Best Wedding Reception Ever!

Sydney is the first grandchild out of the gate,

the first one to get married.

 Oh, what a precedent she has set for the hopefully 24 to follow!
Stacy knows how to throw a party,
and this big event is right in her wheelhouse!
Mom and daughter had some very creative ideas!

To kick this reception review off, 
let me say that the bright flowers to match the bright colors Syd picked,
were spectacular!

Syd's and Jake's rings are sitting atop her bridal bouquet.

Their initials hung from the roof soffit and were lit during the reception at night.

Daytime . . . 

. . . and nighttime pic of their home

After the luncheon, relatives and friends drove to their home, 

and many pics were taken of the decor that greeted us.

One of Tom's friends owns this classic Chevy,

and he volunteered it to the bride and groom as their get-away car.

They actually just drove it a couple of blocks after the reception, then traded it for their car.

It even matched the theme!

Syd and Jake served their favorite food truck/restaurant food - 

They love Sodalicious drinks,

so Stacy and Tom hired their food truck, 

which parked on their driveway and greeted guests as they arrived!

As the sign says, everyone could "Grab a drink and join us in the backyard."

Around the side of their yard,

guests walked under a canopy,

then signed in.

Continue, keep coming through!

Lots of pics were taken of their backyard, all ready for the Big Night.

Pretty ribbon streamers were hung in Syd's colors.

I think they rented 18 outdoor heaters,

so no one would get cold after the sun went down.

The reception started at 7:30.

Lovely planter boxes of flowers decorated the tables.

Gift Table

This large flower box was hung over the table that served Waffle Love.

This gorgeous heart-shaped arrangement of roses was the centerpiece there.

The Hot Chocolate Bar served custom-made hot chocolate, with lots of optional add-ins.

Aunt Barb and Uncle Steve sent Sydney a gingerbread house,

with the bride and groom at the front door and Walker over it!

A comfy couch was set up on the sport court, 

where the dance, DJ-ed by Uncle Jeff, took place.

A combined USA/British flag of flowers hung from the rafters of the Pool House, 

showcasing the simple wedding cake.

Tom and Stacy's black and white-striped outdoor furniture matched the theme perfectly!

I love that you can pick lemons right off their trees in their yard!

Jake's and Syd's favorite place to eat out is California Pizza Kitchen.

Jake loves these avocado club egg rolls.

The Youngs all love CPK's barbecued chicken salad.

And, of course, they had to serve their pizza!

And a big hit with everyone were the Waffle Love waffles!

Syd's favorite - 

their crunchy waffles, fresh bananas, Biscoff cookie butter and topped with whipped cream.

Jake's favorite - 

crunchy waffles, fresh strawberries, Nutella and whipped cream

Syd and Jake wedding water bottles were offered.

Syd changed back into her gown,

then joined the immediate family 

in checking out everything and getting a bite to eat, before all of the guests arrived.

Syd loves her cute cousins!

Miss Addie was wearing the same colors as Grandma Pam!

Stacy's kitchen windows looked so festive with these pretty wreaths.

Oh, Mom, this is my dream come true!

Stacy has wonderful friends who helped in the kitchen - 

Bobbi, Alison and Monica.

The little cousins were given a specially-made coloring book,

telling Syd and Jake's story.

Sarah asked me what colors are in the British flag.

I Googled it on the iPhone, then she got busy coloring.

Miss Claire must have gotten the same memo of what colors to wear!

Waffle Love was in high gear throughout the evening!

They really are delicious waffles.

They are made out of yeast and the crunch comes from sugar crystals in the dough.

DJ Jeff got everything set up and he played great background music throughout the reception,

then at 9 pm, the full-on fun dancing began.

Note that the overhead lights are hung in the shape of a British flag.

Several pics were taken at different vantage points in their backyard.

All of the Youngs were delighted that, "Miss Cynthia," came from Paradise Valley.

She truly helped raise the twins, coming to help take care of them for the first three years, once or twice a week.

She was a godsend for Stacy and the twins adore her!

As a matter of fact, all of us do!

Roger and I became well acquainted with her when we would visit Stacy in those PV years.

Roger and I also got to know, "Grandma Gold,"when Stacy lived in Paradise Valley.

She lived in their ward, and she was just like another grandma to the Young kids.

Cousins had fun hangin' out together!

It didn't take long for the party to get into full swing!

Before the dance started,

it was time to cut the cake.

Now the fun really began!

In traditional manner, Jake and Syd began the dance.

Then it was time for the bride to dance with her daddy.

This is one of my favorite parts of a reception that has dancing!

So sweet!

Jake and his mom, Lorraine, then took the floor.

Father and daughter watched,

then they had a dance together (wish I had a pic!).

Jeff is the most amazing DJ!

He had selected THE BEST tunes.

 Soon everyone, young and old, hit the dance floor and joined the fun.

It was finally time for the bride and groom to make their get-away.

Syd threw her bouquet . . .

. . . and they headed down the sparkler-lit driveway.

Into the get-away car . . .

. . . and they are off to begin a new life together!

Update:

After a honeymoon in Maui, meeting up with Syd's family after a week and spending another week 

with them on the Big Island, they returned, 

packed up and headed to California to begin Jake's new job.

The first day, he was informed that his Green Card had not finalized because the photo was too dark.

He could not work until that was taken care of, which could take up to 90 days

 (What? That's the government for you!).

Yikes!

Jake had had it professionally taken for the application, so that was a shock.

He returned home to find an email from Marriott Hotels, offering him a position, 

Senior Manager of Operations for the Asia-Pacific Region of Corporate Marriott 

in Hong Kong at two and a half times the California job salary!

That is the job he had really wanted, 

but it took until then to be finalized.

It was a No Brainer!

Syd and Jake leave for Hong Kong the second week of February for him to report to his new job 

(he doesn't need the Green Card for this international position), 

and they will live in Hong Kong for eighteen months to two years.

They are excited!

Syd is going to audition to be a princess in Hong Kong Disney Land!

Is that a Fairy Tale ending or what?