Celebrating Diana and Daniel

 When Daniel and Diana were married last year, we had always planned to have a reception this year.  We hoped and hoped that we would be able to fit it in with Covid beginning to erupt again, and luckily we did.

First, the weather last year was hot, hot . . . so hot . . . 105 degrees hot.  This year the high was 88, and though it was very rainy, it was far better than last year.  The only bad part about the rain was that it poured right after we had gotten our hair done, but oh well!

Barr Mansion had responded well to the rains Austin had been having.  Green gardens and flowers rimmed the pecan tree, but we decided to have the ceremony inside because the promise of rain was too great.  The ceremony began a little after five with the flower girls and Caleb leading the ceremony.  Daniel's nieces, Harper and Claire, led the way - perfectly.  Then Tessa and Caleb began walking up the aisle.  Tessa threw some petals on the ground, and then she stopped to pick them up.  "No, Tessa, you're doing it wrong," wailed Caleb.  "Don't do it that way.  Tessa . . . " and then he ran the vows to Max, the celebrant, and came back to grab Tessa.  In the meantime, Tessa continued to pick up the petals, just like she had practiced at home.  She threw them on the floor at home . . . and then picked them up and put them back in the basket.  Eventually, her daddy went to get her, and the ceremony continued.

No, Tessa!

 

We dismissed to the barn for the cocktail hour, and while Di and Daniel were taking pictures, the guests ate delicious snacks and were treated to a few surprises.  Diana had arranged a Bingo game for everyone to play - we had to find different people who had been to one of the places on the Bingo card - from Indonesia to Iceland to Florida to Texas.  It promoted discussion among all of the guests, which added to the festivities. Also, we had arranged for Ears with Beers to bring their miniature burro to the reception.  Each burro had two baskets filled with ice, pop, and beer.  They were quite the hit!  And Caleb had his first taste of root beer.

Friends at the Party!

Barr Mansion is a farm-to-table event center, and much of the food was grown onsite.  The dinner included beef tenderloin, barbecued chicken, baked carrots, potatoes, bread, and they made the wedding cake and macaroons.  They had special settings for Di and Daniel, a bar for everyone, and Di and Daniel hired a fabulous DJ.  

 

After the toasts and the Father/Daughter dance, we had the Anniversary Dance, where people sat down as the number of years they had been married was called.  The final two couples standing were the Gaskills and the Nuttalls - both married 48 years and married on the same day - June 2, 1973.

After much dancing, the Electric Slide, and many laughs, the night ended with a final dance by Daniel and Di and an exit through a line of sparklers.  It was a wonderful evening, and we feel so lucky that we were able to experience it, albeit a year late!