Writing has always been one of my favorite ways to process life's biggest moments. It's good for the brain, and after the excitement, anticipation, and beautiful whirlwind of our one and only daughter's wedding, I think I could use a little brain exercise! These reflections are written especially for my daughter. My hope is that if she ever questions how deeply she is loved, she can return to these words and remember this extraordinary weekend—when family and friends traveled from California, Canada, Texas, Wisconsin, Florida, and beyond to celebrate her and the love she and her husband have found together.
And for me, this serves as a journal of a milestone that passed far too quickly. The biggest moments in life have a way of becoming a blur, and I never want to forget the joy, the laughter, the tears, and the overwhelming gratitude we felt as we watched her begin this new chapter.
And for me, this serves as a journal of a milestone that passed far too quickly. The biggest moments in life have a way of becoming a blur, and I never want to forget the joy, the laughter, the tears, and the overwhelming gratitude we felt as we watched her begin this new chapter.
Ron and I pulled out of Wisconsin bright and early on Saturday, July 11. We make an interesting road-trip team. Ron is an average driver but an exceptional navigator and passenger. I, on the other hand, consider myself an excellent driver...and that's about where my talents end. More often than not, I'm behind the wheel while he catches up on his "farming" (if you know, you know), curates the playlist, and sneaks in a nap or two.
To avoid Chicago traffic, we programmed the GPS to take us through Rockford, Bloomington, and Champaign, Illinois. What we didn't realize was that we'd also avoid just about every major city—except Nashville. Instead, we found ourselves traveling nearly 250 miles on a two-lane highway through endless cornfields and soybean fields. At one point we were cruising down a road actually named Angling Road, wondering where in the world the GPS was taking us.
These little adventures have become part of our road-trip tradition. Previous detours have led us through places like Po-Dunk, Kentucky, and Frasier's Bottom, West Virginia. We still laugh about getting "stuck in Frasier's Bottom!" On this trip, there were even stretches where we had to ease onto the shoulder so oncoming traffic could squeeze by. As long as the gas tank is full, though, we find these scenic detours far more entertaining than another monotonous stretch of interstate. We often quote John Candy in Planes, Trains and Automobiles: "Nothing to see on the interstate but interstate!"
And yes, our Toyota Highlander was absolutely packed—but not with beer and cheese, despite our Wisconsin roots. In the months leading up to the wedding, our daughter had shipped countless boxes to our house filled with décor, bridesmaids' gifts, guest books, party favors, and all the little details that would make the weekend special. By the time we arrived in Birmingham, it was nothing short of a miracle that we still had just enough room for her—and her wedding dress!
To avoid Chicago traffic, we programmed the GPS to take us through Rockford, Bloomington, and Champaign, Illinois. What we didn't realize was that we'd also avoid just about every major city—except Nashville. Instead, we found ourselves traveling nearly 250 miles on a two-lane highway through endless cornfields and soybean fields. At one point we were cruising down a road actually named Angling Road, wondering where in the world the GPS was taking us.
These little adventures have become part of our road-trip tradition. Previous detours have led us through places like Po-Dunk, Kentucky, and Frasier's Bottom, West Virginia. We still laugh about getting "stuck in Frasier's Bottom!" On this trip, there were even stretches where we had to ease onto the shoulder so oncoming traffic could squeeze by. As long as the gas tank is full, though, we find these scenic detours far more entertaining than another monotonous stretch of interstate. We often quote John Candy in Planes, Trains and Automobiles: "Nothing to see on the interstate but interstate!"
And yes, our Toyota Highlander was absolutely packed—but not with beer and cheese, despite our Wisconsin roots. In the months leading up to the wedding, our daughter had shipped countless boxes to our house filled with décor, bridesmaids' gifts, guest books, party favors, and all the little details that would make the weekend special. By the time we arrived in Birmingham, it was nothing short of a miracle that we still had just enough room for her—and her wedding dress!
We made it to Athens, Alabama, that evening and, naturally, stopped for dinner at Buc-ee's. I'm not ashamed to admit that we often plan our road trips around as many Buc-ee's stops as possible! Ron enjoyed one of their legendary mega pork sandwiches while I opted for a fresh Cobb salad back at the hotel.
The next morning, we returned to Buc-ee's for breakfast before heading to the Birmingham airport to pick up our daughter, Auburn, who was flying in from Dallas, Texas. We arrived with plenty of time to spare—enough for me to get in a five-mile walk around the airport! We were simply so excited to begin the wedding week and wanted to eliminate any unnecessary stress for her arrival.
To Auburn's credit, she had spent the previous months balancing a full-time job while planning a fairly elaborate wedding nearly 700 miles away in Auburn, Alabama. In many ways, it was a destination wedding, requiring countless decisions and careful coordination from afar. Throughout the process, she remained remarkably intentional with her budget, thoughtfully selecting photographers, videographers, florists, a wedding coordinator, and a DJ who aligned with both her vision and her finances.
One of her smartest cost-saving decisions was choosing Chef Nick as the caterer. Well known among the fraternities at Auburn University, his team regularly serves both my son's fraternity, Sigma Chi, and Josh's fraternity, ATO. The food was outstanding, featuring delicious appetizers followed by a Southern-inspired buffet that guests raved about.
She also discovered that many talented wedding professionals who are newer to the industry offer exceptional quality at a more attainable price point. These weddings help them build their portfolios, gain exposure, and grow their businesses through referrals and social media. It was a win-win, allowing Auburn to create the wedding she envisioned while also staying financially responsible.
The next morning, we returned to Buc-ee's for breakfast before heading to the Birmingham airport to pick up our daughter, Auburn, who was flying in from Dallas, Texas. We arrived with plenty of time to spare—enough for me to get in a five-mile walk around the airport! We were simply so excited to begin the wedding week and wanted to eliminate any unnecessary stress for her arrival.
To Auburn's credit, she had spent the previous months balancing a full-time job while planning a fairly elaborate wedding nearly 700 miles away in Auburn, Alabama. In many ways, it was a destination wedding, requiring countless decisions and careful coordination from afar. Throughout the process, she remained remarkably intentional with her budget, thoughtfully selecting photographers, videographers, florists, a wedding coordinator, and a DJ who aligned with both her vision and her finances.
One of her smartest cost-saving decisions was choosing Chef Nick as the caterer. Well known among the fraternities at Auburn University, his team regularly serves both my son's fraternity, Sigma Chi, and Josh's fraternity, ATO. The food was outstanding, featuring delicious appetizers followed by a Southern-inspired buffet that guests raved about.
She also discovered that many talented wedding professionals who are newer to the industry offer exceptional quality at a more attainable price point. These weddings help them build their portfolios, gain exposure, and grow their businesses through referrals and social media. It was a win-win, allowing Auburn to create the wedding she envisioned while also staying financially responsible.
My responsibilities were quite limited thanks to her judicious recruitment of wedding vendors plus a group of bridesmaids that were constantly by her side the past 10 months. My primary job was gift bags for hotel guests! I made stickers on Zazzle and then created an emergency kit of safety pins, electrolytes, advil, stain remover, mouthwash, Kind bars, and tissues for happy tears. In addition, I connected with "The Cake Lady" In Auburn, Alabama who is popular for home-made baked goods. In fact, when my daughter was a freshman, in 2019, "The Cake Lady" baked her a birthday cake. It's always comforting to know your kids are being celebrated across the miles. So together, as a treat for the hospitality bags, "The Cake Lady" and I agreed upon AU themed cookies, one with "War Eagle" and the other a "W" for Wallace. They turned out beautifully! And interesting sidenote, when I picked them up, we were talking about Coach Pat Dye, his relationship to the wedding venue, Auburn Oaks Farm, and at one point "The Cake Lady" said her sorority sister, Wanda, was his daughter. And I said, "You are a Chi Omega!??" And it was Cindy McNutt who was a few years younger than me! Quite the coincidence. If you are in the Auburn area, I highly recommend Cindy, "The Cake Lady." www.facebook.com/p/The-Cake-Lady-Auburn-100057175609898/
We created an assembly line Wednesday evening at our VRBO. My niece is a rising senior and spent the summer in AU working at a pediatric clinic. It was a delightful reunion as Lindsey is from North Carolina so growing up it was challenging to spend quality time together. Once again Auburn University connected family and friends from across the miles.
We created an assembly line Wednesday evening at our VRBO. My niece is a rising senior and spent the summer in AU working at a pediatric clinic. It was a delightful reunion as Lindsey is from North Carolina so growing up it was challenging to spend quality time together. Once again Auburn University connected family and friends from across the miles.
For the wedding week, we rented a VRBO that was ideally situated just a block from Toomer's Corner and next door to The Graduate Hotel. It was the perfect home base, giving us several extra days together to enjoy one another's company while checking off what seemed like an endless to-do list before the big day.
Auburn was busy printing bar menus, wedding programs, and itineraries at OfficeMax (she is amazingly talented with Canva!), while we assembled party favors, hospitality bags, and gathered all the finishing touches. Her sweet friend Caroline designed the custom matches and cocktail napkins, and Ron was in charge of stocking up on water, soda, and, of course, the adult beverages.
One of the biggest surprises for me was realizing that, aside from the beautiful venue itself, virtually everything else had to be coordinated, rented, purchased, or delivered—tablecloths, flatware, dishes, décor...the list seemed endless. Perhaps it simply shows my age, but when I got married, weddings were typically held in a church with the reception in the fellowship hall or a local restaurant. Today's venues are absolutely beautiful, and Auburn Oaks, with its rustic elegance and charming Southern backdrop, was the perfect setting. Still, I came away with an even greater appreciation for the incredible number of details my daughter thoughtfully managed while planning a wedding for nearly 175 guests.
In the days ahead, I hope to share more about our experience with a July wedding in Auburn, Alabama. We began the celebration with a lovely bridal brunch at The Botanic on Friday, July 17, followed by the rehearsal at Auburn Oaks and a rehearsal dinner at the always-popular Amsterdam Café. The meal was delicious, the company even better, and the weekend was just getting started. More to come!
Auburn was busy printing bar menus, wedding programs, and itineraries at OfficeMax (she is amazingly talented with Canva!), while we assembled party favors, hospitality bags, and gathered all the finishing touches. Her sweet friend Caroline designed the custom matches and cocktail napkins, and Ron was in charge of stocking up on water, soda, and, of course, the adult beverages.
One of the biggest surprises for me was realizing that, aside from the beautiful venue itself, virtually everything else had to be coordinated, rented, purchased, or delivered—tablecloths, flatware, dishes, décor...the list seemed endless. Perhaps it simply shows my age, but when I got married, weddings were typically held in a church with the reception in the fellowship hall or a local restaurant. Today's venues are absolutely beautiful, and Auburn Oaks, with its rustic elegance and charming Southern backdrop, was the perfect setting. Still, I came away with an even greater appreciation for the incredible number of details my daughter thoughtfully managed while planning a wedding for nearly 175 guests.
In the days ahead, I hope to share more about our experience with a July wedding in Auburn, Alabama. We began the celebration with a lovely bridal brunch at The Botanic on Friday, July 17, followed by the rehearsal at Auburn Oaks and a rehearsal dinner at the always-popular Amsterdam Café. The meal was delicious, the company even better, and the weekend was just getting started. More to come!
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