My Shadow's Wedding

In case you were picturing me with my silhouette in a wedding gown getting hitched, let me expound on that title.

This is my niece Shadow:

 Only she's 20+ years older than that now. But sometimes I still picture here as her two year old self which made me cry harder on her wedding day. Like one of those sappy commercials where a dad is watching his little girl grow up and then she's old enough to drive a Nissan.

She decided to make March 17 (St. Patrick's Day) her wedding day.

On Thursday of last week, I flew home to Indiana so that I could be there for her special day. 

My sister B picked me up from the airport and surprised me by bringing my mom with her. My hair basically shoved my mom out of the frame.

 I have a treasure trove of photos proving that I don't stop talking.

 We went out to eat at a restaurant called Granite City. My favorite part of French Onion Soup is the cheese. I just thought that was valuable information.

My sisters set aside Friday for a day of bonding. Our first order of business on all sisterly bonding days is a selfie in the car together. I would like to present to you a collage of this special time:

If you paid close attention, there's a good chance you noticed that when I placed my camera in the selfie stick for our picture, I accidentally set the place holder directly on top of the button that takes pictures. So it was repeatedly taking pictures without stopping for at least 2 full minutes while we all tried to figure out what was happening. Eventually I discovered the problem, turned the phone the other way around and we were in business.

Almost.

We couldn't stop laughing long enough for all of us to be prepared for the picture.

Putting our sunglasses on calmed us down a bit.

We spent the first half of the day in an old church building that had been converted into an antique shop. I asked one of the workers if she'd be kind enough to take our photo by one of the stained glass windows, which was no easy feat because the light from the windows kept washing us out. So I asked if she'd also apply stage makeup to us before the picture and she said no.

I bought my first pair of booties in honor of this special trip, and I ended up with blisters and cramped toes. But I looked good. So.

We ate lunch at a cute little hole in the wall joint called Pickles. My sisters K and A both applied lipstick which looked magnificent and I was determined to buy the same thing so that I can dominate the world with my lips. That's the reason for this picture.

And this one.

While were out and about, my BFF sent me this little gem. A copy of the "newspaper" the old school district I worked for put out.

Saturday was the big wedding day. My sister decided we should leave early and we grabbed lunch and a slice of pie at Essenhaus restaurant. All of the Amish waitresses there have tattoos. That's just a joke.

Finally we arrived at the Silver Palace to enjoy the beautiful special wedding day.

 Shadow had the entire event center decorated just beautifully in a St. Patrick's Day theme.

 If I could go back and do my wedding over again (which I won't because I'm too lazy) I would have a super cute welcoming table like this one.

 The aisle runner was sprinkled with little gold leaflets. They weren't real gold. I figured it out after I stuffed my pockets with a bunch of them thinking I would cash in after the wedding.

I think it's important to note here that I have the oldest iPhone known to mankind. I think it's like a negative 3. It doesn't take great shots when a room is dimly lit. 

 This might be one of my most favorite pictures of my sister K. My nephew C  in this picture had just celebrated his birthday the day before. I caught him grabbing gifts off of the gift table and shoving them in a bag believing they should really be for him. The jokes on him when he discovers a fruit tray and a set of coasters once they're opened. 

We had a lot of time to sit around and take selfies before the wedding started.

 This is Kyle, the groom. I always love to watch the look on the groom's face when he's about to see his bride walk down the aisle.

 My niece Felicia (the bride's sister) was the first one down the aisle. Isn't she cute in her green dress?

 I took an angled picture of her once she got up front because I was in a mood to act like a wedding photographer.

The time of weeping came when Shadow came down the aisle. If you listen closely, you can hear me telling my sister that I was going to ball my eyes out because she chose to walk down the aisle to the song I sang at her mom's wedding. 

 Shadow and Kyle's daughter Lydibug was the most well behaved child I've ever witnessed in a wedding party. My sister and I were just discussing how my nephew ran up to the stage to play the piano during my wedding. When my sister chased him down to stop him, he hid under it. I didn't even know any of that happened until I watched my wedding video.

I like this picture because you get a good look at Shadow's veil. I accidentally put a hole in mine when I decided it would be a great idea to sew rhinestones into it even though I don't know how to sew.

 I'm pretty sure Shadow is making sure the preacher man is reading the correct vows. I tried to sneak him some that I made up that said "I promise I will still love you even if you pick your nose and eat it".

 They were just announced Mr. and Mrs. They seem pretty happy about it so I decided I would be too.

The reception was immediately following which meant it was time for more selfies. I was also determined to get one impromptu photo of the bride and groom right away because it turns out that my favorite picture from my wedding day was taken by my cousin as Jason and I were greeting the guests to go to the reception. Look at the cutie butt couple.

 I'm like a selfie wedding crasher.

 I saw Shadow signing the marriage document and I didn't see anyone taking pictures of it so I snatched one right away. That will be $15 Shadow. Cash or Credit.

 Lydibug is so sweet.

 I asked her to twirl around for me and when she did, the aisle runner got all twisted up and I got in trouble. Totally worth it.

The centerpieces were just exquisite. I really wanted the heart shaped mirror to carry around in my purse for when I apply lipstick number 140. But I was under the impression that it would be noticed if one was missing.

 The cake. Which was vanilla AND chocolate! Everyone wins!

 Of course I realized that their faces were 100% blocked by the bouquet. 

Lydi didn't feel well. Mommy cuddles are needed, even at weddings when the mom if the bride.  Of course that all changes is the bride gets puked on.

 Shadow eventually found her pose and nailed it each time I paparazzied her.

They had this superb idea to have a photo booth set up, which was taken advantage of throughout the night.

 I'm pretty sure these photos emphasize the Irish roots in my DNA.

 The night was coming to a close with dancing brought to you by the bride & groom,

... And me. You're welcome.