I was very, very busy last fall. Can you tell? I still have about 15 blog posts to share before I put 2012 to rest. :)

In spite of having an already full schedule, when Kale called me about his wedding, something in my heart said to consider it. He told me that and his fiancé Shelly (great name, right?) were going to have a simple ceremony at W. A. Frost, a beautiful, historic (delicious!) restaurant in St. Paul. The bridesmaids and groomsmen would be his kids and hers, and the guests would be family.

Oh, and at the end of the night, he would be surprising his bride with a horse and carriage ride from the restaurant to the hotel.

He had me at “horse.”

But he actually had me before that. I love the idea of an intimate family wedding, where more than just two individuals become one, but where two families blend together to make one beautiful family.

Moms inspect the couple’s rings. :)

The couple showed much love and affection for everyone.

A hug for dad before the walk down the aisle.

The restaurant was open as usual and guests just had dinner all around as the ceremony took place.

Photo by my friend Crystal, who came along and helped photograph this wedding with me for fun. Thank you Crystal!

The kids were involved in the vows.

The most touching part was when they performed a sand ceremony, where each child had their own color.

The end result was a beautiful rainbow of color representing their new family.

The kids got to ride in the carriage around the block first.

From these expressions, I’d say they enjoyed it!

Thanks for the ride sweet horse!

Then it was time to say goodbye!

I think someone’s in love! (I know this feeling!)

A perfect ending to a beautiful day!