Wedding day

Thank you for your patience. I am glad I divided the wedding posts into several days and  will finish up tomorrow with more about the ceremony and reception.

Sunday morning 8 a.m.
We picked the girls up from the hotel and drove to the wedding venue where we found Ben’s family waiting. Yusuf and Alicia came shortly after and we unloaded cars, hauled boxes and sorted through items to figure out where they needed to be placed. Scott (Ben’s brother and best man) and Toni, his fiancee had already set up the candy bar. This was so helpful and it was one less thing on our list. By the way, the candy bar was the most popular table at the wedding!

Centerpieces were placed on each table by Ben’s mother and father and the guest book table was also completed at that time. The girls went directly to the bridal suite and prepared for the wedding. This was captured by their professional photographer and I am excited to see these photos!
The two younger sisters helping out

I spent my time downstairs directing traffic as my kids trickled in and were assigned jobs to help get everything ready. Osama arrived with the kids and buckets of flowers while Yusuf and Alicia put together a beautiful dessert table.

Sand for the ceremony, throw bouquet and bouquet for the flower girl

Bits and pieces for various tables

The little boys objected to wearing their wedding clothes and in particular suspenders and “mommom” (me) produced a toy that might have become more of a menace but at least took attention off of bow ties, slacks and little black shoes!

Everyone took turns holding the bouquet, Alyana and the boys!

It was then announced that it was time for the “first look”. I had never heard of this tradition before but Fattima filled me in on what appears to be a common practice. The groom waits for the bride, she walks up behind him and taps on his shoulder and he gets to see his bride for the first time in her gown. We were invited to watch this moment and it was priceless!

After the first look we continued with our set up as well as adding more family pictures! Five brothers from oldest to youngest.

Although this is not the best picture I had to post it as I think it best illustrates the glitter and glam of Fattima’s princess dress.