WEDDING!!
We left for Lehi, Utah (where the Ferrins live) Monday morning. It was only a 5 hour drive, but we felt so done with being in the car by the time we got there. Most of the journey was through Wyoming; just hills, mountains, and prairie. We did pass by Independence Rock, a famous landmark that pioneers and other westward travelers used. Evidently, if a person/group were traveling west, they needed to be past Independence Rock by the 4th of July to avoid getting caught in winter weather farther west. It looked like a big turtle to me.
Once we got to Utah, the scenery really changed. Their mountains are way bigger and have such variety. Quite a pretty place. The Salt Lake Valley isn’t really our favorite. It’s quite packed with people and businesses. I guess we’ve gotten used to the open land and huge skies of Wyoming already.
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| Canyon in Utah on way to Lehi |
We were able to stay with the Ferrins for the whole trip. They are so kind and generous. They took great care of us and whatever family were available. We thought there would be more family for dinners, but some weren’t feeling well and others had previous plans. We enjoyed everyone we could.
Tuesday, Kate and I got to spend the morning together; just the two of us. We picked up some dresses (temple and one for the outside events), got our nails done and had lunch. It was nice to have that time together. Walt stayed busy with a hair cut, shopping at Deseret Books, and Chick-Fil-A. He had three sandwiches there during our trip. There isn’t one in Montana or Wyoming. Kristy, Barbara, and Drake come over later and we prepped the lunch for the next day. It’s always fun to do things together - always a lot of laughter in our family. We had pizza for whoever was there for dinner, and just spent time visiting.
It was on Monday night, that it totally dawned on me that Kate is getting married. That feeling of- she’s about to do something that really changes her life, a major event. This would be the start of her new little family. Quite exciting. They were both ready for it, and it was just cool to think about it that way. Kate was only nervous about things turning out well. Drake didn’t seem nervous at all, but I don’t know him as well.
Wednesday, (Wedding Day) started out early for Kate and I. We left the Ferrins at 7 am, in order to be at the Air B&B where the LeFevre family was staying. (most are from Minnesota). It would take 2 hours for Kate to get ready. I doubted that, but found it to be quite true. Kate, Drake and I needed to be at the temple by 9:30 am. Paige (Drake’s sister-in-law) professionally does wedding and special occasion hair. She did Kates, and it looked so amazing. Berlin (Drake’s sister) did her make-up. She looked so radiant!! She’s beautiful already, but that day she was stunning. I tried doing my own hair, which looked not so good. Then Paige worked on it, but it seemed so not my style. So I tried to fix it and things just went down hill from there. There were nearly tears, and then I just figured it is, what it is. It’s all about Kate anyway.
We ended up leaving 20 minutes late for the temple. They called to let the temple people know. Normally, during the week, the temple is pretty empty. Later we found out that the other temple in Provo is closed for cleaning, so there were a lot more people there that day. We get to the parking deck and there is absolutely no parking!! There were several people trolling for spots. There were about 6 spaces that were reserved and had orange cones blocking them. Drake decided we should park there. He asked me to go move the cone. Kate was not happy about that. So we parked, and upon getting out, saw a gentleman coming our way. He worked for the temple. He politely told us that these spaces were reserved. Drake replied, “reserved for whom?” Uh-oh, we’re busted. Drake explained the lateness and lack of parking. To our surprise, the man said OK. Wow!! How gracious and kind of him. He really put things in a good spirit. This situation could have easily turned unpleasant. Later, I saw him again and expressed my gratitude at his kindness and how he handled the situation.
Once inside, there were a string of ladies waiting for brides. In this temple, there are sister ordinance workers that just help with brides and sealings. They were like two angels; very patient, kind, and really made things run smoothly. Job well done. They showed Kate and I to the Bridal room. It’s always a very beautiful room with small dressing tables and several full length mirrors. We got Kate into her temple dress and went with our escorts to find the groom. He was ready, waiting and grinning from ear to ear. One of the ordinance workers commented on how relaxed Kate and Drake seemed. I guess lots of brides and grooms are so nervous, they barely hold hands. Our young couple were kissing in the elevator. They both were so happy and excited. The big event was almost here.
There is a waiting area for people attending the sealing and it was pretty packed. I think most were related to Drake. We had us, the Ferrins, Kemper and Abby, Kayla, Abe and Anya, 3 of her bridesmaids (two were companions on her mission), and about 3 other friends. Her mission president (Pres. Ivory) and his wife were also there. That was pretty special; he’s quite a busy man. It didn’t take too long before our group moved on to the sealing room. I don’t know how many there are in this temple. Usually there are 4-6; varying in size. This was an exquisite room. I really wish we could have taken pictures. No pictures are allowed to be taken in the temple. Walt and Drake’s dad (Kent) were the witnesses. It’s always two priesthood holders that the bride and groom choose. Drake’s mom (Shawnee) and I sat on both sides of where Kate and Drake would sit. They sit on a fancy loveseat. Everything in the temple is fancy - it’s the House of the Lord. Finally, the bride and groom came in - they were just beaming. The sealer (the priesthood holder that seals them for time and all eternity) usually explains about the marriage covenant and the blessings that come through keeping those covenants. It was nicely done. Then Kate and Drake knelt across from each other at the alter and held hands. The ordinance was performed, and then they kissed. I didn’t cry, but my smile was huge the whole time. Such a wonderful thing to see them sealed. The covenants and blessings are so wonderful. I am so proud of her and Drake for being worthy to be sealed in the temple. They isn’t always such an easy thing.
Afterwards, they stood to the side, and hugged (or shook hands) with each person who attended. The family goes first. It’s sort of like a reception line, but done very reverently. We don’t speak much above a whisper, if possible, at the temple. After everyone had left, Kate and Drake stood in front of the mirrors across from the alter. There is one on each side, reflecting off each other. It helps us visualize what eternity might be like. It also represents our ancestors that have passed on and our posterity that lie ahead. I could feel Michelle there, smiling and being so proud of her sister. Abe grinned during the whole ceremony, just like a big brother. That is what he is to her. He has known Kate since she was 6 years old.
A this point, the wedding guests wait outside for the Bride and Groom to make their grand exit out of the temple. I stayed with Kate, as did her two bridesmaids that were her mission companions, to help her dress in her wedding dress. In the temple, white clothing is worn, but brides don’t wear their fancy wedding dresses, just a pretty temple dress. So we gussied her up in her wedding gown, veil, and jewelry. She wore Michelle’s bridal veil and a pair of stunning earrings that Abe gave Michelle on their first anniversary. That was pretty special for Kate to wear. A little touch up to her hair, and she was set to go. Walt met us at the doors, and we went on out to make sure everyone was ready for the big moment. The ladies inside would watch for my thumbs up that everyone was in place. Once the photographer and all were ready, the thumb went up. Anyone is allowed to be outside the temple, so those guests who could not attend the ceremony waited outside. Kristy even took a video for me! Out they came, just beaming!! And of course, kissed a few times! Everyone cheered and some blew bubbles. Such a joyous thing to see!!
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| Cami, Kate, Allie, and Eliza (Cami and Eliza are previous mission companions of Kate's. Allie and Kate have know each other since they were 15 - met at EFY) |
Pictures were next. We would wait until our turn, as the photographer directed. There is usually a particular spot at each temple that most brides prefer for pictures. It was a sunny, hot day and any shade was quickly occupied. I would have like to have kept my sunglasses on for the pictures, but Kate vetoed that idea. After the group pictures were done, the bride and groom were directed to several other picturesque spots for additional shots. I waited so I could help Kate change. There were lots and lots of buttons on the back of her wedding dress. Since the lunch and dessert thing were at a park, Kate got a dress that was cooler, but looked quite bridal. It was perfect. She looked amazing the whole day!
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| Wedding Party (Since we were in many of the pictures, we took only a few) |
A casual lunch was held at a nearby park for the family and wedding party. Just fixings for sandwiches, fruit, veggies, and chips. Due to the heat, several people changed into less formal and cooler clothes. Most of the immediate family and wedding party stayed dressed up. Thank goodness a pavilion was available. We would have died in that heat. We were also blessed with a breeze. Sometimes, it was pretty hot, but we all survived. Kate and Drake took it all in stride and were so patient and kind with everything. Later, 4 pm, Drake’s family set up a dessert event. Anyone was invited. There was quite an array of delicious desserts. A pretty table was decorated for gifts and the guest book. They had a guest book engraved with their names with black pages (like the old scrapbooks) inside. There was a polaroid instant camera for each guest to take a picture, tape it into the book and write a note with some metallic pens. Pretty cool idea. Kate was the picture nazi. She didn’t want anyone to skip it. This way they could know visually, who each guest was that signed the book. They had it at the Minnesota open house, in Utah and will be at the Pennsylvania reception as well.
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| At the lunch. Kristy keeping the bride relaxed |
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| So glad William and Sawyer could come! |
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| Kate and Walt making flowers for the dessert party |
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| Happy reunion for Romanian missionaries |
The dessert event went from 4-6 pm. Once the guests had gone, Kate and Drake left for their own place. They are at an Air B&B for a week. Their honeymoon isn’t until after the PA reception. We helped with the clean up and then headed off to the Ferrins. Their son, Peter and his family cooked a yummy roast dinner for our group. They really did it up fancy. Such a sweet thing to do. Eric, MaryEllen, and us two were quite exhausted from the day’s events. Abe and Anya were the only family that was able to come to the dinner. We had a lovely time. We ate, and then played a few rounds of Rummycube (MaryEllen’s favorite). It was a very wonderful day!!
Thursday was very low key. It was Walt’s birthday!! I fixed his favorite breakfast and we just enjoyed time with the Ferrins that morning. In the afternoon, we ran some errands. Dropping off returns to Amazon, and picking up a few things at Trader Joe’s. The craziest part of that was seeing Erman there. Both Michelle and I worked with Erman at the Trader Joe’s in NJ. It’s been quite a few years. He was moved here to open the stores in Salt Lake and now one in Provo. He even gave us Walt’s birthday cake for free. We met Kate and Drake at Texas Roadhouse for a celebratory dinner. They wanted to acknowledge Walt’s birthday in the traditional style for Texas Roadhouse, but he said he wasn’t sitting on a saddle unless there was a horse underneath it. We did let them know that Kate and Drake were brand new newly-weds; so we got them up on the saddle. So fun. We all went back to the Ferrins for cake (from Trader Joe’s). Drake’s grandmother made a beautiful small one layer cake for them to freeze for their one year anniversary; it was gorgeous. We didn’t visit too late since we were all still a bit frazzled from the events of Wednesday. Plus, we, and the Ferrins, were leaving the next morning at 9 am. They has some family things to do in California and Arizona.
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| Celebrating Walt's birthday at Texas Roadhouse |
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| Kate and Drake on the celebratory saddle at Texas Roadhouse |
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| Walt's free birthday cake from Trader Joe's |
We will see Kate and Drake in just 2 weeks for the PA reception, so it was only a little sad to say good-bye. They are so happy! This week they will work on finding an apartment to start renting in September; when school starts again. Then they’ll be staying with Abe, Anya and all the kids until the reception. Bless Abe and Anya’s heart. It will be a full house for sure.
We left Friday morning, and drove the whole way home. We did stop for lunch at “Little America.” It is a huge rest stop in Wyoming (the only thing around there) with everything you can think of. We had a picnic in the shade with our leftover wedding lunch food. We also stopped and visited Martin’s Cove. A historic site for our church about the Willie and Martin handcart companies that got stuck in bad weather and no food as they traveled from Illinois to Salt Lake City; nearly killing the entire company. We also stopped at Independence rock. It was quite a hot day, so we limited our time there. Our last stop was in Rawlings, where we enjoyed some Chinese food. It’s been over 7 months since we have had that. It was tasty. We enjoyed a pretty cool thunderstorm the last part of our journey. In Wyoming, since you can see so far, a thunderstorm can be quite a sight, and you might not even get rained on. We got home about 10 pm - every exhausted and glad to be home.
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| Devil's Gate (Wyoming) |
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| Platt River near Devil's Gate (many pioneers crossed here) |
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| Independence Rock |
We’re so grateful for all who could attend the wedding/sealing and other events this week. We look forward with eagerness to the PA reception and the opportunity to see the rest of the family. It will be party time!!! Be safe, and stay cool - it’s hot out there!!! We love you all!
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