Courtney and Mary got married! In Napa, back in September. Technically in Yountville but it’s easier to say Napa. And, Napa is more known as a reference point. We all went down for the festivities. It was a beautiful weekend and we’re so happy for Courtney and Mary.
Brian flew down with four kiddos Thursday evening while Laine and I stayed behind. Laine had a volleyball game Thursday after school, and she really wanted to play. And, if I’m honest, I was already on edge about flying. Having to fly with all the kids sounded miserable. I gladly stayed behind with Laine for the volleyball game, and we flew down early Friday morning. Like early, early. Our flight was at 5:30am or something. I was so tired and drugged up, I don’t remember the flight, landing, or even being picked up. I get prescription meds for flights, that’s how much I don’t like it. It’s all irrational, I know this. I’m not really scared to fly, it’s safe and all. I know this. But the control freak irrational part of the noggin needs drugs.
Laine served! She must have served about 12 times before the other team took control of the ball. Laine is good at whatever sport she does.
We landed before 8am in Sacramento, and we were picked up by Brian. He and the four kiddos had arrived the night before, had a swim fest and pizza, and called it a night before the wedding festivities kicked off Friday morning. Laine and I needed to arrive early, to be in Yountville by 10am. I don’t even remember the drive there. I mean, this is kind of fun being so drugged up but also kind of scary that I can’t remember a damn thing. I ended up sleeping off the exhaustion and drugs Friday before we needed to be at the rehearsal.
Bob and Tara have a second home in Yountville, where they spend most weekends I believe. This was the first time Brian and I—and the kids—had been to their Yountville home. We usually just hang in Sacramento, pool and all, and the rest of our families are close. But Yountville, it’s so pretty there. And their home is so nice, I wouldn’t mind having a second home like theirs. Probably not in wine country since that’s not our thing. Maybe in Cannon Beach. It backs up to a vineyard, with views or the mountains in the distance. Once I came to and slept everything off, I enjoyed the back patio with Blaise and Maive.
That view!
The wedding was at the Yountville Community Center, and it’s a really pretty venue. Not community center in the normal sense, community center in a fancy schmancy area. Friday afternoon we did a rehearsal and then helped get the venue decorated and set up. It really came together, and we only helped a small amount. All the work Tara and everyone put in sure paid off. It really was perfect.
Friday night was low-key for us and the kiddos. We ordered dinner and ate at their home, and had a quiet evening. We were all tired from the travel.
The big event was Saturday late afternoon. This gave us a lazy Saturday morning. Brian and the kiddos chilled at the house while I took off for a walk. I love the kids and Brian, but I also love alone time. And I need outside time. Brian and I both notice a change in my mood if I get outside. On a walk I went, for alone and outside time.
Found the Napa Valley Vine Trail after exploring a cemetery, and finding some public art along the walk through downtown. And cows! And a strange tree that looks like woodpeckers pecked the hell out of it, but I don’t think that’s woodpecker work.
All the kiddos were in the wedding. Even kiddos from Mary’s family. I like this. I don’t get childfree weddings. I mean, I get them, but I don’t like them. I say this as an old married person with kids, haha. Even back when we had no intention of having kids, we more than welcomed kids to our wedding. I guess I see weddings as a family event. And shocker, some families have kids. Wedding culture has so gotten out of hand, the things I read on Reddit are scary. Just a few days ago, a bride posted how her sister went into labor (early, she wasn’t full-term) at her wedding and she’s still bitter nearly a year later that the attention was taken away from her. Do brides not realize nobody really cares about weddings? They can be fun and all, a nice party, but It’s about celebrating the couple and their future, and their families coming together. And all the posts about expecting the wedding party to alter their appearances to fit the wedding aesthetic. Why does everything have to be so curated? Seriously, some of the things I read are so unhinged. Thankfully, Courtney and Mary are far from anything I would ever read on Reddit.
The event started off with an outside happy hour, followed by the outdoor ceremony, and then the indoor reception. It was all absolutely beautiful. And the weather could not have been any more perfect. Not hot, not cold. Clouds but not cloudy. Literally perfect.
Kid table with all the things! Such a great idea. And some bubble play between the ceremony and reception.
The ceremony was short. Rather, just perfect. Not like a Catholic wedding that goes on and on and on, and you never know when you’ll be standing or sitting, or praying. I don’t recommend attending a Catholic wedding unless boring is your thing. Mary and Courtney had no flower kids. They had bubble kids. So much fun! The kiddos filled the aisle with bubbles before the brides made their way down to the officiant, who is Mary’s longtime best friend. It was filled with much love, the talking part of the ceremony. We’re so happy for them.
Bubble kids!
All the wedding kids with the happy couple! Aunt Mary to the left, Aunt Courtney to the right. I still remember Courtney in our wedding, I think she was nine or 10?! Full circle! The picture on the right, Mary and all of Brian’s siblings on his dad’s side (minus Paul).
After they were officially married, it was picture time before the reception. It wasn’t long before we were all inside, seated, and ready to eat and party. The kids had a blast! They hadn’t been to a wedding like this before, and it was a fun experience for them. They all embraced the reception, dancing and mingling. Brian and I aren’t big party people, nor are we dancers or drinkers, so we happily sat quietly at our table. If I could be invisible, I’d be happy. Brian probably also. We’re anti-social by nature but know how to be social when needed. Which sometimes backfires because people get comfortable talking with either one of us, which prolongs the needing to be social thing. It’s all good though. People are generally really nice, and it’s fun talking with people you hear about but have never met before. I enjoy people watching and had a great time seeing the brides enjoy their event. And all the kiddos were having the time of their lives.
Not sure where Laine is in these pictures?! She must have evaded the photographer.
We called it a night just before 10pm. The alcohol was flowing and we could tell the post-reception party was just starting. It was pretty easy getting all the kiddos to bed. They were tired from traveling, all the wedding excitment, the wedding, and we had a post-wedding brunch the next morning before flying home.
The brothers, minus Paul. The O’Neill guys. And the O’Neill cousins (all ours except one, haha).
Sunday was quiet at first. We were up early and helping get ready for the brunch, which Bob and Tara were hosting in their home. It was starting around 10am but apparently the post-reception party went well into the morning, and several people were tired and probably hungover. There were stories. Not mine to share but living such a vanilla life, and Brian and I being together since 1996—when we were 17 and 18—we don’t have any crazy stories of our own. We enjoy hearing about others.
Getting ready for brunch and the youngest two cousins.
People trickled in before we left at noon. We had to drive back to Bob and Tara’s house in Sacramento, and have Paul drive us to the airport for our afternoon flight. Things went smooth and I didn’t even drug up before the flight home. It was all good.
It was a successful wedding weekend and we are so happy for the newly married couple! Wishing them nothing but the best as the years go on.
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