Adding to the Family

True love is when both people think they are the lucky one. 

-- Anonymous

 

I love photos. I'm sure that is surprising to no one. 

 

 

And I just can't quit looking at the photos from Brent's and Susan's wedding. Emily Brensing Photography captured the day beautifully. 

 

 

We got a "sneak peek" of about 20 photos a week after their May 28, 2022, wedding. But Brent & Susan wanted to wait to share the "official" photos from the day until they'd seen them all.  

The wedding venue was The Barn at Riverbend in rural Peculiar, Mo. It was green, peaceful and beautiful.

 

The photos were worth the wait. Thankfully, Brent and Susan spent some time winnowing down their favorites to about 200. For this decision-challenged mom, it helped that I didn't have to sift through 1,000 photos or so!

The wedding photography package started during the "getting ready" time of the day. 

It was fun to be there for all the make-up and hair sessions and the laughter among friends and family.

Jill and I had gotten Susan her "Mrs. Fritzemeier" hanger as a gift when she invited us to tag along as she chose her wedding gown last summer. I really wanted to be among the first to welcome a new "Mrs. Fritzemeier." (And I could relate to exchanging a short name with a long one. She went from four letters; I went from five. Nothing like tripling your name's letter count in a day!

Susan's niece, Charlie, and Brent's nieces, Kinley & Brooke, also were included in the day of preparations. The little girls were so excited to see the beautiful bride for the first time! (Click on the photo below to check out their faces! Of course, we big "girls" thought she looked beautiful, too.)

It was so special to be included with Susan's mom and Susan's friends.

Brent and his groomsmen got ready in a small cabin that was part of The Barn at Riverbend. No girls allowed - except the photographer and her assistant, of course.

So handsome and so happy!

Appropriately, the guys were the first ones to try out the coozies that Brent designed. When Brent lived in Manhattan, his friends often stayed at the "Fritz Carlton," his house near the football stadium for game weekends.

While I didn't get to witness Brent's first look at his bride, I felt like I was there through Emily's photos.

The love I see in Brent's eyes makes my eyes tear up every time.

And Susan looked happy to see Brent, too. What a special moment!
 

The little girls became friends quickly!

I would rather take photos than be in them. But I really liked the family photos from the day - even the ones with me in them!

Susan and her parents got a beautiful portrait, too.

Emily took the wedding party down a tree-lined drive for some of the pre-wedding photos. The greenery was the perfect backdrop for the greens and blues of the clothes and the mixed blossoms of the bouquets.

The ceremony itself was nestled in trees in a clearing. 

Delivering the rings and decorating the path are serious business!

This black and white photo shows one of the most meaningful moments in the ceremony. Their officiant, Allison, asked them to turn and look at those gathered and asked them to see and feel the love from those who were witnessing the special day.

Allison made the whole ceremony so personal and meaningful.

 I couldn't resist a couple of other special members of the family.

It's not easy to capture this many people with one photograph, but Emily did an admirable job.

Amanda & Emily, Kathy (Randy's sister) and her husband Dave

All four of us Moore siblings, plus all our kids and grandkids. We are a big crowd at Christmas. That's why we've moved the meal to Grandpa's shed!

The reception was just as beautiful.

Each of the tables was just a little different, with different glassware and flowers.

The newlyweds left the gazebo for some sunset photos at the venue's dock.

 Randy gave the prayer before the meal. (He may have gone off script. Can you guess who wrote the original script?)

The toasts and the whole evening were full of love and laughter.

 The first dance for Brent and Susan was to Dan Auerbach's "Never in my Wildest Dreams"

 I got to dance with Brent to "Somewhere Over the Rainbow."

Our 41+ years served us well for the anniversary dance - where the couples leave the dance floor based on how long they've been married (though no one came close to my parents with nearly 69 years.) Brent & Susan chose "Too Young," a song from my parents' youth as the song for the anniversary dance.

 They weren't the only dancers. The girls had a great time!

Cheers to the new Mr. and Mrs. Fritzemeier!

From the old Mr. and Mrs. Fritzemeier!

And a Powercat welcome from the couple married the longest (Grandpa and Grandma - Bob & Janis Moore - celebrating 69 years in August) to the ones married for only minutes!