Category Archives: Wedding

We Like to Draw Out Our Celebrating As Long As Possible

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I think I’ve said this before, but I’ve always been a birthweek celebrator. I mean–if a birthDAY is fun and awesome (and it IS!), then how much better would a birthWEEK be? And to be totally honest, the older I’ve gotten, the more I’ve actually become a sort of birthMONTH celebrator. (A whole 30 days to celebrate ME?! Yes please!)

So when Kaycie & Alex’s wedding began to turn into a whole weekend affair, I was on board. We Maurer’s are celebrators–the more party the better. And I mean logistically speaking, it’s a bit tricky to do it all in one day anyhow. The closest LDS temple is in Columbia–a whole three hours away. How is it even possible to drive there, do the whole sealing ceremony thing, and drive back PLUS set up and attend a reception in one day? It’s just not.

Plus we are the only Mormons in our family, meaning no one but the immediate six of us could attend the actual wedding (you have to be a member of the Church to enter the temple). So in lieu, Kayc & Alex opted to have a ring ceremony in addition to their sealing ceremony where family and friends not of our faith could still attend a wedding-like event.

So, on the day after they were officially married, and right before the reception, everyone walked down the aisle, our dad officiated, mom sang, and Kayc and Alex exchanged vows and rings, all against the backdrop of the Carolina marshes. Gor-GEOUS.

After the ring ceremony everyone gathered inside for a southern buffet of pulled pork sandwiches, homemade macaroni & cheese, green beans, cornbread, and peach cobbler and dancing. Lotsa dancing. Awwww yeeaah.

At the end of the night, we sent the two of them off on their honeymoon with bubbles and cheers.

Celebrate indeed.

Hilton Head Beach Bridals, Groomals, & First Look

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Gracious, there is much to say. And much to share. But let me begin by first saying that she, he, the wedding–all of it–was beautiful. So very beautiful.

I love my sisters so much and am so grateful that we share our lives the way we do. Helping my baby sister plan and create her special day is now noted as one of the great blessings of my life. All I’ve ever wanted was for her to have everything she’s ever wanted. And now she does. And that, my friends, is bliss.

We began Thursday morning with bridals and groomals on the beach at sunrise. It was also the first time they were to see each other, he in his suit and she, in her gown. When he turned to look at her, he was enamored, to say the least. And she, couldn’t stop smiling. Nor could I. Watching people in love is my soul food.

The sunrise was gorgeous and playing with the light and sunflair in such an open and exposed setting was a new experience for me as a photographer, but I’m over the moon for the pictures we got. I think they’re so dreamy. And the two of them … well they’re just pretty people. And so in love. Taking their pictures is easy.

Tomorrow, He and She Become “They”

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The sun was still sleeping under the watery covers of an Atlantic horizon, but the sky was pink–that timid pink, you only get at first light.

He stood, stoic and handsome in his gray pinstriped suit, watching the waves. Waiting for her.

She walked down the boardwalk, her gown gathered in hand, hair and veil blowing in the wind. Her smile was as big as the ocean.

He turned. And didn’t say a word. He couldn’t. All he could do was wrap her up in his arms and hold her.

Which is what he plans to do for forever.

—

They’re getting married tomorrow. Those two. And this morning I photographed their “first look” on the beach at sunrise.

Kaycie’s Wedding Week, or in other words–Total Insanity at our house

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And I do mean Total Insanity. With a capital T. Capital I.

Right now–the lawn men are out front planting flowers, trimming trees, and cleaning the yard.

Right now–my mom is at the Home Depot picking up more shrubs for said lawn men. Oh and don’t forget the light switch plates. Gotta have new light switch plates for wedding week.

Right now–the grout is drying on the tile I laid this weekend in the kitchen.

(Do not ask me why we’re doing home improvements the same week as the wedding.)

Right now–Kaycie (a.k.a. the baby sister, a.k.a. the bride) is on the phone giving assignments & recipes to the ladies from Church who signed up to help with food for the reception.

Right now–I am realizing just how much food we too will need to make to supplement the food the ladies are making.

Right now–I’m looking at the list of everything else that still needs to be done: take bridals and groomals on the beach, make the wedding cake, make the bouquets/corsages/boutonnieres, order prints from the photo shop, figure out the chaffing dish situation, collect serving platters, buy the reception food, make the pulled pork/mac&cheese/southern beans/peach cobbler for 150 people, get manicures/pedicures for bridal party, go on sunset dinner cruise with the bride & groom families the night before the wedding, drive to Columbia to attend the wedding, decorate for the reception the next day, and photograph all of it.

Right now–I’m pretty sure I’m going to elope when it’s my turn.

But gosh is it going to be fun. And so so beautiful.

I mean look at these two. How cute are they?

paper & lace

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The baby sister graduates from college next week. But when I look at her, I think, impossible.

I suppose it’s the age gap between us that makes my memories of her more vivid, and because I have such concrete visions of her childhood, it’s confusing almost that somewhere in the last 20 years, she grew up.

She also gets married in four months. Four. Months. So. Next week has been dubbed “Maurer Mania.” And between a gazillion trips to the airport for pick ups and drop offs, college commencements and convocations, one mother’s birthday, one Easter Sunday, one family concert (email me if you’d like to come), ogling Laela, Kaycie’s first session at the temple, and wedding dress shopping, we also have a bridal shower scheduled.

Can anyone say “party planning”? Ooo! Pick me! Yes m’am. That’s right. I’m pre.tty excited.

To start? All you need is a little paper and a little lace and you’ve got yourself the beginnings of what some might call: a shindig.

(how to: 1. print invite info on cardstock of any color and trim, leaving about an inch on left side. 2. layer different sizes of coordinating/contrasting papers that match the wedding colors–align left. 3. cut a piece of lace 3-5 inches longer than the length of the invite and place at top. 4. sew down middle of lace with an elongated stitch, pushing the lace into the needle to create the lacy ruffle. 5. mail in a coordinating envelope.)

Parting Shot: 8/6/09

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I love this picture of Karly and JJ at their ring ceremony. We held the event right next to a tiny harbour in the marshes–which was simply lovely–but what I adore most about this picture is Karly’s face. Something JJ said during his vows cracked her up and I love that she thinks he is so funny. I think that’s the way it’s supposed to be.

G’night!

The Most Important Thing

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Karly and JJ were married, or what we Mormons call “sealed”, at the Columbia South Carolina Temple. We believe that when a marriage is solemnized in a temple by someone holding the proper priesthood authority, it is recorded both here on earth and in heaven and that it is an eternal union–not just until “death do you part.” This is one of the main reasons we place such a huge emphasis on families–creating them, strengthening them, and loving them–because they are forever.

I don’t write much about my own personal experiences with love and relationships (or lack thereof) here on my blog for a lot of reasons. Partly because people say stupid things to “older” single people–not because they mean to or are stupid, they just don’t know what to say, and in the absence of knowing what to say, people wind up saying really dumb things and well, I don’t want to read dumb comments about being single. But mostly I don’t write about my own experience with love and relationships because I’m still figuring it out. Figuring out how to live singly. Figuring out how to thrive singly. Figuring out how to date, who to date, where to find people to date, etc.

And I know (I know alright?) that I will find someone (or they’ll find me), so don’t leave that in the comment box. And I know I’m doing great things in the meantime, so don’t leave that in the comment box either. And I know he’s going to be great once I find him and that I’ve still got time, so don’t think about leaving that for me to read first thing tomorrow morning. See what I mean? It’s just too complicated to write about love and relationships because I have to include too many caveats about how I’m not sad or wistful or lonely or cynical or or too career minded or waiting for perfection. So now that I’ve scared you all away from the comment box, I do have one thing to say–one thing that I don’t think needs any caveats. It is this…

As I sat in the temple, in one of the most holy places on earth, surrounded by friends and family, and watched my sister kneel at an alter holding hands with a good, loving man, making promises to each other and to God, I knew. I knew that that moment was what we, humankind, are here for–to find a spouse that we can create an eternal family with. It is where the truest joys are born. There is nothing worth more than that covenant and relationship. And there is nothing more important to me. Nothing.

I just wanted you to know.

***
Pictures at the temple:

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(Me, Dad, Mom, Karly, Kaycie)

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(Just the girls: Me, Grandma, Mom, Karly, Kaycie)

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(Dad, Kaycie, Karly’s BFF Josh, and me above)

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(Me and Kayc AND the dresses)

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(One more dress shot…I couldn’t resists. Columbia Temple in the background. Cool stormy sky in the back-background)

The Family Biz

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If you’ve been following happenings here at the Haystack for any amount of time, you know that I come from the ocean, adore the ocean, wish I was at the ocean, and will live by the ocean again someday. You see, I grew up on an island off the coast of South Carolina. But more than that, I was raised on the docks of this island off the coast of South Carolina.

My formative years (and then some) were spent working in the family business, also know as: Adventure Cruises (Hilton Head Island’s premier nature cruise and dolphin watch company). Even while I was swimming in my mother’s belly, she was on the deck of a boat–working. Once born she would strap me on her back and off on a cruise I would go, babbling at tourists, growing my sea legs. There was even a cradle in the engine room just for me where I would fall asleep to the gentle rocking of waves and the hum of machinery.

Once old enough, I became part of my dad’s crew, tying and untying the lines, running the snack bar, welcoming our passengers. During my teenage years, when I became opposed to the idea of sweaty work, I ran the office, answering phones, taking reservations and selling tickets, but (much to my chagrin) was still the pinch hitter if a deck hand didn’t show for work. Like most teenagers, I didn’t know what I had, even though it was right in front of me.

It wasn’t until college that I understood how dreamy my life was. It wasn’t until I became an adult that I began to cherish those hours in the wheelhouse with my dad. It wasn’t until recently that I began to fiercely crave the tidal flow of our marshy waterways with all her colors and critters and sounds and stirrings. And the craving only grows more intense with every passing year.

So when I was home last month for “Wedding Week“, a cruise on our boat was a must. And what a better way to meet our new brother-in-law’s family than on a sunset cruise?

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(My dad, the Captain, in the wheelhouse)

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(Karly & JJ enjoying the view from the top deck)

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(Dolphin, Starboard bow)

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(Julie, Me, and Baby Kayc Face)

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(Picnic dinner … Southern style)

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(Sunset through the Palmetto trees)

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(Harbour in Broad Creek)

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(JJ’s grandma and my mom)

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(Final moments of a fabulous sunset)

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(Harbour lights after cruise)

[sigh]

The Best Part of "Wedding Week"

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Hands down, the best part of the Maurer-Barksdale Wedding Week Celebration was the boat-load of sister time I was able to enjoy. I am the oldest of three girls. There are no boys, and while, when I was younger, I thought it would be so cool to have an older brother, I now wouldn’t trade coming from a family of all girls for anything.

I am totally enamored with my sisters.
And a week with my girls was just what the doctor ordered.

From singing at the top of our lungs and dancing in the living room…

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(you should immediately download the Glee cast version of Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believin’”. Immediately.)

… to dressing up to pick people up at the airport …

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P.S. we have THE most incredible dress up closet in the entire world at our house.
(The girl in the pink street walker dress is our “adopted” sister Julie. She looks just like us huh?)

… to mani’s and pedi’s at our favorite local salon …

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… to belting it out on stage at Kaycie’s concert

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(she’s a singing mermaid at a show for the tourists who visit our island)

… to beach trips and bike rides …

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… to doting and lovin’ on a gorgeous-in-every-way bride …

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… my week with Karly Barley and Kayc Face (the Baby) was so perfect, I found myself missin’ them somethin’ fierce when Monday arrived, “Don’t Stop Believin’” popped up on the iPod shuffle, I was in Utah … and they were not.

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Yes. Sister time was definitely the best part of the whole week.

2 Bridesmaid Dresses? Check.

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Bridesmaid Dresses

40 hours

3 sleepless nights

2 pin-pricked fingers (luckily no blood on fabric)

750 yards of thread

15 seconds of crying

1 minute of thinking I might not be able to do it

3 heaven-sent pleas for help

1 conversation with my (dead) great-great-grandfather who was a tailor

2 finished dresses

Infinite amounts of pride and happiness

At 10:30 p.m. Saturday night I sewed the final stitch in my dress. At 10:31 I jumped in the shower. At 10:45 I was fully clothed and racing around my room throwing all my clothes (thanks Frit for doing my laundry) into a suitcase. At 11:30 I was on my way to the airport to catch my red-eye to Atlanta. Speaking of…I can say that a red-eye flight, especially one that is completely full, is the most uncomfortable, make-me-want-to-kill-myself way to spend 4 hours.

At 8:30 a.m. (EST) I arrived in Savannah. At 9:30 I arrived at Church, wheeled my suitcase to the bathroom (got a lot of weird looks) and changed out of my pajamas, into a dress, pulled my hair in a pony and threw on some make-up. At 9:50 I walked into the chapel and up to the stand, kissed my sisters (who were asked to speak in the meeting), hugged my dad (who was conducting the congregational hymns) and sat next to my mother. None of them knew I would make it in time for Church, so it was quite the reunion.

At 1 p.m. Church was over. I went home, ate a banana, put on my swimsuit and went to the beach where I promptly fell asleep surrounded by sand dunes, seagulls, and my lazy Atlantic waves.

I am happy.

1/4 of the Way There

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Bridesmaid Bodice

Well. Not really. The bodice is half of one dress but it’s definitely the most intricate piece. And it still needs sleeves, and I still have to start mine (this is the baby sister’s), but that’s beside the point. The POINT here is that this much of one bodice is done and is fully lined. Did you hear me?! I said, “FULLY LINED!” This is by far the most intricate sewing project I’ve ever undertaken and while there were some tricky spots, I only used the seem ripper three times AND I’m thoroughly enjoying myself. All I need for contentment and joy is the gentle hum of my sewing machine, a little Miles Davis (or Doris Day. Either is acceptable.), and the stillness of a house at 1:00 a.m. But be forewarned … clear vision at 6:00 a.m. the next day is impossible so it’s best to stay in bed until 8:30, maybe 9:00.

Tonight? I tackle the skirt, sleeves, and sash!

Yip! Yip!