Since we've missed our Lake of the Ozarks Deterding Family reunion the past two summers, we haven't seen our extended family since 2024. We were SO excited to get invited to Luke's wedding at Old Kinderhook, a golf resort at the Lake of the Ozarks. Mom rented an Airbnb that could hold the whole family and we made a fun weekend of it!
This house was really nice with plenty of space for everyone.
It had great indoor AND outdoor space, with our own personal hot tub downstairs and putting green upstairs!
It was also right on the golf course. I decided I don't think I'd like this full-time. There were golfers teeing off right below us as we sat on the back deck.
At one point, those golfers were our boys. I knew they wouldn't be able to sit and watch for long. And, of course, they found plenty of lost balls in the rough on the hill to bring home as souvenirs.
I went with the "middles" on a short drive to the hotel where the wedding would take place. It was all so pretty.
It had been raining all morning, so we were thankful when the rain finally stopped. We could see they already had the chairs for the ceremony set up on the 18th fairway. They actually shut down the back 9 for the wedding!
The wedding flowers all around the property were SO pretty!
We had a fun afternoon getting ready. They requested "black tie", so we did our best!
They had golf carts to transport guests from the hotel to the ceremony, but we decided to just walk it. Over the bridge we go!
We found lots of Deterdings as we came closer. It was so good to see this family!
Such handsome cousins!
Almost time for the ceremony. . .
Here are a couple of pics Avery shared. It was really beautiful!
We took advantage of the beautiful backdrop to get a few more pics after the ceremony. We were just missing my girls and Syd, who was in a friend's wedding that same day.
Golf cart selfie with my oldest on the ride back to the reception :)
It was a very fancy reception, with a very unique "favor" -- Old Kinderhook's famous Sweet Onion Creamy Vinaigrette.
We enjoyed the hors d'oeuvres and cocktail hour while the wedding party finished their pictures.
I love that these boys still love their Shirley Temples :)
Keith and Russ were joking about the hair discrepancy between them and their sons.
Such a gorgeous cake table!
Then it was time to find our table for dinner. The reception was held in the ice skating rink, which was also really unique.
It was threatening rain all evening, so we were hopeful to get through dinner at least before the rain started.
And what a dinner it was! There were so many servers taking care of all of us.
The boys ordered the filet and I ordered the salmon. Both were really delicious!
And as it turned out, the weather was perfect for dinner! Check out that sky!
(And I just had to include this pic because he's so handsome)
After dinner, the party commenced. There were so many "extras" at this wedding, like the fireworks on the dance floor. So cool!
We also especially enjoyed the ice cream cart with a specialty "affogato" (espresso-drenched ice cream).
We had tons of fun on the dance floor and when it finally sprinkled just a little, it felt really good! The weather ended up being really perfect!
I love that Luke invited all of his 2nd-cousins to his and Avery's wedding. It was a fantastic reunion for all of us!
As excited as I was to see my extended family, I may have been even more excited to have a whole weekend with my boys, who I've missed SO MUCH these past 6 weeks.
And I'm always thankful to excited to spend a fun date-night with my forever wedding date.
What a wonderful weekend spent with family in a beautiful setting, celebrating a beautiful couple! Congrats and may God bless your marriage, Luke and Avery!!
