Wedding Day Timeless Love Story: Through the Eyes of an Empty Nester (Part 2)
The Venue
The wedding ceremony and reception, held on July 15, 2023, were a beautiful and elegant affair that left a lasting impression on everyone in attendance. The stunning O'Shaughnessy Hall on the Saint Mary-of-the-Woods campus was the perfect setting for the event. Simple to Elegant, the talented wedding planners worked tirelessly to transform the venue into a breathtaking masterpiece that impressed everyone. Throughout the planning process, Jeanette Winchester provided us with outstanding support, while Jeff's expertise with draping and on-the-day assistance was exceptional. The ceremony decor, including crisp white linens, crystal vases of varying heights with cascading flowers, and a floral aisle runner, added to the charm and beauty of the ceremony.
The Ceremony
The groom's parents led the procession, followed by the bride's mother, escorted by her brother, John. As a part of the wedding ceremony, the mothers of the bride and groom were honored to light candles that represented their children's lives. These family candles symbolize the love, guidance, and support the couple has received and will continue to receive from their families throughout their lives. The flickering flames of the candles served as a poignant reminder of the love and unity that brought everyone together on this special day.
As the ceremony began, the groom, handsomely dressed in a black suit and tie, escorted Deb, the bride's second cousin and co-officiant, down the aisle. He carried an embroidered handkerchief with tinges of blue from the bride's birth city of Shantou, China. The guests were drawn to the procession as the groomsmen, sharply dressed in suits, followed with a confident stride. Adorned in elegant taupe chiffon gowns, the bridesmaids walked gracefully behind them, each holding a beautiful bouquet designed by Maggie & Moe's Poplar Flowers & Decor. The atmosphere was filled with anticipation and excitement as everyone took their places for the start of the wedding ceremony.
Our daughter's love story is the stuff of dreams. The breathtaking bride's ivory gown with delicate sequined lace appliques cascaded over a glitter mesh that peeped through the dreamy, misty tulle skirt. Precious pearls, purchased in China when the bride was adopted as an infant, were threaded through her bouquet of roses, eucalyptus, and baby's breath. As the bride and her distinguished father walked down the aisle, the instrumental version of "Can't Help Falling in Love" played. The groom could not hide his tears, indicating they had both found their forever person. It was a true journey of love! Knowing that Sam cares for Jasmine so deeply is comforting as parents.
The bride's father and his cousin officiated the wedding ceremony against the backdrop of O'Shaughnessy Hall. The unity candle table held family treasures such as a miniature Bible from the bride's grandmother, pearls, a unity candle, a floral spray, and a personalized ring box. Our daughter and her beloved exchanged heartfelt vows, which resonated deeply with us as empty nesters, often reflecting on the love we have shared and the bonds we have built over the years. The couple took the individual candles lit by their mothers and lit the unity candle, indicating the beginning of their lives as one.
The Reception
The reception that followed was a magnificent celebration of love and togetherness. The grandeur of the hall was surpassed only by the joyous atmosphere that permeated the air. The couple's toasts were delightful and recounted the story of their close relationship with friends who came from both near and far. The maid-of-honor's toast highlighted her fun memories with the bride since they first met in elementary school. The best man's toast, filled with his profound sense of humor, told the story of his "bromance" with Sam, and it was the best toast an attendee had ever heard!
Emily Maxwell-Fritz from Bon Appétit Catering was terrific to work with. The delicious Italian feast featured a garden salad, parmesan-crusted chicken, penne pasta with either alfredo or marinara sauce, green beans with shallots, tiramisu, and cupcakes. Sugar Studio by Tiers of Elegance created the beautiful two-tiered white wedding cake topped with "The Wilson's" cake topper. The couple cut the cake with an engraved knife and server set used by the bride's parents on their wedding day and engraved with both couples' names and wedding dates.
“Perhaps Love” by John Denver played as the bride and groom gracefully danced their first dance as a married couple. The bride and her father danced to Steven Curtis Chapman’s “Cinderella” as they reminisced and stayed strong, holding back tears.
We danced to Footloose DJ Entertainment's tunes, laughed, and celebrated alongside our daughter and her new spouse, feeling a renewed sense of purpose as empty nesters. Emily Gibson Photography captured the celebration beautifully.
Connecting with Others
Throughout the weekend, we connected with family and friends who helped us celebrate the happy occasion. We shared stories, exchanged tender moments, and supported each other. It was a reminder that, as empty nesters, we are part of a community that understands the unique emotions of watching our children embark on their journeys.
A Time for Reflection
Reflecting on our journey as empty nesters, our daughter's wedding reminded us of the unending role of a parent. The love and support from her and those gathered for the celebration made us feel genuinely seen, heard, and cherished. Witnessing our children's happiness and creating new memories brings us immense joy as empty nesters. Ultimately, love shines as a beacon of positivity.
To view links for many of the mentioned wedding items and to read the first part of this story, please see Part 1 of this post.
Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Wilson
