We did it! we are M-a-r-r-i-e-d with a big old M for Mr. and Mrs.
Having family here was wonderful and spending time with my darling nephew was priceless!
I have to say my mom, Eileen ("GG"), and my sister, Larissa, helped so much, and supported me so much.
Did the day go off without a hitch? Certainly NO, but did we let anything bother us? Again, a resounding NO.
Was it a wonderfully beautiful and fun day? YES YES YES.
Most importantly our vows before Jesus, family, and friends were lovely.
Then, we moved on to a perfectly casually-elegant wedding reception with the most amazing food catered by Falco's, a perfect site which lent itself to a great DIY touch at Pine Grove Camp, and a very cool4 piece band, Maseroti, who not only played awesome music but also saved us at the last moment!
My brother, Ryan, and sister in law, Carryn played a major role in bringing the site decor together as Ihad dreamed it to be. Also Carryn lent her talents as photographer to my reception.
Debora, a fellow photographer who hadn't "officially" photographed a wedding but is very talented in her own right was slated for the ceremony. She did a very nice job and I am glad that I gave her a chance, as others had done for me once upon a time.
All three of these vendors were enjoyed by guests who are still RAVING (one month later) about everything. We have heard from numerous people that it was the BEST wedding they had EVER been to. While I was simply shooting for "comfortable", "fun", "delicious", etc, I admit that "the best" works as well.... yeah, I can accept that.
Some drawbacks? Missing relatives, of course...DIY obstacles like not enough of this-or-that, or something going missing, etc.
The biggest bride-issue I had was my awful dressmaker from a shop in Middletown NJ. She, the owner is manipulative and messed up my entire dress choosing and buying process. The dress I was supposed to wear was un-wearable, she ordered the wrong swatch, and when all was said and done I ended up with a dress that is not my style and which she did not properly hem! Rather than go on and on about the negative experience I had with this lady. I will try to look on the bright side...The sliver lining is that I was able to hike the dress up and have a friend sew it in place at the reception, it ended up making me look thinner (Yessssss), and everyone LOVED it. So, the joke is on little Miss McNasty at ---- ------ in Middletown, NJ. (a-hem)
My hair looked awesome and was professionally done by Fil. Kudos! I did my makeup myself and it came out very well for photos.
Mom and sister got their hair done as well. Larissa had a cool, Princess Leia-esque hair do. Mom wore a sweet, feminine headband.
I wore a very sweet angora cardigan that I picked up the night before (gasp) the wedding and some stylish winter gloves both purchased at The Express. Whodathunkit?! They were perfect.
I ADORED my bird cage veil with russian lace made by an etsy artist and seller. It recieved many complients.
My sister, Larissa, and some friends (Cheryl, Julie, Sara) worked on flowers. They came out quite nicely, and Larissa did some unique creations for the flowers girls. These came out very well, including a very elegant and mysterious looking dried leaf pomander. My new nieces and a good friend's daughter were the flower girls/junior bridesmaids.
The boutonnieres were clever, artsy, and woodsy- perfect!
My nephew looked dapper in his kilt. Matching the bag piper and drummer who performed at the ceremony and reception, Sebastian looked adorable in deed. At first he was not keen on the idea... but he was soooo cute!
My maids and matron were all gorgeous and they all were happy with their dresses. I think they looked so lovely and am grateful to have had them share the day, and help all along the way.
Other special people sang, played, read, quoted, and more. What a blessing! These people included the pastor's wife who played along on the organ as a dear friend sang Handel's Let The bright Seraphim at the ceremony. Breathtaking!
Right after the wedding we all braved the unseasonably chilly and brisk weather to go over to the gazebo where Ginni and Paul had prepared a cozy autumn atmosphere, and served hot mulled cider which warmed both bellies and spirits. Cinnamon doughnuts were served along with Ginni's home baked fall leaf cookies. It was delightful! Friends, Michele and Jan, had previously made the mis-matched vintage material napkins that we used at the gazebo.
Here are some photos from the day and evening of the wedding. I do not have some of the reception photos back from carryn yet (but I got a sneak peek and she has done a very nice job! I will post some later as those are available). In the meantime, here are photos from Debora, friends Jim and Ginni, and even some by ME. (You did not really think I could put the camera down on the day of my wedding did you?)
