The Wedding

July 5th, 2025, actually before 2pm, the wedding began.  This was no traditional wedding, because as you know, Britney doesn't try to conform to what may be expected, but lives as she believes is important.  She's authentic, and aligns her actions, choices, and even life with her deeply held values, beliefs, and inner self.


Juan Carlos escorts Britney up to the 17th floor where their wedding was held.

The venue was so much grander (dressy/beautiful/formal) than I expected.  And the view from the 17th floor was spectacular. 


This is not what Britney originally envisioned for her wedding, but I think she was quite happy and thankful for it. 

Just before entering the room, these instructions (for the multicultural and bilingual wedding) were displayed for guests.





Courtney, Patty, and I went up to the ballroom about 1:40, twenty minutes early, and a few guests had already started arriving.  We got the photo frame (a surprise gift from Courtney) seen on this table, set up and running.  

Notice the picture on the frame showing at the time I took the photo of the table.

When Britney and Juan Carlos were visiting us at Christmas (a chance for us to meet Juanca in person) we knew they had planned to wed, and they kept posing for photos of a proposal.  


These silly two.




Juan Carlos had heard of Waffle House and wanted to dine at one, so we stopped here on our way to Kentucky for our Christmas family gathering.

So of course they even posed in front of this establishment.  

This guest book (for all to sign) was also on the table with the photo frame.  They had chosen to get married July 5th, our wedding anniversary, but to also have a state side celebration and another ceremony in Columbia (where Juan Carlos is from) with his family.

Originally Britney did not plan to wear my dress (which had been my Mom's dress) because she wanted a small, simple, casual wedding.  But at some point, she changed her mind. 

My Mom and Dad in 1948, Joe and I in 1980, and Britney Jean and Juan Carlos in 2025.

I wish Mom could have seen Britney, but felt she was watching from above.

One of the host moms, who is a seamstress, altered the dress for Britney so it would fit better.  She also made the veil and this pillow for the rings.

  

Per instructions, guests came in and mingled for a bit, and then found a table to sit at.  The wait staff came around and served drinks.  Carlos, the pastor (Juanca's good friend) was flying in from a one month work mission trip out of the country and not due to land at the airport until 1:30.


Music was playing at a volume so that you could hear it, but it was quiet enough that you could still talk without having to shout to be heard.  

Tables were filling up and then Britney and Juan Carlos made their entrance (video) at 2:15.  The pastor's wife, Tatiana did the announcing and all the translating.    

She was great and did a fantastic job.

 

What a beautiful, sweet, loving couple we are all blessed to know and witness their marriage commitment.

Britney and Juan Carlos started making their way around the room, greeting all their guests. 

Their friend Yahaira, who was providing the music, came down to serenade them with a special song.  













 

She had brought the two gentleman who accompanied her and the one musician sang along on several songs.  Yahaira sang many more songs than what Britney and Juanca had expected.  












Britney and Juan Carlos had places to sit at our table, but they never did sit down, or eat.

Britney's neurosurgeon, Dr. Caceres and his wife also sat at our table.  They are both bilingual so we were able to carry on good conversation.  It was a pleasure to get to know them better.  

Before long, a plate of three pastries was brought out to each guest.  The wrap was a savory chicken, cheese, spinach; the square was a pizza like thing, and the other a sweet pastry with fruit filling.

These photos, while we ate, show the view out both sides of the room.  











It poured rain outside at some point, and then became a bit foggy.
 

Travis with Michael, Nicole, and Joseph.  


Britney and Juan Carlos continued to welcome and thank each guest for coming.  



The Sidenstick/Baker table.
Patti, Dave, and Chris not seen in above photo.  





While waiting for Carlos to arrive from the airport, his wife Tatiana took photos of Britney and Juan Carlos with each table group of guests.
160 had confirmed coming, so there were 16 tables with ten seats each.  However, there were some empty spots due to some 'no shows.'

  

Our table with Patty, Joe, Juanca, Britney, Courtney, Kent, and Dr. Caceres and his wife Jeania.  

The other group of Americans; Michael, Chris, Joseph, Juanca, Britney, Patti, Dave, Nicole, and Travis.
 

Britney's Peruvian family.  She lived with Don Max and Maria from 2013-2015.  Maria, her host mom was in Peru visiting, and sadly, Don Max has passed.

Britney's Bribri family whom she first lived with 2010.  Juanita, the matriarch is in the middle. Gloria has also passed and Këysh and Duaro could not make it.  But their 17 year old sister, Dutmi (seen far right) came.

 

Carlos, Juanca's friend who officiated the ceremony and his wife Tatiana and their daughter and son.  
Tatiana was taking all the group photos while we waited for Carlos to arrive, so I am not sure who took this one, or when it was taken.

Some smaller group and family shots were also taken.




















Britney's Bribri Mamá, Juanita.

Again, us with Dr. Caceres and Jeania.

While all of these group photos were being taken, the music had picked up and some dancing occurred.

I didn't get any photos of Emily except this of us dancing together.  




Michael and Joseph had some moves.  











But so did Courtney and Kent.



Patty fraternizing with everybody. 
















Yolvy, a kindred spirit.  






Carlos arrived, made a quick change out of his travel clothes, and then the ceremony began.

Juan Carlos and Britney had Joe and I enter first, as a recognition of our 45th wedding anniversary.













Once to the 'alter table' we turned to watch the bride and groom enter (videos).  

Here is a few of the photo shots taken.  

Once they reached Joe and I, we hugged them and sat down to then watch the ceremony from our table.  










 

In the Latin American culture, the bride and groom sit during most of the wedding ceremony.

Tatiana did a fantastic job of translating the words of Carlos as he spoke.  






At one point, Britney was asked to stand up to show her 77 year old dress (that her grandma, and then I, had worn).  There was a correlation between the age of the dress and it holding up through time, with marriage standing the test of time and may theirs be long lasting like the dress.  






Exchanging of the vows and then rings.



Britney and Juan Carlos later posted photos and a message to each other on Facebook. 

Britney posted:

Your hands are my caress
my everyday chords
I love you because your hands
they work for justice
If I love you it's because you are
my love, my partner and everything
and in the street, side by side
we are much more than two.....

And Juan Carlos posted:  Thank you Britney Jean for taking this step together.

WHY I LOVE YOU
Because you are light and joy in my life
Because you strengthen me in the daily struggle
Because you teach me how to be better
Because you are sweetness and peace
Because you are brave and resilient
Because you're socially conscious
Because you have a taste for the trova and the Latin American mass

Because you are unique and you don't copy anyone
Because you go through life with no worries
Because you don't crave luxury or vanities
Because you don't want paraphernalia or consumerism
Because you're walking with your feet on reality
Because my heart is happy and safe in your hands
Because I don't want life without you
Because I don't see a good life without you
Because my heart longs to love you more every day
Because you are Britney Jean Villhauer 
that's why I love you.  

Britney and then Juan Carlos each gave a little speech and then Joe gave a toast.   

The room rental time was about up, but the party continued a little longer as people signed the guest book and mingled a bit more.

Congratulations to the newlyweds.  Such a beautiful,sweet, loving couple!



We are most thankful for all who attended (physically and in spirit) this momentous occasion for Britney and Juan Carlos.  Britney and Juanca also are very appreciative and thankful.  


They handed out these cards to everyone who came. 

Britney posted on Facebook:
“We are surrounded by people who we love so much, who we consider our family, and we are very, very thankful for all of your love throughout all of these years. I am very blessed by all of the diversity represented in this room and by all of the people who wanted to be here today but couldn’t. Thank you so much for being witnesses to our lives and for accompanying us and supporting us in everything.”