Oct. 15, 2005

Tenroc Ranch

Salado, Texas

Check out their wedding website:   

http://joshandsonia.weddingwindow.com/index.cfm

My Photos of the wedding: 

http://cynsk8.smugmug.com/gallery/883443

---"There is only one happiness in life, to love and be loved."

Light, love, happiness and laughter emanated from both the bride and groom on this very special of occasions. It is clear that Sonia and Josh make the perfect couple. "This was Nacho Average Wedding", for sure.

The very best of wishes to two special people.

Mom and I flew to Austin for my cousin Sonia's special day. I arrived in Temple, Texas on Thursday night with Mom, Aunt Rosemary and Grandma, we drove 60 miles north from Austin to Temple where we ensconced ourselves for the trip duration.

Friday 10/14 Noon-Decorations at Tenroc

Mom, Grandma and I took Aunt Rosemary to Tenroc Ranch today where the bridesmaids and grooms mom were busy making the ranch house look gorgeous. The epitome of a Texas cattle ranch, Tenroc was being transformed into an autumnal wonderland. I couldn't resist taking scads of photos, thinking how good they would look on this blog site. Of particular note, the bridal salon and the grooms suite were stunning. The decor was simple, yet so quintessentially Texan with aged iron stars and cattle rods bolted to the walls, deep leather easy chairs and a cow hide throw rug for color.

Friday 10/14 Evening-Rehearsal and Dinner

The wedding rehearsal went very smoothly. Everyone figured out where they were standing and a quick dry run of the vows prompted a few laughs. You could feel the excitement in the air from everyone in the wedding party.

The rehearsal dinner was held at In the Mood Ballroom and was great and really fun. Josh's dad Terry made the sangria AND the wine it was made from. It was so good that I'm afraid my "designated driver status" might have to be put on hold for the wedding. We had ballroom dance lessons including a waltz, various Spanish dances and even some traditional Mexican dances. Josh and Sonia managed to get just about everyone up for a dance lesson. The wedding itself promises to be amazing.

I met my 2 little cousins, Monica's kids, Elaina and Jackie and helped them take even more photos with the disposal cameras propped on each table. Jackie was my dance partner for the cha cha and she proved to be a quick study. Later I danced with the groom to be, Josh, to Journey's open arms, prompted by Sonia who remembered that it was my high school sweetheart's song.

Saturday 10/15 Wedding Day

Saturday bloomed into a gorgeous October morning, perfect for an autumnal wedding at a Texas ranch. Mom and I were up by 9am and lounged around the hotel for an hour or so. We met Monica and the kids at Jalisco's for lunch-2 day's in a row were barely enough. After lunch, Mom and I went to Dillard's for some last minute items including earrings for ourselves and Grandma.

We arrived at Tenroc at about 5:00. We needed to be sure Grandma got there early so she had plenty of time to make the walk down to the ceremony. The room was splendidly decorated. The iron candelabras encircling the room gave it a celestial aura. Fresh pears were on every table which was colored with black tablecloths and napkins and some early guests were beginning to trickle in.

I took some pictures of Sonia before the ceremony so her website would have some great shots. Just before 6 PM , we got the grooms men into their flowers and set up a cue system so the girls knew when to enter. All was going well, except for a stumble by the photographer. Luckily, this occurred before the start of the wedding and all was recovered.

The grooms men awaited the bridal party at the stone alter and the girls came down the walkway one at a time. First came the junior bridesmaids then came the bridesmaids then Marissa, the maid of honor. Lastly, the ring bearer and flower girl preceded Sonia. Aunt Rosemary walked arm in arm with Sonia and she along with Grandma gave Sonia away. Vows were exchanged and both moms put the lasso around the bride and groom as a final symbol of their commitment.

Saturday 10/15 Reception

After the ceremony, all gathered around for great shots of the newlyweds. Light was fading fast so the photographer worked quickly to get in the best shots. Most of us hovered in the background snapping whatever pictures we could get. The really special shots were in front of the antique car that was on loan from Dr. Ellis (who also performed the ceremony.)

Finally, the camera's went away and it was time to party. First the nacho's bar and then dinner. The pumpkin soup was amazing and served in baby white pumpkins. It made for the perfect touch. Afterwards, the fun really started with the bride and grooms wedding dance. Obviously well practiced, Josh and Sonia demonstrated their ballroom dancing lessons while the rest of us looked on in amazement. Later the dollar dance proved to me really fun, as virtually every guest took their turn dancing with either the bride or groom. Many of us danced with both. Dancing continued well into the midnight hour.