Ari & Matt’s Wedding

THE BIG DAY!!!

Let me start by stating that Ari did a fantastic job with planning her wedding!  I’m sure Matt helped some in there somewhere too.  With Kat and I on-the-road, Ari had to do it all by herself!  I think that she actually enjoyed it that way because she knew exactly what she wanted.

She selected the Chevy Chase Country Club in Wheeling as the venue.  Wonderful spot that was big enough to handle a large wedding, provide for an outdoor ceremony (and indoor in case of increment weather), great menu, and a large dance floor area.

Katrina helping Ariana get ready:

The ceremony was beautiful with Ari and Matt exchanging heartfelt vows.  Here’s the proud papa walking his daughter (one and only, I might add) down the aisle:

Matt walking Kat down the Aisle:

When I greeted Matt before the vows:

$1.00 for anyone who can tell me what I told Matt that gave him this reaction!

Ceremony pictures:

I honestly don’t know what our reaction is from.  Apparently, something funny.

Ari and Matt walked down the aisle after they said “I DO” and then came back up to the front to release people row by row.

The new Mr. & Mrs. Anderson.

I kinda like AriAnders.  Think I’ll call her that.

The Chevy Chase Country Club delivered an outstanding meal:

Mashed potatoes in a pear-shape, who would have thunk?

To be perfectly blunt, the steak was good but I was more obsessed with the Father-of-the-Bride speech.  Getting a bit nervous, nothing that another Maker’s couldn’t resolve.  The speeches started, damn – both of the kids speeches where hit out of the park!   I guess there is hope for the next generation after all!  I centered my speech around “snippets in life” and I think it went well – at least people told me so.  They were probably just being nice, right?

Ari and Matt hired a local band called “Modern Day Romeos (MDR’s)” to both DJ and perform.  This band was outstanding!  Jim, the lead, was a fantastic DJ who played to the audience and got people involved.  I have never been to a wedding were the majority of the attendees were on the dance floor the entire night.  Fantastic!

Ari and Matt – first dance:

Ari, Kat and Jim (MDR’s):

A wonderful evening all around.  MDR’s stopped playing about 12:30am and we packed up and headed back to the hotel.  Ari and Matt’s limo didn’t show, so the Joy’s had to drive them to their hotel.  Oh well, not all goes as planned.

Well done Ari!  Or should I say AriAnders? We are so excited to have Matt join our family!