A few weeks ago, my mother-in-law and father-in-law were visiting Nashville for the weekend, so rather than go to our church, we all decided to go to church with Mr. Handsome’s brother and his wife.
After the service, we chatted with a young woman and her mother. My mother-in-law and the young woman’s mother really hit it off, and it wasn’t long before they were talking like they were lifelong friends. (We were all a bit confused at first, but when we found out that they both have seven children and are/were homeschool moms, we understood their instant bond.)
It just so happened that this young woman was getting married in Nashville the following weekend, and her mother was stressed out because she is from the East Coast and was having trouble finding people to help out at the DIY event.
My mother-in-law non-nonchalantly said that she would see if any of her children would be able to lend a hand, and the woman was ecstatic. “That would be wonderful!” she exclaimed.
My well-meaning mother-in-law called over my brother-in-law and his wife (the ones who actually attend the church and would probably know many of the guests at the wedding) to see if they were free the following weekend. They were busy, so Mr. Handsome and I volunteered to help.
The following weekend, we arrived at the church, and the mother of the bride was being pulled in 1,000 different directions, so she asked another helper to take us to the kitchen and show us what to do. Well, this person took us to the kitchen and then admitted that she had no idea what we were supposed to do, so she handed us a list and left.
To make a long story short, we did a lot of improvising, as we set up the appetizers and dinner buffet, met the baker and showed her where to put the cake, and (after the ceremony was over) instructed the guests where to line up for dinner.
We had a bit of difficulty figuring out the drink situation. The labels on the two dispensers said Sweet Tea and Strawberry Lemonade, but the huge walk-in fridge only contained Kiwi Lemonade (didn’t even know that was a thing) and Unsweetened Tea.
If you live in the South, you know that serving only Unsweetened Tea is simply not socially acceptable. We changed the labels and filled the drink dispensers, hoping that the well-meaning hosts, who were from the North, wouldn’t be chewed out by all the sweet tea loving guests from the South.
The mother and father of the bride were very appreciative of our help and even gave us a gift card to Olive Garden. When we had finished our duties, we sat down to eat the fabulous food, which was from an Indian restaurant.
The highlight of the evening, which turned out to be a lot of fun, was listening to one of the guests tell us the bride and groom’s love story. It turns out that the groom is completely blind, but he is a successful lawyer in Washington D.C. and can do everything but drive a car. (Isn’t that incredible?)
Rather than coddle him, his parents had pushed him towards greatness by refusing to allow him to make excuses for himself. The guest, a college friend of the groom, told us a story of a time when one of the groom’s bed sheets had ripped while he was away at school. The friend suggested the groom call his mom, who had purchased the sheets, and ask her to order a replacement. The groom laughed and told his roommate that he knew exactly what his mom’s response would be: “Just take a taxi to Kohl’s and buy yourself a new set.”
Anonymous
don't never say anything or promise anything to people without meaning it; be honorable with your words cause we are going to be judged by our words. the fruit/cheese tree looks yummy! beautiful cake.
Anonymous
When a person is having an engaging conversation it is because they are actually being engaged in someone's agenda! The 'talk' goes on long enough to justify the size of the favour needed! You and Mr Handsome were 'entreated' to cerry some one's 'load' and were very gracious and did as well as you could! It seems you saved the day! But the hosts had managed to have everything on the list for you to work with! I wonder how people would tell the story of helping at your diy wedding? Was that a loosely strung together fiasco without their help? I guess that is the definition of help in any circumstance! Anyway thank you for a very interesting and well told story!
Anonymous
Friends indeed!
Alicia Mae
I think that's absolutely lovely that you and Mr. Handsome were able to help out! Your comment about the tea made me laugh– my family moved to the South 10 years ago, and at first we didn't get it. (I'll admit I still sometimes get my tea unsweetened, but I completely understand where people are coming from now.)
Many happy returns to the newlywed couple!
Anonymous
Bless your hearts Ellie and Mr Handsome for doing this!! It couldn't have been convenient at all to get your hands "dirty" so to speak. May God bless you for giving of yourself! And yes you did do a pretty good job!!
Emby
This was Courtney's wedding!! I live in VA and my family and I have been good friends of Courtney and her family for almost 10 years. I’m so glad that you were able to help with the wedding reception. I was reading your post because I love weddings, and I was shocked to realize who it was! Small world 🙂
nashvillewife@gmail.com
Hi Emby,
You're correct! What a small world! The bride's family was very kind to us. We didn't meet the groom or his family, but I'm sure they are very sweet, as well.
Ellie
Anonymous
I do not have any of her cds
Regina
Bless you two for helping out at this wedding! You are your husbands are such sweeties!
Anonymous
I'm still trying to wrap my head around the fact that a wedding was a week away and all this wasn't arranged properly. What would they have done if you hadn't stepped in?
Anonymous
It seems to me that the wedding planners had actually almost covered all of their bases well and it was explained that they were from far away and looking for local helpers for the day. Then the lady in charge was busy and on task actively searching for people to help set up on the day. The line of authority and command seemed to go right o Ellie. Kind of a frightening idea how that worked! Smile you're on!
Anonymous
They were very fortunate that you and Mr Handsome came along!
I have also been volunteered to carry out someone else’s good deeds in the past, and had a wonderful experience every time.
Anonymous
The cake and dainties look good!
Anonymous
I don't know if I'd want to come under your spot light Ellie cause you are brilliant and very honest! Who casn stand up to those standards without looking like they have a few short falls!
Anonymous
That was nice of you and Mr.Handsome to help out. It sound like no one else wanted to help them with their wedding.
If I would have helped out too if I lived their.
I would have change the names on the drink at all.
Anonymous
Love this story! God will bless you for this deed. I wish somebody like you two would of come along when I was planning my daughter's wedding , nine yrs. ago.Jane
Anonymous
I love this story! Thanks for sharing
Anonymous
The sweet tea thing is SO TRUE!! I lived in the South for 13 years, but my family is currently stationed in the North, and the quality of sweet tea here is way lower than in the South! LOL
Anonymous
As good Christians (or good people) you should have been happy to help. Taking one day to help others is nothing big. Putting others first is important. You should help others gladly, not begrudgingly or only those you know.
Andrea
The thing with DIY weddings is the Bride and Groom are just off loading what should be paid labor to friends and family. I guess in this case, strangers. I say, have the wedding one can afford and unless one is super crafty, hire people to do the work. My Best Friend wanted me at her wedding venue decorating and hanging things the night before her wedding day. I was like: "Sorry, I busy getting ready . . . As should you as the bride and me as Maid of Honor." Her mother actually just paid someone to decorate instead. Surely a successful attorney could afford to hire people to put the finishing touches on his / her wedding day.
Anonymous
Agree with Andrea's comment to have the wedding you can afford. And don't ask people to do all the work for you for free. If your budget doesn't fit your dream, then scale back your dream and remember what your focus should be.
Anonymous
That Mom was on task and she delegated work to people she got to volunteer and she did give a reward after. Maybe she thought people at the church would know the couple and find it fun to be a part of the wedding day too. I think that lady was right on the money. (Even if she did not have any left to use at that point!)