Weddings are interesting events.
Main event – 2 people publicly proclaiming a lifetime bond.
Secondary side show – whatta crazy social experiment. The mix of peoples can be a total crap shoot. How these 2 diverse families would ever be in the same room, sometimes seems unimaginable.
My clan hails from the South, Sis from St Louis (more Midwest than South), my prodigy New England.
The groom’s family – New Jersey. Both of Tom’s parents come from large families (8+ sisters/brothers). Then those siblings have kids & some of their kids have kids. That’s a lot of Jersey in one room.
My posse: friendly but reserved. Groom’s family: LOUD, so much laughing – and these folks LOVE to dance. SUPER FUN time.
You marry the person, not their family but… when that family is absolutely amazing – double Happy.
Fave reception memory? Couple dance with my Mom — how often does THAT happen? FULL heart ❤
- who cuts directly from the middle?
- Mom & my siblings
- C-O-N-G-A
- BROS!
- ABBA sing-along
- Mother-Son
- Michaela
- Disco Fever
- ‘Rolex’ with Cousin Jack
- Next stop: ICELAND
Mother-Son Dance
Father-Daughter Encore
Two sets of parents, best man/maid-of-honor – then enter, Colorado’s newest Mr. & Mrs.
Arms raised, couple took the room like a sports stadium. BOOM!
First Dance: romantic waltz, fancy turns, lotta smiles. BEAUTIFUL. Couple danced to Ed Sheeran’s ‘Perfect’.
Dinner, champagne toast. Bring on the parents. Two dances: Mom & Groom, Father & Bride.
Heart pumping. Ya’ll know, there’d been lessons. Prime Time: Dancing with the Stars (Bride edition).
Country ballad, 2 turns, dip at the end. Cue: ‘Yeah’ by Usher. This Dad, this day? Totally brought it. Whole lotta crowd support, never met a Wilpiszeski I didn’t instantly LOVE. Super FUN family. Memory I’ll share with Ash, a lifetime ❤
- BOOM!
- LOVE LOVE these 2 🙂
- unexpected music change
- ‘Yeah’ by Usher
- Bride was FIERCE!
- wedding party FINALE
Grand Entrance
First Dance, CONGA & ‘Fireball’
Father-Daughter Dance
I was there the day she was born.
Cradled her & we swayed our first song: ‘Could I Have This Dance‘ by Anne Murray.
I watched her finish high school. Attended her college graduation.
Provided her & Tom a place to land while they saved $$ for their first home.
Today I walked beside her, gave a quick hug – then watched Ash start life with another.
27 years. No giving this bride away, phrase omitted from today’s script. Tough being a dad. Will always be her biggest fan ❤
- last ‘single lady’ pic
- beer unity ceremony
- walking the bride
- ‘Here Comes the Bride’
- PROUD dad moment!
- GREAT job Stephen!
- Sis & fam
- Bro & his crew
- ring exchange
- ‘Black & Tan’
- a Colorado tradition
- Mr. & Mrs.
- BOOM!
- sealing the deal, signing the certificate
Family PRIDE
- Mom
- Michaela
- David
- Mother-Daughter
- Sisters
- Father of the Bride
- first grandchild’s wedding
- Sis & family
- my Clan
Walking down the Aisle
Ash & Tom’s wedding vows
Ashton’s wedding (video credit: Michaela)

























































