Vegas Wedding - The Speech.

Hi, my name is Tabitha and I really do NOT want to give a speech.  When Deb told me I'd have to give a speech I told her just how much I REALLY did not want to.  Deb is a very private person so I knew there was no way out when she said, "you have to give a speech and you can't talk about our friendship unless you talk about everything we've been through... It's ok.  You have to do it."

So... Here goes.

Deborah and I became friends, through Chaz, 2 weeks after her mother passed away.  At a time when she cut off from the world, severed her closest friendships and, simply put, didn't want to be bothered, she and I grew close.  We've been inseparable ever since.  We became family this past August when my god baby, Chandler Londyn Moore, *deep breath to fight tears* couldn't.  She -- she just didn't.  Despite our excitement. And hope. And anticipation... She just-- she didn't come home.

You know, you really get to know a person at their core - how strong their faith is, what they truly stand for, who they really are - when they go through something.

Deborah, it takes a strong woman to be a wife.  Wives, can I get an amen?! *wives start side-eyeing husbands saying AMEN!*

God has prepared you for this phase of life.  He has equipped you with the tools to survive marriage. 

Now Chaz, it takes a good man to recognize a strong woman is more than a baby mama.  I can only say a few nice things before the jokes start to roll so pay close attention...

I've known you for 15 years and you've always been a cool dude and a good guy...  I am proud to say that through the trials of home ownership, fatherhood, grief and more, I've been able to witness as you become a great man.

SO.

I'm sure you'll have plenty of people stand and laugh with you during this celebration.  They'll tell you marriage is awesome and married life will be good... My toast, however, is a reality check that life is not always sweet.  You're going to cry, times will get hard, you will get hurt but the secret to a successful marriage is always remembering that you are stronger.  Together.

<end>

I sat in my seat next to Deb.  We embraced and cried like no one else was in the room.

Vegas Wedding - The Reception.

Soul Train Introduction

 

As the bridal party (which grew from 2 in Vegas to 8 for the reception) was announced, we formed a soul train line with girls on one side and guys on the other.  The first to be introduced?  Our babies.

 

 

Deb requested that Munch walk in with Chazity.  They held hands and were SO adorable!  Yes, Munch wore pink and turquoise in god baby's memory.  I love the simple pink dress and, with a piece of turquoise ribbon, I quickly created a belt.  Even her shoes were a nod to our baby (they had sparkly rose gold bows)!

 

The Bridal party was all lined up, the DJ changed the song to Beyoncé's "Crazy In Love" and in walks our bride and groom.  Now, Deb is a diehard Beyoncé fan so she started wiggling like her super star idol!

 

 

Down the soul train line they came!

 

 

Each of the bridal party couples had to come down the line to their seat.

 

 

 

 

We ate, we drank, we took pics in the photo booth.

 

 

We hung in the VIP section:

 

 

He grabbed the garter:

 

 

He tossed the garter:

 

 

She tossed her bouquet:

 

 

They danced, they hugged, they cut the BEAUTIFUL cake:

 

 

The cake was a nod to god baby's baby shower cake.  The middle tier was an exact replica of the ruffles on the shower cake.  Misty sparkled bows that cascaded down the side of the cake.  It was truly a BEAUTIFUL piece of art.  I picked it up and cried when I saw it.  I remembered how excited I was to see the baby shower cake...

 

 

 Then I recalled how excited we were to have the shower...

 

 

 

and to decorate her nursery...

 

 

 

and to meet her and...

I'm about to cry so let's move on.

 

As another nod to god baby, I gave the couple a cake and knife server from Things Remembered; it had crystal bows on it!  GORGEOUS!

 

 

The cake cutting was extra cute because it was a family affair:

 

 

 

 O and because Chaz handled the venue and the contract staff, no one was there to cut and serve the cake.  Yea, as in, it wasn't a contracted task... As in that cake wouldn't get eaten?!

 

I don't THINK so!

 

No prob.  Into the kitchen I go...

 

 

Yes, those are some pretty expensive shoes to be trotting around with a 20 pound cake into a restaurant kitchen.  Not my proudest moment but... Anything for my friends.

 

I wanted these two to really enjoy their extra special day!

 

 

 O and don't think I forgot about the knots in my stomach over the speech.  We'll get to that before we wrap this thing up.  Don't even worry.

 

Vegas Wedding - The Return.

You're probably thinking this post will begin to talk about my own life, right?!

 

WRONG.

 

I didn't get back to my own life until after the reception.  What reception, you ask?

 

Chaz decided to host a reception in his hometown, Fredericksburg, VA a few weeks after the wedding ceremony.

 

Deborah got word that he selected and paid for a venue and we all laughed at Chaz becoming a Groomzilla.  Seriously, dude?! He made a decision and it was going to be his thing, lol.  Deb did, however, decide to handle the décor.  After all, what bride wants to show up to her reception where the groom decorated and planned it?  Exactly.

Don't worry, Chaz was ok with her playing a role - HA!

 

The vision. Deborah wanted a photo booth, a color-coordinated sweets display, up lighting and other decor to set a fun ambiance.  She tasked me with helping her execute all of the above AND with designing the wedding cake. 

 

I scheduled a cake tasting with my favorite cake baker, Misty.  Remember? Misty was the baker I hired for their baby shower cake and it was very important to Deb that she design and bake her wedding cake.  I gave Misty free reign over the cake design (I couldn't focus long enough to design the cake).  It was amazing (pics coming soon)!

 

Anyhoo, while Deb and Chaz were off tasting cake, the girls had a playground date and let's just say they were all smiles, lol:

 

 

 

The two girls have a joy that is contagious. I hear them giggling and I can't help but smile.  It's always a party when these two get together:

 

 

Anyhoo, I mentioned before that I've been on frequent work-related travel; the week of the wedding reception was no exception.  In an effort to NOT slow down progress, we Face Timed daily.

 

 

Can you see those faces? I knew I was cute with my straight hair and they answered the call as I was flippin' my hair, lol. 

*rolls eyes* MOVING ON.

 

 

I returned from travel on the Friday before the wedding reception.  I had a lengthy list of tasks.  First stop? Ikea.  The reception venue had small (4-person) tables so we couldn't have centerpieces that took up too much space.  Deb wanted to create table numbers that would stand in a small decorative vase with a simple floral arrangement.  Ikea had the perfect size and colors for a great price:

 

 

I was also VERY pleased to see they had a polka dot fabric that would serve as the perfect backdrop to the sweets buffet and photo booth.  Additional tasks included design/make a cupcake stand, make a few banners, print and frame signage, finalize the venue layout, etc.  I spent my Saturday driving to pick-up baked goods, crafting for the dessert buffet, and finalizing the layout.  I went to bed at 2 a.m.

 

I woke up at 5:15 a.m. to load my car before heading to my 6:00 a.m. hair appointment.  I was a little late for church and I had to unload all of my beloved baked goods to avoid melting.  I left church, got waxed, stopped by my parents' home for a 10-minute break before driving to the venue to unload and decorate; it was A LOT!

 

For an hour or so, it was just his sister, Tiara, and I.  We were getting things done but I'm sure you can imagine my excitement when the extra hands arrived an hour before guests would arrive - especially when the bride and groom got in on the fun, lol.

 

 

 

Finally! We were all set-up and ready to go!

 

My week (and life) leading up to this event was so crazy.  I would be joking if I said I wasn't excited to reach this point.

 

Just when I thought I could breathe.  It hit me, I had to make a speech!

 

OMGOMGOMGOMGomgOMG!!!

 

My stomach is in knots just thinking about it. 

 

I gotta go.

 

Tune in tomorrow for the reception wrap-up!

 

 

 

WW: Wedding Planner Tip!

Wordless Wednesdays

 

 

Vegas Wedding - Observation Deck Photos

Immediately following the ceremony, all of the guests took a private elevator up to the observation deck for photos.  We had a lot of fun enjoying the breathtaking view of Las Vegas!!

 

 

After the wedding ceremony, guests were allowed to use their cameras to snap a few pics of the bridal party.  O, I don't think I've shared a pic of Chaz and his 2 Best Men:

 

 

 

The following pics are a combination of phtographs taken with my cell, Chaz's aunt's Nikon and Tiffany's (or Tiffarazzi), a family friend, Canon.

 

Enjoy!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 After the pics, the bride, groom and flower girl piled into their limo and headed back to their hotel.

 

 

 

 

We all changed clothes then met for a group dinner.  It was such a lovely night!