"What are the chances of it raining this hard?" "Well... 90% actually"

The weather forecast for last Saturday (the day of my sister's wedding) originally were coming in promising sunny and warm weather. As the day approached, the forecasts predicted worse and worse weather. A week prior to the day, scattered showers were forecast. A few days later, 60% chance of rain. The night before gave us a 90% chance of thunderstorms.

The ceremony was supposed to take place under this giant tree. We'd all process from house, down a gravel path, and then up the aisle to towards the tree. We all pretended not to hear the distant thunderclaps over top of "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desire" as one by one we made our way.

I don't have the official pictures yet, so the ones I'm using are stolen from friends' facebook accounts. Here I am walking the aisle:Then, as the music changed, and Laura, my mom, and my dad were about to start processing, there was a thunderclap and then it started raining. No, it started monsooning. We told everybody to grab their chairs and find a place in the tent (which was all set up with tables, etc). One of the other bridesmaid had stashed some pretty red umbrellas for us behind the tree in case of emergency, but they were suddenly gone. We stood under the tree trying to stay dry while people who did have umbrellas sheltered us on the way to the tent.

Steph, the maid of honour, got to work at making an aisle, but then the power went out! Laura was with my parents back in the house, waiting for the rain to stop or slow down. Then, one of the guys who worked at the place slipped and broke is arm! He had to be rushed to the emergency room! Thunder storms! Power outages! Broken limbs!

But, we got it all sorted out. It was just really chill and relaxed, actually. Chairs weren't in rows, people weren't sitting on "sides" or in groups. I think all the pretension that might accompany a wedding was gone. Lots of people agree, that it just felt so "Laura and Jeremiah," and I think that's due to the comfortable nature of it all.

So then we re-processed. Then Laura started coming but it was sort of funny because that gravel path was a long walk. And if we were sitting outside under the tree, we'd all be able to see her during that walk, but since we were inside the tent, we sort of just stood around for a second, wondering if everything was alright.

And it was! Isn't she the prettiest bride, no, the prettiest human, EVER?The ceremony was delightful. I think I'm considerably anti-romance and anti-wedding but I aww-ed a couple times. Especially during the vows. It was... just, really nice. It was nice! They were so lovey, but in a sincere way.

Jack did a great job of being the ring boy:
And then they were married! (Very good kiss, by the way. I got to see the practice, and the real thing was even better! Brides-to-be take note: one short kiss, then one longer kiss. A+!) Oh, she's so pretty. And they're so happy!
Then we took some pictures, then started the reception. I was the emcee. It was fun. Dinner was SOOO delicious. Laur and Jerm got the dance floor started right (look at those arm muscles!):And the dance floor didn't clear all night!
There was of course a cousin dance off. Steph and I basically ripped the dance floor apart (with some help from Kevin, the best man, and some of Jeremiah's cousins). We danced with most, if not all, of the single boys. (And hey, Lin, I am never going to stop making fun of you for who YOU danced with)

Jack and Rob were pretty pooped by the end of the night, but were good sports and good dancers anyway.The speeches were GREAT (Kevin and Steph went sort of together, and my dad even rapped!) It really was just such a fun fun fun time.

Woohoo for Laura and Jeremiah!

(I'll let you know when the official photographer's pictures are up on my flickr)