The Big Mexican Shebang

 Nicole and John's wedding celebration here in Mexico was last week. Two of Nicole's bridesmaids, Cherie and Stephanie, were able to come down and be in on the celebration. Andrew, John's best man, made it and John's parents, Pastor and Sis. Collins came as well! This was all so special! 

Saturday morning we got ready and headed over to the church to start setting up. We turned on to the street of the church and saw this big tent set up. This was where all the festivities would take place!

 

 A few more table runners had to be made so we started out with that.

We then got all the papel picado strung around the tent. The guys actually did most of this work, but unfortunately, they went inside the church for a break and Nicole and I were the only ones captured doing this "hard labor". Nicole wanted to wait for the guys to come back and finish it, but I insisted we were "strong independent women" and could do it ourselves. The truth is, I'd never climb a ladder to hang something this high, therefore, Nicole is the strong one - ha!

 

There were 110 chairs rented and 110 seat covers to be put on these chairs, then 110 sashes to be tied around each chair - slow and steady, we got it done!

There were bouquets to be trimmed for table centerpieces, and vases to be filled with water

After everyone pitched in for a solid couple of hours, things started coming together!

After things were all finished, we had an hour before the party was to begin. I told everyone - just relax and focus on cooling down! It was pretty hot under that tent.

The same exact thing happened to me that happened before the ceremony in Idaho. People were arriving, last minute details were being ironed out, and I was loving getting to chat with everybody as they arrived!! All of a sudden my dad yells at me to get upstairs because everyone was waiting on me to be able to start the ceremony. I looked around and sure enough, the rest of the wedding party was no where to be seen. Hahaha! 

I ran upstairs to the house, then realized I'd forgotten to give my camera to someone so they could take pictures. I ran back downstairs. 

I ran upstairs again then realized I'd left my bouquet on a table in the tent...ran back downstairs to get it. 

Up and down, up and down. I was so nervous! Excited! This was the true party we'd so been looking forward to! The Idaho ceremony was the more serious and important of the two. The Mexico one was where we could all let our hair down, have fun, and CELEBRATE with our friends and family! I was beside myself. 

In the meantime, Steph and Cherie were helping Nicole get ready :D

 

Before our grand entrances, we snapped one last picture of us all! 

 

We all waited at the top of the stairs as Dad announced each member of the family and wedding party. 

According to the tradition of Mexico, the Collins and my parents are related now and are called "consuegros". In-laws to each other. For example, instead of my dad referring to Pastor Collins as "my daughter's father-in-law", he is now just "my consuegro". Sis. Collins is my parent's "consuegra". Family ties are endless here!!

 The "Abuela" of the bride....*drumroll!*.....

Sis. Wakefield!!!!! 

And everyone cheers and claps :)

...The mother of the bride! 

Sis. Wakefield again!!! 

Woo hoo!!! *Cheering and whistling!*

The best man and maid of honor...Andrew and Bethany! 

He bowed, I curtsied...*Clap, clap, clap!!!*

Bridesmaid Cherie! Yeah!!!!!!!!!!

Bridesmaid Stephanie...Woo hoo!!!!!!!!!

Annnnnnd......THE BRIDE AND GROOM!!! 

As they walked through the doors, Johnny did a repeat of their first kiss in the Idaho wedding and dipped Nicole back for a big smooch! 

Of course this brought on even MORE cheers, whistles, clapping, and laughter! 

Looks like Dad is holding a dazed Johnny steady HAHA!

After everyone was announced and had taken their seats, Dad and Bro. Collins performed a small ceremony. They talked about the importance of purity, marriage, and a life lived for the Lord. 

It was short, sweet, and special. When they were done food started being served. 

 

We had mixiotes, rice, beans, and tortillas. Fabulous fare! 

It was funny, some street vendors saw that a party was going on so they came and stood with their wares, ready to make some sales. Agg! :D

 

Cherie and Steph got to see old friends from the last time they'd visited.

 

Nicole and John opened their wedding gifts. 

 

Nicole and little Stephy

 Everyone wanted pictures with the bride and groom!

I missed this part, but it looks like Nicole and John got a little bit more crazy with the cake-feeding part of the party. 

 

 Nicole threw her bouquet...

 

 ...Of course Stephanie caught it! Being the tallest and right in the front row - lol!

 

Johnny also threw his tie (they don't do garter tosses here in Christian churches) but I don't have a picture of that!

Soon, the the excitement escalated and the men started having pole-climbing contests. We do this at our church conferences sometimes and it is the equivalent of an arm-wrestling contest. Time for the men to prove their strength! :D The goal is to make it to the top of the pole, slap the tent roof, then slide down, all to the uproarious cheers of the people below. 

Abner muscling it to the top...

Even our American visitors got involved! Our people love Andrew!

We then got Dad to climb it...
I don't know what happened here, but there was a photographical malfunction and it looks like Dad is wearing a skirt LOL.

 

The bridal party was in the corner all gathered together and we were the ones scouting men to climb the poles. We'd scan the crowd to find an able-looking gentleman, then begin chanting his name. The crowd would then join in and instantly you have an entire tentful of people shouting your name in unison. It is great for peer pressure!!!!

You can even get a boost up if you need it

 We all started chanting "PASTOR, PASTOR, PASTOR!!" But can you all believe it? He refused! C'mon Grampa! You can take 'em all!!

Instead, Grampa put the brothers Ismael and Israel up to the challenge. He threw down a $100 peso bill on the ground between them. Whoever made it to the top first would take the prize!
Ismael, the young man further down, won the contest.

Our tallest guest and possible the shortest - guau!

Our Tio Mario couldn't come to the party because...if you can believe this...of ALL times for something like this to happen....little Miss Elissa came down with the chicken pox right before the wedding! It was a huge bummer.
But we were glad to have our Tia Hayde!
Need I mention Abner? We can always count on him.

We have a photographer family in my church and before the party ended, they asked that the bride, groom, family and wedding party gather behind the tent for one last picture.

The sky started looking pretty cloudy, the wind started blowing....a downpour was on its way!
Everyone helped fold up tables and chairs and clean up quickly.
People loaded up, tummies full, and huge smiles on their faces!

It was a wonderful party! A complete success! It was wonderful to be together with our loved ones and saints from the other churches around the area.

~Bethany~