My little brother got married last weekend! It's a sweet story so settle in a bit.
My brother, Joseph, came back from a year long tour in Iraq late last year and after settling in to his new job and getting reaquainted with Fresno decided to check out his e-harmony account. He'd had it on hold while he was deployed but his curiousity got the best of him. He saw a message or had a request from a Melaney but had to renew for another three months to get it and see if it was, in fact, the Melaney from high school that he was thinking, neigh, hoping it would be!
Turns out his three month renewal would be his last because it was the same Melaney from high school! In fact, Melaney and I played Varsity soccer together for two years. We rode busses to tournaments, spent hours after school running around in mud and rain, and had a great time winning many a game under the bright lights of Keith Tice park. I always knew her as one of the nicest, sweetest, new starting freshman. She was quiet but she was strong.
She and Joe met up for coffee at Starbucks a few weeks later (he doesn't even drink coffee) and ended up staying for three hours. That was February 21st of this year. He called me to tell me about it and it just felt like this was it. Then a few months later he said this was it. They came out to visit this summer and soon after he proposed. She said yes and planned the most beautiful wedding in three months. Let's all give a round of applause to the internet and a few brave moves on their parts.
Melaney sent us a fun package inviting us all to be in their wedding. I knew the kids would love to be the ring bearer and flower girl but we knew Brett's training dates might interfere with their wedding date so we eventually decided I'd be there but not in the wedding to keep things even. The night before the kids and I flew out Brett confirmed that he wouldn't be leaving for training until a week later so we conspired to get him a last minute ticket to the wedding.
Two days before the wedding Melaney had one of her bridesmaids become unavailable. After a good cry and a talk with my brother she texted me to see if Brett and I would both like to be in the wedding since he was on his way. She overnighted a bridesmaid dress for me and got Brett's suit measurements sent out. I found a pair of nude shoes and she reprinted the programs we'd all worked on gluing together the night before. It was a square peg-in-a-round-hole idea if ever there was one and that's when I knew I was the luckiest. We're square peg kindred spirits!
I finished Ruby's flower girl dress the morning of the wedding (just had to stitch those last few flowers to the front) and Brett's suit fit when we picked it up that morning. A little body bronzer and some flase eyelashes and I was feeling extra fancy. The kids gave it their best through family pictures before the wedding and then finally forgot they were wearing uncomfortable clothes once the music started and they waltzed down that aisle. Ruby was so busy trying to catch up to Sebastian she forgot to throw her flowers but managed to empty her bucket on the way back out.
They patiently waited through dinner and toasts before spending the rest of the night on the dance floor with some of the bridesmaids and new friends. Sebastian found a wrestling buddy and got a friend of Mel's to teach him some line dance I didn't know. Ruby danced with Brett and we all chatted with old friends.
Both the venue and the couple were looking pretty fab but the ceremony was the most special. These two have my utmost respect and admiration to uphold their choice to wait for each other-ten years longer than Brett and I had to wait-and it was such a beautiful thing to celebrate. They're such a good match and have such a lovely start to their story together.
The photos above were all from my phone since a DSLR didn't really go with my new dress! The photos below were all taken between family photos and the ceremony. Their wedding colors were yellow and grey and it took place at Engelmann Cellars on the most perfect Saturday. Hannah G did their photos and the event was catered. Candy bar table=always a good idea.
My Meemaw, aunt, and cousin were able to make it out and I'm so glad they did. It was fun to visit with them so soon after my Meemaw's 85th surprise birthday party two weeks prior but my cousin, Shannon, was so good with helping keep the kids both distracted and on task when necessary. She gets two gold stars.
It was a beautiful, whirlwind weekend and I loved that my family got to be a big part of it. I'm also so excited about my new SIL. Thanks, Joe!
Some have asked about how I made Ruby's dress. I used a few tutorials that I can't even find anymore and adjusted some things with the straps. It's been introduced into her dress up closet.
I think outdoor, fall weddings are my new favorite. Also, I'd totally wear this bridesmaid dress again.
-Rachel
