Introducing Mr & Mrs Zak Thompson!

Another wedding post! But this wedding was especially my favorite, seeing as how my best friend was marrying the man of her dreams and I had the honor of standing by her side...like, RIGHT next to her side. I have blogged about her bachelorette party and bridal shower, but now it is with great pleasure that I spill the beans about the most important day of her life...her wedding day.

I have known Alli Ford since childhood Sunday school, but it wasn't until high school that we became good friends. During our sophomore year of college, Alli decided to transfer to Oklahoma State, where she lived just half a mile away from me. I was beyond stoked to have her so close. We were always accountable to one another over the course of our college experience. Fun times, yes, there were many...too many. It would take me at least an entire week to talk about all of the memorable stories I have with this beautiful woman. We have come to know each other so well. It's an understanding that goes beyond words. Alli is like a sister to me. I know everything about her. So when I met Zak Thompson, I just knew there was something special about him.

The first thing that comes to mind when I think of this couple is how Zak and Alli met. You just don't come across very many couples who were introduced through a company who sells knives...but thanks to Vector Marketing and Cutco Cutlery, this love came about. I spent that summer in Stillwater constantly visiting them at work and sharing Cherry Coke Zeros on the regular. Although they didn't express their love immediately, I just knew they would make a great pair because of their complimentary life styles and personalities.

Before Zak even told me he was going to propose, all the signs were clear to me that he was The One...the special looks, the way Alli lit up when they were together...everything just fell in place. I know that Zak and Alli have the foundation for a wonderful marriage: not just lovers, but lifelong friends as well.

The Thompson wedding weekend took place in Oklahoma City/Edmond, Oklahoma. The beautiful rehearsal dinner was hosted by family friends and the weather was perfect for an outdoor celebration. The Saturday ceremony took place at May Avenue United Methodist Church. I have never been to a wedding in such a cute and quaint little chapel. It was the perfect setting for the amount of guests. After the ceremony, the couple was surprised with a Mercedes Benz to drive around the block...a great photo opportunity, especially with everyone throwing rose petals! Guests then drove a few blocks away to The Centre, where the dinner and dancing took place. Actually, to just say dinner and dancing would be an understatement...because honestly, it was a PARTY! The DJs worked the crowd so well. In fact, we got to see Zak's mom break it down on the dance floor! Needless to say, we ALL danced the night away!

Ryan & Mo's Wedding

One word can sum up 2010 thus far. That word would be "marriage." I understand that there comes a time in everyone's life when their friends start getting married...but seriously, people? Twelve weddings in one year?! I must admit, I only went to half of them, but the numbers are still shockingly high. You have to understand something...I did not come from a metroplex, nor did I belong to a sorority in college...so had those two facts been different, we would probably be looking at more like twenty-four weddings!

Last weekend, Cliff and I attended Ryan and Morgan (Collier) Williams' wedding at First Baptist in Wichita Falls. I was actually part of the house party, but Cliff was a trooper for coming with me. Because I had known this couple for so long, I was not surprised to see the oh-so-chic/bazaar color schemes and decoration choices. Do not get me wrong, it looked FABULOUS! Morgan had chosen a deep purple, black, and leopard print for the wedding party. The bridesmaids looked amazing in their purple dresses, and I still have no clue how they walked in those Jessica Simpson leopard cowhide stilettos! Even the flower girls sported the leopard print! (see Brooklyn Grace's outfit)

The reception was held at the Kemp Center, which was once the Wichita Falls Public Library. The venue was built in 1917 and underwent a $1 million renovation just before 2002. It now serves as a meeting hall/exhibition venue, as well as an art gallery. Texas bar-b-que was served at the reception, along with the traditional wedding cake, and groom's cake (which by the way was in the shape of an X-Box). For party favors, goodie bags were available to fill with various sweets from the candy bar.

The night was filled with great music and dancing, as well as memorable speeches made by both groomsmen and bridesmaids.

I can not wait to see how this new family grows in the Lord, especially after seeing how he brought them together at just the right time!

A True Re-Union

The month of July started off with a "bang"...and no, I'm not talking about the 4th of July. We had the pleasure of witnessing my uncle's wedding in Wichita Falls on July 3rd. The wedding was special in so many ways. Mark (my uncle) and Glenda (his new wife) were high school sweethearts. They both went their separate ways after high school, but found the road back to one another twenty-five years later.

Not only did all three of my mom's siblings come back to their hometown, but they brought my cousins too! Even though we all live in Texas, our busy schedules make it near impossible to see each other. It really was great seeing how tall and mature the little cousins have become. Also, thanks to Facebook, my grandma was able to reunite with old friends who she had lost contact with for over twenty years! They drove all the way from Sacremento, California for the festivities!

The wedding took place in the evening at The Wellington (one of the newest convention/banquet facilities). The time of day was perfect. The dinner reception was naturally lit by the open windows, and the sun went down just as the DJ started playing a mix of retro funk, country, and modern hits. My mom and her siblings owned the dancefloor the entire night...embarassing, but I'm glad they had fun! Nothing is better than seeing a reunion of family and friends!

• Photographer: http://www.debkdyerphoto.com/
• Caterer: http://www.lubyswf.com/
• Venue: http://www.wellingtonwf.com/

My Best Friend's Wedding...in the Bayou!

Haley and I were inseparable from the first day of school in 1st grade to the day she moved to Ohio in 8th grade. We were the two little brats that dressed the same, got glasses at the same time, spent the night with one another at least twice a week, made up skits and dance routines, started a secret club, and pestered the lifeguards every day that the neighborhood pool was open...yeah, we were "those girls". I had four friends move away during the summer between 8th and 9th grade. Haley has always been the one that kept in touch. I had the honor of being a bridesmaid in her BEAUTIFUL wedding on June 5th in Lafayette, Louisiana (well, actually Carencro, LA). I have been in multiple weddings and can honestly say that this one was my favorite! (...minus the 14 mosquito bites I received)

Side note: Before I get into the "girly" details, I need to extend a big THANK YOU to Cliff (boyfriend) and Dylan (brother) for being such troopers during our 3-day stay in Lafayette. I could not ask for two better guys to accompany me to such a special event...(and they looked so handsome too!)

Note-worthy details from Mr. and Mrs. Alex DiNunzio's wedding...

• Rehearsal Dinner: An all-day outside event; including swimming, smoked brisket, and a ping pong tournament (gotta love an athletic bride!). The setting/mood was laid-back, which made it extremely easy for Cliff and I to get to know the friends and family from Alabama and New York.


• Pre-Wedding: A morning of spa treatments (done by the bride's sister/maid of honor, Sally) and up-dos (thank you Kristen at Belle Tresse Spa and Aveda Salon) for the ladies...while the men enjoyed an afternoon at the shooting range.


• Ceremony: Outside, in the front yard of Haley's parents' estate. A true Bayou setting...a light dew on the greenest grass I've ever seen, under an old, tall mossy oak tree adorned by pink and white topiaries and tea lights. The sight was to die for! Oh, and one very important note...Carsyn (Haley's Golden Retriever) was the ring bearer...yes, adorable!


• Reception: Globe lights were strung from trees to the house to light up the dance floor and tables. A bartender was serving on the pool-side of the house, where cocktail tables lined the edge of the pool. The DJ set up his equipment on one corner of the wrap-around porch and played a wide variety of songs picked out by the bride and groom. Caterers from Prejean's delivered a true "Deep South" Cajun meal...I couldn't stop eating the crab cake appetizers.

• Cakes: The groom's cake was dutch chocolate with a chocolate chip cream-filling, covered with pretzels. The bride's cake was made with layers of wedding cake AND strawberry cake (Haley's favorite flavor).

• The Get-Away: As guests lined the driveway holding sparklers, Alex and Haley ran towards the BMW...only to surprise everyone by making a bee line to the swimming pool and jumping in...in tuxedo and wedding dress. We (the bridal party) followed them. :)


• Wedding Favors: Haley's step-father (operations manager for the company who distributes Louisiana Hot Sauce) had a personalized label made for the bride and groom, so everyone went home with a real Louisianan treat!
  
  

Take a few minutes to glance at the pictures from the weekend, as well as the businesses that made it all happen! (websites below)

• Wedding Website: http://alexandhaley.com/index.html


• Photographer: Travis Authier http://www.zoomphotostudio.com/


• Official Photos by Travis: http://www.pictage.com/788003


• Hair & Makeup: Belle Tresse Salon http://www.belletressespa.com/


• Bridesmaid Dresses: http://www.dessy.com/dresses/bridesmaid/2780/


• Caterer: Prejean's http://www.prejeans.com/


• Florist: Rodney at Les Amis www.telefloraflorist.com?id=87053100


• Accommodations: Drury Inn & Suites https://wwws.druryhotels.com/


• Wedding Favors: Bruce Foods http://www.brucefoods.com/