Deerly Beloved: Which of these things is not like the other

So remember when I said I was glad I had our families arrive an hour before the ceremony to take pictures? Well, there is another reason for that besides the obvious photo taking advantages.

The picture on the left is early in the day while the picture on the right is from later in the day.  Can you spot the difference?

All photos by Ruby Star Photography unless otherwise specified 

No, I'm not talking about the table,  mic, or speakers which are there for the ceremony. Still don't see it? Here, let me help you: Yupp, those are nice long wires holding up our chuppah! Why are they there while they clearly were not needed to hold it up earlier in the day? Well....our chuppah FELL. You know, the chuppah that my dad built that was supposed to represent the house Mr Elk and I will build together.... yea, it just collapsed! Apparently the fabric draping that I so desperately wanted acted a bit like a sail when it started to get windy during our family portraits, and the whole thing just came tumbling down.

 Now, I can tell you guys this story without having a mild heart attack because I didn't even know this happened at the time! The chuppah was on the other side of the building from where I was standing, and immediately after it collapsed my cousins and some of my bridesmaid's significant others who happened to be around got to work fixing it.  (Now you know why I'm glad we had them come early!)  They did tell my parents and Mr Elk, who promptly made the decision to NOT tell me what was going on.  You can see it in Mama Elk's eyes here, though:

this is a look that says "oh shit" - Photo by Uncle S

In fact, Mama and Papa Elk were NEVER planning on telling me about the fallen chuppah (well, probably eventually they would have.. I probably would have noticed the difference in pictures, and I did have a moment as I walked down the aisle when I recognized that something wasn't exactly right), but Mr Elk felt like lying to me was no way to start a marriage and so he spilled the beans- but he waited until AFTER the ceremony!  And do you know what I did when I found out?  I laughed. 

I'm sure if I had known during the debacle, I wouldn't have been so carefree about the whole thing.  But I also know that I could have let this really get to me- and I am so glad I was able to shrug it off, laugh, and truly enjoy the rest of our wedding.  And it does make for a pretty ridiculous story!

Miss a moment? Catch up here:
1. The Elks part ways with their pooch, and eat WAY too much rainbow cookie cake
2. Mrs Elk beautifies with her ladies after a less than stellar wake up call
3. Mrs Elk REALLY wants to put her dress on already!
4. The Elks- Reunited and it feels so good!
5. The Elk bridal party poses, while Mrs Elk makes Tyra Banks proud
6. The Elks strike a pose with their families