Kate & Kyle's Wedding Weekend!

Ironically, the last post I posted was about Kate's engagement.  And here I am, posting about her wedding weekend!  That makes me a not so consistent blogger.  I'm not going to promise to blog more, because I hate it when people over promise and under deliver.  That's not to say I don't have plenty of stories to tell that could possibly include, an unforeseen hole in the ceiling, stenciling a wall, a garage storage shelf installation, a wooden frame around a mirror, numerous paintings, a trip to Florida, a trip to Oregon, a trip to Boston, and many more that I can't even think of right now.

But, I know Kate's wedding is worth blogging over.  One day, we will want to look back on this weekend and remember just how hot it was.  Because, while the story may be how it was the hottest day all summer long in Arkansas right now, I have feeling that the story will change to it really wasn't that bad and sweat was non-existent as the years go by!

The beautiful bride and groom.  Aren't they just glistening?!

Robert, my cousin Julia and myself arrived on Thursday, August 29th.  The girls all headed to get pedicures.  Where I had chosen to get a pale pink (one of Kate's approved colors by the way), the lady doing Kate's feet was giving her a French pedicure.  She asked me if I liked it and of course I said, yes.  (I mean a) it's my sister who is getting married so why would I ever say no and b) French toe nails always look nice).  But, the lady interpreted me liking it as, 'please, go ahead and paint my nails French, too.'  I didn't notice because I was talking to Kate until it was too late.  So, here I am with French painted toe nails that are already ruined due to beach volleyball after the wedding.  So be it.  I'll have to get my third pedicure in two weeks time b/c I have a wedding this coming weekend, too!  (P.S.  I had gotten a pedicure just before I went to Arkansas in preparation for the wedding w/o knowing Mom was going to pay for us to get one when we got there!)

Thursday night we ate my favorite pizza place---Guido's, duh!--- with Kyle's family (minus his dad and brother who were coming in later that night).  Then, we headed to the house to tie 170 bows on favor boxes.  Surprisingly, that only took an hour with me, Julia and Kirstie tying bows (Kate cut ribbon and Mom trimmed the bows).

Friday, we had a bridal luncheon for all of the ladies in town at the Crumpet Tea Room, hosted by Kyle's Aunt Margo.  The boys of the Wedding Party all played golf at Lost Springs where it ran a little late and caused Kate an ounce of anxiety. We headed to the Botanical Gardens that evening where the Rehearsal was and got a first tasting of how hot it was going to be.  I immediately knew we were going to need fans.  Industrial fans.  Of which, we had neither.  We headed to the Whole Hog Café for the Rehearsal Dinner.  We had a barbeque tasting and wedding trivia.  Who knew that if Kyle was a fruit, he would be a strawberry.  I guessed Kiwi, go figure!  If Kate could speak any foreign language, it would be British English.  That's my girl!  Awards were also given out for 'closest to the pin (winners: Robert, Kevin, Weldon),' and 'longest putt (winner: Hoyt Watson).'  Robert won a closest to the pin award for which he won a Razorback golfing towel that was promptly used as the "sweat" towel at the wedding and is now lost.  He is pretty sad about that.

 

Bridal Lunceon- Kyle's mom to the left and our mom to the right

Bridal Luncheon

Kyle's Aunt Margo who hosted the Bridal Luncheon

 

Bridal Luncheon-- Yes, we look that good!

Kyle's mom also presented Kate & Kyle with a flag that was flown over the Texas Capitol in honor of the marriage of Kate & Kyle Watson.  I didn't know Texas did that, but I think that is AWESOME!  Who knew?!  Small speeches were also given that brought tears to everyone's eyes and displayed all the love and admiration for Kate & Kyle.  Kate & Kyle also gave out bridesmaid presents which included suspenders and a tie if you were a boy and shoes and monogrammed polo shirt if you were a girl.

All of the cousins on the Hesseltine side at the wedding!

Bridesmaids wearing our monogramed shirts!

Saturday, August 31st, was the big day!  Us girls all got up early to begin getting our hair done (I was the lone wolf who did her own hair).  We ate cinnamon rolls for breakfast and started our make up around noon.  Mom did Kate's make up to make it look "professional."  We headed to the Botanical Gardens around 2:30 PM.  I estimate it was approximately 97 degrees outside at this time.

The Botanical Gardens is BEAUTIFUL!  Did you know there are no flies at the Botanical Gardens because they plant flowers that attract dragon-flies which eat mosquitos!  What a blessing!  The photographer also showed up at 3 and so the picture taking begun!  I walked with an umbrella to keep Kate guarded from the sun as well as a battery powered fan.  As much as I wish that would keep us from all sweating, it did not.  We were sticking fans up Kate's dress even to help keep her cool.  One can only hope that the photographer has some mad photo shop skills because she has a lot of shininess and wetness to brush away on all of us!! 

See, now that is a relaxed bride having a good time on her wedding day!

Let me just say that Kate & Kyle were TROOPERS!!  It was HOT.  No question.  But when it would be easy to become irritable and frustrated at the situation, they didn't let that get the best of them.  I think that's so great.  They didn't let a little sweat (okay, a lot of sweat) damper their moods.  Alex Bare, a great young man who lives next door to my parents was the videographer and he captured Kyle's first look at Kate, perfectly!  I can't wait until it ends up on the video.  I got to see a small clip that he showed me while were waiting for them to get past "their moment."   It's going to be awesome and very sweet.

The ceremony was sweet and you could see the love on their faces and hear it in their voices.  I'd say you could see it by the tears on their faces, but at this point its hard to distinguish the tears from the sweat.  I'll just go with they were SPARKLING in the sunlight!  :-)  If anyone went to my wedding, they know that everyone cried the whole time.  You will be glad to know that Kirk & I held ourselves together for 95% of it!!  Yes!! 

Here comes the bride!

They are just sparkling with love!

Once the ceremony was over, we took lots of family pictures with Kate & Kyle while the guests mingled and got started at the bar for a cool drink.  I don't know anything about it, but I've been told there's nothing like a cold beer on a hot day.  While I'll have to take everyone's word for it.. if the saying is true, then this was the perfect day for cold bottles of beer!  We had a pasta buffet for dinner that was EXCELLENT. 

After dinner, it was time for the Father of the Bride speech, Best Men speeches and then my speech with Kirstie.  Let me just say.. my dad was MARVELOUS.  I've never seen him in such rare form.  He was so well spoken and funny.  I had already warned him that he was not allowed to cry because if he did, then there was no way I was going to make it through mine.  I was barely holding it together as it was.  To see my dad cry would push me over the edge.  Dad's speech was just so great.  It was funny, heart warming and advice driven.  It was perfectly clear just how much he loved Kate and reminded Kyle that Kate is a follower and has to be led.  The two best men also gave funny, heartwarming stories about Kyle.  We got to see Kyle's competitive side really come through in memories from them.  If I do say so myself, my speech was pretty darn good.  I had a hard time getting started at first because tears and outright bawling was about in ensue.  I somehow managed to get going and kept myself from becoming a crying mess with a microphone.  Kirstie on the other hand, she kind of lost it.  Her part of the speech was so sweet and it was obvious that Kirstie is really going to miss her Katie.  I tried to keep my speech funny and talked about our pink Barbie car and riding bikes with no hands.  In the end, I reminded Kyle to take really good care of our Katie because we can't be Jessica & Kirstie without her.

Me & Kirstie with the beautiful bride.  You know what they say (slightly out of context, I know), but a chord of three strands is not quickly broken.  That's us.  Three strands.  Never broken.

 

We toasted all of these speeches with real sugar Dr. Peppers in glass bottles.  They were sweet like Kate & Kyle and as dad said in his speech, represents the hope that he will have 23 grandchildren.  OH LORDY!

Kate & Kyle took bites of their cake (sorry folks, no smearing of the cake on faces occurred).  They also had their first dance and Kate danced with dad and Kyle danced with his mom.  Kyle and his mom did this awesome "Sexy and I Know It" by LMFAO dance right in the middle of their slow dance which was really hysterical and sweet.  I know Kyle & his mom are really close, so it was the perfect dance to show how close they really are.  If you missed it, you really missed out.  Seriously.

Then, the party got started!  Lots of dancing happened and my cousins Dena, Julia and Ann helped lead several of the line dances that were played.  We all would have been lost without them on the dance floor!  I'll give Aggies credit on one thing.. they know how to country line dance!  :-) 

I also want to give a shout out to Kyle's Harvard friends.  It was so cool to see that many people travel far and wide for a wedding.  They all had to fly to get to this wedding.  Obviously, I think if you go to Harvard I think you are there not just for the education, but to network and make connections.  It's refreshing to see that people will travel all over the world to keep up their network and remain friends.  You don't see that all the time and can really speak to the kinds of friendships that Kyle makes. 

Kate & Kyle left to us blowing bubbles in the heat of the night around 10pm.  I could tell they were ready to get out of there and I told them the first thing they should do when they get to the hotel is take a shower.  First thing.  I bet they were just exhausted.  But like I said, real troopers.  They are safely in a resort outside Cancun, Mexico where we have been told we won't hear from them again until this coming Sunday.

So, that pretty much sums up Kate's wedding weekend.  It could have not been a more beautiful, sweet day.  It turned out perfectly.  Sure, it was hot.  But, no one let that get the best of the day.  It was a day filled with love.  Which is exactly how it should be.  I know Kate and Kyle have many journeys ahead of them.  I can't wait to hear their stories as a couple.  They should know that trouble will always find out, but to never be to prideful to ask for help.  That's what our families are here for.  To help when its needed, to laugh with often, to let alone when its best, to love with always.

Right before we headed out for the big ceremony!  The only full family photo I got all weekend.

I know my sister Kirstie is particularly sad about losing her sweet sister to Chicago.  I personally know its all going to work out.  I already live away from my sweet family.  But, I know we can all do it.  It just takes a little more effort and sacrifice to get with your family.  I still make it to all of the big events, just not all of the little ones.  Sure, sometimes it hurts to see everyone having a good time without you, but it makes the moments that I'm with them that much more special.  It will be the same for Kate & Kyle. 

I think I will wrap it up here.  Best wishes to the bride & groom... we all love you!

P.S.  When the video is ready, hopefully my friend Alex will let me post it here for you all to enjoy!

P.S.S.  Since I spent most of my time either a) in pictures, b) fanning a bride or c) holding an umbrella for the bride, I don't have many pictures to post.  The photos will be ready for us in about six weeks, so until then, you'll have to live with what I have found on facebook or took myself!

One of the best pictures that I think we have ever taken together.  The three strands really don't break when you have an awesome mom holding all the ends!!

My own shout-out.  I designed program-turned-fan!!  And Kate & Kirstie printed it, cut it out and glued it. Mom did all of the ribbons, too.  What teamwork.