Seeing Friends Tie The Knot (Page One)
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We met Jennifer four years ago (2014) at Malarkey's where she is employed. She was a "newbie" back then and was introduced to us "old timers" (we have gone there every Monday for years and years)
Soon afterwords we met Joe, her boyfriend since 2011...a real great guy! Over the years we met the family including the girls...who you will see in a few minutes.
When they were getting engaged, we worked with Joe to make sure it was special and a surprise! We were asked to go to the wedding, who could pass that up? Although, Jennifer did not mention the wedding was going to be in Lauhlin in late June (think hot) we were committed! Yep! When we arrived it was a mere 108...down from 114 last week!
So, off we go!
We stopped for a few minutes to stretch our legs
Sue spotted a good place for lunch... Turned out to be pretty good!
Looks like it is moving down the river
Did You Know? - Colorado Belle is a hotel and casino located on the banks of the Colorado River in Laughlin, Nevada. The Colorado Belle is a fixed building made to look like a six-deck replica of a 19th-century Mississippi paddle wheel riverboat and has 1,168 rooms in two seven story towers. The casino has 42,706 sq ft (3,967.5 m2) of gaming space with approximately 1,200 slot machines, keno lounge and a poker room. A sports book is located on "B" deck. The hotel has six restaurants and two gift shops. The resort also includes two pools, a fitness room, a koi pond, a beauty spa, an arcade and a private beach on the river.
A cool 106 outside and the water was churned up with speedboats
Did You Know? - Laughlin is the third most visited casino and resort destination in the state after Las Vegas and Reno and is one of the top five destinations for American RV enthusiasts.
Time to go inside and explore the neighboring hotels
We dined with the folks who are attending the wedding. We had a large group so the group was split up but that was OK, we got to meet new friends.
We went to the Colorade Belle Friday-Saturday Seafood Buffet: Friday-Saturday (4 p.m.-10 p.m.), Since it was difficult for Sue to eat there, Paul made up for it... Between Ghislaine and Paul, the buffet probably lost money!
Nummy nummy! Good for the tummy!
Oh, "vittles" is an archic name for food but generally refers to edible provisions!
We strolled the walkway after dinner
The boats were pretty much gone! The river was calm.
The nightlife was getting underway!
The weather seemed to be average for this time of year
We crashed,,, Tomorrow is a BIG day and we are only the spectators! We are quite excited for "the kids"!
We slept late and headed for the pizza place (Pints in the Colorado Belle) about 11:00 am... Excellent pizza and Paul did the two bratwursts with mashed potatoes and a load of hot sauce... good groceries.
We got cleaned up and prepared for a lovely wedding! Heading to "D" Deck for the festivities.
They did it!
Jen said "6:00 PM sharp!"
The little girls stole the show! Cute!
(Grandma and Grandpa look on)
The Flower Girl and her big sister assistant
Did You Know? - Centuries ago, couples often married for political reasons rather than love. In some cultures, marriages were arranged by parents. In these arranged marriages, the bride and groom did not meet before the wedding. Since procreation was the primary purpose of arranged marriages, fertility was a concern for the newlyweds. To symbolize the blessings of fertility and prosperity for the couple, flower girls carried sheaves of wheat and bouquets of herbs. In the present-day U.S., these historical fertility symbols have been replaced by flowers or flower petals.
Oscar has a halo.... That can't be "our Oscar"
Oscar did the flowers for the ceremony and,
as expected, they were amazing!
Grandma gets a photo-op!
I can see you!
Big Sis is there to assist!
The table of honor for this evening...
All smiles!
Oscar out did hmself!
We had flowers up and down the aisle!
Making the rounds!
The guys spend a few minutes together before the ceremony
Friends since the third grade... wow!
The cake awaits... Soon!
Very true!
We are about to get started!
I'll bet he has done a few of these over the years!
Serious Joe
Joe awaits patiently...
Two handsome gentlement!
"The practice worked! Sis is doing just fine!"
A little here and a little there!
It takes concentration!
Friends since kindergarten
She is still putting down the petals!
Dad walks her down the aisle!
Ever heard of the $1,000,000 smile... She has it!
Beautiful!
Dad looks pretty serious
Always smiling!
Remember Jen... This is being recorded!
We almost had waterworks...almost!
Thank goodness for the iPhone!
Keeping an eye on the little ones!
Your turn Joe
...and Jen?
The ring exchange
Did You Know? - It is commonly believed that the first examples of wedding rings were found in ancient Egypt. Relics dating to 6,000 years ago, including papyrus scrolls, are evidence of the exchange of braided rings of hemp or reeds between spouses. Ancient Egypt considered the circle to be a symbol of eternity, and the ring served to signify the perpetual love of the spouses. This was also the origin of the custom of wearing the wedding ring on the ring finger of the left hand, because the ancient Egyptians believed that this finger enclosed a special vein that was connected directly to the heart, denominated in Latin the "Vena amoris".
The Western traditions of wedding rings can be traced to ancient Rome and Greece, and were first associated with the marital dowry and later with a promise of fidelity. The modern exchange of rings derived from the customs of Europe in the Middle Ages as part of Christendom. In the United States, wedding rings were initially only worn by wives, but became customary for both husbands and wives during the 20th century.
"One last word before the candles..."
TheUnity Candle Ceremony
Did You Know? - It is sometimes performed to symbolize the joining together of the two families, and their love for the bride and the groom, into one united family that loves the new husband and wife. More often it is to symbolize the union of two individuals, becoming one in commitment. The popular explanation is that the taper candles are lit by representatives from each family to symbolize the love and allegiance that each family has for either the bride or the groom.
As the bride and groom use these two flames to light the unity candle, they bring the love of both families together in a united love of the new couple. Generally, the two tapers are left burning and replaced in their holders (because each family's love for their own will continue). However, in some ceremonies they may blow out their individual candles.
When the ceremony is alternatively performed to symbolize simply the joining together of the bride and groom, the tapers may be blown out, to indicate that the two lives have been permanently merged, or they may leave them lit beside the central candle, symbolizing that the now-married partners have not lost their individuality.
A beautoful bride indeed!
They and their familes are now one
That there is a real smooch!
...and a little whisper!
They did it!
Time for the escape...
See you in a few minutes
We are right behind you!
Meet Mr. & Mrs. Joe Garcia
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