Same for me. I am really happy that OP's grandmother was able to attend the wedding. My grandmother's Alzheimer's started getting really bad a few months before my wedding, but she was very excited to go. Though I live pretty far from her I would do my best to visit every other week and call her once a week. She had a live in nurse at the time so at least she was home. Every time we spoke she would ask "Alantha, is next week your wedding? I bought a new dress! I can't wait to go!" I am the first grandaughter on her side to be married and we were very very close. I lived with her for a few years when I was very small.
So for a few months it was every phone call or visit "I can't wait for your wedding. You're going to be the most beautiful bride." And now I'm in tears explaining this, but for people who never have to experience this (and bless you, I am so glad for you if you don't) you should know how it goes. She wasn't well enough for a trip to NYC to pick out my gown with me, but I sent her photos. It was great to see her so happy about something, because as the disease progressed she was horribly depressed. She knew what was happening.
One week before my wedding I get a phone call from my mother. "Alantha, I'm really sorry, but Grandma won't be coming to your wedding. Last night she became violent and confused, she hit her nurse and is now in the hospital. Doctor's are figuring out her medication." I was already stressed about the wedding, I was finishing up my dissertation for my Master's degree and now I get this soul crushing news that my grandmother, my best pal, my biggest supporter won't be at my wedding. Two years later and I'm still not over it.
So they put her in a home and I visited her and it was absolutely horrific. She was on so much medication she was no longer my grandmother. She remembered me which felt great because she didn't even know who my mother was. Her health rapidly declined there until my uncle pulled her out and hired another full time nurse to be with her at home.
This nurse was better, talked to doctor's, changed Grandma's medication and low and behold there she was again! My wonderful, sweet, loving Gram was back. She had no memory of the few months she stayed in the nursing home. My first visit to see her at home again broke my heart. "Alantha, your wedding must be soon! I've been waiting for so long." I had to tell my grandmother, who had been looking forward to this day, that I got married a few months ago and she was sick so couldn't go. I'll never forget her face. The disappointment, holding back tears, her entire body seemed to slump. I felt and still feel awful.
I showed her photos and she gushed and beamed and told me how beautiful I looked and how happy she was for me, but it was all so bitter sweet. A few months later not even medication was enough to keep her with us. My wonderful aunt moved from out of state to stay full time with my grandmother (she has a family, children and grandchildren of her own). For 8 months I watched the rapid decline of my beloved Gram. I visited once a week on days I wasn't teaching and brought her flowers or chocolate (she had a sweet tooth). She told me she had been speaking to my dead Grandfather who she has had to live without for 10 years. She said she knows he's dead, but she sees him and they talk. She said she's not religious, but it's comforting. She said she doesn't want to live anymore and can't stand losing her mind and memory. At this point she doesn't remember her other grandchildren, I am the only one who visits, she thinks my aunt is her best friend and sometimes she knows my mother is her daughter. She thinks my uncle showed up on her doorstep one day and they adopted him, she has no memory of giving birth to him.
2 months ago I attended her funeral. Her photo sits on my desk, it's her and my grandfather's 50th wedding anniversary. They are smiling and happy and exactly who I remember them to be my whole life. I miss them both so much, every day. So OP, your grandmother at that wedding is spectacular! I hope she had a good time once someone explained where she was. I hope she has many good times left and that you visit her and tell her you love her.
I love you, Gram.