OH right, this happened

Almost exactly 2 months ago, my baby brother got married in Brooklyn, New York. He won some major classy points with this event- I hate to admit it. The Gillefonds got to spend a few days with family and friends in NYC prior to the event, which was just heavenly.

Apologies for not posting these photos sooner. Most were taken with the iphone- apologies for that as well.

first haircut before the wedding. Yes, she actually sat like this the entire time. Hello fancy lady!

Our suitcase, complete with sandals, bibs, sippy cup, and Ariel kickboard, packed and ready to go.

Bike rentals at our BK hotel

Tilly put her princess phone in the iPod dock, hoping to hear some Robin Thicke

finally got to get together with my close friend, and former NYU roommate, Bridgette, and her awesome daughter, Mabel.

Aggressive love for Mabes

Mabel: please help me!
Tilly: Im just sitting here quietly, I have no idea what's wrong.

waiting patiently in the hotel room post-nap.

We are those people at the swanky hotel pool at 8am.

it was a little cold in the water, requiring some papa snuggle time.

enthralled with standing in the hotel room window, watching the sun-bathing hipsters below

...aaaand flashing them!

backfloat bliss

Brooklyn BBQ

kissing Uncle Patrick. So much love for him, which is incredible considering he lives on the other side of the planet.

cheers!

swapping sunglasses with Patrick and Zhenya

bride enters the rehearsal dinner, large champers in hand!

Tilly's first Tiffany's- thank you gift for being a flowergirl

wedding party

bride and groom to be!

us

worn out at the end of the night post-rehearsal dinner, wondering when her parents will take her home.

Spent Saturday before the wedding watching Arsenal with Tonton Jean-Yves and Papa. Triplets!

The day of the wedding, Mathilda was up very early and then didn't really nap. She had been a trooper all week, sleeping in strange beds, being dragged around to events, staying up late. By Saturday, she had had enough. Fussy does not begin to describe her mood. I spent the entire day bribing her to behave at the very least, and please smile, with bags of candy. It was utterly exhausting.

pre-ceremony, in her flower girl dress. She's smiling because I told her I'd give her an M&M if she did, 

whatever makes you happy, kid.

Here comes the bride!

I hate to admit, I missed the moving aspects of the ceremony because I was so concerned about keeping Tilly happy and quiet in the front row. She ate an entire bag of M&Ms and then threw her flower girl petals all over the floor. But it was a success in that the toddler was contained, and 2 wonderful people, so in love, made it official!

just plopped herself down in the middle of the action during cocktails. I am not pictured because I was drinking cocktails.

veil fix by the fabulous new mother-in-law who made the veil herself!

Father and son!

sibs!

Tilly entertains her Aunt Krista and Uncle Ryan

mother and daughter

first dance

theme of the toast- thank goodness you stopped designing rock repellent suits out of sheet metal and got yourself a good woman.

mother-son dance. My mom looked fantastic!

father-daughter dance (and look how gorge that dress is!)

sibs during the dance hours

sweaty us, tearing it up

we are thrilled because we are dancing and drinking without children!

after years of stories and hilarious phone calls across continents, Zhenya and I finally meet!

really thrilled!

I mean, come on- look how gorgeous my new sister in law is!

My amazing other sister in law, Stepha, watched Tilly while we danced downstairs. The next morning, we were unable to teach Mathilda the meaning of post-wedding hangover. She was uncharacteristically up with the sun. She also slept in our bed, so neither of us got much rest.

opening the blinds, trying to get her parents out of bed.

A bit of sentimentality- Patrick and Catherine are meant for eachother. The first time I saw them together, I watched my brother treat this woman with such kindness, affection, and respect, I was really moved. Even more than that, he is himself with her- all the best parts about him amplified in her presence.  Our family is not easy, and Catherine has shown (at least to us!) nothing but grace, love, and - frankly - happiness to be one of us. Of course their wedding was spectacular. I loved having the family together, seeing my brother's old school friends all grown up (and cleaned up!), and his Russian friends who have kept him so well these last 5 years- all in one place. But more than that, I am happy that they are a couple, that they are gonna attempt the great marathon to forever. Welcome to the club, kids!