“Dave?”
“Yeah?”
“Hey. It’s Emily”
“Oh hey cuz! Congratulations on your engagement to Lance! That’s really exciting”
“Thanks! Lance and I want to know if Maddie will be a flower girl in the wedding.”
“Umm. You know she’s only 18 months old, right?”
“Yeah, but she’ll be older by the time of the wedding. And it will be adorable. And besides, one of the ringbearers and the other flower girl are really young too. They’ll be fine.”
And so began the fantastic adventure that was Maddie the flower girl in Dave’s cousin Emily’s wedding (previous post – engagement) (previous post – engagement garden party).
Click here to see Emily’s wedding photos from Emily & Lance’s fantastic wedding photographer Clinton Brewer.
Maddie and Jen enjoying some raisins in the bridal room
The other flowergirl Abby is 2-1/2. She and Maddie had a fantastic time together. At the wedding rehearsal, they walked hand-in-hand down the aisle at least 4 or 5 times. They had a ball! On the big day, however, Abby had something of a meltdown. She didn’t have a particularly good nap and she wanted nothing to do with dresses, flowers or weddings.
Maddie even offered Abby some raisins (which we all know is the universal symbol of wedding-day perk-me-up), but Abby was not to be persuaded.
Maddie meeting Dave’s 2nd cousin Catelyn Cappleman (Sue’s cousin Anne’s daughter), who was also a bridesmaid
Maddie meeting Emily the bride before the ceremony
It turns out that the best way to occupy some 2-year-olds’ attention is repeated viewings of the video for “Happy” by Pharrell Williams
Abby finally did cheer up before the wedding. Probably was the raisins.
The wedding party having portraits taken by the very-talented wedding photographer Clinton Brewer. Click here to see Emily’s official wedding photos.
Emily with her mom Debbie and her grandma Nanny Wanda
Maddie’s great-aunt Debbie getting her finishing touches with uncle Jim (Sue’s brother)
Emily’s beau Lance had 2 best men in his wedding party. In a fantastic stroke-of-luck, one of his best mates was able to return from his deployment in Afghanistan about a week before the wedding. Accordingly, 2 best men stood beside him!
When the organ started playing, it was game-time and Maddie grabbed Abby’s hand and they started right down the aisle. Sadly, they had to be corralled back because the bridal party had to enter first. Then the ring-bearers took off down the aisle, no problem. They could see their mom & dad up at the front of the church standing with Lance and the bridal party. Abby, too, could see her mom & dad at the front and walked down the aisle as well. Ultimately, perhaps because it was after 7pm or perhaps because there were 300 people looking at her, Maddie decided she did not want to accompany Abby. Jen carried her down the aisle and she looked adorable. 2-year-olds and evening weddings, even with a good nap are a wildcard. Noted. Emily was right though, she looked adorable.
Emily & Lance’s wedding ceremony included a blessing and short homily from Bishop John Wesley Hardt, who ministered in Arkansas with our grandfather, Kermit Van Zant. Later, he and our grandparents were reintroduced at the Methodist retirement home in Dallas. His remembrances were a very special moment for all of us. This photo shows Emily & Lance and Maddie’s great-aunt & uncle Debbie and Jim meeting Rev. Hardt after the ceremony.
Charming. Classy. Maddie.
After the wedding ceremony, it was time to party. Maddie had a blast meeting lots of relatives, dancing, and staying up later than she ever had — nearly 9:30!
The reception was held on White Rock Lake in Dallas at the historic 1930 art-deco Bath House, which was decorated resplendently.
Maddie with great-aunt-something-something Susan Bradley (Sue’s cousin Charles’ wife).
Emily & Lance were given a fantastic slideshow by the wedding party at the rehearsal dinner, which was held in a ballroom high over the Park Cities in Dallas near SMU. Maddie was especially thrilled that you could see the DART trains running past the hotel. She has been really enthralled with Thomas the Tank Engine lately.
The morning of the wedding, we took a ride on “Thomas” into downtown Dallas. Maddie was beside herself! There was a very long tunnel and lots and lots of trains.
An abstract elevator reflection from the rehearsal dinner.
Click here to view the full gallery of photos from our trip to Emily’s wedding. Emily & Lance’s Wedding
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Want to see more pictures or get a print? Here’s the galleries: http://davidcox.smugmug.com/Family