And you could have a barbecue or something simple afterward….

Lucile's (the story of a fantastical night..)

To me its like entering a Lemony Snicket novel--its very deceptive what lies beyond this gate 

The downside to destination weddings can be that you aren't able to share it with your friends and family. Joe and Christin knew this and told the parents (moms) that we could follow the wedding with simple parties back at home.  We both knew we didn't want a simple party (barbecue?!) and once I found Lucile's -the rest became super fun! My goal was to have an environmental/conservation based theme that spoke to both of them and was genuine.

These are photos of us decorating Lucile's on March 29th.  Ann of Voila really "got it" when I said I wanted a "green" vibe. She made this beautiful conservatory and added "firefly lights" for the front entry table that Emily gifted to Joe and Christin.

Amy made the whimsical vases. Mitch and I found this great window at Second Chance Antiques and repainted it.

Ann used test tubes and bell jars for not only a "green" vibe but a botany/science reference also.

Lucile provided ambiance through her years of collecting and installing architectural antiques

Centerpiece terrariums with "firefly" lights

Jess Burke provided all of the paper products

Aldo Leopold provided the philosophy --i.e. care for the earth and all that is on it--

All dressed up and ready to go

Coral from "their"  beach

Amy and Mitch assisting!

Peg Reinecke created our logo 

Nick made a "Toast to the Bride and Groom" album with photos with all the  transcribed toasts :D

Lets start this thing!

Ann Etienne, Voila

While we were decorating,  Joe and Christin met  the Nohner family at the Hyatt for gift opening

Grandma made a quilt for the bride and groom.

That evening, we had a few minutes head start before the guests arrived so we could show Joe and Christin what we had been up to. Its pretty unusual that the bride and groom have no idea about their own reception and I was happy to have the chance to do my thing--I was pretty sure they would dig it and love Lucile's too. (for more on Lucile read earlier post) They did :D

Married March 1, 2014 Matt and Rebecca Weller :D

Paul arrived hours before from Alaska to start a 3 week stay at home after 3 weeks at work!

Joyce and MJ

Drs Kelli Mu and Yonge Liu  with daughter Jenna-Jenna was in daycare with Lydia back in the day and they reconnected

Steve Gogela, Ben McKenzie Christin and Joe  (Steve-far left announced that he and Kate are expecting their first on Oct 28! Steve had been on Neurosurgery call all night and flew in to join us :D

People gathering at the bar

Kids make the best of it!

Louie, Amy and Julia

Katie checks in

Moi and Julia

Selfie in the garden with Di

Taken last fall--who knew this secret garden was here in the Old Market? Nobody! (except her lawyer Greg Jahn who helped her buy the place!)

I thought the caterer really delivered!

Maddie and Mollie in the house……!

Bookies welcome Kate back and ready to party

So great to have Minnesota cousins here--Em with Grace, (her birthday today!), Matt, Mike and Lindsey. Mike and Lindsey will be married in October.

Would not have wanted more than 78 in this room -but it worked just fine for us!

Bernice was a trooper -she came to Wilson and Washburn last night for several hours, gave Joe and Christin a wedding quilt and then got all dressed up for the evening at the head table. Very very nice to have her with us.

People clinked their glasses and Joe kissed "G-ma" as we like to call her 

Lydia, Anton, Andrea, Greg, Mollie, Ben, Maddie and Jen

Maddy Rich Amy Chuck Mary and Julia --love you guys!

Em, Kayleen and Jazzmine--lovely at the head table. I guess Kayleen was working on giving a toast but the only thing on the paper so far was "I…"  More power to her!

Joe gave a toast and also acknowledged Grandma. He told the crowd that Peggy did the canoe logo and Amy did the ceramic wine chillers at each table in addition to the funky vases on photo table--and thanked them all.   The he said.."Mitch doesn't want to be acknowledged but he made a little video for us"..and the crowd went wild with thunderous applause. Somehow everyone knew this would be the last thing Mitch would want and yes, it sent him running from the room! 

But he came back and showed the movie--complete with wedding pics previously unseen.

Telling the crowd she likes her in-laws--yes!!!! She's golden now :D 

So glad all of the Nohners could join us-they had a blast in the Old Market

From left-Rita Julie Johnnie, Luke, Amy, Shirley Beth and Sharon. Many thanks to Sharon and Shirley for bringing Bernice down. We were able to visit the next day over brunch. (how was the casino on the return trip? haha!)

During the day and throughout the evening Kevin passed out 4 packs and single bottles of the White House Ale recipe that he lovingly brewed and painstakingly created labels for :D (labels are challenging!) --we came upon the name "Clinch Knot" after searching for fly fishing terms and then called it a Potomac T(ale) because of the White House recipe but more importantly because Christin and Joe reacquainted after ND undergrad   while working in in DC.

We had less than 20 minutes to tear it all down and pack it in the car--and I do mean pack into the car!

That was a fun night! Fill a cool space with people you love and good things happen every time.

CHEERS to Joe and Christin!