VA Beach & Coming Home

The day after the wedding, we planned to fly out later, in case we wanted to do anything with Sara's family. Since it appeared everyone was exhausted and since the newlyweds were eager to take off on their honeymoon, we just packed up and headed to VA Beach (Virginia Beach, but they call it "Vah" beach) for a few hours.

It was hot & humid. Everyone was kind of hungry and crabby. Since we had they long night of travel ahead, that was also a kind of oppressive cloud hanging over the day. The beach there was pretty different... there were a TON of people and they were packed 5 and 6 deep from the water. It was interesting and fun seeming... too bad we couldn't have maybe stayed a night.

On the boardwalk

At the Pier ($2 per person to walk all the way out on it)

Surrey rental - a lot of work to pedal (for them! - it was great for me... I had not pedals - haha!)

At Dairy Queen

Ahhh... the romance

At Norfolk Int'l

Playing Monopoly Deal

Riding the SkyWay between terminals at DFW

We left DFW over an hour late because of an elusive "seat cushion". We flew into LAX. We got our luggage and caught the tram to the parking lot. Then a 45 minute drive home (no traffic at 2:15AM). We got home to our house at 3AM.

We were all beat like Pete.

Wedding - J&S

Both the ceremony and the reception were held at Hilton Baptist Church in Newport News, VA. It is an adorable church, very traditional. We don't have a lot of that here in Southern CA, so I was charmed by the homey tradition of it. They even had the organ playing the processional for the Bride's entrance!

Taking her job seriously

Waiting for the Bride

Seeing his Bride for the first time...

HERE COMES THE BRIDE!!!

Listening to Lando singing during ceremony.

PAUSE the music player at the top of the blog page so you can hear the sound on these videos

Ceremonies can be LONG sometimes.

"... with this ring, I thee wed..."

Was it over that fast???

The new Mr. & Mrs. with the Bride's family

The new Mr. & Mrs. with the Groom's family

Mr. & Mrs. Maslyn

Newlywed bliss

and a newlywed kiss.

Getting ready to enter the reception and be introduced

Pre-Wedding Readying

With the wedding being at 4:00, that allowed plenty of time for us west-coasters to sleep in and get up at our leisure, get ready, and get to the church with time to spare.

Since we were in the same hotel as the whole Baker clan, we were able to hang out and visit while getting ready... it really felt like a family affair.

Hanging in the hotel room with jett

Not having to rush is NICE

Getting pretty with Keni

Last hours as a single man

Groom & his best man

Groom's room

Rachel getting ready

Are the Moms really ready???

Junior Bridesmaid & Sister-in-law-to-be

Last minutes as a single woman

Photos

Brothers

Groom & his Best Men

Flowers

The reception - lovely

Final touches on the cake

Bride & Sister-in-Law/Junior Bridesmaid

3 generations

Mama and her boys (men!)

Gulp!

It's time....

Rehearsal Dinner

The rehearsal dinner - being the Groom's family's responsibility - was our shindig. It was a little challenging planning it out of town, but the people at the Boxwood Inn B&B really DID make it effortless. I was sure some huge element was missing because it was so darn easy.

The place was charming.

I had gotten pin back buttons for everyone to wear showing their relationship to the Bride & Groom, which I hope were helpful.

Sara with her Grandma C

Father & Sons

Father & Son

T&S

The food was pretty tasty. The menu was fried chicken, macaroni & cheese, green beans, salad, & rolls. (Apple crisp for dessert.)

Starting the food line

Grampie at the "children's table" (although they are almost, mostly not childrens any more!)

Groomsmen & their dates

Rehearsing being bride & groom

There were speeches & toasts and it was fun to meet some of the extended family and have them all meet each other.

Father of the Groom & Host toast

Father of the Bride toast

Best Man toast

Best friend toast

Baker sibs

In-laws-to-be

In-laws-to-be

Last night as a Bachelor - with Uncle Todd