Happy 1st Anniversary to the RIGGAN'S!!!

~June 11, 2010~

As a 'little sister' I rarely get to share something with my sister that she hasn't already done or been through. Getting married and having kids just happened to be one of those things in life that I got to do first. It was pretty fun to get to do something first for a change, I won't lie :) But it also gave me a pretty cool feeling on the day my 'big sis' said "I DO!"

I'm pretty sure I have more photos from her wedding than I do my own, so I've got a lot on here to share. Since I never did an official post last year after their wedding... I want to give them a nice BIG shout out on their One Year Anniversary!!! While they are up in New York City celebrating their big marker, I'll do a brief run down memory lane on their special day... at least how it was seen through my eyes.

As you can see from these shots above, "Bev-The Bride", is the same crazy, carefree, shines-in-the-spotlight gal she is all the time. The stresses of the event and the day were not about to get the better of her. Now, I've only been in two weddings...mine and hers, but I've heard horror stories of brides on their wedding days, and I can proudly say that 'us Weaver-girls' did pretty great on our big days. No major freak-outs or breakdowns, that I can remember anyway. Do you remember back in the post I did for my wedding how I mentioned my Nannie's jewelry and how the four grand-daughters all got a special piece for their keepsake? Well, my mom's special piece that she got to keep in memory of her mom is the earring and necklace set you see above on the hanky. This set is something my grandmother wore everyday! It is very dear to our entire family. My mom loaned it to Bev for the day to wear with her dress, and it was perfect. Bev's wedding ring set was designed by Kevin and he used diamonds from some of my Nannie's other rings and another necklace to make the ring.Very, very special items for us to have of our grandmother's.

Seeing these photos (and more) of the boys from just a year ago shows me just how fast they really do change. Dallas was a true sport and helped out so much with the boys during the wedding. It was tricky at times because Emit was still nursing very regular, but they were troopers too and wanted to show Aunt Bev & Uncle Kevin their support too!

Bev was an absolutely STUNNING bride! Anyone that knows my sis knows that she likes her sneakers (she still is wearing those under the dress), baggy basketball shorts and a t-shirt. But we also know that anytime she puts on her girly side and gets all dressed up, she shines even more. And shine she did!!!

Kevin-The Groom

What can I say??? Is it alright to say my Brother-in-Law is one handsome dude?? If it's not, then too bad, because I just did. :) It's always fun to imagine the kind of man you will marry, or your sister will marry and kind of have someone in mind that you think would 'fit'. I couldn't have picked a better fit for Bev than this man here. The Lord made sure they met, so I can't doubt it was meant to be. If you haven't heard how they randomly met in a Starbucks...please ask them. It's a great story, and I always knew Bev would have one of 'those' kind of stories.

The ceremony took place in the Birmingham Botanical Gardens (Birmingham, Al). It was a beautiful location. Somehow the area they were planning to do the ceremony in got flooded the day before, so they kind of had to re-route things at the last minute. It was still very beautiful! It was a very hot June day in Bama, but lots of friends and family came out for the special occasion. Below is the ring-bearer, Dalton (escorting my mom in...doesn't she look GREAT!) and the Bubble Brigade (instead of flower girls... they were in the rose garden after all, they had plenty of flowers). They were so adorable too. Each girl was so determined to blow the very best bubbles possible!

They had really fun music for the wedding party and for their personal songs. The bridesmaids and groomsmen all walked in to the FRIENDS theme song, Kevin came in to the Indian Jones theme song, and Bev came in to Alicia Keys No One. There were other songs in the service, but I can't remember all of those (sorry sis). 

Bev and my dad rode from the hotel that all the girls were staying at nearby in the antique car in the back of their photo (they about roasted on the ride over, but it was a cool entrance). There are a few more shots with the car in them below too. My daddy looks great in his dress blues, huh :)  I have to say that this photo of Kevin at the altar watching his bride come to him almost bring tears to my eyes every time I look at it. I just love it! What bride wouldn't want a reaction like that from her Groom??! Bonus points for the 'new' brother-in-law :) 

The ceremony was very sweet. Kevin's father (in these photos) married them and their vows were customized to them and were adorable. I remember their being things about loving her through basketball season and loving him through Ohio St. football :) (something like that, right Bev?). I thought for sure I was going to cry during my sister's wedding, because I cry at a lot of things. But the whole time I was just so stinking proud and happy for them I never quite broke down beyond control. Dallas and I have such a wonderful friendship and marriage, and I don't have a doubt in my mind that Bev & Kevin are going to have the same thing... it was very exciting knowing that they were heading for something great! 

MEET MR & MRS RIGGAN!!!!!

You'll have to ask Bev & Kevin about all the folks in the wedding party. I'm really bad with names, but I don't think I ever really learned all of the Groosmens names (sorry if any of you are reading this). I know Doug, his brother-in-law (just behind his right shoulder in this shot below). The bridesmaids were me, Liz, Erika & Michelle. Kevin's niece BrookeLynne was a Junior Bridesmaid. Liz and I shared the role of Maiden of Honor. 

LOL, yes... I'm the spaz in jumping pic below. I told you it was exciting for me :) 

Bev's crew above and Kevin's crew below. Lot's of very sweet, fun, loving and godly people in these photos! 

We had to get a few shots of the boys all dressed up in their cute little outfits :) Dallas was pretty much walking them around for the whole rehearsal and ceremony. He saw some of it, but he was trying to keep these little noisy dudes out of earshot for the main event. We were hoping they could have been in the ceremony somehow, but it just wasn't going to happen... but aren't they adorable anyways!

After the ceremony in the gardens, guests made their way back to Bev's loft in downtown Birmingham. I guess I should say 'their' loft, but Kevin didn't move in until after this big shindig :) Their cakes put ours to shame and were delicious!!! My mom had her chance to shine once again with decorations and food stuff. I just LOVED these little bamboo and roses thing she did. I was really sad that I couldn't just take one of these center pieces home. Traveling internationally with plants is kind of a tricky thing to do. And not always legal, so these pretty pieces weren't a keepsake I was able to enjoy, but I really, really loved them. 

Remember how I said that Liz and I shared the role of Maiden of Honor?? Well, I gave my little toast on the casual night of the rehearsal dinner. I tend to have this sudden surge of emotion (always comes out in me blubbering like a baby) when I start talking to a group of people, much less a crowd of this size. On the other hand, Liz was made for this kind of stuff. I was so stressed about the toast for months leading up to the wedding so I was very relieved when she was cool with doing our toasts like we did. She and Doug made such wonderful toasts that were very classy and fitting. It was sweet, and one of the moments that I did cry. Very sweet things were said in both of their honor!

Oh yes... the famous FIRST DANCE!!! Bev has always loved the tv shows with dancing, and the ones with the bride and groom surprising their guests with a fun and funky first dance...so it shouldn't have surprised too many folks that they had something up their sleeves. I would have loved to do something like this, but I would have NEVER, EVER had the guts! Like I said earlier though... Bev shines in the spotlight, she always has! Moments before the dance she came up to me and said "you're not gonna wanna miss this!" I got so excited! I had honestly forgotten all about it and not really expected anything, but I was not about to miss it. Dallas started recording on our camera right away, but the battery died half way through the song--AHHH! I was so frustrated...but the dance was AWESOME!

Once again, a very sweet Father-Daughter dance! And once again, a teary-eyed Father and Daughter :) Such a sweet moment! 

The reception was a blast! Lots of yummy food, great songs and dancing, catching up with folks, and as exhausted as my little dudes were, they made it through the night without totally falling apart. They were truly awesome! Had a couple really sweet moments dancing with my boys and my husband and watching my sister, so happily dancing with HER HUSBAND :) What a great night!!!

LOL-- My Nike-Loving Sis and her new hubby... "DOING IT." :) Go Honeymooners!!! They enjoyed, what sounded like, a wonderful Honeymoon in Costa Rica, and have been having a blast ever since. I love you both so much and am so happy you found each other. May you celebrate many, MANY more years together, and have even more memories that you cherish always!