Week 299 - The Hayley and Nicholas Wedding - 05-05-2012

The Nicholas and Hayley Wedding

This week we once again returned to Avila Beach, this time in anticipation of our son Nicholas' marriage to his high school sweetheart, Hayley Hickox. The evening before the wedding was beautiful for more reasons than one. Our friend for a lifetime, Paul, prepared a rehearsal dinner BBQ feast of chicken, tri-tip, chili, salad and garlic bread. The dozens in the bridal party and spouses enjoyed this fabulous dinner after putting the final touches on tomorrow's ceremony. These photos were taken after the dinner from our RV site in Port San Luis Harbor, just one mile from Avila.

The moon, at it closest distance from the Earth this year, lit up the sky. In the morning, the full beauty of this place could be seen.

Early in the morning, we moved the Mothership down to the beach wedding location, across the street from the reception location, Avila Lighthouse Suites.

It's Noon and God gave us sunshine and love for this special day. Ceremony Officiator Mike and Nicholas await with excitement.

The 120 guests watch as the wedding party strolls down the isle. First is Nick's sister Emily and husband Chad. Following is Nick's brother John and the wedding couple's friend Cindy.

Nick's nephew Austin escorts Nicole, while friends Mike and Natalie follow.

Coming just before the bride is Jacob and Randi, the Maid of Honor. Hayley's wonderful father Charlie is no longer with us, so Hayley's daughter Elle, brings Mom to present her to Nicholas.

The wedding party in full array as the bride approaches. Music was provide by Sara and Daniel.

The bride glows as she approaches Nicholas knowing that a magical moment is upon her.

Mike welcomes the attendees with "Aloha" and begins the ceremony as orchestrated by Hayley and Nicholas.

As Nick begins to speak to his beautiful bride, she struggles to hold back tears of joy until Nick lightens the mood and gets her laughing. Elle looks on and is thinking, "This was not in the script!".

Elle brings the rings to the couple as they shared their vows. As you can imagine it is difficult to hear non-amplified vows when the waves are crashing on the shore. But for those of us in the first few rows, we were brought to tears to hear their heartfelt declarations and promises.

After the rings and vows, the couple proceeded to pour the Unity Sand. Of course Elle was part of this as this was not just the marriage of a couple, but the joining of a family.

The multi-colored sand and shells signify the blending together of Hayley, Nicholas and Elle. Joe, one of three family-related photographers captures a great view of the Unity Sand ceremony.

Officiator Mike, for the first time, introduced "The Nicholas, Hayley and Elle family". All who attended and witnessed were greeted as they left the beach.

Pete captured this moment of his beautiful bride and beautiful new daughter-in-law.

As professional (not these!) wedding photos were being taken, the guests enjoyed hors d'oeurves. Our nephew Bryan enjoyed the food and drinks prepared by long time friends Janet, Paula, Donna and Edie. There were many compliments on the food.

Family, relatives and new friends partake of the goodies.

1) As will happen people will cluster with those they know already, but we were able to mix in a little with some of these newly met guests. 2) The table below was one of the two Wedding Party tables. Our son John, granddaughter Lilly, Pete's sister Donnalee, BBQ master and lifelong friend, Paul and Ellen sample Janet's culinary creations.

The bride and groom enjoy a private moment while their friends Daniel and Sara serenade us.

1) New friends this day. 2) Harriet and Jean have been close friends since before our girls were born. They have been mentors to our children in church and at all our special family functions. What a blessing for them to join us once again.

Ellen and Nicholas share a mother-son dance.

Nicholas and Hayley wanted to include all their family members on this wonderful day. These touching vases adorned every table. While the traditional father-daughter dance was not possible . . .

. . .this father-daughter dance was. Nick loves Elle and Elle loves Nick. But as you can see Elle wants to include Mom as well.

As we leave this day, we pray may your days be good, and long upon the earth. Amen.

This was a special day to be remembered.

Hayley and Elle, welcome to the family !!!

This December 2009 family photo does include many of the Pete and Ellen's extended family, but some were missing and it has grown by a dozen since then. But, you get the idea.

The real photos of this wedding were taken and will be provided by MelissaJeanPhotography.com.

Until we meet again,

Love, Pete, Ellen and family.

Photos from May 2012