Parties, planning, and priceless people

Who knew that a wedding is not one single event?

I'm finding that it's actually the culminating party of lots of other parties!

I'm referring, of course, to my sister Ivory's wedding to Jared.

First, there was the engagement party on our side of the mountains. The following picture might look familiar.

Then, there was the engagement party on Jared's side of the mountains. I don't have any photos from that one.

Then, there was Ivory's bridal shower, hosted at Lynn's home, by Marika and myself.

 As you can see, Marika and Lynn did an exquisite job with the decorations.

We also played a game of mad lib.

If you don't know what mad lib is, it's basically a story with lots of the words blanked out.

[In this case, it was the story of how Jared proposed to Ivory.]

The attendees were split into teams, and each team created their own list of words to fill the blanks in.

Here is Stephanie and Denica's team at work: 

Afterward, the teams all shared their stories out loud. Each one was hilarious!

Here's Darci reading her team's story, just to give you a taste:

Then, Ivory had to answer some crazy questions about Jared -- and pop in a Bubblicious every time she got one wrong!

 That was not Ivory's favorite game.

In the end, I think fun was had by all.

That said, we're planning for yet another bridal shower [Mexican style] this Saturday!

[With all this planning, I am becoming very familiar with my laptop's "Sticky Notes" application.]

[Marika will notice that I'm following the same order for this bridal shower as we did for the last one. Hehe.]

And, of course, there are more parties to come: a bachelorette party, a church farewell to Ivory, and a personal shower, if not more.

In all of this, I am awed by two things:

1. The incredible support system that surrounds a bride [I can't even name all the people who have offered their help to Jared and Ivory, from hosting parties to finding flowers], and

2. The huge CHANGE that marriage brings about. It's like all of the festivities indicate that marriage is a momentous occasion, unlike any other occasion we may experience [although births and deaths come close.]

Thanks to everyone who has blessed our family during these wedding preparations. Not only Jared and Ivory, but our entire families feel the effects of your generosity.