Wedding Crashers

Jared and I officially crashed my sweet friend's wedding.

We left as soon as church was out.  After heading home to grab the cake and last minute decorating supplies we hit the road.  Unfortunately our GPS on our phones took us the most direct (read: paved goat path) vs the most efficient route.  It took forever and a lot of the drive we couldn't go over 30 mph due to the winding tiny roads.

We arrived at the restaurant at 3:40 ish and put the cake together.  When we left the house the sides of the cake were smooth and beautiful:

After 4 1/2 hours in the car, it settled.  The icing in between the layers began to bulge.  I talked to Dana (the cake whisperer) and she said since I chose butter cream icing I chose taste over function.  Traditional wedding cake icing is all shortening, no butter (typically you add butter flavoring).  It doesn't taste as good but it holds it's shape much better.  Good to know!  I think in this case I still would've used the butter cream since the bride requested it.   A lot of people decorate with fondant these days but few people prefer the flavor.  It's a challenge to get that smooth look and still have the delicious flavor of butter cream.  If you look at the finished product you can clearly see the bulging icing on both the top and bottom layers.  Overall, I am really happy with the way it turned out.  I've already been asked to make another for a New Year's Eve wedding!   

We finished putting the cake together at 4 and headed to the Thorn Crown Chapel for the service that was scheduled to start at 4:30. 

The problem was, we didn't know where it was and our GPS had it located in the parking lot of the "Joy Motel."  We wandered around a bit and kept calling Wendy but she didn't have her phone.  Finally at about 4:20, she called and in a very stressed voice said, "Honey, where are you?"  I told her we were desperate to find the chapel so she handed the phone off to Danny.  He gave Jared some directions and at 4:31 Jared and ran down the path you see at the back of the chapel, opened the door to the wedding party and guests (including Wendy) staring at us.  She hugged me and said, "Sit down, we're waiting for you."

NEAT!

After the brief ceremony we all had a laugh and hugs while the cameras flashed fiercely, capturing every moment.  We are now known as the "wedding crashers."

The ceremony was beautiful and even though it was a whirlwind trip, I am so thankful to have been able to be there.  There's a lot to Wendy's story and this ceremony was a beautiful reflection of God's redemption.  I don't have pictures of the ceremony yet so here's a picture of the Bride and Groom at a Military Ball just a week before:

We all headed to the Rogue Manor for dinner and cake.  Wendy said the cake, "rocked my face off."  I think that means she liked it :)  We arrived home at midnight last night exhausted and so happy to be home.

All in all, a blessed trip and we are so happy for you both!

Congratulations Mr. and Mrs. Danny Pinkerton!