Christy {TJ's sister} and Steven are two of the best people ever. They have hearts of gold and anyone who meets them is already their friend. They both have a passion for people, music {hello, Steven composed his own song for Christy to walk down to}, food, and craft beer. Not to mention they're super great with Caleb and Lilly. And I love them.
Christy's been a part of my life pretty much since I was a teenager {did you know she used to drive TJ and me on dates?}. She works at the local children's hospital and has a love for her family like none other. I was so excited when I'd heard she had been emailing someone a few years ago. We've grown to love Steven and are so blessed that he's a part of our family.
And if these things weren't enough of a reason to fall in love with them, they wanted so much to be able to incorporate the kids into the wedding, however it would work best. And heyoooo I got to play Matron of Honor! I love my Christygirl so much.
Okay, enough of this backstory, let's get to the deets.
Caleb has really been enjoying meeting new people, especially family. He also thoroughly enjoys seeing people he hasn't seen in a long time {because he has a crazy awesome memory}. So for the past few months at Sunday dinner, TJ's mom had made it a point to have him introduced/reintroduced to plenty of family and friends that would be at the wedding to make for a smoother experience. Let's not forget about Lilly, now. She doesn't really like new people. Ever. We're working on it...
When the time came for the rehearsal dinner, I honestly had high hopes, but I knew that everyone, all in one place, might be overwhelming for Caleb. It's hard for people to understand that something that's seemingly good could cause anxiety and stress. It's just how he's wired. But with the help of Uncle Luke's quiet room {and his banjo on the wall}, we hunkered down there for a while until he was ready to come out.
I mean, she could've worn that on her wedding day.
So beautiful.
In my defense, I showed TJ this picture and he thought it was hilarious.
So ya, dudes eating ice cream.
Lilly had a rough time around all of the new faces. She just wanted to run around with her Dorothy braids and her basket with Todo {Lady}, so that's what we let her do when we got to the venue.
Christy tossed around the idea of having Lilly throw rose petals like a true flowergirl, but wasn't sold on it. When I mentioned that Caleb loses his mind when she drops a cheeto, she tossed the idea completely out the window.
TJ and Christy's brother Joshua, and his mom Joann.
I was so thankful for the way TJ interacts with Caleb. The way he can just sit with him and help get him calm. The rehearsal was a big ball of stress for me, and I was prepping for a crazy wedding day!
Both the bridesmaids and groomsmen had appointments for hair & makeup {and shaves & beers}, so we were fortunate enough to be able to drop off the kids for a few hours with Grammy and Grandpa. They were a huge help. They kept them happy, entertained, and well fed.
The girls got ready at Remedy Hair Shoppe in the new downtown area of Anaheim, next to the wedding ceremony and reception venues.
I've seriously never seen a more calm bride. And you guys...she DIY'd just about everything. So proud of her. But I guess I should've expected it, since she's such a stellar human.
Rachel brought a ton of yummy snacks while we got ready. And these snacks seriously saved my life when I was scrounging around to please my picky three-year-old during the reception.
After hair and makeup {omg my first time for both}, TJ and I picked up the kids, got them dressed, and headed to the holding area before the ceremony started.
That flower didn't stay on her head for very long, but she was pretty patient while the girls got dressed.
I didn't get any shots of Christy getting into her dress, or Cathleen's prayer, or the toast before we went out, but I sure did have fun twirling with my girl in our dresses {and making sure her little Lego of Wyldstyle didn't go missing}.
The bride's bouquet, what I call a Pinterest win...
To my relief, the wedding ceremony was an actual success. We walked across the street to Buster's Court, and met TJ and Caleb {who had the most dashing suspenders and bow tie on without problem}. It was really sweet how we walked down the isle. Christy wanted us to walk down as a family, right before she did. TJ held Lilly and Caleb held our hands {and put on the breaks for the first five steps, and then recovered}. They were both quiet and respectful. Caleb immediately wanted to sit with Grandma, but I didn't want him to be a distraction to Christy's mom while she was watching her only daughter get married...but he was quiet, she was patient, and he played on a mini magnadoodle.
The ceremony was beautiful. Our old friend and pastor Jason married them. It was so personal, sweet, and funny {he also said the word 'naked'...at a wedding}.
The photographer {and family cousin} was so patient and made the process of taking pictures quick and painless, which is no easy task with kids!
Did I mention Lilly's dress was made from the lace of Christy's dress? Custom made?! I die.
Lilly wasn't really into wedding selfies, but someone else was a good sport about it...
I mean, gorgeous gorgeous gorgeous!!
Heyooooo. Married!!
After they introduced the wedding party, it got a little too loud for LC. She went back and forth between crying about it, being okay about it, wearing headphones about it, and just plain being tired.
Caleb wanted to go back into "Auntie Christy and Steven's Wedding House", which was a museum where we all got ready. Any other time would've been fine, but I had a toast to give!
Not pictured are the incredible crepes that were served, along with some signature drinks, a gorgeous cake, and incredibly good company, all of whom love them.
I gave my little toast around 9pm and it was already way past their bedtime. I gave hugs and made a mad dash for the kids, our stuff, and the car. They were not happy to leave, but they weren't really happy there; by that point they were exhausted and they needed to be asleep! I left TJ with his family and drove off into the night with two screaming kids. It was rough. But it was all totally worth it, considering how good they were for the ceremony.
I'm so thankful to have been a part of this wedding. Christy and Steven are the sweetest, and I can't wait to see what God has in store for their lives.
#christyandsteven4eva
Such a beautiful wedding. SHe made that bouquet? So pretty. Everything was and it was so great to see Caleb do so well. Lilly too! Wonderful day. So happy we could be there.
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