The festivities began Friday night at Rendon's General Store, in Burleson, Texas for the rehearsal dinner hosted by Joe and Kim Ylda. We had been having bad storms the past couple of days and my mom, sister-in-law, Ann and niece, Megan were supposed to have come in on Thursday. But their flights on Thursday got cancelled and they all had to reschedule for flights on Friday. Megan came in early on Friday, but Mom and Ann weren't scheduled to arrive till late evening. I was concerned about them having to find Rendon's and not arriving too late, but as it turned out, they had a Garmin with them, that led them right to us and they arrived just as dinner was being served. We had a wonderful barbeque dinner, help yourself to beer and wine, and some yummy desserts.
Ashley and Jay's videoographer had made a "love story" video which we all got to see for the first time that night. It was really well done and told us the story of how they met and how they became engaged. We also got to see a slide show video, that Joe had put together, of Ashley and Jay from babies to now. It was also very well done and there were quite a few pictures in there that made us all laugh. Once the videos were done, the mike was opened up for anyone that wanted to say something about Jay and Ashley. It was very touching to hear the number of Ylda's that spoke so highly and affectionately about Ashley. Its one thing to think your children are pretty special, but when you hear it from someone else its very satisfying. I hope Ashley and Jay know how lucky they are to share their lives with all the people that were there that night. They have a wonderful group of family and friends that love and support them.
Saturday morning dawned a bright and beautiful day, a perfect beginning to what would be a perfect day. Ashley was out the door pretty early, to go get started on hair, nails and makeup. We all met at the Victory Arts Center about 3:00 pm so the bridal party could start getting ready. Slowly, but surely, everyone started getting in their dresses and Ashley got in hers. She was so beautiful, as were all the girls in her bridal party. Ashley made some wonderful choices of girls to stand and witness her marriage. Once Ashley and the bridal party were dressed the photographer took us out in the hallway to have some family pictures and bridal party pictures taken.
Shortly after that, it was time to start getting in place for the start of the ceremony. The grandparents, with smiles on their faces were all in line to be escorted down the aisle; followed by Kim and Joe, who had even bigger smiles on their faces. The pride and joy that everyone was feeling on this day was evident in the faces of these family members! Si escorted me down the aisle, so we could do our part of the sand ceremony, and then he returned to the vestibule to join Ashley.
And then it was time for the processional. Now, you have to understand that Ashley made a power point presentation for the bridesmaids and groomsmen before the year began, as she wanted her processional to go just so. Too bad she didn't even get to see it. But the guys came in and took their place at the front of the chapel and then the girls came in, one by one, alternating green and pink, joining with the guys at the front to take their place behind the "altar." It was just beautiful and I believe it happened just as Ashley wanted it to and imagined it would. Then came Ashley's big moment. The doors opened and Ashley began her walk down the aisle. Si cried the whole way down the aisle, holding on to Ashley's arm like he never wanted to let go. I made a point of watching Jay instead of Si, as I knew that once I saw Si's face there would be no hope for me to hold back tears. But of course, I finally had to turn to watch Ashley come down the aisle. She was just radiant and so beautiful. And Jay was so handsome in his tux. They couldn't be a more perfect pair. After the vows and the sand ceremony, Blake pronounced Jay and Ashley man and wife.
After the ceremony, and all the pictures had been taken, the reception started with the entrance of the newly married couple. Jay and Ashley had their first dance. Si and Ashley had their father-daughter dance and then Jay and Kim had their mother-son dance. Dinner was served, cake was cut, toasts were made and dancing took up most of the evening. There was one surprise while the cake was being cut to serve to the guests. Si had been saying earlier that week, that he couldn't believe that all of his kids had gotten married and none of them had a belly dancer at their weddings. Well, little did he know, that Ashley had arranged for a belly dancer to perform for him this night. Needless to say, Si was quite surprised and very pleased. Until the bellydanceer made him put her sword on his head and dance with her! Too cute!
Well, the night flew by and it was time for the final dance. Everyone that was still there got on the dance floor to share this final moment with Ashley and Jay. And then we all headed out to the front of the Victory Arts Center to give them their final sendoff. Yeah, "Tonight's not the night for goodbye."
Ashley and Jay,
Happy 6th month anniversary. I wish you years and years of happiness and love. And may you love each other more today than yesterday, but less than tomorrow.
Love you both,
Mom
Saturday morning dawned a bright and beautiful day, a perfect beginning to what would be a perfect day. Ashley was out the door pretty early, to go get started on hair, nails and makeup. We all met at the Victory Arts Center about 3:00 pm so the bridal party could start getting ready. Slowly, but surely, everyone started getting in their dresses and Ashley got in hers. She was so beautiful, as were all the girls in her bridal party. Ashley made some wonderful choices of girls to stand and witness her marriage. Once Ashley and the bridal party were dressed the photographer took us out in the hallway to have some family pictures and bridal party pictures taken.
Shortly after that, it was time to start getting in place for the start of the ceremony. The grandparents, with smiles on their faces were all in line to be escorted down the aisle; followed by Kim and Joe, who had even bigger smiles on their faces. The pride and joy that everyone was feeling on this day was evident in the faces of these family members! Si escorted me down the aisle, so we could do our part of the sand ceremony, and then he returned to the vestibule to join Ashley.
And then it was time for the processional. Now, you have to understand that Ashley made a power point presentation for the bridesmaids and groomsmen before the year began, as she wanted her processional to go just so. Too bad she didn't even get to see it. But the guys came in and took their place at the front of the chapel and then the girls came in, one by one, alternating green and pink, joining with the guys at the front to take their place behind the "altar." It was just beautiful and I believe it happened just as Ashley wanted it to and imagined it would. Then came Ashley's big moment. The doors opened and Ashley began her walk down the aisle. Si cried the whole way down the aisle, holding on to Ashley's arm like he never wanted to let go. I made a point of watching Jay instead of Si, as I knew that once I saw Si's face there would be no hope for me to hold back tears. But of course, I finally had to turn to watch Ashley come down the aisle. She was just radiant and so beautiful. And Jay was so handsome in his tux. They couldn't be a more perfect pair. After the vows and the sand ceremony, Blake pronounced Jay and Ashley man and wife.
After the ceremony, and all the pictures had been taken, the reception started with the entrance of the newly married couple. Jay and Ashley had their first dance. Si and Ashley had their father-daughter dance and then Jay and Kim had their mother-son dance. Dinner was served, cake was cut, toasts were made and dancing took up most of the evening. There was one surprise while the cake was being cut to serve to the guests. Si had been saying earlier that week, that he couldn't believe that all of his kids had gotten married and none of them had a belly dancer at their weddings. Well, little did he know, that Ashley had arranged for a belly dancer to perform for him this night. Needless to say, Si was quite surprised and very pleased. Until the bellydanceer made him put her sword on his head and dance with her! Too cute!
Well, the night flew by and it was time for the final dance. Everyone that was still there got on the dance floor to share this final moment with Ashley and Jay. And then we all headed out to the front of the Victory Arts Center to give them their final sendoff. Yeah, "Tonight's not the night for goodbye."
Ashley and Jay,
Happy 6th month anniversary. I wish you years and years of happiness and love. And may you love each other more today than yesterday, but less than tomorrow.
Love you both,
Mom
Looking at all the pictures brought back all the happy memories of the day as well as a tear to my eye to see the babies of the families getting married! Great blog, Jay! Jay and Ashley are very lucky to have so many people who love and support them.
ReplyDeleteKim