One thing I've mentioned briefly in previous posts is how Foxy and I were shooting for a cocktailesque-style reception. The two of us have always agreed that cocktail hour is consistently our favorite part of the weddings we've attended, so we figured.. why not just have our whole wedding be like that?! (In all honesty, we really just wanted a fun wedding without a formal sit-down dinner, so cocktail style seemed to be the way to go.) We worked with the Vandiver during our two year planning period to figure out how to make the reception different enough from cocktail hour to be discernible, but also to still keep it relatively casual and cocktail-y.
The result was a nice mix of high top tables spread throughout the pavilion and surrounding property, with five large round tables in the middle for folks to sit at should they want to (with a few reserved specifically for family).
Photo by Mrs. Pony
The actual food stations were spread throughout the pavilion, which successfully kept people moving about and mingling for a large portion of the evening. So no, we didn't technically have enough seating available for everyone to sit down at the same time.. but that was kind of the point. As far as I'm aware, it actually worked out really well!
And so, after our teary-eyed and laugh-worthy toasts were over, our food stations officially opened up for everyone to enjoy. Yay food!
I don't have too many pictures of the food itself since we gave our photogs the go-ahead to relax for a few minutes and get themselves a bite to eat (you know, instead of just watching everyone else eat.. that can't be fun). However, I can tell you that I personally dug into anything and everything that John (the owner of our venue) brought over for Foxy and I to eat. I can also tell you that there was absolutely a good five minutes where I was completely by myself at a high top cocktail table, stuffing my face.
So.. yes. I ate at my wedding. I ate a lot.
And since we don't have any photo documentation of my little food-party-for-one, why don't I show you bits and pieces of the rest of the (freaking delicious) grub we had spread out?
There was chilled tomato soup and caprese salad..
Photo by Mrs. Pony
..made-to-order pasta with different noodles, sauces, and toppings..
..freshly cooked and carved smoked turkey and beef tenderloin..
You guys.. I know most everyone says that the food at their own wedding was the best ever, but let's be serious. This food was the. best. ever. We're still getting random compliments about how scrumptious it was! (Not to toot my own our venue's horn or anything.) (toot toot)
I also like to think that the food was only enhanced by the atmosphere that the Vandiver staff, Officiant Em, MOH Copper, and many other friends and family managed to create earlier that day. I'm still amazed that my broad concept of flowers, mason jars, lanterns, lace, chalkboard signs (you know, all that quintessential rustic-wedding-type stuff) somehow managed to come together in a relatively cohesive way!
Photo by Mrs. Pony
Photo by Exclamation Imagery
While these bits and pieces of the overall picture made me all warm and fuzzy inside on their own, seeing it all together - from a distance, almost - somehow made it even more magical. Everything was really representative of Foxy and I, and you could just see the love that went into the planning, coordinating, and beauty of it all.
One thing I want to throw out there, especially for brides who are still in the planning phase - try not to get too caught up in the whole "it's so overdone" mindset/judgement. Does "rustic chic" seem to be the new buzzword in wedding land? Absolutely. Do most people even have a clue what that means, or have they seen it before? Probably not. My wedding decor may seem pretty generic to a few people who are immersed in the wedding world, but believe you me - the majority of my guests (even those recently married or in planning stages) were amazed by the amount of personal touches and detail we put into things. Just do you, whatever that may be. Foxy and I did simple, rustic beauty, and we couldn't have been happier. Sure, I had a bajillion and one sources of inspiration to choose from thanks to lots of other people thinking along the same lines, but whatever. I liked it. And if anything, it made my job easier!
#offmysoapboxnow
Enough about the details.. I think it's high time we got to some dancing, don't you?!
Miss a recap? Catch yourself up!
It's Wedding Week! - The week of the wedding started out pretty hectic, but we made it through (relatively) unscathed.
We're Cool People (who had to deal with a slight change of plans) - On Friday, we made our way to the venue, had a relatable moment on the radio, and learned about some last minute changes that we made an effort to take in stride.
Practice Makes Perfect.. And Crabs Don't Hurt, Either - After most everyone was settled in on Friday evening, we had our rehearsal followed by the best dinner ever - a Maryland crab feast!
Rise and Shine! - Wedding morning was soon upon us, and I woke up at the crack of dawn ready to get prettified.
Pretty Women - Over the course of the next several hours, myself and the girls hung out, got our hair and makeup done, had a photo shoot, and drank champagne.
Dressing Up - Soon enough, it was time for me to slip into my dress!
Dapper Dudes - At the same time, Foxy and his guys were ironing and getting into their suites - and Foxy was opening his wedding day gift!
The First of Many Looks - We had our first look, and both felt so much better after being able to see each other for the first time that day.
A School Bus Photoshoot - Our vehicle of choice for the day was a school bus, which we turned into a photo op both inside and out!
Smiles and Sun - The photos continued by the lighthouse and pier.. with sunglasses and a few funny stories along the way.
ALL The Family - We then met up with family at the lock house for even more pictures, and I started getting a bit antsy and having problems with my dress.
And Then There's Us - I kinda-sorta-maybe forgot all about couple and bridal pictures. Thank goodness for our amazing photog reminding us!
Final Touches - Slight chaos then ensued in the minutes before the ceremony started, consisting of me getting sewn into my dress and the boys getting their bouts pinned on at the last minute.
And So It Begins - The guests arrive, the wedding party lines up, and the ceremony space is revealed - complete with programs, white knots, and bubbles!
All I Want Is You, Will You Be My Bride? - The time had finally come - we all made our way down the aisle while my stepdad and stepbro played and sang a beautiful, acoustic version of "All I Want Is You".
Take Me By The Hand and Stand By My Side - In other words.. the ceremony!
Bubbles and Bustles and Beverages, Oh My! - Bubbles are blown, my bustle is tied in, and cocktail hour commences with lots of love, hugs, and drinks.
The Guestbook - The final version & reveal of our fingerprint guestbook - and some tips, should you want them!
I'd Do Anything For You - The reception kicked off with our oh-so-intricate first dance sway to Wake Up by Coheed and Cambria, which our guests joined in on halfway through.
Make 'em Laugh, Make 'em Cry - Which is exactly what we did, thanks to our bestest friends' amazing and beautiful toasts.
