My Brother's Wedding

Paul and Jessica's Wedding 

                               December 13, 2014                         

This past December I was honored to celebrate my second youngest brother's wedding to his girlfriend of over 3 years, Jessica. My favorite thing about about their wedding had to be the simple beauty of the venue and decor. My new sister, Jessica, is a very warm, friendly person and the decor reflected this nicely- sunny, whimsical, and romantic. Here they are after the wedding waiting for the Best Man (my future husband, Mike) and the Matron-of-Honor to sign the marriage license.

I guess my other favorite part of the day would be all the love. I know it's kind of a given at weddings, but what I loved about this one was that even though the day was a little (very) hectic, Paul and Jessica were both in good spirits and didn't let the day become about the details- it was all about their love and their committing themselves to each other.  My mother was very emotional watching the newly weds during their first dance. I caught her crying in the photo below.

And here is where she caught ME. Isn't she beautiful?

The venue was Hearts Home Farm in San Jacinto. It has a beautiful backyard garden atmosphere and they keep the white string lights up in the trees year-round. They seemed extra festive for a December wedding, though.

Alex was a ring bearer.  My fiance, Mike, was appointed to stand in as best man at the last minute (both of our other brothers were unable to attend) and managed to get a great looking tux rental the morning of the wedding from a little shop in Temecula called Class Act. 

We bridesmaids got together with Jessica the night before and made our own bouquets. I think they turned out beautifully.

   We also helped put together the table centerpieces. Using sunflowers made everything a lot easier for Jessica, since she (with our help) was doing much of the decor by hand. Sunflowers hold up really well out of water, and last weeks in water, not to mention being very economical.

And they looked amazing on the wedding cake!

While we bridesmaids were helping Jessica get ready, and making sure the decorations were in place, the men hung out and tried to make sure Paul wasn't too nervous. If he was- he hid it well. 

Here is my fiance, Mike, and I right before we walked down the aisle (Photo credit to Michael Franklin- the in house photographer at Hearts Home).    

Here are my two beautiful children getting ready to walk down the aisle in front of the blushing bride! Alex was a ring bearer, and Cassondra a flower girl, in addition to announcing Jessica's arrival.

My brother looks so happy. I look like I'm trying not to cry- which I was at this point. =P

Finally ready to begin, the wedding ceremony took place in front of this beautiful gazebo. The picture doesn't do it justice. It was truly gorgeous and romantic.

A good friend of Paul's performed the ceremony.

Paul and Jessica wanted to do something a bit different from the sand/wine/candle ceremonies that are so popular right now, so they opted for a paint ceremony- each of them pouring a different color onto a canvas to adorn the walls of their future home.

All us girls after the ceremony! Left to Right- Melina, Samantha (Jessica's sister), Erin (Sam's daughter), Jessica (obviously =p), Payten (the Matron-of-Honour), me, and my daughter Cassondra. How adorable is little Erin?

My daughter and I with the beautiful bride shortly after the ceremony.

And my little brother and I. I don't think I've ever seen him so happy than I did that day!

The newlyweds with my parents.

And with each of their grandfathers. It's amazing that so many generations of family were brought together.

When all was said and done, Paul and Jessica were ushered off in a hail of bird seed! Such a fun end to a wonderful day of celebration! Congratulations to my brother and his wife!