Goin' To the Chapel

This weekend my good friend Nikki was married at the Cathedral Basilica. She had to call and reserve this date on January 1, 2009 at midnight. While others were ringing in the New Year and kissing their sweeties, Nikki was dialing the Cathedral's office voicemail and putting in a request for a wedding date 18 months in the future. If you've ever seen this venue, you would understand the demand. It houses the world's largest mosaic installation and its beauty is breathtaking. I was thrilled to be an attendant and equally excited (and nervous) that Teagan was asked to be a flower girl. The wedding party was large - 9 bridesmaids, 9 groomsmen, one flower girl and two ring bearers.
Beginning on Thursday, we were pampered and coiffed with manicures, pedicures, tans, makeovers and hairstyles. Friday afternoon I was thankfully able to get Teagan down for a decent nap and then hauled her over to Chase Park Plaza to meet the other girls so she could get her hair done while the rest of us got dressed and ready. She enjoyed the attention and being part of the group. It was rather funny at times to see her swimming her way through the sea of satin calling out "Mommy? Mommy?"... I guess we all looked similar from her perspective.
Once the ceremony began, we all waited in line for the processional while Quinn and Teagan started in on each other at the back of the line and sweet little Brendan just looked on, probably wondering what he was getting himself into. Quinn and Teagan can be really sweet with each other, but at times they're also like siblings. This was one of those times. They started using their flowers as swords and aggravating each other. After reprimanding them, we proceeded to the front and took our places at the altar. Kelly, Lisa and I held our breath as our three little ones began their ascent up the aisle. Would one of them refuse to walk? Would one start crying? Would they run? Would they trip? Would they fight? I'm pretty sure Teagan thought it was a race. She didn't run, but she booked it quickly up the aisle, leaving the boys to fend for themselves and checking out the women she passed and the shoes they were wearing. Quinn followed behind but kept up with Teagan's pace pretty well, and Brendan fell back and did his own thing. Each of the boys did as they were supposed to and walked over to their families as they got to the front of the church, but Teagan walked right up to the altar, up the stairs, turned around and stood in the center like she was supposed to be there. Poor Rog had to run up and retrieve her, which she didn't accept well. (He also forgot to stop recording, which is why the video gets a little crazy after she passes by)



Fortunately all was clear as Nikki began her walk. She looked absolutely beautiful and when her soon-to-be-husband started crying, I lost it, too. I'm so glad to see her so happy. The ceremony was perfect and the reception was gorgeous as well. Nikki has always had a very distinct personality and style and it was reflected in the decor, and it all looked amazing. It was a long and exhausting but fantastically fun day and I wish the newlyweds a wonderful honeymoon and a long and happy marriage!