Lauren looked like as she walked down the aisle with her mom and dad, Susan and Craig. To say she was beaming just doesn't cut it. She looked like a kid on Christmas morning (or Hanukkah - ahem)...but no, it was more than that. As she walked down that aisle, she never took her eyes of of her man...her prize. It was one of the most wonderful moments of pure joy I've ever witnessed. There is such a tender love between the two of them and I truly felt it radiating. THAT'S the word...she was RADIANT.

Anyway, before I lose myself in adjectives and CAPS, let me just say, the reception was so much fun. Dad took a bunch of pictures of all of us in the light of the sunset and the kids ran around like crazy (thanks for watching them, Mike!). It was a wonderful time of fellowship and laughter. The evening went on and by the end of it, Lauren and her family were playing instruments and singing together. It was a family affair for sure!

Thank you Jason and Lauren for allowing Marianne and me to be a part of your big day and for trusting our abilities (even though you pretty much had to). I'm sure her spreadsheets and invoices were something you will never forget, right? Thank you to mom and dad for always being ready and willing to help when we need it. Thanks to mom and Colleen for helping us complete the floral arrangements. Thanks to dad for driving (and PARKING) Dalcorp One. Thanks to Erica for the childcare. Thanks to Mike for handling the kids. Thanks to Moggy for helping out at the reception (she's 91 folks!). Love you all and enjoy the pics taken by...you guessed it...Al Nocita!

Here's Mern at the flower market - we were thinking this would be a nice bouquet. Right?

Colleen and mom really workin' hard!

Des and AJ catching some pool time.

And so it begins...

Kimmy was getting ready for the rehearsal. So prit-deeeee!

The centerpieces were coming along nicely!

The bridal bouquet...simply stunning.

The boutonniere!

Colleen was our hot glue aficionado.

Good old duck face...yeah!

Loading up for the party!

Putting GG to work!

Like I said...radiant.

Debra and Kimmy made beautiful bridesmaids.

Congratulations Mr. and Mrs. Jason Jenkins!

"I better be next..."

Proud mama:)

This picture will go down in history as "Awesome family pic! Oh, except what happened to Dane?"

I just absitively posilutely LOVE this pic.

Did you know that AL NOCITA carved them punkins? Honest, he did!

Jovial dinner shot.

We got to meet Mike! Well, Mike #2 since we already have one. A wonderful addition to our group:)

Time to DAHNCE!

"Dane, when I ask you who your favorite auntie is, you say 'KIMMY,' right?"

Alana was so hungry she was eating food out of my mouth before I could swallow! Hilarious and cute!

The party animals:)

We always love taking pics of the shorty with B.

There's the fam, bangin' away on the piano and drums.

Lauren, you seriously look stunning.

Good job, K and M Events! You did it!

This was Alana at the end of the night.

She was looking much better the next day.

I will leave you with this shot of my dad playing his Formula One video game. This was my view most of the day. Love you dad:)