Andy and Jenn's Wedding Reception

Drinks and appetizers were served while the wedding party took pictures. Kaylen was loving it-she ate so much fruit and even liked the shrimp rolls and brushetta they had out.

I was seated at a table with the girls and Bryan from my bible study, as well as Alexis and Bryan Collins and Kim and Preston Willams, who were in the first bible study that Jenn and Andy and I were in together.

After the salads and main course were served, the room right next to our table was opened and reveals an area for a photo session! Our table stood in line and took several pictures with our champagne glasses toasting the couple as well as a few silly ones. Our current bible study also took a picture with Jenn and Andy. It was a fun idea!

Jenn and Andy had their first dance, which was sweet and shortly after that we got more sweets via a chocolate fountain that was set up in the back--everyone loved it! While I was in line I was able to catch up with Lara Facer, the wife of a good friend of Andy's, Shay, who help me set up my money market account. They had recently moved to Murrieta so I was asking her about that.

The dancing started pretty quickly and my nieces and nephews were one of the firsts to cut a rug! They were so cute, I couldn't resist joining them. A good number of people danced throughout the night which made the whole atmosphere so fun!

The cake was cut and served to everyone. I had the red velvet cake (there was also a banana with chocolate mousse available). It was a moist cake! Alexis Collins had made the cake (she's a professional baker) so compliments to the baker! It was delicious!

All in all the night was wonderful! Everyone had a fabulous time and I could tell that Jenn and Andy were so happy!

Jenn and Andy's Wedding Ceremony

Jenn looked beautiful in her gown. I was taken away by her gorgeous dress--perfect for a gorgeous girl! Jenn had been debating on whether or not she should wear a veil. In the end she chose to wear a simple rhinestone band in her hair with a beautiful white feathered hair ornament. It was elegant and perfect for her!

Before the ceremony, the event personnell put down pink and white rose petals (as was part of a prize that Jenn and Andy won for attending Los Verdes' open house). Lauren, who was a flower girl, was shocked and asked me why the lady was doing her and Rebecca's job! I told her that the woman was only putting flowers on the edges of the walkway and that she and Rebecca were responsible for the red roses that go down the middle, which of course are the most important part! :)

The young boys (Jenn's nephews) came down the aisle without a hitch and then it was Sebastian's turn to pass out some roses to women in the audience. He did alright for the first three, but for the last one he had a hard time choosing between my friend, Chris, and Donna, who is Scotti's good friend. He finally chose Donna! It was so sweet!
Lauren and Rebecca did their jobs very diligently...looking down, concentrating on placing the flowers evenly. So adorable!

Jenn was walked down the aisle by her mom, Judy. Jenn was smiling from ear-to-ear as she approached Andy, the groom, although it isn't that evident from this picture!
The ceremony went really well. Pastor Chris Cannon is always wonderful because he communicates the seriousness of the vows, but adds in some jokes here and there. Andy said his vows and I started choking up, but when Jenn's voice began to crack, I knew I was a goner. Most of the guests teared up, because they all know how much Jenn and Andy love eachother.

Andy and Jenn did a sand ceremony where they poured two vases of sand into a heart-shaped vase and then they had communion together. Before Andy and Jenn were pronounced man and wife, Pastor Chris invited the guests to pour their individual vials of sand into the larger vase once the couple had been officially married. The pouring of sand by all the guests signified their promise to help support the marriage.
I thought this couple was cute:
Andy kissed the bride and they were pronounced Mr. and Mrs. Steip and everyone clapped enthusiastically! Once Andy and Jenn were off to take pictures everyone poured their vial of sand into a huge vase. Everyone seemed to enjoy being part of the ceremony, I know I did!

Wedding Set Up

I took Friday off to help set up for the wedding. I had to get up and run some errands before meeting up with Erika and Angie at the wedding/reception site.

The room was quite plain before we got started. Angie and I were responsible for putting the organza sashes and daisies on the chairs. I went around and tied a simple knot in the sashes while Angie followed by tying the daisies (set in a vial to keep the flowers fresh) and creating a bow to make it look beautiful. Yep, I let Angie do her magic--I just did the simple (non-creative) step. After I was done, I placed the favors on the tables.



Scotti helped set out the table cards and Erika went around and set up the wedding area (for the sand ceremony and the communion the bride and groom were going to take part in). She also set up the Sweetheart table, the flowers and vases for the table card table, the cake table and the gift table.

Erika and I had put together baskets in the bathrooms (included a sewing kit, gum, mouthwash, etc). Erika had to leave for a hair appointment and to help get her kids ready for the wedding, so Angie and I finished up. Angie added some bows to the baskets as well as some other things here and there.

Angie and I left to run a few other last minute errands before she dropped me off. I quickly got changed into my wedding attire before going out there to see to a few last minute details.

I wish I had after pictures, but my camera broke before I could take them. :(

Jenn and Andy's Rehearsal Dinner

Thursday I left work an hour early (after getting in really early so I wasn't taking too much time off) to drive to Palos Verdes for the rehearsal dinner. I was invited because I am family, which is sweet of Jenn and Andy to think of me.

From left to right: Lisa, Kirsten, Emily, Jenn and Damian.

Scotti and Rich had the taco bar catered and had 4 tables rented and placed outside in their backyard (which has a beautiful city view). I met the cousins from New Jersey and got to spend some time with Lisa and Bryan, friends of mine. My nieces, Lauren and Rebecca had a great time cuddling with Lisa under her blanket and shawl. I also didn't get any love from Sebastian (who was too busy being a boy) and Kaylen (who was enamored with her other aunt, Katie). No love for Auntie Alexis!

Kaylen and Aunt Katie:

Lisa and Lauren:

Lisa and Rebecca:
The desserts were to die for! They were made by Kristi Geere who is a friend of the family (Kristi's husband, John, was one of the pastors that married my sister, Erika and Brian, her husband).

Jenn and Andy passed around the gifts--the Spider-man (for the boys) and Tinkerbell (for the girls) backpacks were a real hit with the kids! They were all very excited about them.

After everyone left, the main family and I spent some time with Kenny and Sharon, who are like 3rd grandparents to Erika and Brian's kids. They are so sweet with them. They are from Maine so I talked to Sharon about New England fall foliage--oh how I miss it!!

I was exhausted from such a hectic day. I knew I would need to get some shut-eye so that I could survive the next day!

Wedding Flowers

Wednesday night I raced over from work to meet up with Jenn (the bride), as well as some girlfriends and my sister, Erika, to put together most of the flowers for the wedding. Erika was in charge of most of the florals for the wedding so she directed us to strip and wire the flowers, etc.

Here's Lisa and Nicole (both bridesmaids) working diligently:

Here is one of the arrangements Erika put together. You can bet I didn't work on that one! I can barely take flowers out and put them in water!

Here is Jenn and Erika posing together (new sis-in-laws!):

Here is Jenn and next to her is Chris. Chris really helped Erika out on the bridesmaid's bouquets.

Dinner was prepared by Louise, the older woman that Jenn was living with for the last year. She is a sweet woman. She made chicken enchiladas, salad and garlic bread, as well as an apple salad, which was very good. I'm sorry I didn't get a picture of her in the kitchen!

Kid's Sleepover

Saturday, Erika, Brian and the kids came over for swimming. It was kind of overcast, so we only swam for an hour or so but the kids had a good time (as did we of course).
Brian with Kaylen and Sebastian:
After swimming we had pizza for lunch (Auntie Alexis's specialty!). Brian and Erika left so that the kids could have a sleepover at my place. After a nap, I took them to the park--never again will I do that alone! It was so difficult watching 4 kids at one time! Despite my stress, the kids had a great time.We picked up food on the way home and at it on a carpet picnic and watched "Hotel for Dogs."

The next morning we got up at "kid o'clock" but thank goodness we got up that early because we barely got out on our way to church on time! I made sausage and eggs for breakfast(except two of the kids are allergic to eggs so I made them oatmeal). We went to the 9am service and met up with Erika and Brian and his parents.

Brian took the kids with him and Erika and I were able to spend some sister time together. We ate lunch at King's Hawaiian Restaurant (after buying rainbow bread for the kids) and then we went to NailSpa to get our nails done. We had a fun time just the two of us!

Erika back in town

Life has been busy, lately! It feels like ages since I wrote in my blog. The reason why it's been busy is my sister came into town for her brother-in-law's wedding.


They came in on a Thursday, so I went to work early in order to leave early and meet them in PV (Palos Verdes) for dinner at the in-laws, Scotti and Rich. We had a fun time. It was so good to see them. Scotti got all the kids new pajamas, which they all loved and changed into right away. Lauren did a little dance for everyone and then the kids did magic tricks for us. It was so much fun! The kids all did a great job.

Kaylen in her new Minnie Mouse pjs:
Here is Lauren doing her dance:
Rebecca's magic trick (guessing the color of a crayon a volunteer audience member picks):
Here's Sebastian doing his turning a $5 bill into 5 one dollar bills: