Wedding Weekend, Part Three

We woke up Saturday morning to rain. Yes, rain. An annoying rain but not the kind of rain that would ruin our day. In fact, there was the promise of clearing. Someone had told us that rain on one's wedding day is good luck. I'll take that.

The girls headed out to get their hair and makeup done. Dave and I then picked up Sarah and headed to an out-of-way spot for a late breakfast. Just the three of us and a veil. She received a lot of congratulations from the other diners in the restaurant. It was a nice way to start what was going to be a long day.

We headed back to St Mary's Inn so we all could finish getting ready. We snuck her out the back, stuffed her and her dress in the car and headed to the Basilica. Needless to say I have no photos of the wedding but from what I have seen the photographer did a beautiful job.

One of the traditions at Notre Dame is for the couple to walk around campus and have photos taken.

The wedding party in front of the Dome.




I'm anxious to see how this picture turns out. Interesting to say the least.




The rain had stopped but the ground was still wet. It was also chilly which explains the boots on Sarah's feet. Sometimes comfort comes before beauty.




The grotto.




We made our way to the library. The girls look cold don't they?







Dave sacrificed and let Tiff wear his jacket. What a guy.







Sarah and Cory heading back to the library to take the obligatory water reflection picture.




The bouquet in one hand and the train in the other. I think he may have his hands full with this girl.




to be continued....

Wedding Weekend, Part Two

The talk since we had arrived in South Bend had been the weather. Would it rain? Would the sun shine? Would it be warm or cold?
On Friday it was beautiful. It was warmer than the day before and there was hope that on Saturday the sun would shine just as bright though the weather forecasters were predicting some rain. Time would tell. But for now we were enjoying a glorious fall day in the midwest.




It was another day of errands including another stop at the bookstore. Sarah and I made a trip to the florist to see the bouquets and give approval for the final decorations. We were told that they planned on draping South Dining Hall later that day. We were beyond excited to see what they had planned.

As promised draping was done later that day. Since it was fall break the university had taken advantage of that fact and had polished the floors. It was all starting to come together.




Because we had been given a 7:30 rehearsal time it had been decided to have the rehearsal dinner first and the wedding party would leave from there and go to practice. The next day's festivities were going to be on the formal side so it had been decided to have a casual rehearsal dinner/tailgate. Every one who was in town was invited with the request to wear attire of their favorite sports team. It just made sense to have the sport's themed rehearsal "dinner" at the Joyce Center.

The bride and her bridesmaid Tiff.




Rehearsal went off without a hitch. Janet, our wedding coordinator, made sure of that. She was very sure on how the wedding Mass would be conducted. Father Terry was nodding yes but in his head he was saying "no". In fact, after practice he pulled the parents aside and said he was going to make a couple changes. No need to tell Janet.

Janet said the bride and groom would sit for his homily. No they wouldn't. They would stand in front of him on the alter so he could talk straight to them. At the Sign of Peace Janet said he would stay behind the alter. When she said that I knew there was no way that was going to happen. I was right. When it was time for the final blessing of the couple at the end of Mass he wanted the parents up on the alter standing behind Sarah and Cory. It all went off the way he had planned.







All of his changes were perfect. As we were walking out after Mass I said to Janet, "He threw you a couple of surprised didn't he?" She just smiled and said, "He's wonderful". Wonderful indeed.


Practice was over and it was time to head to Legends, the on-campus restaurant and pub. It was where Cory and Sarah had first met and seemed a perfect way to end the day.