Saturday. July 20, 2019. This is the day. Oona and Sam become Mr. and Mrs. A year of engagement and now…. it’s that day!
Today is the day!! And I have the embroidered hanky that Oona’s Maid-of-Honor had made for me and Sam’s mom!
The wakeup call at 7:30 had me reaching for the glass that Bonaparte handed to me. Although the beverages from the night before left me without a headache, I felt rather…….empty and needed the assistance of ol’ Speedy Alka Seltzer.
Thank you Speedy for relieving my aches *wink*!
Oona, the Bridesmaids and Yours Truly were to convene in Oona’s suite at 8:30 for hair and makeup. Luckily because I merely have to plop a head of synthetic tresses on my noggin, I was able to show up a few minutes late.
Hmmm..hmmmm. Breakfast fun before the makeup gets done!
It was fun to be among the girls and watching them, animated and giddy, was very entertaining for me. It made me realize what great friends Oona has and each of them were transformed into greater beauties than they naturally are.
Oh yes she is..and the champagne flowed freely!
The Bridal Bouquet arrives!
As do the flowers for the Bridesmaids and..
….the groomsmen
Our beautiful Bride!
With trepidation, I took my place in the chair and had my makeup done. I’m not a fan of others doing my face but for this occasion, I chalked it up. And oh, was I glad I did. The foundation was airbrushed and I had never had airbrushed makeup. It was great—just like a second skin and Sarah Cormier, the owner of Moxxie Makeup did a fantastic job. She was so thorough and aware of my “mature” skin. She went light on the eyes and did a very natural look and I loved it so much.
Sarah did a stellar Mother-of-the-Bride look on me. Not overdone and just perfect!
She used MAC’s “Faux” lipstick on me and I’ve made note to buy it! I LOVE the shade!
In the end, I opted to keep my hair down and the compliments I received on the Mother-of-the-Bride hair from my friends at Estetica Designs was a hit a!
Had I kept the shapewear the dress would have looked a bit smoother but I’ll take comfort and fun on the dancefloor rather than being a stuffed sausage!
But what she did to Oona and the girls was gorgeous! Seriously, if you are ever in Cincinnati for an event and want your makeup done, give Moxxie Makeup a call!
My gift for photography really shines through–doesn’t it?
This was taken after the ceremony. Um..some aren’t in chronological order!
Back to the suite. Oona and Sam had a sitter come and entertain my neice Isis and Bonaparte’s granddaughter Sophie during the wedding. A pre-wedding photo of the bride was in order!
Another example of my talentless photography skills but man, does Oona look gorgeous!
Photographs were taken before the wedding and Sam had what is called a “First Look”. It’s what many young marrieds are doing these days. In case you aren’t aware, the first look is pre-arranged by the photographer where the groom and bride see each other for the first time in a more private setting. It’s a pragmatic thing because thereafter, the bridal party takes photos and more time is free for them to enjoy the reception.
We convened in the lobby of the hotel shortly before the 6PM ceremony and then headed off to see my baby become a married woman.
Brothers-of-the-Bride off to see their baby sister get married! Team Bro!
The ceremony was beautiful. Strings were played as the party and bride walked up the aisle. The Pastor was a great orator and within moments, Oona went from being Ms. Urbanski to being Mrs. Butts.
These young women from Cincinnati’s Conservatory of Music did a wonderful job! It was a great touch!
Flowers decorated the room..
Me and the boys! I had to suppress my case of the giggles!
The groom waits for his future bride..
Time for the ceremony to begin..
The Pastor performs the vows
The veil is straightened..
First kiss as Mr. and Mrs.
The look of love..
Let’s party!
And after that it was such a blur! It was so much fun that I failed to take the photos I thought I would.
During the cocktail hour, more photos were taken..
I have no idea who took this photo but it is out of focus (as if I have the right to comment)
More out-of-focus pics (I may have taken this one. Oops!)
Trying to organize more family pics before the cocktail appetizers run out!
We were on the dance floor for hours. My brothers and sisters and my family are such dancing animals that I do believe the only times we left the dance floor was to replenish hydration with “beverages” (Hey. Make mine a gin and tonic please!) and to stop and chat.
The food at the cocktail hour was fantastic! In fact, my regret was while taking family photos with the Bride and Groom, I missed my chance for Goetta Fritters! Goetta is a kind of Scrapple food item that is popular in the Cincinnati area—or maybe the Midwest! But, since I trashed my shapewear from the night before, I still managed to be comfortable in the dress I wore!
Goetta fritters will have to wait till next time. Gotta Goetta fritter!
The dinner was incredible. Steak in a mushroom sauce, Asparagus cooked just right. Mashed Potato Rosette, Salad, cake that I never even tried because I was dancing so much and the cookies, I never took with me because I forgot about them!
Tables were set..
Why is it that I can’t take a decent photo of a human but I can take a great one of food?
The food was excellent and that floral touch only added to the elegance!
Fun at the dinner table. I really love my spray tan!
First dance…
A little announcement!
Jake and Julia ready for the dance floor…
Me and Oona’s bridesmaid Gin having a good ol’ time!
Roman and me and..
Me and Bonaparte showcasing a French smile!
In homage to my daughter’s new last name, I HAD to get the new Mrs. Butts and her girls to pose in this every bootylicious way! BTW, that backdrop proved to be incredibly popular!
Strike a pose!
That’s me twerking my butt off. I have NO idea who filmed this but since I’m a giver, I’m sharing!
And after the reception, an after-party was held. At this point, I was more about unwinding at the Hotel Bar and I met up with friends while the Frenchman headed upstairs to our room to sleep!
A more demure shot!
Sam and Oona were party animals. Before heading off to the after-party they stopped at the hotel bar to join some of us in a beverage!
Oona and her friend Megan. These two have been friends since aged 4. They danced together in Irish Dance and Megan got engaged recently. Her mom who is one of my best friends has joined the Mother-of-the-Bride club. Next summer…..
Off to a lifetime of teamwork! They are such a great couple and I wish them every success. I have a son-in-law!!!!!!!
It was five fun-filled days with a dash of drama, a splash of emotion, a bit of crazy and tons of great times.
I’ll never be the Mother-of-the-Bride again, but to my fellow women who are presently in the Mother-of-the-Bride club and for future Mothers-of-the-Bride, savor every moment. Enjoy this time with your daughter as she heads off on her life journey. Have fun getting all girly with the spray tan and the hair and makeup. Be there to listen to your daughter (of which I could have done a better job).
Preview of a REAL photo. The photographer, Rachel Spears. Are you in Cincy? Check her out. Her photos are beautiful and she’s incredibly talented!
And above all, keep your big mouth shut! It’s her day. Not yours!