Duane & Mary... The Wedding!

On Saturday, my brother Duane married an amazing girl, Mary. The day was just perfect. The setting, at the World Forestry Center in Portland, was so beautiful and the weather was perfect. Mary and Duane put so much thought and so many personal touches into the day. It was so them and, therefore, a whole lot of FUN! After pictures (which were so relaxed and easy...thanks Bethany!) we enjoyed drinks and good company of family and friends in the courtyard area until the ceremony began. The ceremony was beautiful and personal with readings by brothers, James and David. Willem did great as ring-bearer, standing next to best man, Uncle Marcus. Gabrielle and her fellow flower girls took their job so seriously (they practiced all morning!) and did great! The bride and groom exited with an instrumental of 'Another One Bites the Dust'! Too funny! The reception was tons of fun and included a slik acrobat, great food, a band, lots of dancing and an ice sculpture drink luge! It was a fantastic day fit for a fantastic couple! Here are pictures from my camera...I'll update this post with more pictures from my sister's camera.

First some of the details...

Their programs were so cool. Duane and Mary painted all 200 of the paint sticks so that the programs could be used as fans. Click on the picture to see a larger version...on the backside (right in picture) you will see a touching remembrance of my mom who would have loved everything about the day.

This was so Duane & Mary...a drink luge ice sculpture! I tried the Rasmopolatin...very tasty. Later in the night, the wedding party and others were forgoing the glasses to catch the vodka with their mouths!

The candy bar was a big hit with the kids and grown-ups!

And the wedding party...

Beautiful flower girls...Athena, Gabrielle and Meleesa

This is such a Willem pose!

The Ceremony...

Gabrielle and Willem walking down the aisle. They did great!

Willem, doing his job! He earned six Lego people from the Lego Store for doing a great job and mostly for smiling in the many pictures (he tells me that he hates having his picture taken!)

The happy couple during the ceremony

The reception...

What are they looking at?? See below!

Yes, they had a silk acrobat to entertain during dinner!

My Dad gave a very touching toast

The first dance

And the kids looking on

Marilyn danced with Duane in the second dance in place of my mom

And, finally, more pictures of family and friends...

Cousins and flower girls

Me and my sisters

My niece Naomi looked so pretty!

My Hubby and Kids!

My sister, Amber, Jacoby & Tony

My brother David and his family

My brother James and his family

My family again

Marcus and Melissa

My sister, Marilyn, and two of her girls who were able to come to the wedding. We missed her hubby and their four other kids but are so glad three Loftsgards were there!

Chad and me with our great friends, Pancho and Julie