Mandy's Wedding

My good friend, Mandy, got married this past weekend up in Northern California.  I had the honor of being a bridesmaid.  It was so special to be able to be a part of her special day. 

Me and Mandy on Thursday night.  Hal's parents hosted a BBQ for family and friends who were there early for the wedding.

Hal's parents own a vineyard in Potter Valley.  This was a view of their "backyard."  Gorgeous!

Mandy treated all her bridesmaids to a yummy breakfast Friday morning.

After breakfast, she treated us to manicures and pedicures!

Drying our nails

The wedding site the night before

Friday night, we practiced outside in the rain.  :)

The wedding was scheduled to be outside. Sadly, a big storm was coming through that weekend... (not quite what you would expect in June...) So, they were holding out until the last minute to decide if it would be indoors or outdoors. They set up the chairs outside in hopes that the rain would go away for the wedding... Plan B would be to have the ceremony inside the tent where the tables were for the meal afterward. God was so gracious and allowed them to have the wedding outside. There was a mist much of the morning but not a heavy rain. About half-way through the ceremony, it started to rain! Guests started popping open their umbrellas and the best man popped open his umbrella for Hal and Mandy. It was comical! The bridesmaids backed up so that we could stand under a tree for a little bit of protection. Thankfully, it didn't rain too hard. It was quite a memory. :)

The beautiful bridesmaid bouquets!  I loved the purple.

The bridal party was taken by SUVs to the wedding site.  The wedding site was in a clearing surrounded by hills & a creek.  We (the bridal party) had to get there by a different road since we didn't want to be seen by the guests.  Our road was a dirt road.  Since it had been raining, it was muddy so the ride was a little scary as we were slipping and sliding down the hill.  Thankfully our drivers (2 of the groomsmen)were very cautious and got us there safely!

Cindy and me

Angelina and Kim

Our drivers (2 of the groomsmen) had to get out to move a fallen tree from the path!  :)

Mandy & Hal, just minutes after being pronounced husband and wife!  Yay!  :)

Taking pictures after the wedding (what you can't see is our goosebumps from the cold & the raindrops falling on us)

My sweet girl, she was such a trooper!  She loved being help by everyone.

Julia wanted to eat my flowers (everything goes in mouth!)

Hal & Mandy, cutting the cake

What a sweet couple.  Her husband, Hal, is such a great guy! I'm so happy for them and excited to see how God will use them as a couple. They both have such a heart for people and missions...

Me and Ethan at the reception

Melissa and Kristina (travelled with us to the wedding)