What a month!  I thought I’d share the story of Jill’s wedding now before we forget all the details!  Weddings ALWAYS have a story behind them.  Often not what was planned but unique and lovey anyways…and Jill and Colin’s was no different!

Leading up to the wedding Jill and Colin had some lovely showers thrown for them from old friends, family and even one done virtually.  Such a sign of the times that we can do them that way now!  They felt so loved.

The wedding took place on August 1st.  They picked that date because they wanted to be sure that the road up to Artist Point on Mt Baker was open.  Often that road has snow covering it all the way until August.  This year it opened the earliest it had in years..so we had THAT going for us!  

Our summer weather has been spectacular this year.  All through June and July we had sun, mild temperatures and, most importantly, no smoke!  Mother Nature did not disappoint on August 1st either!

What DID disappoint was covid.  We didn’t even realize that was still a THING.  Colin’s family and Jill and Colin had been super careful for years.  Most of them were still wearing masks even this summer (they did for the suit shopping) just to be careful.  Unfortunately poor Lynne (Colin’s Mom) got covid five days before the ceremony.  She immediately isolated herself but two days after that Thomas tested positive (Colin’s Dad).  And two days after that Trevor’s (Colin’s brother) girlfriend tested positive.  Trevor never got it but we don’t know why!  

Of course all of this blew up the original wedding plans.  We were all supposed to stay in the same house and have some fun family time the day before the wedding and have a great celebration after.  Because we knew that we had a wedding reception in 10 days that the bride and groom HAD to attend we all needed to stay safe.  The silver lining was that the ceremony was just the 10 of us (plus the photographer) and it was outside.  So the Marquis crew could wear masks and still attend despite being positive for covid.  Nobody had to miss the most important part!  That’s what we kept telling Jill and Colin.  All the people you wanted at the ceremony will be there, it just won’t be exactly as you planned.  And you will have a story to tell in the end.  

When we first got to the cabin we could see that Jill and Colin were pretty sad about all the circumstances surrounding their wedding.  Before we left I picked up this t-shirt to wear as a reminder for them…

While we set up games and dinner Jill and Colin met the photographer to scout out locations for the ceremony and pictures.  When they came back you could SEE how much their mood had lifted.  They were almost giddy with the anticipation of showing us this amazing location.  Allen and I were thrilled they got this win.  They needed it!

On the day of the ceremony we all had a lazy day until the Marquis crew arrived in the driveway.  They were great about changing in a tent and keeping their masks on.  We were able to come up with a good way to include everybody in the first look and pictures.  The house had a balcony with perfect light right on the front of the house.  The Marquis crew could stand in the driveway and see from outside while the Enebo crew could stand inside and peek through the door.  It was very sweet! (For the record, I was banned from bringing my real camera so these few pictures are my iphone!)

Since Colin couldn’t have his Dad or Trevor there to help him dress Allen was sure to help him with the ironing and finishing touches.  And on the drive up to the mountain Ellie and Kate went with Jill and Colin to make it a party.  On the way up the mountain they had to stop for a baby bear to cross the road.  (On the way back the Marquis car had to stop for the Mama crossing BACK over the road.  The only critter Allen and I saw was a chipmunk who ran in front of us and his poor life choices meant he didn’t successfully cross the road.)

We stopped at Picture Lake for a few pictures before heading up to Artist Point.

Sidenote: Wanda (Allen’s Mom) did an AMAZING job of creating the bouquet for Jill. Jill was adamant about having a bouquet of artificial flowers because they were determined to leave no trace on the mountain. Meaning, no trampling plants off trail and dropping no seeds for plants that aren’t native to the area. Jill gave Wanda some color direction and Wanda and her artist’s eye did the rest!

There was a surprising number of cars in the parking lot for Artist Point.  Allen and I both expected that we would be in a fairly secluded spot off a trail.  Not so much!  Honestly, we could see the parking lot from the ceremony spot!  As you can see in the pictures, the location had spectacular views…and we definitely weren’t complaining about the short hike considering how we were dressed.

Trevor and Kate were supposed to be the attendants standing up with the couple while they got hitched but, due to the circumstances, we all decided it would be safer for families to just stand together.  

Ellie was the officiant and she KILLED it!  She added just the right amount of humor and seriousness and she included little shout outs for both families.  She even included a poem that ChatGPT generated which will be hilarious to think about 25 years from now!  At the end of the ceremony we all cheered for them and so did a lot of the people in the parking lot!

After the family pictures Jill and Colin stayed on the mountain with the photographer to continue to take pictures.  As you can see….Betty (from Betty Elaine Photography) was FANTASTIC!  That is the beauty of hiring a professional.  She knew all the places to go and knew her lighting and equipment so well.  She was worth EVERY PENNY!  

Now for the pictures that were the MOST important and were perfect in every way!

While we waited for Jill and Colin to come off the mountain we sat in the backyard of the cabin with the Marquis crew.  They were on one side of the yard and we were on the other.  Unfortunately there was a burn ban so instead of sitting around a campfire sharing stories we sat around a lantern on a box.  HA!  Whatever!  We were getting good at rolling with it.  

When Jill and Colin got back (after 10pm!) they shared all the stories of the evening while we toasted them with sparkling cider (with our OWN camp mugs) and enjoyed our triple chocolate cake.  

It was not what they’d hoped for but the day turned out so well and all their favorite people were there to witness the joy!

Stay tuned for tomorrow for part II…the reception!