Earlier this month, my baby brother got married. It was such a day of celebration. He’d waited 44 years to find the right woman, and the Lord finally brought her into his life.
I didn’t know much of the origin story of this relationship, but over the course of the weekend, I heard from multiple people about the providence of God in bringing Kenny and Lauri together. As a romance writer, I could definitely appreciate the beauty of the tale.
Betty and Ryan
The first threads were woven seven years ago when a young man who’d had a rough day walked down the road and encountered my stepbrother, Tim. Tim felt compelled to offer the man a ride. The two talked and struck up a friendship that grew over the years. When Ryan’s mother, Betty, needed some work done on her bathroom, Ryan immediately recommended his friend’s brother – Kenny. Kenny did the contract work for Betty, never realizing that Betty was a consummate matchmaker. Not only did she find his work to be exemplary, but she enjoyed Kenny’s company so well, she knew she had to find this delightful single man a bride.
Kenny and Lauri
Some time later, Betty had need of a mammogram and just happened to walk into the office where Lauri worked. Lauri is a very private person and rarely opens up to strangers, but for reasons only God can explain, she opened up to Betty about her late husband which so touched Betty, having lost her own husband only two short years before, that the two struck up a lasting friendship. Matchmaking commenced, and Kenny and Lauri were introduced. The two got to know each other through Word with Friends (hooray for word game apps!) and gradually a romance blossomed.
Now, Lauri, as it turns out, is a big fan of The Crown, and she decided that for her wedding reception, she wanted to have an English high tea. For months, she scoured thrift shops for teacups until she amassed a collection large enough to fill the hall of the small country church she attended. I have to say, this was my favorite wedding reception ever. Her family made scones and cucumber sandwiches to feed an army. What a delight!
Here is my plate:
Scone, chicken salad sandwich with no crust, meat and cheese cracker, and a beautiful floral teacup with a brewing cup of black breakfast tea.
Every table had a lace tablecloth, cream and sugar and stirring spoons, and lovely Victorian floral accents. The hall was filled, so my husband and youngest son found a place to sit next to my cousin and her family, while my older two kids joined me at a table where we sat across from matchmaker extraordinaire, Betty, and had the privilege of hearing all the wonderful stories about how Kenny and Lauri met.
Overall, it was a beautiful ceremony followed by a quintessentially English tea party that filled this historical writer’s heart with joy.
- What is the most original wedding reception you’ve ever seen?
- Do you enjoy a nice spot of tea every now and again? If so, what are your favorite flavors?
- Are you a fan of The Crown? I have to admit that I haven’t watched it, but I recently discovered the Masterpiece Theater series called Victoria, and I think I’ll be starting that one soon.
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I love warm cranberry tea. Especially now, when it´ s snowing and the weather is such cold 🙂
These teacups are so beautiful! I love vintage things and flower motifs. I like Jeanne d´Arc Living magazine. There are beautiful photography of inspiring homes, simple recipes, vintage flea market décor and crafts, nostalgic European garden designs and flower arrangements – all in the French and Nordic country decorating style…
I wish them a happy married life filled with love and God´s blessing.
That magazine sounds like my “cup of tea,” Blanka. 🙂 I’ve never tried cranberry tea. Sounds like a great winter flavor.
What a lovely story! Congratulations to your brother and his wife. The tea party reception sounds like a wonderful way to celebrate. I’ve enjoyed the Crown. I heard they have recast the main characters for the next season as they grow older.
Interesting, Carrie. I might have to give it a try. I’ve heard lots of good things about The Crown.
That reception sounds so lovely! I love tea parties – my sister is a master at putting them together! The most unusual reception that I have gone to was a sub sandwich and hot fudge sundae bar! It was very fun to go through the lines and create your our meal. And in light of how much the food at some weddings costs now days, it was also very practical. Loved it!
Make your own is a great way to ensure all the guests get what they want. And I hear you on the costs of things these days. I thought Lauri was smart to have an afternoon wedding and thereby cut down on the amount of food that needed to be served. Costs can get out of hand so quickly.
I LOVE the idea of a tea party for a wedding reception. I, too, love hot tea, and my favorite flavor is Earl Grey. However, since black teas stain my tea so noticeably, I’ve been drinking green or herbal teas. I can’t think of any strikingly original wedding receptions I’ve attended; they’ve been quite traditional and lovely.
Early Grey is just so classic. Great choice, Suzanne. 🙂
Victoria and The Crown are both EXCELLENT! I love that Lauri was inspired by The Crown to offer a “high tea” reception. Good for her for doing something so fun, unique, and memorable!
It was truly delightful! And I have added The Crown and Victoria to my watch lists. 🙂
HI, Karen. What a wonderful story! I pray they have many years of happiness and joy, with the Lord as their guide and partner!
I was wishing I’d known they were looking for English teacups, etc. My mom (who passed away in 2010) left tons of them at the house, and I would have gladly donated some! Tiny tea and coffee cups don’t “cut it” for me – I’d have to refill them about 8 times!
A friend of mine had an afternoon wedding with an English tea as her reception. It was wonderful! My girlfriends and I bought hats for the occasion, so much fun!
Thanks for sharing their story. (And, I can’t wait for your next book!)
Blessings to you and your family!
I hear you on those tiny teacups. I drink my tea out of travel mug. Ha! And how fun that you’ve experienced your own English tea reception. Buying hats was a fabulous idea. I should have thought of that!
Our daughter’s wedding reception was the most unusual I’ve attended. She chose to have it at a California winery that is designed like a castle because it made everything seem like a fairytale. The medieval decor came with a suit of armor, a knight standing guard over the hall. Three of her friends took care of the decorations and arranging the catering, because we live on the east coast. It was wonderful, and all we had to do was show up. Her father, a Methodist minister, married her, and her grandfather gave her away.
Tea is my beverage of choice – I am drinking English Breakfast at the moment, after a night of snowfall – I also like darjeeling, Irish Breakfast, and green tea. Tea parties are such fun. I hosted a Princess tea party two years ago for my granddaughter and her friends when she was eight. Your brother’s reception looks lovely.
I have not seen The Crown, but it looks like something I would enjoy. Be sure to watch the first season of Victoria. I loved it and was looking forward to the second season beginning.
What a perfect venue, Betty! The “castle” sounds gorgeous and so romantic. I found the first season of Victoria on my Amazon prime viewer, so I plan to start watching it this week. 🙂
Love this idea! Sounds like your brother found his perfect match! I live tea and my tea of choice is loose Irish Breakfast, although I enjoy Constant Comment and Earl Grey, too. Hubby buys loose in bulk for most of out tea, then we freeze what’s not in jars. Thanks for the great post!
I do love the flavor of the loose tea, but I’m usually too cheap to buy it. 🙂
Oh my goodness Karen, how utterly romantic!! Absolutely melts my heart 💖 I hope you will incorporate elements of your brothers road to true love and the wedding & reception in one of your books (I can so see this going on a book)….hint, hint! How amazing is God when He perfectly puts two people together!
I don’t attend many weddings and it’s been many years since I have. One of the most unique elements of the ceremony I witnessed was at my much younger cousins wedding eons ago, where they washed each other’s feet in honor of Jesus’s example to the disciples. Of being a humble servant (if you will) to each other in marriage. It was the sweetest thing I’ve ever witnessed!
I do like an occasional cup of hot tea. My favorite flavors are Bigalow vanilla chai, Earl Grey with a splash of vanilla and cream or steamed milk, called London Fog, and Dirty Chai (chai with a shot of espresso). When I’m not feeling well, I love Yogi brand called Echinacea Immune Support and I put raw unfiltered honey in it. Chamomile with honey added is also good when I want to relax in the evening!
I’ve never watched The Crown or Victoria before and I’m not sure I could convince my husband to watch it with me if I did, lol! But they do sound like good shows.
Thanks for sharing your brothers wedding experience with us and the story behind it. So romantic!!
So glad you enjoyed the romance with me, Trixi. I love the feet washing. How meaningful! Kenny and Lauri had a beautiful cross ceremony in their wedding, replacing the unity candle of my era. They each had two different pieces of a decorative cross that fit together, held by pegs that represented God’s presence, necessary to keep them together. I loved that idea. Not only was it beautiful and symbolic, but now they have a keepsake to display in their home as a reminder of their devotion to each other and to God.
What an elegant and extraordinary wedding reception! I love lace tablecloths and these are beautiful. I am an herb tea drinker, hibiscus flower is my favorite, and when sick, lemon ginger with honey. A friend of mine is a youth librarian, and when she married they stacked books and paper flowers made of book pages as table decorations. They brought lots of board games, and invited guests to stay and play. It was a fun and original reception.
That sounds perfect, Susan. I love books and I love board games. I would have felt right at home there.
What a beautiful story, Karen. I love English Breakfast Tea and I drink a lot of herbal tea. I once went to a wedding and reception held at an old cotton gin. That was a unique wedding.
What an interesting setting! Definitely original. 🙂
*Sigh* Such a romantic story of how your brother & his wife met! Congrats to them!
Maybe this will show up in a future story! 😊
I need a Betty in my life- lol! 😂
Your brother finding not till age 44 gives me hope! 😊
Haven’t seen a the Crown, but it’s on my list of shows to watch!
Thanks, Emilee. Sometimes a little matchmaking can be a good thing. 🙂
Sorry Karen for the typo- meant your brother not finding his wife till age 44 gives me hope! 😊
That’s a beautiful reception! Love the idea of a high tea. Probably the fanciest reception I’ve been to was my nephews. It was at a country club in S FL and the table decor was incredibly beautiful. Fine china and white linens. I was almost afraid to touch anything. The best part though was the chocolate fountain. 🙂
I loved my centerpieces for the tables. My mom always joked that she knew I wanted to be married in a garden, but I knew she’d never put up with that, so she had to turn the inside into the outside. We started growing our centerpieces a few months before and potted a bunch of live plants. I still have one that I’ve transplanted a few times from the original batch- 9 years later. I knew from the start that flowers were going to be the biggest budget item. I didn’t much care what we ate or how fancy my dress was, I just wanted to be surrounded by flowers.