Wedding Prep Day

Our delightful photographers are sending wedding pictures soon but we decided we just had to share some from the Wedding Prep Day! It was a joy every step of the way to work alongside such dedicated friends.

Wedding Tip Number 1536: You cannot stop or slow down time no matter how late you stay up!

Amazing helpers from Idaho arrived in time to spread love and happy fellowship! They excel at making the kitchen cozy, keeping the ovens busy and making SINKS full of dishes disappear. 

Brothers! Ever helpful. And they don't even drink coffee yet! :)

Love our friends from Colorado who sent timely packages with timely reminders like this one about the cord of three strands!!

Dandee and Manee and Chapman. This dish washing is very serious business.

Brave Aunt Pandy took on the daunting task of getting the Bowers' groomsmen clothing ironed...

...and making cute bag tags to welcome out of town family.

More happy dinners than ever this year since Joshua and Carson came along!
Very blessed indeed.

Prep Day Breakfast Something: GF, EF, NF, SF. What on earth is LEFT to bake with?! :)

Pandy has been my Sister-in-Love for almost 30 years. So grateful for her incredible help, faithful prayers and 100% devotion to the girls and this very special wedding.

Behold! The raising of the tent begins. :)

Joshua hunting down the AWOL box of candles. :)

"A thing of beauty is a joy forever."
 Transforming Carson's mechanic shop into a thing of beauty. :)

Our living room ended up in the driveway. Ha!

Happy smiles all day long.

This nice guy showed up to deliver and unpack jars. :)

1600 water bottles at the Label Removal Center. Sounds very official. :)

Some of our favorite locals (!) and precious friends all the way from Idaho and Washington!

Linen-like napkins, anyone? We seem to have a few. Ha!

Love these dear girls who tied and tied and tied 850 twine bows. :)

Bouquets abounding with love by Aunt Pandy. Yes, folks. She really DOES DO IT ALL!
 Beyond thankful for her planning, preparing and vast experience with weddings of all kinds.

Sweet Molly, also known as Manee, is my amazing Mom! 
Before moving overseas she did incredible wedding flowers and was promptly recruited upon arrival. :)

Daddy's Number One Rule of Cooking is...you can NEVER have too much butter!!
Keep this Southern staple in mind. Always.

Lindsay baked and iced and loved this cake into the most delicious work of art ever served at a wedding! 
Praise the Lord for such a patient friend and encourager.

After great thought and discussion we decided to cut the mics and piano and just SING LOUD! :) 

Once again...from the top!

Talk about gemstones!!  Ironing tablecloths for 70 tables?
So amazed by the love of these girls and other faithful friends. 
And DARK IT IS outside. We started this day at 8 am!

Jars for flowers, jars for candles. Collected by sweet Liz.

Garlands and flower crowns! Beautiful.

Every farm need a good sign and a good sign painter. Here's ours, specially imported from Idaho!

Peaceful quiet time to ponder is a little scarce. 
We figured as long as she came back by Friday at 4:18 it was okay. :)

The flower guy. We told him this was for our blog. Ha! Seemed like he liked the idea. :)

Soo perfect! Beautiful, beautiful everywhere!

These hardworking ladies prepped the (most delicious!) salad. And more salad! 

So many Sister-in-Loves to LOVE around here!

Victorious! Chairs were moved in following the ceremony.
So thankful for such incredibly hard working helpers!!

Calm before the storm.

More calm before the storm. Ha. :)

 We are also SO very grateful to our dear Bontragers...every one of them...for opening their hearts and home and the barn doors (quite literally!) for the most memorable, meaningful, joyful day EVER. We cannot wait to share photos of our Brides and Grooms with you when we get them and we PRAISE THE LORD for these very precious friends and memories.