Our Sweet Beginning: Reception Fun and Sparkler Exit

Brian and I are gearing up for a weekend away in celebration of our first wedding anniversary! In some ways, it feels like we just got married yesterday; in others, it seems like I can't remember what life was like before we became husband and wife. I promised myself I'd have our wedding album done before the year mark (check!) and that I'd finish up these blog posts recapping our wedding day. Can you say "slacker"? But alas, here is the last installment of our wedding recaps -  reception fun and our sparkler exit! Mission officially accomplished. :)

After getting all of the formal reception festivities out of the way, it was time for the party!

You can see some of the pictures from our wedding photobooth here. :)

These next few pictures crack me up. Brian and I never really had a "song" while we were dating, but we'd often jokingly serenade one another with K-Ci and JoJo's "All My Life." Imagine my irritation surprise when Brian had his best man request it...I love how Kristi is pointing accusingly at Pat as I'm realizing what he did. So we danced to the cheesy 90's song and I guess it wasn't so bad. ;)

During the reception, Brian and I snuck away for a little while to play with sparklers and get some pictures behind the Resident's Club. They include one of Brian's favorite pictures from the whole day (the black and white one below), and the ten minute break from the action was definitely welcomed.

We made it back to the party just in time for a couple minutes of dancing before the last song: Journey's "Don't Stop Believing." In college, the little bar/club (although it's a stretch to even call it that) I'd often go with my sorority sisters always played it as the last song. It was a nice little trip down memory lane. :)

Brian and I hung around for a couple minutes while our guests made their way outside for our sparkler exist.

And, because I'm obviously going for overkill, here's a little snippet from our wedding video done by Cord3 Films (formerly GM Elliot Videography). We seriously love our wedding video - you can see the trailer here.
          
          

The whole day went by so fast, and I just remember being kind of shocked that it was all over. It was easily one of the best days of my life, and I think I've gone through all of the pictures at least once a month since that day last May. More importantly, I love the marriage we've built over the past year. I'm seriously proud of our commitment to each other and excited to celebrate our happily ever after at the beach this weekend!

A very happy first anniversary to my handsome husband!

Our Sweet Beginning: Reception Festivities

Before we could begin our reception, there were a couple of minor details to attend to. While Brian scouted out our cocktail hour (which I actually never got to see), his mom and sister bustled my dress before the festivities began. Brian returned with bacon-wrapped shrimp, and we briefly stuffed our faces before it was time to get moving (again)!

Eventually, everyone made their way from cocktail hour to their seats. To kick off the reception, my parents and Brian's parents were announced into the ballroom...

...followed by our amazing bridal party (including a ring bearer with some hilarious dance moves.)

Then, it was our turn...for the first time as Mr. and Mrs.!

We walked into the ballroom and straight into our first dance, to Brad Paisley's "Then." This was a part of our reception that I was super nervous about; we had taken a couple of ballroom dance lessons over Spring Break, but hadn't been together very much to practice. In the end, though, everything was fine and it felt like it was just us out there together. During our dance, we played a slideshow of pictures from throughout our relationship. Secretly, I was trying to make sure people weren't just staring at us the whole time we were dancing; I think it worked!

After our first dance, I danced with my Dad to "What a Wonderful World" by Louis Armstrong, and Brian danced with his Mom to Lynyrd Skynyrd's "Simple Man."

After the dances came the toasts. First from my Dad, who gave us some heartfelt marriage advice and closed with the poem he had written that morning.

Brian's best man, Pat, talked about their relationship throughout their time at West Point together. He called Brian a "leader of men," which I thought was such an incredible compliment, and talked about how Brian is defined most of all by his faith.

And my sister and maid of honor, Jennifer, toasted to our new married life together, lovingly hated on my blog, and begrudgingly admitted that she thinks I'm super cool (I'm paraphrasing, but that was the jist. ;)

After a prayer from our pastor, it was time to eat! 

Brian and I quickly took a couple bites of food (which was delicious) before we made our way around to all of the tables of guests. We finished our mingling just in time for the party to start!

My main goal in planning the reception activities was to get most of the "formal" things out of the way first so that the rest of the night was free for dancing and socializing. After dinner, we went straight to the good part...dessert! Brian and I agreed beforehand that there would be no cake-smashing, and although I had a brief second of doubt, he stuck to his word. We cut our cake to James Taylor's "How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You)." I'm still kind of mad that that was the only bite of cake I got. I guess I did stuff a whole coconut cupcake into my mouth later in the night, but I was starving so I'm not sure I even tasted it. All that stuff they say about not eating at your wedding? 100% true.

While the caterers cut the rest of the cake to serve to our guests, I tossed my bouquet!

My sorority sister, Megan (who is coming to visit me in April!), caught my toss bouquet. When I went up to hug her, she whispered, "Is there a garter?!" I think she was completely relieved when I said no. :)

My sorority, Phi Mu, has a tradition of singing to the bride on her wedding day. So, my girls unexpectedly sent our DJ one of our songs, "Picture a Girl," and they surrounded me to sing. I am so lucky to have found lifelong friends in these girls. After the song, they presented me with our sorority's flower, the rose carnation. My flower girl, Zoë, joined in, too. Future Phi Mu? :)

Only two wedding posts left before I'm officially done our recap....reception fun and our sparkler exit!

Our Sweet Beginning: Bridal Party and Family Formals

Not only was our wedding day special because it was the day we became husband and wife, but also because we were surrounded by our incredible friends and family. They are the people who have shaped us, supported us, and loved us through so many different phases in our lives, and it meant the world to have them all beside us as we began our journey into married life.

 

Real sisters and sorority sisters :)

Me and my Maid of Honor, Brian and his Best Man

With our flower girl and ring bearers

In addition to more casual pictures with our bridal party, we also did formal pictures with our families. In keeping with tradition, of course. :)

My family

Brian's family

With our parents :)

With my parents and grandparents

With Brian's dad, sister, and Grandmom

The next post in our wedding recaps is an important one (maybe the most important!): our ceremony!