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Logan and Emily Engar - August 29, 2023

The Engar wedding was the highlight of our summer. They have been married three months at this writing, and I'm still so happy for their goodness. I love when they call on the phone to share their silly adventures. They are going to accomplish great things together.

Logan fits right in with our family; from what I can tell, Emily is also a valued part of the Engar family. They bring light, joy, fun, and goodness to every association.

Gavin insisted on sitting right between Logan and Emily when we met Logan for lunch on our first day in Utah. He loves his big sister and new big brother.

Weddings are a lot of work. I knew I was out of my depth in planning and organizing details. I had excuses like living across the country and not being crafty and stuff like that. But honestly, I know I didn't do everything I wanted to do to make their day special. Emily, Logan, and Rick organized everything regarding the bride's responsibilities. The Engars also put on a lovely dinner, which was more like a super awesome Reception 2.0, which I was too sick with a migraine to truly appreciate and participate in. When I pull up these pictures to share on the blog, I feel happy about the good people I have in my life and how they ministered to me and my family when I really should have been the one serving and loving.

Karitza gave Emily, me, and Logan facials. Logan won a place in Karitza's heart by being so sweet and trusting, even though it wasn't his natural inclination to close his eyes and let somebody put stuff on his face or pluck his eyebrows.
The flowers at the reception were so beautiful. Emily chose such vibrant colors, and Logan's great Aunt Becky worked hard to arrange them and make them nice. Karitza planned ahead to purchase extra flowers at Trader Joe's, which filled the tables nicely.

A tricky thing about weddings is that family and friends come from far away to celebrate the couple. I wanted to visit with each of them and let them know how much their showing up meant to us and to the happy couple. I wanted to spend time with my parents, sister, in-laws, and nieces and nephews. The kids wanted to hang out with their cousins, but like I said, weddings are a lot of work. It's impossible to visit, relax with everybody, and get all the work done. I also battled migraines the entire time we were in Utah, so I spent a lot of the time feeling pretty miserable. My biggest regret from the wedding was that other people carried much of the mother-of-the-bride burden for me. Rick, especially. He ended up pretty overwhelmed and worn out. Rick's sister, Missy, saved the day with everything she did.

Brooklyn was overwhelmed at the wedding reception by how many people seemed to know or remember her from when she was a baby, but she just didn't remember them. 
 
My dad was overwhelmed by the people at the reception, too. I was glad he and my mom found a table in the corner with Cathy and Karitza so he could relax a little.



Emily and Logan chose to have their reception the evening before their wedding so that they could have a more peaceful experience at the temple.

Emily is stunningly beautiful, even when she doesn't try to be. All of us Mergenthalers are pretty good-looking. She glowed at her reception and on her wedding day.

Their reception was one of the most fun wedding receptions I have ever attended. The food was great, the music was awesome. The flash mob was hilarious (too bad Blogger isn't good at videos).
Another person who glowed at the reception was Makayla. After two weeks in California, she gained some self-confidence, and the joy and light she shared with others was wonderful. She has been especially sweet with Brooklyn, who calls her almost every night on the phone since she moved out of the house.
I don't know if it's my makeup or just how I was feeling, but in the pictures, it looks like my eyes have dark circles under them. I'm still keeping and posting the pictures because they're part of the memories.
Logan and his best friend, Paul, are in the background of that picture. I think they're trying to figure out something with the technology.
Logan and one of his little brothers getting ready by drilling a new hole in a borrowed belt:
I like the following picture because it captures the pure joy and goodness of being with family and friends. Rachel and Cam were expecting a baby girl. Emily felt the baby move. I'm not good at staying in contact, inviting people over, or planning events, but when I let myself enjoy the together time, I see all the opportunities for little moments like this. Bits of pure joy.

Karitza did my hair and makeup for the reception and the wedding day. I looked regal even though I felt like garbage physically.










I love, love, love Emily's pink shoes. We have professional pictures that I should share. I'll see if I can get them on another post.

Here are a few of the pre-wedding pics from their photographer.

"Majestical!" (Read that with a New Zealand accent. It's a quote from one of my favorite movies, Hunt for the Wilderpeople)




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