Charlotte's wedding!

Last weekend, I was able to go to Denver for Charlotte's wedding. It was a most enjoyable, happy, emotional time.

Shortly after my plane got in, we went to the temple to go with Charlotte as she took out her endowment. It has been a long time since I had attended a session like that, and I was a bit taken aback by how meaningful it was to me. The crying had started not two hours after my plane landed! Being in the temple with loved ones is a wonderful experience.

The adorable gift basket that Denise left for me in my room!

Denise, whipping her hand around in the sign meaning, "Wedding week! Don't ask me to do anything else."

On Thursday night, we had a dinner catered by Senor Burrito, a local Mexican restaurant loved by us all. Good call.

As we drove to the temple on Friday morning, it started to rain. As the wedding photographer, I was in distress. Fortunately, it stopped before we went outside for photos!

There was an empty chair next to my grandpa in the sealing room. He later told me that he knew Grandma was there sitting beside him. More tears.

Bouquets for the bridesmaids. My mom did all the flowers – she has such a way. For the life of me, I can't figure out how she has such a magic touch with so many things.

The happy couple emerges!

Charlotte with her immediate family. (Denise made all of the dresses except for the bridal gown. She is a wonder.)

Charlotte with her sisters Sarah and Emily and best friend Rachelle, who stepped into the Sneelock role during wedding week.

Charlotte with her two new darling sisters-in-law, Estee and Nicole.

Denise and Mom, examples of sisters who love and support each other in everything they do. (Denise also made Mom's skirt!)

Check out Charlotte's fabulous shoes!

I just love how happy Charlotte looks.

It was a real challenge to get photos without cars, houses, stop signs, etc. in the background, but we got a few.



After the temple festivities, we all went back to Denise's house for lunch.

provisions for the crowd

And after lunch, it was time to decorate the reception hall! It took a lot of man-hours – good thing there were so many on hand to help!

Mom made about 20 different centerpieces. I've never seen floral arrangements that I like better than hers.

my darling parents

Charlotte and Josh had their own table. Charlotte tucked a napkin in her dress, because, "There's no way I'm getting barbecue on this!"

Possibly the most beautiful wedding cake ever. Definitely wins my vote for best cake topper!

Sign in area with the cutest book that Jessie made. Seriously, a guest book with photos and the story of their courtship in their words – brilliant. A guest book that they will actually want to look at again and again!

Cutting and feeding each other the first piece of cake.

Miranda and Nate with Z-cakes. I love that girl! (Miranda, as well.)

When Charlotte and Josh left, I felt stunned for those left behind. As the oldest child, I was never really in that situation. John, Sarah, Emily, and her parents are feeling the loss keenly. Of course, they are incredibly happy for her, but also realizing that she's not their little girl anymore. She'll never live at home again. At that moment, as well as in the temple, I found myself wondering how it would be to be the mother of the bride or groom. I'm so not ready for that!

Funny side note: when Charlotte was modeling her going away dress for Emily, John asked what that was for. Emily whispered to him that it was Charlotte's "sex dress," to his mortification. Hilarious.

Just a few of the hundreds of tea lights providing ambience.

another of Mom's vignettes (incidentally, she brought all of the glassware and candles with her on the plane!)

As things started to wind down, Denise and Mark took a few turns around the dance floor. Here, she models the twirl factor of her stunning dress. Impressive!

Mom's princess shoes. I'm sure Eva will be painfully jealous.

Mark danced with Sarah as well, which I found adorable.

Josh's cute family came back later to help take all the decorations down, so nice. I think Charlotte scored big-time with her in-laws!

On Saturday, we washed all of the glassware for shipping back to Pennsylvania and my dad packed it up (a nasty job).

I had really wanted to visit my grandma's grave, and my dad suggested we take Charlotte's bouquet to place there. We all wondered why we hadn't thought of it!

Charlotte's flowers on her namesake's grave. It was really the perfect way to end wedding week.

Since the newlyweds had already departed for their honeymoon cruise, we opened their presents for them. Did you know that Bed, Bath & Beyond will take the gifts you received from their store, re-stock them, and assemble the whole lot at the store nearest your home? Brilliant.

Mom's fingers sustained some damage from all the floral work. They were cut up, swollen, and pulsing with pain. I hope that neosporin did the trick, because she was going right back home to set up all of the Christmas decorations in her store!

It was so fun to be a part of the celebrations. I'm so happy for Charlotte & Josh, and wish them every happiness in their new life together!