Yeehaw part two

I think I left off with the rehearsal dinner.  We dined at a beautiful restaurant overlooking downtown Nashville and surrounded on 3 sides by floor-to-ceiling windows. Dimly lit tables and close families and friends made for a beautiful evening. The dinner was rounded off by our roasts and toasts of my sister and Jonah.  And not to be forgotten, the wonderful slide-show made by our brother, Adam, which I am certain, brought tears to most of our eyes (I know it did mine). I have watched her grow up and was there for the first 18 years, almost every day. To watch your sister making her own family is an amazing and joyful experience.

After the dinner, we made our way back to the hotel and hospitality suite for some after dinner beer and wine.  But we (at least MOST of us, ahem, ahem), didn't want to stay up too late because we had an early morning ahead of us. But I heard stories!!! :)

Getting up at what felt like the crack of dawn, we made our way downstairs for an amazing Continental breakfast. The air was electrified by the upcoming nuptials. The BIG DAY had finally arrived! Patrick dropped my sister, Sam, and I off at the salon where we were to have our hair done. We met up with the matron of honor, Julie, and another one of the sixers, Ashley, for our updo's and downdo's.  I went with up and was very pleased with the results (see picture at bottom of blog). From there we journeyed back to the hotel to get dressed and put on our faces.  We did this in my sisters' suite that she would later share with her new husband! Next thing we knew...it was time to head to the Temple!

We arrived in the bridal suite where we helped Jill dress, took pictures and did champagne toasts! Along with our mothers and grandma.  Jill was calm and collected and everything went perfectly! The photographers came in and took some formals then we were led into the picturesque hallway for group photos. 

Afterward, they did the most amazing photo...they had Jill tiptoe to the corner and stop, unbeknown to the rest of us, they had done the same to Jonah. Making each think they were about to stop the bride and groom from seeing each other! Only to snap several photos of them slunk towards the wall, fingertips touching, with wonder in their eyes about what the other looked like only breaths away. I am tearing up right now thinking of that. Cheers to the photographers who came up with such a brilliant photo!  Those always turn out to be the best pictures! (If you are getting married, or ever get married down the road, I would recommend mentioning this to your photographer immediately, then forgetting all about it! Such a cool idea...) This memory alone, makes me miss those girls and want to do it all over again!

Soon after, we moved into the sanctuary where they did a time-honored tradition of having the groom unveil his bride, to be certain she was who he wanted to marry and had not been switched as has been done in the old testament (sorry folks, I am unfamiliar with the story and cannot tell you the names of the ancestors/people involved). They combined this ritual with their Ketubah signing and a select few of us were privileged enough to be a part of this blessing.

Then the big moment arrived and we were lining up in a flash to be honored to proceed my sister down the aisle.  The ceremony was beautiful. Everyone looked great in their Marine colored dresses and Barong's, but most of all, my sister and Jonah were brilliant.  The ceremony went off without a hitch (unless you include the fact that several of us were extremely uncomfortable in our shoes or that my younger sister passed-out during the ceremony-sorry Sam, I had to tell!)  But for Jill and Jonah, it was perfect and that is all that matters! (Oh and Sam is okay!!!)  They stood under the Chuppah while Jill circled Jonah 7 times, they drank from the Kiddush cups and Jonah broke the glass-all symbolic, Jewish tradition. They also incorporated Philippine tradition into the ceremony with coins that had been passed-down from generation to generation and by being circled by a cord to symbolize their union.  It was really neat!

From there, we took our cars or buses or in the couple's case, a stretch Hummer limo to the LOVELESS BARN (what a great name!) for the reception!  Jill and Jonah thought of EVERYTHING.  When we entered, they snapped our pictures and put them into a book that we signed and their giveaway's were jars of Loveless Barn homemade Jam and sparklers!  The tables were marked by a different, famous, country song and the entertainment was provided by a country band!  The bar was open, the crowd alive and the country-style cuisine fantastic!  It was vegetarian friendly (except for the fried chicken) and instead of a traditional wedding cake, they went with variety cupcakes and a red-velvet cake-topper that they cut.  They were kind, as they both are, and fed each other cake without and muss or fuss (Jill probably forewarned Jonah that she would kill him if he messed up her beautiful dress! Just kidding, Jill!)

During the reception, they did the daddy-daughter dance to "Wonderful Tonight" by Eric Clapton. Afterward, we had the distinct privilege of being sung a self-written song, by our young cousin, Zoe Dion, for Jill and Jonah. I wish I could attach the video, but I am not yet savvy enough to know how to upload it, much less attach it to a blog. I think we have a future American Idol star in our midst!

There is a little more to tell about the rest of the weekend, but again, it is time for me to break. I will conclude this blog sometime in the next few days, I promise!!! I am trying to convey the excitement and emotion while it is still fresh. I want to make everyone feel as if there were there, and if they were, that they can relive it through my words.

Peace and love, Dara Beth