EXPRESS
PHOTO BY PHOTO LULU
PHOTOGRAPHY,
TRINA WHALIN
78 EXTOL : JUNE/JULY 2018
in the wedding industry to pull it off to perfection.
The day was so special. The girls and I started
off our day with brunch at The Exchange Pub +
Kitchen, which decked out our table with flowers
and mimosas. We got ready at the Beauty Lounge
located at Eventful 203 (which I own). Then, we
headed down to Brooklyn and the Butcher for
some photos.
The ceremony and reception took place at the
Loft on Spring (which I also own) and it was full
of sentimental, funny and lively moments.
Bryan surprised me with an anniversary band
during the vow renewal that was officiated by our
good friend Ray Green, the pastor at Graceland
Baptist Church. We did a short first dance to “I
Want to Grow Old with You” by Adam Sandler.
Our best man and maid of honor from our original
wedding were both able to come, and since we
didn’t have toasts at our first wedding, they were
gracious enough to do a toast at this one. It was
so sweet and, of course, I cried.
But probably the best part of the whole evening
was when Bryan did a dance with our four
daughters. They started out with “My Girl” and
each daughter took a twirl around with their dad
during the first verse and chorus. Then, the song
cut to “Bad Boys,” then “No Diggity” and finished
out with “I’m Too Sexy.” They had it all perfectly
choreographed, and it was definitely outside of
my husband’s comfort zone. He typically hates to
dance, but he really stole the show and it was a hit.
Really the whole day was about celebrating
family and celebrating all the things we had gotten
through in 30 years. We are a testament that things
in life can be crazy, disappointing, chaotic and full
of crises, but if you just stick together through it all,
then you will also be able to enjoy the times when
it’s sweet, peaceful and full of goodness.