Cielo Azul Happenings

Monday, July 13, 2015

A YEAR OF WEDDING PREPARATIONS....

They're engaged!--February, 24, 2014

Even the kitties are thrilled!

Newspaper announcement--SANTA FE NEW MEXICAN

Checking out wedding venues..

Like El Rancho de las Golondrinas.......

With family connections as Bianca's Great-Grandmother was born here and it was in the Baca family's proprietorship for many generations....

Next came dress shopping--with a retinue of eager relatives....

Too hippie dippy?

Too cosmo girl?

Rather interesting from the back, though....

Quite sophisticated, but perhaps not right for the venue....

Back in Californa, the couple is taking "Engagement Photos" for the SAVE THE DATE cards. The photographer was the husband of Michael's cousin....

Very glamorous, but not this one....

Nor this one taken on their signature tree outside their new home.....

This is a charming shot, but it was not selected either....

Buddy shot....

Lost in Paradise shot....

One of the final selections--graphics by Kiki......

Here's another version...

My favorite!

Kelly used the SAVE THE DATE as inspiration for a quilt for the couple...

With this original pattern.... (Flores y Corazones)

I was very surprised that Bianca decided to use my old veil for her wedding. Here it is as I wore it, bouffant style, in 1971. That "cutest ever" little ring bearer is Paul Gomez.....

But Banquita wants to wear it in a different fashion--more reminiscent of the 1920s... (Here Frannie models)

Front view....

Another option, using the bridal shawl as a mantilla....

A mock-up of how the veil would look with baby's breath....

Trying out the veil style when the bride-elect was home for Fiesta...Binks also decided that she liked the idea of wearing Pattie and Kelly's mother-of-pearl squash blossom necklace....

As well as for the bridesmaids--and so began the search for squash blossoms to borrow--starting with these three from Pattie and Kelley.....

Hot coral was chosen for the bridal party, with the bridesmaids wearing turquoise squash blossom necklaces and turquoise shawls. Frannie, who is a bridesmaid, models....

The maid of honor will be wearing the hot coral with a red squash blossom necklace and a red pashima. Since Kiki will be in Germany until just days before the wedding, Mommie models....

In the fall, we also started silvering vases...

Lots of vases--and bottles and jars.....

We also ordered a vintage outfit to wear for the Rehearsal Dinner...

The autumn is also the time to pick up all the red chile ristras we need for decorating.....

Come winter, Giano, Dwight and I spent many an hour making romalettes to string for decorations.....

In fact, we made so many.....

That we decorated our Christmas tree with them. (Our house was so full of boxes, there was no room for a big tree or for the Christmas Village.)

The holidays also included a visit from the wedding couple to take care of lots of details......

Like getting that all-important wedding license....

The winter was also a good time to collect photos of Michael and Bianca at each age (1 year old, two years old, etc)

Which were combined with graphics from Keekers to make lanterns featuring the number of each table along with photos of each one of them at the age reflected by the number of the table.

Dwight assembled them all prior to the wedding.....

The spring saw a Santa Fe Bridal Shower...

With hostesses...

and cake....

the completed quilt...

and food galore....

Also a hair and make-up trial....

Followed by a photo shoot in Tent Rocks....

Later on, a California shower...

With more hostesses...

Advice from future mother-in-law, Lonnie....

And presents....

Lots of lovely presents....

Then it's time to order serape placemats...

Bio-degradable balloons...

Temporary tattoos...

Have a bachelorette party....

Spring is also an excellent time to plant all the containers that will fill the flowerbeds in front of the Baca House (site of the ceremony) with flowers in the colors of the wedding pallet...