Gracie's First Wedding

Gracie has been looking forward to this event for weeks.

She is such a girly-girl, and she could not wait to see all the princess-like activities at a real live wedding.

She didn't really have anything wedding appropriate to wear, so mommy made her a long, flowery, special dress to wear. She got new fancy shoes and I even made her a flowery headband to match her dress.

It was hot when we arrived at the outdoor wedding site, which was on property owned by Ruth's family.

We saw the "twinkle lights" hung, and the wildflowers and all of the beautiful boxes and packages, and the decorations that looked like fairies had set them up themselves.

We quickly made our way to seats under trees that were set up behind an old wooden door that sat in the middle of the lawn.

Gracie anxiously awaited the arrival of the bride, whom she was sure would look more like a princess than any she had seen in the movies.

We didn't have to wait too long, and even though the heat was very noticeable, Gracie fidgeted and fluffed her dress repeatedly waiting for the music to start.

Her eyes locked on the center isle when the pretty bridesmaids made their way down slowly. And, I heard a gasp when she saw the bride pass by her row of chairs.

She didn't really know much about what the minister was saying to the bride and groom, but she was locked on, absorbing every moment of this very adult, and very girly, and very special time.

When the bride and groom kissed, she struck her girl-pose as she does when the princesses gets the prince in all of her favorite movies. And that moment that my child watch a real woman get her real love was worth all the sweat dripping from our styled hair.

Gracie leaned so far out of her chair to watch the couple prepare to come back down the isle, I was sure she would tip over. She stood and watched in awe as the bride, now a wife, once again passed by her view.

Ready for all of the other wedding festivities, Gracie was very anxious to see and take in everything she could.

We found a shady spot and she waited her turn to "win" a cup by tossing a coin inside. She won a tea cup with a chocolate image printed on the outside.

We stood in line and she filled her cup with lemonade.

There was a spot to fill a small paper bag with popcorn and there were tables set up to stand around and chat and sip your drink and eat your popcorn.

Aunt Ruth found Gracie, and then we found other people we knew and loved.

Anxious, and excited Gracie followed as we went to the tables set up to serve dinner.

Gracie reminded me that she had been practicing her best wedding manners all week so she could eat like a perfect lady.

What a special evening for such a special little girl. We are so thankful that we were invited to share in this day for Logan and Denise.