I had a wonderful time with all my men at home these last ten days and I have to admit it’s a challenge to sit down at the computer when the feeling of summer is beckoning.

It began in earnest this past weekend with the beautiful wedding of our best friends’ son at their gorgeous home.

The flowers were breathtaking.  Decanters full of them.  Everywhere.

More breathtaking than the flowers, the beautiful bride.

The emotions of our friends, the groom’s parents, had me tearing up and caused my camera to shake!

After the ceremony we all congregated in this beautiful area for cocktails and appetizers!

While the area began to fill up, I decided to sneak up to the balcony to take some photos of the guests.

Oops!  I’ve been found out!

The father of the groom looking quite dapper.

We were escorted to the lawn to dine and to welcome the new Mr. & Mrs.

The warm Southern California coastal weather, without a cloud in the sky, made the evening absolutely perfect.

My table is the one farthest back.  My date for the past 30 years, is the, ahem, strawberry blonde.  What was extra special about this wedding was that it brought back memories of being in my friend’s and her husband’s wedding 35 years ago and she, being the Matron-of-Honor in ours!  The Tri-Delta force of sisterhood is strong.  Sarah Ida Shaw, the founder, would’ve been proud.  The bride happened to have been a Tri-Delta at USC too!  What are the odds of that?  Amazing!

I originally asked to be seated up on the pool terrace with the Delts, the represented USC fraternity, but my friend said, “NO!” Kill joy.  😉

But they really had the best view.

From the pool terrace as the sun was setting –

These two were in the wedding ceremony and were now running around the terrace.  I asked them if I could take their picture and they quickly sat down with their hands in their laps without any coaching.  Pros.  So sweet.  Look at those little punums! (cheek pinch)

I know this photo is terribly out of focus but I love it anyways.  Brothers.  Oh gosh, I remember going to see them in the hospital when they were born.  Wow!

Now you won’t believe this, I’m still in shock myself, but I didn’t see the wedding cake, the dessert table styling, my best friend dancing with her son (unforgivable) or the garter dance (apparently the groom had to do a little dance and “work it” for the garter), bouquet toss, etc!!!

Where was I?  I was at THE best table where Bill and Steve found our own private reserve and where we were all so engrossed in conversation and having such a good time I didn’t even notice half of our table had left and the area was pretty empty!  I had to go on Instagram and look at the page with the wedding’s hash tag, #ganwedding2014, to see if someone had posted a photo.  Thankfully, they did!  A cake by the Sweet and Saucy Shop?  C’mon!  Still can’t believe I missed the display first-hand but the cake was delicious.

As the party revved up, I tried to get a few more shots of the wedding décor and I was photo bombed!

So I told the guys ‘okay, get on in there’!

Then another one came in…

With my memory card full at this late hour it was time to find my pointy leopard print shoes I left under the table and head home.

But not ever wanting the party to fully end, my hubby and I came back to the scene of the bash on Monday and replayed all the wonderful details with our friends over pizza and vino under the Chardonnay vines.  Finally, the pool terrace!

Also of note were these floral arrangements at the rehearsal dinner. How gorgeous were they?  Love!  By Jennifer at Posh Petals.

Hope you enjoyed being a virtual guest!

Next up… cupcakes for Father’s Day!