Rise and shine!

The Maid of Honour groaned...didn't we just get to bed, you and I? At 4 o'clock this morning? Well, yes, she and I had, actually - we were doing the seating plan until the wee hours of the morning!

We tumbled into various cars at 7 am and we were off to the beauty parlour to get our hair done. Several of the girls had their make-up done as well. Back at home by 11 just in time to get dressed for the photographer and his assistant.

My "dress" is a two piece ensemble...a to-the-floor sleeveless wide-strapped straight dress, the jacket is long and the front is decorated with very modest sequins...it's in an emerald green and looks every inch the "mother of the bride"! The jewelry I'm wearing is a tear drop "emerald" and rhinestone choker and earrings to match, a gift from Kim and Jamie.

The bride takes your breath away.   Her Dad and I cry.  She is awesome!

Where oh where are the flowers?
They were supposed to be delivered by 11 am!!

The phone rings and it's the hall. Did we know there were no wine glasses? No, we didn't! Oh my God!!! The caterer agrees to go pick up some rental glasses. Crisis diverted.

Where are those flowers?

The limousine is supposed to be here early for outdoor shots. Never mind that - it's raining, anyway.

The flowers finally arrive. The rain stops. The photographer puts everyone through their paces...Mom, Dad, the attendants, even the family dog, Wizard, gets his picture taken.

The limousine arrives and it's time to go to the church.

Oh my God...it's TIME!!!

It's pandemonium at the church....everyone is milling around. We're late getting started by about 15 minutes. Finally, the music begins. The last guest is seated. Jamie's mother is seated. I am seated. I don't even hear the music.  I'm smiling so broadly my face hurts!

The Ring Bearer, my youngest grandson, refuses to walk down the aisle so he is carried by one of the Ushers, much to everyone's amusement. But Alex is furious and he is fighting every inch of the way.

The first attendant begins her walk...my niece, Tammy, is a slight eighteen year old beauty, with high cheekbones and luxuriant chestnut hair, swept up in a cascade of curls. The bridesmaids dresses are full-length and a deep burgundy plum colour. The dresses are sleeveless and the neckline is squarish, the bodice is a satin empire waist - style, the skirt is a matte crepe. The dresses are almost backless and there are chiffon rosettes attached at the high waistline and trails of chiffon cascade to almost the floor. They are wearing matching long-sleeved gloves. All the girls are wearing the same-style shoe, dyed to match the dress, and the same jewelry - a beautiful rhinestone and pearl three strand choker and matching earrings - gifts from the bride and groom. The bridesmaids are carrying one single long-stemmed white rose nestled in a bed of baby's breath and tied with gold ribbon. The effect is understated elegance.

Tammy comes down the aisle holding the hand of her nephew and Kim and Jamie's Godson, ten month old, Jordan. Jordan toddles down the aisle, oblivious to his surrounding. Everyone is enchanted! Jordan is SO sweet!! They are met part way up the aisle by my other grandson, Paul. At 9  he is proud as punch to be a Junior Usher and looks splendid in his European-style
tuxedo. He is beaming as he takes Tammy's arm, turns and they walk to the final pew where they part ways.

(Alex is now REALLY misbehaving...he's kicking the pew and trying to punch the other ushers. His Uncle Matt says a few words to him, but, he is undaunted, made fearless and feckless by the crowds' nervous giggles.)

Next, comes my niece, Michelle (she is Jordan's mother) and with her deep burgundy-coloured hair, swept up, as well, in a cascade of curls, she looks gorgeous! She is escorted to her seat by usher, Andy, one of Jamie's friends.

Rosario is next...equally as beautiful with her chestnut brown hair and big brown eyes, but, Rosario is seven months pregnant! She is met by her husband, John, who looks so proud of her you'd think it was their wedding day, all over again!

Next, comes my daughter, Amanda, as dark as the other girls are, she is as blonde.    And she looks stunning, too! She's met by her husband, Matt, and he's almost teary-eyed with pride.

Next, down the aisle, is my daughter, Mellissa, and she looks so elegant and so regal, it's amazing! She, too, has dark hair, but, she is not as dark- complected - she looks like she is glowing, she's so radiant! She's met by her brother, Daniel, and escorted the rest of the way, down the aisle.

(Alex is STILL fighting in the front pew)

Next is the flower girl. Jade is a 5 year old beauty! She has long, almost to her waist, golden hair, and the most beautiful, large green eyes. Her head is encircled in a wreath of flowers accented with lots of ribbons and bows. Her dress is a gorgeous, filmy organza burgundy floral print, with a dusty rose petticoat, ruched up into scallops and festooned with ribbons and bows. Her waist is encircled with a golden organza sash. She carries a small basket of flowers.

(At this point, Alex's behaviour has deteriorated from bad to worse and Mellissa leans over and whispers to me, "I wish the earth would open up and swallow me, I'm SO embarrassed!!" I lean over to my son, Brad and whisper to him that if Alex keeps up his bad behaviour, would he kindly do me a HUGE,  HUGE favour take him out of the church? He agrees)

Next, comes the Maid of Honour, Jennifer. She and Kim have been friends since they were toddlers and we really consider Jen our "fourth" daughter! Her bouquet is identical to the others except her rose is yellow, not white. She has light brown hair, swept up into a French roll and she looks so elegant and serene. She is a beautiful girl. She's met by the Best Man, Al, and they take their places.

There is a hush..and then, the music begins...

"Here comes the bride..., Here comes the bride"........

My husband is beaming, and tears are streaming down his face!

And Kim looks like a princess!!

She has beautiful red hair and it's swept up, too, and done in a cascade of curls. Her headpiece is a smallish tiara-type with satin and pearls, her veil has a blusher and she looks like an angel. She is carrying a stunning white and green bouquet of gardenias, roses and ivy that reaches almost to her knees. Her dress is magnificent and suited her to a tee! The dress has a
sleeveless, halter-style bodice of pearls and lace - Kim has very graceful shoulders and the dress accents them beautifully. The lace in the bodice extends into the skirt and the skirt is yards and yards and yards of tulle - Kim is a tall, statuesque red-head, full bosom with a tiny waist - and the skirt cinches at her waist and then stands out almost waist high. She really looks like a fairy princess!!!

I hear several audible gasps. Her brother, Dan, begins to cry. Her Groom, Jamie, looks slack-jawed! It's a picture in my mind that will forever bring me great joy.

And so she begins her last walk as Kimberly Faith-Ann Amadio. She will leave here a married woman,
the wife of  Jamie Hetherington.

The service begins. The priest, Jamie's cousin, calls the first reader, Jamie's Aunt Vicki. The second reader is my brother, Kim's Uncle Mark.

(I nod to Brad to go get Alex - he is REALLY being bad, now......Brad scurries to accommodate me. Later, I learn that my good friend, and Alex's Godmother, Viv, followed Brad outside and stayed with Alex so that Brad could go back in and watch his sister get married.)

There is a full mass.   Father Peter's homily is warm and intimate, speaking of Jamie's childhood and of his meeting Kim and when she and Jamie first began to date ...all personal little details, he speaks of love. There is no preaching here today to try to convert anyone - only a true wedding celebration! It's fabulous.

There are family pictures outside the church and then, the bridal party leave to go to the botanical gardens for more pictures. I'm told Alex behaved beautifully, and, was so accommodating, someone quipped that perhaps he had an "evil twin"!!!

What can I tell you about the reception? The hall's decorations were stunning. Huge archways of plum and gold balloons, fresh flowers everywhere. The centerpieces were stained glass candle holders and the favours were stained glass angels, all designed and created by Kim's sister, Amanda. The food was better than fabulous and plentiful. Ray gave an impromptu speech that had everyone teary-eyed...his opening line begins..."Jamie, today, when you married my daughter, Kim, you took a piece
of my heart." The other speeches were wonderful, too. (I had agonized over mine, but, I'm told I sounded fine)...the Maid of Honour presented Kim with a Brownie patch and a Barbie doll (with hair - a joke here, as Kim used to "pretend" to be a hairdresser and every doll she had became her "customer"!!! ) and a wonderful speech full of warmth and love and joy. Jen and Kim "met" when Jen was 18 months old and Kim was one month shy of her second birthday. As little girls, they used to dream and plan their respective wedding days. They are as close as sisters without the sibling rivalry!!!

The first dance was magical...they had arranged for dry ice and the area where they were dancing was misty...then, just as their special song ended, there was a streamer burst over their heads and a shower of streamers exploded into the air like fireworks. Very impressive!!!

The Father and Daughter dance was to, "Butterfly Kisses"..and both Father and Daughter wept like babies!!!

And the rest of the night was wonderful (yes, there were some glitches here and there...several young people who drank too much, etc.), but, overall, an absolutely marvelous evening...lots of good food, beverages and dancing to good music....the place was rocking!!! I even led the conga line in my wheelchair!!!

And so ended a perfect day.
God bless you, Kim and Jamie!

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