This is going to be a longer-than-usual post, because yesterday I experienced the best wedding I’ve ever been to, aside from my own (I think there’s a rule about that one being my favorite). My cousin Heidi was finally married after 4 years of engagement to Kyle Waller at the The Addison Grove Venue. My Aunt Bridget literally planned and executed 95% wedding from start to finish. Since Kyle is a chef (he actually catered our wedding), he saw to the food. Julie, my other cousin, is a florist and did all of the flowers. Beautiful floral arrangements were delivered from Florerias en Houston. Other than that, my Aunt did it all, including the clean-up this morning. It wasn’t that she had to — her mother planned her entire wedding, so it is something of a tradition in their family for the mother to plan everything for the bride to be.
And what a difference it made! Heidi was the most relaxed and exuberant bride I’ve ever seen. It was as though she was able to show up to a fantastic party and have the time of her life. I’ve also never seen a bride be so selfless and gracious- I think she was actually able to talk and visit with every single guest without ever needing a receiving line. Perhaps I focused on this because the fact that I wasn’t able to get around to all of the tables at our wedding was one of the biggest regrets I have. I actually woke up in a panic while we were on our honeymoon, wondering if all of the wonderful ladies at Covenant Community knew how much their love and hard work meant to me.
Add onto Heidi’s awesome demeanor just how DROP DEAD GORGEOUS she is, along with the fact that you can just TELL Heidi and Kyle LOVE being around each other having fun, and there you have it. Awesomest wedding ever. The actual wedding took place at a church in Paso Robles and was officiated by one of our favorite teachers in high school. The reception was at a privately owned winery in the Paso countryside (which made for FABULOUS red and white wines at dinner! LOVE WINE COUNTRY!) There were high-class appetizers in the front courtyard for anyone who showed up before the wedding party, and a 3-course steak dinner later on, accompanied by gourmet cupcakes and cake.
Tomorrow morning the couple will be leaving for New York for a 10 day vacation. Congratulations Heidi and Kyle!
The gorgeous bridesmaids, who all wore vintage lace kid gloves and giant red high heels. Their hair-do’s were fabulous, with a side french braid that twisted into a complicated bun of curls that cascaded out down their shoulders, complete with decorative lace netting and a few small feathers (Kyle’s sister is a hairdresser, so she made sure to do an outstanding job).