Leah and Jeff got married at the Ryde Hotel in Walnut Grove. We had never been to this venue, but they were in love with the place as Leah gushed about the Gatsby-like setting and unique beauty that this place had. Built in 1927 at the peak of prohibition, this was an establishment known for bootleg whiskey, jazz music, and the occasional celebrity visit-even including President Herbert Hoover at one time!
Present day-June 24, 2017-and it was a warm 94 degrees! Leah and Jeff are going to say their I dos and become one...As everybody was getting ready, we admired Leah's dress-which could not have been more fitting to her style.
Leah seemed a bit nervous as she was getting her makeup done and thinking about her vows. Her girls were there though to keep her lighthearted and happy as time was ticking down...
Downstairs, the guys were getting ready too. We sensed some nerves in Jeff too as he got ready, but he tried to play it cool.
Once the guys were ready, Jeff's Best Man and groomsmen definitely kept laughter going and kept Jeff having a good time as they posed for pictures, had a beer, and clowned around.
Back upstairs to the ladies, and Leah was in her dress and feeling like everything was getting even more real...
Before the wedding, Leah had mentioned that she would love to have a special moment with her dad just before he walked her down the aisle. As he walked into the room and we caught their expressions and reactions, it was obvious that this was a special moment for the two of them.
And the final minutes of waiting...a shot with the ladies...
All set...nothing else to do but to have a ceremony and get married!!! Here comes the bride!!!
They had a beautiful ceremony with words from their officiant, Leah's brothers, and a passage read by Jeff's sister. So many people were gathered at the Ryde that day to witness such a beautiful couple say their vows and take each other as man and wife.
And with all of that said and done...Jeff...you may kiss your bride...
There was celebration to be had! And who best to do that with than their bridal party? With nerves out of the way and the sun beginning to go down, it was a gorgeous evening.
Let's go celebrate with Mr. and Mrs. Crist!
The party went on into the night which was perfectly fitting for this venue from the old days. It became so alive as the old fashioned cocktails were poured behind the gorgeous bar, and the old disco ball turned once more from the ceiling. Everybody danced the night away in honor of the newlyweds, and this will go down as another night in the history books for the Ryde on the delta...