Here Comes the Bride, Part II

In just a few days - daughter #2 will walk down the aisle in her finery. This time - the wedding is being held closer to home, and I have had a chance to participate. But, all in all, the daughter - my Maggie - has handled all of the arrangements. I merely show up where I'm needed, and offer moral support. Occasionally, I offer other support (when I can) and I marvel at how well this is all coming together.

It's funny how you don't really understand what goes into planning an event - until you're part of it. I've been involved in planning a number of events, from non-profit lunches, to women's group conferences, and even children's parties. But, I never had to plan a wedding. I was married in a judge's office - way back when - and though I did have a small reception, it was in my own home, and very simple. This whole wedding thing is amazing!

It seems to me that you have to be of a 'certain' mind to put together a fancy wedding. And, anything that asks more than 50 people to it is 'fancy' in my opinion. When I say 'certain mind' I mean - focused on the ceremony, the expression of love and commitment, and the celebration. All good things, don't you think? At first, I have to admit, I thought both daughter's were out of their minds to insist on tradition. I mean, the wedding is just a party - it holds little meaning beyond the white dress, the wedding cake, and the excitement about the honeymoon - right? And, aren't most weddings for the parents, not the bride and groom?

Well...no, most weddings aren't for the family - they're really for the bride and groom. I've come to think of them differently, now that I've been through the whole process, with two differently focused daughters. (I have NO idea what it will be like when my son gets married! I worry about that - he's the 'baby' and, I admit it, I have a hard time letting him grow up). The first daughter, way out in Colorado, wanted a wedding with all the trimmings. She talked about it forever - from the time she was 2, I think. How her dress would look, who would be there, what kind of cake to have...it was favorite lazy Sunday afternoon conversation. To her credit, she did it right last October. She had her dress made - a simple, light blue, mermaid dress (it's probably not called that, but you get the drift), with lace and beautiful pearl buttons down the back. The wedding pictures were outdoors (as are many wedding pics), and her dog was the ring bearer. Very west coast-ish, if I do say so myself. Fun and full of young people.

THIS wedding - will be similar, but also very different. Maggie chose a beautiful traditional wedding gown. A princess-bride gown. Not white, though. Oh no. Colors are all the rage now. Maggie's dress is a pale gold - and so beautiful, I'm afraid of it! It's off-the-shoulder, with beautiful embroidery and beading, and four bustles in the back (which I learned how to tie two weeks ago). Maggie looks like a bride in it. A beautiful, feminine, lovely woman - ready to start her new life with the man she loves.

The wedding will take place in a very nice party-house/hotel in Buffalo, NY. People will be able to come down from their rooms, attend the wedding, and proceed to the reception without ever leaving the building. No worry about drinking and driving. After the reception, it's back up to our rooms! That's good planning, I think.

One of the very best things that is going to happen in just one week - is the arrival of my darling granddaughter. I have not seen her since... oh, it seems forever! She's so grown up now. She's eight and a half (no doubt she will remind me of that), and she is a Jr. bridesmaid in this wedding. Her dress is gorgeous, also. Although, I only have that on good authority cause...I haven't really seen it yet.

I'll be posting pictures over at Lipsticking. I so hope the day is bright and sunny for my Maggie. She has waited and planned a long time for this big event - she deserves to have it be the best celebration ever!