Back-to-back receptions

Watch "A Byrd House wedding reception"

Megan Beil got engaged about a year ago and set her wedding date for Friday, May 25.

When her sister Brittany got engaged not long afterward, the girls decided that holding both weddings on the same weekend would accommodate family members' travel plans. Brittany then set her date for Saturday, May 26.

Newlyweds Justin and Megan (Beil) Gilleland made their way to the reception tent through rain Friday evening in Jackson. The same tent was used the following evening for Megan's sister, Brittany.KIT DOYLE kdoyle@semissourian.com

"It made sense with our families so spread out," Brittany said. "We're thankful and blessed to have Mom put this together for us."

Their mother, Becky Beil, made almost all the arrangements for both receptions, which each had more than 150 people attend.

"Well, I didn't bake the cake," she joked.

Becky describes herself as driven, but one glance at the before and after photos of her nearly 200-year-old home reveals how big an understatement that is.

She and her husband, Jimmy, spent the past six years restoring the Steven Byrd home off Route D in Jackson to period-accurate specifications.

Steven Byrd was a member of the first legislative assembly in Missouri and served as a colonel in the Black Hawk War, Becky said. Becky's research indicates Byrd's house was completed prior to a move to Arkansas in 1826.

The home served as the backdrop for her daughters' receptions, which were each designed to match the girls' personalities.

"We had to cut down on some original ideas because of cost," Becky said, "but we were able to let each girl's personality come out in the decoration."

Becky said the girls chose the colors and left the rest up to her.

"They've seen what I can do before," she said. "They didn't have much input. They trust me."

Becky's middle daughter, Megan, married Justin Gilliland on Friday at Apple Creek Presbyterian Church in Pocahontas. Intermittent showers were a bit of a nuisance to Megan's reception, but the rain didn't dampen the joyous mood.

Brittany Beil, seated, checked her sister Megan (Beil) Gilleland's dress during Megan's reception Friday at the Beil family home in Jackson. Brittany had her ceremony Saturday, with the reception also at the Beil family home. (Kit Doyle)

"Megan's reception was delicate and sweet," Beil said. "In spite of the rain, it had a cozy and relaxed atmosphere."

Guests parked at a local middle school and then were carted to the home by a red double-decker bus. Children danced in the rain on the upper level. Megan's reception featured traditional settings and more elaborate floral arrangements than her sister's.

Megan and Justin spent a few days at a bed and breakfast this week and will honeymoon "some place tropical" in January.

Beil's eldest daughter, Brittany, married Nathan Brown on Saturday at Cape Bible Chapel. The rain stayed away this time, and guests mingled on the lawn before the bride and groom drove up in a red Jeep Wrangler covered with streamers.

"Brit's reception was more contemporary," her mother said.

Brittany and Nathan served Chinese food, and the bride urged guests to at least attempt to eat with chopsticks. Origami cranes in pastel colors dotted the dinner tables.

Brittany and Nathan will honeymoon in Myrtle Beach, S.C.

An injury to Becky's elderly mother, whom she cares for, allowed her only eight weeks to plan both receptions.

The biggest challenge was the time constraint, Becky said. "I had a few friends help with the floral assembly because I can't be in four places at once."

She purchased most of the decorations and supplemented them with some she had from previous receptions.

Brittany and Nathan Brown had their first dance as newlyweds Saturday night. (Fred Lynch)

Becky has planned several weddings before and said she is now seriously considering making wedding and event planning a full-time job.

"I really enjoy event planning," she said. "We've had a lot of interest in renting out our home for weddings because of its historical significance and my ability to plan the receptions."

Becky said Tuesday that she was worn out from the weekend, but that she couldn't be happier about the weddings and their receptions.

"The best part was that the receptions were never frantic," she said. "People asked me, 'How can you be so calm?', but I just attribute that to the Lord."

Brittany's husband, Nathan, gave Becky more credit.

"Becky's an amazing woman," he said.

Megan also was quick to praise her mother.

"It was a perfect day," she said. "There wasn't any problem with having both weddings on the same weekend. Mom made them so different."

pwylie@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 127