Step by Step: Some Toasts, Thanks and More Dancing

After Mr. S and I had cut our cake and enjoyed our first dance as a married couple, we were able to sit back and relax for a bit. Finally!

Daddy Stiletto started off with a sweet welcome for all of our guests at the beginning of dinner.


While we were able to sit and eat (unfortunately, my dress was much better for standing and dancing than sitting and eating, so I felt like I couldn't breath very well and only had a few bites of our fabulous dinner), we tried to make it around to the tables and say hello to our guests. I'll be honest, having just 100 guests we still struggled to talk with everyone. I wonder how other couples handle making it around to 200, 300, 400 guests!



I definitely had some crazy eyes going on here. It was getting overwhelming and tiring, but so nice to making it around to (almost) everyone.


Toward the end of dinner, it was time for toasts (or, I think it was the end of dinner, we changed things up at the reception and I couldn't tell you what exactly happened when!).

Sister and Made of Honor Stiletto stashed the notes for her toast in the cute little clutch that I made for each of the bridesmaids - remember those?


Her toast was very heart felt and endearing, and even brought some tears to Mr. S's eyes, I think. She held it together much better than I would have!


Next up was Mr. S's best man, Matt. We had absolutely no clue about what he'd talk about, especially since he lives out of state and doesn't have stories about Mr. S and I together.


Once I realized where he was going with the toast, I could help but laugh! Matt and Mr. S love to talk sports, and I once saw an online chat between them where Matt had said "I'd love to be the best man at your funeral."

At the time, I didn't know that this was a line from some sports radio show, and was a little miffed that Matt had such a dim outlook on the wedding! Mr. S later explained it to me, and I didn't think another thing of it. Apparently Mr. S had also let Matt know I had seen it, so I quickly received an apologetic email from Matt.

Of course, all was good and who would have thought it would later be a humorous start to Matt's toast?


Overall, we were both so happy to be surrounded by family and friends and hear their kind words.


At the very end of the toasts, Mr. S and I got up to say a few words of thanks. Well, I said a very few words before quickly passing the microphone off to him! Public speaking (even with family and friends) makes my stomach flip flop. Mr. S was much more of a natural and shared some sweet words.



Finishing it all up, Daddy Stiletto and I enjoyed a dance to Frank Sinatra's "The Way You Look Tonight." While I had been searching high and low for a great father/daughter song, I ended opening it up to him to choose a song that he liked, and this was a perfect fit!



Sadly, at some point our cake had to be whisked away to serve to our guests. Our topper and a bridesmaid bouquet held down the fort in its place.


As pretty as our cake was, it was equally as tasty! I had promised myself that I'd eat a slice of each flavor, but I stayed glued to the dance floor throughout the night. I finally gobbled down a piece after tracking down a fork from the catering staff!


The formalities were finally done so it's all dancing and fun from here on out!


*Please note: All photos from Laurie Peacock Photography

Next Up - We bust out our dancing shoes!

Previously in our wedding recaps:
Step by Step: Girls Get Ready
Step by Step: Guys Get Ready
Step by Step: First Look
Step by Step: Gettin’ Ready to Walk
Step by Step: We Get Hitched
Step by Step: Strike a Pose in the Park
Step by Step: Urban Love in Oak Park
Step by Step: Lookin' Sharp - Reception Details
Step by Step: Cut a Cake and Dance a Dance