It's a Cotten life: Getting Ready

Sunday morning was a lovely meeting. Unfortunately, it was a breezy 50 degrees and the barn had a stiff wind moving through it, so there were a lot of winter jackets, down vests, and throw blankets to keep us warm. But it was lovely none-the-less.

After meeting, Craigen had to be inducted into the Vaughan Spouse Support group. We are glad this crazy bunch of people decided to take a chance on marrying a Vaughan. We sort of love them.

Then a quick lunch of hotdogs, glaziers, michigan sauce, leftover curry, chips, and brownies.

There wasn't a mad scramble after meeting to get ready, but there were things to do. Last minute details.

The Guestbooks sign-in and pictures of Tori and Craigen when they were younger.

This rope legged table was from Mom's parent's house and lived in Tori's room for most of her growing up years.

Lunch. See the blankets draped around?

Cleaning tables afterwards

All set up for the ceremony.

Amanda thoughtfully brought a bunch of her wedding stuff from Wyoming after Tori got engaged, so we reused a lot of things, including these sweet little pots to fill with baby's breath and hang along the aisle.

Tablecloths needed to be ironed (also from Amanda's wedding stash), so Marilyn set to work.

Aunt Geri and Dynna manned the other iron.

Tyler put up a bit of Tyvek to break the wind so it wasn't so breezy for the wedding. Which made Ward Lumber an official sponsor of the wedding. Or something.

The Farringtons and Anthony went inside to warm up. And catch a nap.

Amanda offered to do Tori's hair, which was kind since none of Tori's sisters are really hairstylists.

There was a lot of hair doing and "does this look okay with my skirt?" sort of thing going on, as well as pictures.

In this experience, we learned that Tori didn't really know how to use a handheld mirror to look at the back of her hair. Ironically, as we were putting some things in Tori's car to head west, I saw a lovely handheld mirror in there. Turns out it was Amanda's favorite mirror that was accidentally sent away with someone who doesn't even know how to use it.

We all had a right good hoot about that.

Book covered walls, a glass of diet soda, and insane laughter--hard to get more quintessentially Vaughan than that.

Finishing touches

Cara, the lovely bridesmaid heading up the stairs

Putting on the dress so as not to ruin the hair.

Sisters and sister-in-law getting her ready.

We love that Tori girl!

Hair touch ups

Upstairs, Fiona was a regular hair machine, moving through all the young girls whose mother's hadn't done anything fancy with their hair yet.

Although Hattie's mom was in Wyoming, so she had a good excuse for not having done her daughter's hair that morning.

Lily had made unfortunate contact with a large stick being swung around by a cousin, so she was frozen-cauliflowering her head a bit. Someday we will have ice packs at hand. Until then, frozen vegetables will do.

The guys getting ready in Tori's old room where their parents were staying.

Corey being all business about the best man thing.

Craigen looking a little overwhelmed by the pack of sister-in-laws attacking him with cameras.

Looking for a safety pin for something or other.

Mom, serenely observing the chaos

Tori about to leave her childhood home for the last time as a Vaughan or a single woman. She fortified herself with some Diet Mt. Dew.

Craigen was told to come out to see his bride for the first time.

When I looked at this picture, I immediately noticed the entryway rug drying on the dog kennel over his shoulder. Why didn't we notice that at the time? At our wedding, ages ago, there was a large, oil covered piece of plywood in the background of a lot of the pictures. Sigh. We try to be fancy for a wedding, but our drying entry way mats give us away. Ha!