ONE!!!!

Saturday
October 22, 2011

So, this was my dilemma: Is the day I'm counting down to supposed to be one or zero? I chose ONE but it feels unfinished. But on the other hand, there is no such thing as a zero day, right? I don't know. Anyways...

Wedding day!

It was beautiful and fun, low stress and high winds. It rained on and off, but then again it was on Puget Sound in October. No biggie!

We woke up early and met at the reception site to help set up. It was held at a historic building in downtown Bellingham, "the Leopold" in the ballroom. Lots of moving tables, chairs, ironing cloth napkins and tableclothes... good thing there was lots of help! Local friends as well as extended family worked very hard to get things juuuuuuust right. I'm not sure Bellingham knew what hit it when so many Hay/Labrus rolled into town. Bubba nearly bowled Ben over when he first got to the site. That's an entrance!

The bridesmaids and bride all had appointments for hair at the mall followed by getting dressed at Allyssa's and then pictures with the rest of the bridal party and some family. (I can't wait to see how the professional pics turned out!) The location for the pictures was inside an old building in Fairhaven, three stories of stairs wrapping around the inside, leading up from a courtyard with a fountain.

Then we got to the hall, hung out in the back and the wedding started on time. In fact we were ready at least 30 minutes before the appointed time and ended up killing time, re-applying lipgloss, snacking on granola bars, taking girly pictures and counting down the time. The flower girl and her brother the ring bearer kept us entertained too. At one point he gave us his best Mr. Miyagi impression, "Wax on, Wax off!"

Saje & Flower Girl (Allyssa's Cousin)

Bridal Party

(below) Me and the beautiful Mother of the Groom

After the wedding there was a receiving line and I got to see so many wonderful friends and beloved family who traveled many hours to attend. We made our way to the reception at last and in our absence it had transformed from merely a fine looking room to a splendid scene of elegance. Candles and goblets and crystals and two large chandeliers adorned the room and lent much to the sophisticated taste level of the entire reception.

After dinner there was dancing...

...and cake.

It's hard to tell from this picture, but the cake toppers on the side cakes were Cinderella & Prince Charming and Belle & the Beast. Not to be outdone by the decorations were the cake flavors: Chocolate, Coconut, Lemon and Bananas Foster! Yum!

Zane and I had so much fun dancing to a few old songs and many of the current dance tunes. Even Dad and Mom got out on the floor to one of the first songs, "Play that funky music, white boy!" I nearly died! One of my favorite memories of the whole weekend. We also got to catch up at the reception with Dani and Jay, Toni and Bob and Delia and Duston.

The night ended, as all things do. But the memories of it will be cherished for many years. And even if those memories fade, the same will never be said of the love we have for Ben and Allyssa.