Suzanne's dear friend Liz (in the blue dress), bridesmaid, graciously offered her vintage Mercedes for the ride to the church.
I found that I had a good view of Deirdre.
But it took me a moment to get a good over-the-shoulder blind view of Sukie.
There we go.
Rosie was our florist (she will give you a good post on flowers soon, but you can read about hers here, as well as the story of the little beaded bag). We ordered them online, but that glorious peony, the fragrance of which you can't perceive through cyberspace, but which was heavenly, was from the garden.
A highlight of the reception was that in addition to the iPod playlist (super fun, danceable music), our friends the Bells called a few contra dances, including, if you can imagine such a thing, a one that told the story of the courtship!
This dance was cooked up by Jerry Bell and Liz and Sukie's super talented friend Dawn, and it went like this: The top couple starts out with the gent chasing the lady around the line (a tribute to John's persistence), then doing a little advance-and-retire, shivering (to depict a memorable episode in which Sukie, too nervous to sit indoors, wanted to go for a walk on what became a freezing evening for poor, coatless John), then spin-your-partner while making the phone motion with your hands (to depict the long weeks spent apart while John did his rotations in medical school), then the gent proposing on one knee while the girl dances around him, then the whole company circles the floor holding hands!
Bridget was bridesmaid as well as musician! She played a waltz for Sukie and John's first dance!
I have so many details to show you and tell you about. It was a lot of work, but what a wedding day!
And then there was the magical last dance, with a radiant Suzanne and triumphant John. What a day. What a gift.
glendachilders says
Sound lovely and perfect. Congrats to the whole family.
Fondly,
Glenda
Rachel Nicholson says
Ah! Sukie is beautiful! The reception is beautiful! Everything is gorgeous and has such a lovely vintage feel. Congratulations to the bride and groom, the mothers and fathers, and everyone else lucky enough to participate in such a wonderful day!
PNG says
What a lovely post. Your daughters are so beautiful….almost brings a tear to my eye. But how can anyone cry with something so beautiful as seeing a new bride on her special day?! I can't wait to read all of the details. Our family prayed for Sukie all weekend long….often stopping to sigh at the loveliness we knew your family was enjoying.:) God's Blessings to the new couple!
Lisa G. says
I was also remembering her in my prayers last week.
armyofseven says
Oh, goodness, I love the hominess of it all! Congratulations!
LJ says
Oh my gosh!!!! I didn't realize you could write STORY LINES into contra dances!!!! How FUN!!!!
dweej {house unseen} says
Your pictures and your story telling have brought tears to my eyes. What a perfectly wonderful celebration!
Anne says
I was so impressed that Bridget played for their first dance! I would have lacked the courage! It was lovely.
Those last two pictures from outside looking in are soo pretty. 🙂
A @ Classical Quest says
Blessings to the lovely couple! Thank you so much for sharing.
christine Guest says
What a lovely, lovely story.
Mary says
Oh my gracious! These are stunning. I can't wait for more photos. The dresses are lovely. Did you make them Leila? Job well done. The barn looks awesome. Oh please do tell us how you did it all…after a nap of course! LOL!
Congratulations to Sukie and John!! May they be blessed with many, many years together!! God Bless them both!!
_Rosie says
Yes, Mary, she made them! Isn't she amazing?
Lisa G. says
I was just looking at the pics again, and noticed the perfectly matched stripe on the maid of honors shoulder seam – good work!!
Lauren says
I love it all!!! The smiling girls, the fabulous vintage dresses, the beautiful flowers, the dancing, that incredible barn (?) and the joy of it all! I love how everyone in the family contributed to the celebration, not just a bunch of hired hands. I can't wait to read Rosie's wedding flowers post, and once again must ask, please give us some 'how-to' tips on creating a beautiful, elegant wedding on a budget. You seem to have it down to an art! 🙂 Many blessings on your lovely family and the newly married Sukie and John!
Mrs. B. says
The pictures of the last dance are so romantic as to be moving… and the bride's dress looks wonderful! Thanks for sharing with us. Blessings to the new couple!
Jen says
Congratulations and many blessings to the happy couple! Suki looks radiant!
What gorgeous flowers and dresses! It looks like a wonderful family celebration. I would love to see more photos as well once you are able to. Thanks for sharing a glimpse of this special day. 🙂
CMerie says
Wow! It seems it was such a lovely wedding. Can't wait to see more pictures and read more stories! Congratulations to you all!
Tracy C. says
So so beautiful! Congratulations to all!!
Rachel says
Simply lovely! I have goosebumps just reading about it.
Amy says
Love the gown and the bridesmaids dresses.
Melissa A says
OOoohhh…how beautiful! Many congratulations and best wishes to the lovely couple!
Briana says
Gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous. All of it. The dresses, the bouquets, the lights, the barn, the music. You all know how to throw a wedding.
Woman of the House says
Beautiful~ all of it! I love Suki's veil and dress! Congratulations!
Elizabeth says
I was excited to see the update and it didn't fail to impress! All the little touches are so lovely. I can't wait to hear more! Leila–did Sukie wear your wedding dress? And the pattern for the bridesmaids dresses is wonderful. I'm guessing you used the same pattern with different fabrics for each?
Susan says
Congratulations to the new couple! May your life together be filled with joy!
Angela says
Yay!! So lovely. Can't wait to hear more! Congrats to the new Mr and Mrs!
Anne says
Captain and Mrs.!!!:)
Suzanne says
I love the pics at the end through the door, with the lights….gorgeous……..seems a wedding full of love…and not hype, just the way it should be…
Suzanne.
mamabearjd says
I was swooning at all the vintage-ish loveliness! So happy for all of you!
Karen says
Everything was beautiful ! I love the orange flowers! You had nice weather too!
Margo says
It's so special because it's you guys, but it's also wonderfully beautiful too!!! It looks like the bridesmaids were wearing some fabulous dresses, as well as that gorgeous gorgeous bride. WOW. This makes my day to see these beautiful photos. I can't wait to hear/see more.
Tara says
Congratulations! May you have many happy years together. Everything in the pictures is so beautifully classic.
nt12many says
So beautiful and precious! If more people attended a joy-filled Christian wedding, perhaps there would be an increase in marriages!
The bride looks stunning. I love the lovely, simple dress. It reminds me of my mothers wedding dress (she is now in her mid-80's). Also, love the barn and the band…looks like a nice scots-irish shindig!
Jill Farris ” target=”_blank”>http://www.generationalwomanhood.wordpress.com
Carrie says
Yeah! Beautiful and happy!
Emily says
How did you know we were all just chomping at the bit for some photos!!?! 🙂 SO beautiful. All the best to the sweet couple. Oh, it's all so sweet!
Mrs. Pickles says
Sigh. What a beautiful day, and what a gorgeous bride! You have such lovely daughters. Thank you for the teaser post! I'm sure I'm not the only one who's been thinking about you all this weekend!
Janice says
Beautiful! She looks radiant! The dress and veil are perfect.
ted says
PIctures at the end are magical – what a blessing it all is!
tacy says
you did manage to get quite a few!
seashoreknits says
Oh Leila! How full of happiness you and Phil must be!
Sukie is beautiful – the very epitome of a bride as Christ intended.
All the girls looked so beautiful – what a joyful day, Thank you so much for sharing.
Blessings and joy to the new couple – oh how I love the sacraments!!!!!
Milehimama says
So beautiful. Congratulations to all!
Diabra says
Just lovely. So touching to see all the sisterly touches. Thanks for including us in the celebration, and congratulations Sukie!
Valerie says
A happy tear for your joy.
Agree with you about living the moment, rather than seeing it through a viewfinder.
Looking forward to your future posts, giving us the privilege of sharing in this special time.
Every blessing to the happy couple and their families.
With love from NZ.
Lisa G. says
Oh, I love love love Sukie's gown! Beautiful. And the bridesmaid's dresses – I love them too. Is that Anna Maria Horner voile? The blue stripe certainly looks like it. Looks like a perfectly wonderful day.
Lisa says
Bee-u-ti-ful!!!
Jacki says
“Happily ever after is really how the story begins….”
Congratulations to the family and best wishes for the couple's life ahead.
Joy in Alabama says
It's wonderful, wonderful, wonderful!! Love the contra dance, too. Thank you for posting this!!
Here's my burning question: Where did your daughter find a modest wedding dress? All we've seen are strapless and since my daughters have spent their lives trying hard to be modest, they don't want to be immodest at their wedding. (We have two daughters who will probably get married within the next year.)
Roxie says
Congratulations! What a beautiful bride and sisters! God bless the new couple with much joy!
Emily b says
Oh lovely day!! And beautiful bride!! Thanks for sharing. I loved the mommy-reminder to live in the moment!! I am going to put down my iPhone…. Blessings!
deb meyers says
it is absolutely so sweet and lovely. thank you!
deb meyers
Efi says
Congratulations for the newly weds. Hope their life will be filled with the aroma of peonies and the all the happiness in the world…
Betsy M says
Congratulations Sukie, and John! It all looks so beautiful, what a wonderful beginning for a beautiful life together.
I can't wait to hear the details! My brother is getting married out of the country this summer but will be coming back to our small town for a reception which my sisters and I need to plan. The budget is very, very tight as he has two of these to pay for (this being the more minor one) and the guest list is very long with close relatives on both sides. What would it take to get a copy of that danceable playlist. 🙂
Faith says
I love Sukie's dress!! (okay, I love everything else, too! how did you know my style so well?) Congratulations to the beautiful newlyweds!!!
Cary says
Congratulations to the bride and groom and to the families. What a beautiful wedding and reception. Cannot wait for details. Prayers sent to all of you.
Nancy says
The yellow-patterned dress with the accompanying bouquet — glorious! And Sukie . . . well, she looks radiant! Many congratulations to you and to them!
Christy in TN says
What beautiful smiles and lovely memories! The Lawler Ladies have pulled off another amazing celebration — heavy on love, good taste and personal touches, low on ticky-tacky oneupsmanship (is that a word?)! Heavens richest blessings on the whole family!
Christy
Faith says
oh, and more pictures- including a few of the mother-of-the-bride! I'm sure she was lovely, as well!!
Mary Ellen Barrett says
What a beautiful bride. Not only does the wedding look beautiful it looks as if everyone was having such fun! I hope we can see more pictures soon and I am really looking forward to that flower post.
nancy says
Thank you for sharing pictures…love the vintage dresses, beautiful bride, flowers, and the reception venue with lights! Congratulations to all.
Haus Frau says
Lovely, lovely pictures! What a wonderful day and what happy memories. Congrats to the bride and groom and all the family!
Amanda says
How beautiful! Both Sukie and the wedding in general 🙂 It looks like everyone had so much fun too! love the vintage bridesmaid dresses and I too am wondering where she found a wedding dress with sleeves?
lauren says
So beautiful, so happy for all of you! More pictures, please! Would love to see you and the Chief:)
polly says
What a DRESS!! For some reason the picture of Bridget playing the music brought tears to my eyes. Because it was so dear, all the beautiful details and the family gathered….and the gift of music from one sister to another. What a triumph of family and goodness!!! I adore it. can't wait for more details.
Brenda says
My congratulations to your beautiful daughter & her groom. They make a sweet couple. Everyone looks as though they had a wonderful time at the wedding…..God's blessings to your family!
trynsimple says
Blessings to the new couple! What a beautiful wedding! I especially love the flowers and the dresses (bridesmaid and bride!).
jmjtotustuus says
O my goodness these are just beautiful pictures! The last two made me teary…sooo enchanting! God bless!