My daughters, Lillian and Hayley, and I love “The Wedding Planner” movie starring Jennifer Lopez. For those of you unversed in chick flicks, Lopez stars as a high-end wedding planner in San Francisco. I now appreciate why such a position makes big bucks. Every buck is well deserved.
While our family was immersed in planning Lillian’s 5:30 p.m., Sept. 5 wedding, we learned many things. I’m a traditionalist while Lillian is a Pinterest. I’m all about booking the church, reception site, caterer, baker and florist, and of course, shopping for the dress and accessories. Lillian is all about scouring hundreds of “pins” she’s selected over nearly seven years while dating her now husband, Kegan Knust. The pins are ideas for everything wedding, and I do mean everything.
My traditionalism was cast aside. When COVID-19 struck, my husband, Terry, and I encouraged the couple to downsize their planning. A church wedding became a farm wedding. Three hundred people became about 120. Prayers for a smooth day became asking for low humidity and clear skies, a borrowed sound system and microphone that worked, and Terry agreeing to having the house power-washed.
Wedding day dawned, and the north side of our home became a church. Terry tore down two old sheds and made a permanent cross for the yard. Edison lights had been strung from pole to pole over straw bales covered in beautiful borrowed quilts. A big white tent held tables and chairs for a reception dinner featuring a roasted 4-H hog. Tables sported fall mums and Mason jars filled with corn and votives.
Best of all, Lillian and Kegan were happily married. Friends said the wedding was joyous, peaceful and one of the best they’d attended. The event, at the farm, was worth every dollar spent.
Hayhurst writes from Terre Haute, Ind.