Friday and Saturday, January 15-16, 2016
Queen Dale Schickedanz of the Las Cruces Cactus Flowers Chapter of the Red Hat Society in New Mexico decided to make her Pink Hatter daughter, Lee-Ann Evans and fiancee, Mike Carter's wedding a part of a Red Hat event. Lee-Ann and Mike are both Red Hat Vendors so this was a perfect arrangement. With the help of Dale's dear Red Hat Sisters from various Las Cruces chapters, she was able to create a fabulous Red Hat event plus a lovely wedding for Lee-Ann and Mike. Everything was first class in every way with nothing left to chance.
On Friday, there was shopping with various Red Hat Vendors and an informal get together at the Azul Bar in the Hotel Encanto de Las Cruces.
Saturday started out with more shopping, registration, Fun and Games, a Hat Parade and lunch. After lunch there were classes to make a fascinator or floral jewelry and Red Hat Bingo. This left time for more shopping (the official sport of the Red Hat Society) leading to a cocktail hour.
The wedding of Lee-Ann and Mike was held in the ballroom at an altar set up just for this occasion. The bride's mother was escorted in by her grandson, Chasen Stull followed by the bride's daughters, Amanda Evans-Baca (Matron of Honor) and Audra Veazey (Maid of Honor). Mike and his best man, Jonathan Carter, his son from Mississippi, a deputy sheriff, waited at the altar with the minister as Lee-Ann entered, escorted by her father, Jerry Schickedanz. Lee-Ann wore a long lavender hued gown accented with an overlay of lace. Her long lustrous dark hair was pulled back with a pink bow and her bouquet of flowers was accentuated with sparkling lights.
The wedding vows were light-hearted and short and one could tell they both had a hand in writing them with the minister.
The 150 or so guests were treated to a delicious wedding dinner. Tables were decorated in red or purple tablecloths and napkins. Flower centerpieces and table decorations included personal menus, small decorated boxes filled with milk chocolate, large ruby-stone key rings and napkin rings with large red or purple stones.
Mike's son gave a toast telling how happy he is that Mike found Lee-Ann and a couple of women half heartedly broasted Mike, but he must be too nice a guy to say mean things about because they were fairly well stymied as to what to say. It was all in fun and everyone enjoyed their remarks.
After dinner, the wedding couple danced their first dance as Mr. and Mrs. Mike Carter and were then joined by others. In the meantime, raffle numbers were called and many lovely gifts were won.
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| Vice Queen Donna Williams of the New Mexico Roadrunner Chapter |
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| A sister Red Hatter at the cocktail party |
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| Queen Ladybird aka Carla Kerr with VQ Donna |
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| The fascinator created by Carla |
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| Samples of fascinators |
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| Red Hatters hard at work creating their fascinators |
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| Jean and friend getting some assistance from one of the experts |
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| VQ Donna getting some help from the instructor |
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| VQ Donna trying on her creation. Isn't it wild! |
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| Carla waiting for the wedding to begin |
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| VQ Donna looking lovely for the wedding |
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| Three gorgeous Red Hatters-our tablemates |
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| Doesn't everyone look beautiful! More of our tablemates. |
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| Carla and Donna at the Wedding Dinner |
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| I believe these two ladies are Lara and Trude |
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| Another shot of our lovely tablemates |
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| Fabulous Hat created by Gloria Diaz, Vendor |
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| I took pictures all over the room so do not know all the names, but Jean Averett is far right in this photo of fantastic looking Red Hatters |
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| Stunning hats and ensembles on these Red Hatters |
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| Each guest received a handbag like the one on the lower right and a red and purple boa |
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| Some of the Red Hat Vendors |
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| On the left is Gloria Diaz, fabulous hat designer and vendor |
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| The gentleman is Dale's good looking husband, Jerry |
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| Queen Lady Butterfly aka Marilyn Cresci and her friend |
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| Left is Queen Dale Schickedanz of the Las Cruces Cactus Flowers Chapter and mother of the bride |
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| Isn't she the cutest Red Hatter ever! |
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| On the left is "Her Royal Behindness" with her friend |
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| She won the prize for most creative hat in the Hat Parade |
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| A darling lady wearing one of Gloria Diaz Hat creations |
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| The other two tablemates at our table looking fabulous as always |
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| Left is Barbara Morales, chief registrar for the event. Aren't they both elegant! |
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| Groom Mike Carter and Best Man Jonathan Carter waiting for Lee-Ann's arrival |
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| A sea of Red Hatters waiting for the wedding to begin |
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| Lee-Ann and Mike taking their vows |
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| At this point, I think the minister mentioned something about Mike's snoring |
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| Lee-Ann mouthed to Mike "I'm trying really hard not to cry" |
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| Lee-Ann's beautiful daughters, Matron of Honor Amanda Evans-Baca and Maid of Honor Audra Veazey |
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| The final words |
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| Their happiness sealed with a kiss |
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| The minister says, "I present to you Mr. and Mrs Mike Carter." |
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| Where's the food. I'm starved after all that. lol |
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| The first dance as husband and wife |
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| What a beautiful couple. |
I failed to mention that I won a prize in the Hat Parade for prettiest hat, but didn't get a photo of it to put in the blog. This was such a fun weekend and the time just flew by. I had to leave the party early because I had to get back to Alamogordo only to return Sunday afternoon for some dear friends' wedding reception in Las Cruces. Everything happens at once it seems, but it's still lots of fun.
I apologize for not getting more names for the pictures, but you all know who you are.
This is all I have to say for now.
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