It’s wedding season in the Witemeyer household. Our first. This past Saturday, we had the joy of watching out children be showered with blessings at their first wedding shower. Wyatt is my middle kiddo and oldest son. He grew up in the small country church where we attend, and our church family has watched him grow from a toddler who played on the stage steps after church, to the college minister who preaches, leads songs, and teaches class. His bride-to-be, McKenna, is a lovely young woman who makes him light up every time she enters the room. We adore her and couldn’t be happier to welcome her to the family.
The food was fabulous! Texas sheet cake, brownies, zucchini bread, cheese & crackers, fresh fruit, pigs in a blanket, and dark chocolate kisses. The most beautiful food item, though, were these gorgeous Mr. & Mrs. cookies made by the hostess’s daughter. Perfection!
Next came the gift opening, and what a wonderful abundance they received! So many practical and beautiful items!
Frying pans. Who knew?
McKenna’s dad works at ACU just like Wes and I do, so they already feel like family. Her mom is so nice, not to mention super organized. The perfect combination since this is the first wedding for both of us.
My main responsibilities are outfitting the groom and groomsmen (suits are bought and waiting to be tried on over spring break) and the rehearsal dinner. I’m hoping to cook, but we’ll see how all that works out. Thankfully, my sister-in-law has volunteered to help, so that will be a blessing.
It’s such an exciting time! I’m so happy for them, and only the tiniest bit sad to no longer be the most important woman in my son’s life. But, hey, I’m a romance writer. I recognize a happy ending in the making when I see one.
Any advice for the mother of the groom?
What are some of your favorite wedding traditions or festivities?
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Congratulations to you and your family, Karen. What a beautiful couple! My favorite parts of a wedding are the first dance. The bride and groom are so happy and their personalities come out during a dance. Enjoy every moment of the wedding and all the fun leading up to it.
Thank you, Stacy. There is something so romantic about a dance, isn’t there? Makes me think of Beauty and the Beast. 🙂
Congrats, Karen! What a beautiful family and what beautiful years ahead for all of you. As far as advice, I remember when Kurt and Kellie married in 2020 people told me to just soak up every nuance, try not to stress, and do whatever the bride tells you—this is her/their day! And ours was perfect! All the way from the rehearsal dinner to the wedding, from the first dance to the last…an absolute deluge of blessings from the Lord. Enjoy!
Great advice, Tammy! I’m doing my best to let McKenna take the lead in everything and only be a consultant. So far things are progressing smoothly. Wyatt is so laid-back, he doesn’t have strong opinions, so he’s happy to go along with whatever his lovely bride wishes. 🙂
How wonderful! The sweetest thing my mother in law did at our wedding (or maybe a few weeks before, I can’t remember) was she gave me a handwritten note welcoming me to the family and saying how she considered me a new daughter not a daughter in law. I’ve kept it as a momento and she really does treat me as one of her own. We have such a wonderful relationship 20 years later.
What a lovely idea, Karen. Thank you! I feel so blessed to have had the chance to get to know McKenna over the last couple years. To be honest, she already feels like part of the family. 🙂
How special, Karen. Praying many blessings on the couple.
Thank you, Robin. Prayer is the best gift possible! So many big changes ahead for them. Graduation, marriage, and first full-time jobs. They are in the job hunt stage right now, so we are praying God will provide the right open door and the right time.
How exciting for you and your family. No wedding advice since I’m still single, but would love to see a close-up of the sampler you made them. It looks gorgeous!!
Thanks, Amy. I’ll be sharing a close-up in my Posse FB group later today. If you’re not a member, you can join here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1839437643052460/
Congratulations! Sounds like a wonderful event.
My son wanted a rehearsal dinner at our home. With the help of friends, we served lasagna and a carved watermelon full of fruit.
Bret wishes!
That sounds wonderful, Betty! I’m glad we aren’t doing it at my house. LOL. Too much pressure. We will have it at the church. I’m going to try to make salmon since that is one of Wyatt’s favorites. I’ve never made enough salmon to feed 50 people, but we’ll see how it goes.
So beautiful! Congratulations! Enjoy every moment!
Thanks, Angie. Good advice, and something I’m trying to do.
So fun! I’ve only ever been the mother of the groom (so far!) and I loved watching my boys love their girls. My best advice as MOG? Keep smiling and saying “it’s lovely” even if the choices for the wedding aren’t the ones you would have made. 🙂
LOL! Excellent advice, D’Ann. I’ll remember that!
Already sounds like you are a wonderful mother of the groom.
For the peace of the family, I finally let my mother-in-law plan it the way she wanted. I was upset to not have the wedding I wanted but got my husband (which I saw as more important.) Years later, I realized my mom was very hurt. My mom was allowed to do some decorations, but MIL’s photographer did not give me pictures of her work, a picture with my mom, or other family pictures. Still feel unwanted as I was not even allowed in my new family’s photo at the wedding.
Enjoy this special time! Since our son is recently engaged, all this wedding stuff is ahead of us, too. My hope for their wedding is that I look so good my husband thinks I am more beautiful than the bride. Especially after 30+ years! 🙂 And yes, honor the bride and bridegroom’s wishes so their day is everything they wish it to be. (PS. I also have a cross-stitch wedding sampler made by my sister, done up in the same colors as our china pattern.)
What a lovely heirloom gift from your sister. I love that it matches your china. How clever! My husband’s aunt made one for us when we got married 30 years ago. It still hangs in our bedroom near our bed.
Ours is in our bedroom, too!
What a darling couple!I can easily see their joy on their faces.
Thanks for sharing this post! It’s so much fun to share in your family’s celebration. 🙂
Thanks for sharing in our joy, Becky! I’m so proud of them and so excited to see where the Lord will lead them.
God’s Blessings to Wyatt & McKenna.
When our daughter married, she took care of everything.
All I had to do was buy a dress and a suit for hubby.
When she was little, we called her, “Miss Independent”.
She wanted to do it all by herself, so we let her.
Of course, we paid for her part of the wedding, but it saved me
from being a bundle of nerves.
Hi, Janet. I was much the same way with my wedding. I’m happy to sit back this time and let McKenna and her mom take the lead. Much less stress that way. 🙂
Congratulations Karen!!! The Witemeyer clan will grow by 1! I’m so thrilled & excited for you & your family! I’ve always loved weddings. (Fair warning my post might be a little long)
Out my 5 siblings 4 are married & it was really cool to see how each sibling did different things. My family is ridiculously sentimental- for example- my sister next in line to me had my mom’s & my grandma’s wedding dresses on display at her wedding/reception. She also took a cocktail napkin my mom had saved from her wedding & had a replica made for her & her husband & had my parents original cocktail napkin framed & she also has my mom’s wedding cake somewhat replicated for their cake. My mom had pale pink frosting & a unique lacy pattern (in frosting) on her cake.
My youngest brother & his wife had pictures of my parents, her parents & grandparents on their wedding days frames at the gift table as well as those we’ve loved & lost.
I always love the father/daughter & mother/son dances.
All I can say is the wedding day will fly by…hope you are able to enjoy the moment & the memories.
We are celebrating with you at this joyous time in your family’s life!
We have four sons and just added our fourth daughter in love last May. Each one is unique and bring such joy to our family! The best part for me is how all the girls enjoy each other and treat each other like sisters. What a blessing, because I know it could be so different. When I became a mother in law, I didn’t know for sure how I should ‘be’ one. My husband always said, ‘just be yourself’. But then I found a book about the subject. The first chapter had the Ten Commandments of being a MIL. All Ten were: Keep Your Mouth Shut. I have found that to be great advice! HaHa I think you will be a wonderful MIL and she will be so blessed by you and your family! They are such a cute couple! They look so happy together! Wishing them much love and many blessings!
Congratulations and best wishes to Wyatt and McKenna and to their families!
Karen, your cross stitch is beautiful and the frame sets it off perfectly!
How exciting for Wyatt and McKenna! We’re about a month behind you with our first daughter’s wedding. Fun times! Be glad you got to start as a mother-of-the-groom. I hear it’s easier. 🙂
Love,
Regina