tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-43835866366653716852024-03-05T07:25:01.814-06:00Soon to Be Kooone chicago bride's musings on her impending walk down the aisle...Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11779301862432140898noreply@blogger.comBlogger160125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4383586636665371685.post-75309071701581160812010-03-14T17:02:00.004-05:002010-03-14T17:43:28.517-05:00Step by Step: A Fond FarewellIf your mind has wandered from the Stiletto festivities because there's so much fabulous wedding eye candy out there, let me quickly refresh your memory.<br /><br />I primped and preened all morning long...<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOAF3KWQjbjZTx1hyphenhyphenrhhEg_wY4oaU_QQStH-eFTJLtjNrC2izLL7E_sN4RRIJh_UcJ6jQTUjv7KoTwcFUH9nO52jr5ijhvODyhsL3LDRpmxaKIHsJOMW_oKNxP5DfNghNpkvYIvM56SkU/s1600-h/Final+1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOAF3KWQjbjZTx1hyphenhyphenrhhEg_wY4oaU_QQStH-eFTJLtjNrC2izLL7E_sN4RRIJh_UcJ6jQTUjv7KoTwcFUH9nO52jr5ijhvODyhsL3LDRpmxaKIHsJOMW_oKNxP5DfNghNpkvYIvM56SkU/s400/Final+1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448613940008101554" border="0" /></a>Source: <a href="http://www.lauriepeacock.com/">Laurie Peacock</a></div><br />...while Mr. S donned his finest and got ready with the guys over at the church.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU0vI8Zw_uH5dd3Q2Kh0fUY7_IywsFVKJs9KmpPEjSugguoocqHJiufGvqu_0bB9SdeJ0Ql3QPGb31KLD9Q1-mowILazlsQ4CDSNGq2n86d360a0wwZBvdEVjZFeeZjP7JG8r5768qpjU/s1600-h/Final+2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU0vI8Zw_uH5dd3Q2Kh0fUY7_IywsFVKJs9KmpPEjSugguoocqHJiufGvqu_0bB9SdeJ0Ql3QPGb31KLD9Q1-mowILazlsQ4CDSNGq2n86d360a0wwZBvdEVjZFeeZjP7JG8r5768qpjU/s400/Final+2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448613932993623538" border="0" /></a>Source: <a href="http://www.lauriepeacock.com/">Laurie Peacock</a></div><br />We said "I do" before our closest family and friends...<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKqwniubLfkWGAGTmvPSAGBdv8DAXfAgJLHuYw2lxVrdhic8mWOvbZA3snoyouSbL1RUyaVoCAydkp0oHsN7TuvufLxwYAPCIuJ8b7Ypm0JKXzwb6VIpgSraekp3qTbTLWU6yahMhlgGQ/s1600-h/Final+3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKqwniubLfkWGAGTmvPSAGBdv8DAXfAgJLHuYw2lxVrdhic8mWOvbZA3snoyouSbL1RUyaVoCAydkp0oHsN7TuvufLxwYAPCIuJ8b7Ypm0JKXzwb6VIpgSraekp3qTbTLWU6yahMhlgGQ/s400/Final+3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448613812726842498" border="0" /></a>Source: <a href="http://www.lauriepeacock.com/">Laurie Peacock</a></div><br />...then headed out and about for some beautiful pictures...<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHv_aexvNAgo4XSeVAkm97beqiLsw3QL4GKyhBfqJBXTeVR1XD5U2D-AUQ9JQeR-RQ7LdTqrf3qFZ3UHW1-gjdQeUp0m6D4R1KWOW1OKjMrY8240gTg1MIQM1yraChtN6yYn9w0UaG0UU/s1600-h/Final+4.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHv_aexvNAgo4XSeVAkm97beqiLsw3QL4GKyhBfqJBXTeVR1XD5U2D-AUQ9JQeR-RQ7LdTqrf3qFZ3UHW1-gjdQeUp0m6D4R1KWOW1OKjMrY8240gTg1MIQM1yraChtN6yYn9w0UaG0UU/s400/Final+4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448613806802731922" border="0" /></a>Source: <a href="http://www.lauriepeacock.com/">Laurie Peacock</a></div><br />...and funny moments.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrJJt9s_LdwY3g9AVaZ8SRpRcDeE32TVUIK1QfMN2RIjU6sZBUWxVqalisJhsDFtdt2lf0i1lLb4_H_ynpV6E_4jmF34kFCtyEnCui8UnFjX2V05v_Vu2ghQbQO2pd9POSmJnwPdM13UM/s1600-h/Final+5.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrJJt9s_LdwY3g9AVaZ8SRpRcDeE32TVUIK1QfMN2RIjU6sZBUWxVqalisJhsDFtdt2lf0i1lLb4_H_ynpV6E_4jmF34kFCtyEnCui8UnFjX2V05v_Vu2ghQbQO2pd9POSmJnwPdM13UM/s400/Final+5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448613799724782162" border="0" /></a>Source: <a href="http://www.lauriepeacock.com/">Laurie Peacock</a><br /></div><br />As our reception went on, we danced some dances and had a wonderful night that ended too soon!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6aSjq8wXh9yVaVmTNR6K7mSXkGtg2R7ZNTZpPW0oqrNfkrty9Y8IFT7-0BXgoXH1tKuVNELBgKcwW1B_VDuDPNkOAviY6cB0vhXOswSj-3cGGl1F-h0cWuYdH2XxvtYh5buypowZihzE/s1600-h/Final+6.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6aSjq8wXh9yVaVmTNR6K7mSXkGtg2R7ZNTZpPW0oqrNfkrty9Y8IFT7-0BXgoXH1tKuVNELBgKcwW1B_VDuDPNkOAviY6cB0vhXOswSj-3cGGl1F-h0cWuYdH2XxvtYh5buypowZihzE/s400/Final+6.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448613796756094258" border="0" /></a>Source: <a href="http://www.lauriepeacock.com/">Laurie Peacock</a><br /></div><br />And, from start to finish, that's all she wrote!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0UBN1NDKOkRnIww9EIcJAtnKul2UkdPaVteo23uUXaXc35RxrlQ43yicRscsp8ltP-BqPv0XDEQFFAmOAF43sBpjxYzu1rXZo175EFoUMeIsmbZLG1_43ADL5192v8R5OcIAcutJsfAc/s1600-h/Final+7.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0UBN1NDKOkRnIww9EIcJAtnKul2UkdPaVteo23uUXaXc35RxrlQ43yicRscsp8ltP-BqPv0XDEQFFAmOAF43sBpjxYzu1rXZo175EFoUMeIsmbZLG1_43ADL5192v8R5OcIAcutJsfAc/s400/Final+7.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448613787426994146" border="0" /></a>Source: <a href="http://www.lauriepeacock.com/">Laurie Peacock</a><br /></div><br />Well, not quite <span style="font-style: italic;">all</span> she wrote. I wanted to say thank you to each and every reader who has left encouraging comments, given advice, and even shared details of your own lives along the way. I started blogging about our wedding because I thought I had so many great ideas, I just had to share them. But I really, truly learned so much from all of you. THANK YOU.<br /><br />Blogging about the wedding has changed my life in so many different ways. I've made new friends, both near and far. I finally found my "blogging voice." Each and every day I'm able to look back on our wedding with so much happiness and pride - the day was beautiful, we were surrounded by so much love, and we actually <span style="font-style: italic;">pulled it off</span>! Oh, and if I get really sentimental about wedding planning, I can simply Google myself, look at Google Images, and see my wedding plans picture by picture. Blogging is awesome like that.<br /><br />Thank you so much for giving me this opportunity over the past year to share our journey. I'm sure I'll still be buzzing around the site, but please feel free to follow me on my new blog, <a href="http://www.growingkookytogether.blogspot.com/">Growing Kooky Together</a>, where I share silly little details about our newlywed life, fun recipes, and random stories.<br /><br />xoxo,<br /><br />Mrs. StilettoLaurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11779301862432140898noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4383586636665371685.post-90529515032757301712010-03-10T12:56:00.005-06:002010-03-10T22:07:03.943-06:00Step by Step: Groovin' to the Music<div>I'm baaaaack! I firmly believe that I have loved doing my recap posts so much, I have stretched them out for as long as I possibly can. No seriously. My time on Weddingbee is rapidly winding down, as I think I've shown you almost everything there is to be shown.<br /><br />::tear::<br /><br />But, I just had to show you some live action from our reception. We didn't opt to hire a videographer, but we had many friends who used their digital cameras to take footage of the day.<br /><br />As I watch these video snippets, as low quality as they are, sometimes it makes me wish that we had shelled out the extra bucks for some professional video. On the other hand, I wouldn't change a thing. Some of these clips captured the most random moments of the day and off-beat snippets of conversation that I doubt a professional would have captured/kept.<br /><br />Beyond the special dances and other details that I won't bore you with, here are some highlights from the day.<br /><br /><strong>A Great Night</strong><br />Thank you, Black Eyed Peas, for giving us the perfect song to start off the dance party at our reception. It truly was a great night, thankyouverymuch.<br /><br /><object width="480" height="295"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/TcW8enN4AKg&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/TcW8enN4AKg&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="295"></embed></object><br /><br /><strong>Some Freestyle Love</strong><br />We were introduced to Greg through our good friends when we were on the hunt for a condo. Turns out, Greg isn't just a <a href="http://blueprint606.myubertor.com/">real estate broker extraordinaire</a>, but he is an amazing freestyler (freestylist?)! We were so excited to have him grab the mic toward the end of the night and give a little performance...I apologize that the quality of the video isn't 100%, but you get the idea.<br /></div><br /><br /><object width="480" height="295"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/MSSrmkKcavE&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/MSSrmkKcavE&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="295"></embed></object><br /><br /><div>Next up - a fond farewell, my Wedding Bee friends!<br /><br /><strong>Previously in our wedding recaps:<br /></strong><a href="http://www.weddingbee.com/2009/10/26/step-by-step-girls-get-ready/">Step by Step: Girls Get Ready</a><br /><a href="http://www.weddingbee.com/2009/10/28/step-by-step-guys-get-ready/">Step by Step: Guys Get Ready</a><br /><a href="http://www.weddingbee.com/2009/11/02/step-by-step-first-look/">Step by Step: First Look</a><br /><a href="http://www.weddingbee.com/2009/11/05/step-by-step-gettin-ready-to-walk/">Step by Step: Gettin’ Ready to Walk</a><br /><a href="http://www.weddingbee.com/2009/11/09/step-by-step-we-get-hitched/">Step by Step: We Get Hitched</a><br /><a href="http://www.weddingbee.com/2009/11/15/step-by-step-strike-a-pose-in-the-park/">Step by Step: Strike a Pose in the Park</a><br /><a href="http://www.weddingbee.com/2009/11/17/step-by-step-urban-love-in-oak-park/#more-118568">Step by Step: Urban Love in Oak Park</a><br /><a href="http://www.weddingbee.com/2009/11/18/step-by-step-lookin-sharp-reception-details/">Step by Step: Lookin’ Sharp - Reception Details</a><br /><a href="http://www.weddingbee.com/2009/11/23/step-by-step-cut-a-cake-and-dance-a-dance/">Step by Step: Cut a Cake and Dance a Dance</a><br /><a href="http://www.weddingbee.com/2009/11/30/step-by-step-some-toasts-thanks-and-more-dancing/">Step by Step: Some Toasts, Thanks and More Dancing</a><br /><a href="http://www.weddingbee.com/2009/12/08/step-by-step-get-low/">Step by Step: Get Low</a><br /></div>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11779301862432140898noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4383586636665371685.post-46245454945575041962010-01-24T11:52:00.003-06:002010-01-24T12:22:30.838-06:00Vendor Review: Jeremy Roeder, First Class WeddingsHi everyone...umm, remember me? I know, I know, it has been far too long since I've shown my face around here. I've been seriously dragging my feet finishing up ye olde recaps. But, in case your memory has completely been wiped of my existence - I'll give you the down and dirty highlights.<br /><br />I had some rockin' <a href="http://www.weddingbee.com/2009/10/29/vendor-review-morgan-blaul-hair-makeup/">hair and make up</a>.<br /><br />My husband got himself into some sticky situations <a href="http://www.weddingbee.com/2009/10/28/step-by-step-guys-get-ready/">before the wedding</a>.<br /><br />We had so much fun <a href="http://www.weddingbee.com/2009/11/17/step-by-step-urban-love-in-oak-park/">taking pictures</a> around Oak Park.<br /><br />I (umm, I mean, we) had a <a href="http://www.weddingbee.com/2009/11/18/step-by-step-lookin-sharp-reception-details/">fabulous, fabulous cake</a>.<br /><br />Ok, so now that you're caught up and can <span style="font-style: italic;">kind of</span> remember my Bee existence, let's dive back into the recaps!<br /><br />Figuring out what DJ to hire was something that, quite honestly, I just didn't want to deal with. I had no clue how to choose a DJ or what to look for.<br /><br />And then, we thought about our friends' wedding in St. Louis about a year before ours. Everyone danced. The DJ did his thing, wasn't cheesey, played great music. We heard through our friends that he was also interested in breaking into the Chicago market. That sealed the deal.<br /><br />So, we contacted Jeremy Roeder of <a href="http://www.music4weddings.com/home">First Class Weddings</a> and he was available for our date. Score! We booked him immediately.<br /><br />Jeremy was really great to work with leading up to the wedding and open to whatever we wanted played. We ended up just making a master list of all of the songs that we would want played rather than giving a "yes" and "no" list. For during dinner, we made a CD for Jeremy to play because there were a lot of random songs that were meaningful to us but weren't really danceable.<br /><br />Here's a shot of Jeremy hard at work:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0lhQlFfLu2ySBg21yL-zTmpDA_mV3_Mf7QYCSI9Yv4OQ-zwxcc_UP3-cwiUUjldKs1DTq8NBH-RgJO74hZyJsXiE8P6GQZxKLX_OxZrVZ-wepmdCuy40XcD2u_Nf6DLmb0QpKkPdOczc/s1600-h/DJ+Post+1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0lhQlFfLu2ySBg21yL-zTmpDA_mV3_Mf7QYCSI9Yv4OQ-zwxcc_UP3-cwiUUjldKs1DTq8NBH-RgJO74hZyJsXiE8P6GQZxKLX_OxZrVZ-wepmdCuy40XcD2u_Nf6DLmb0QpKkPdOczc/s400/DJ+Post+1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430366715919767634" border="0" /></a>Source: <a href="http://www.lauriepeacock.com/">Laurie Peacock</a><br /></div><br />And, of course, the results of Jeremy's labor:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDICuKwM-BRgh17mSTVU-R4idCiti1xVcF0OWlmwiwuML3pD2O-z1MPVFctr9veVQYGNEOfHRgDFiiJ5reQRQNQEF7uQBTUqUplA_LWLf69b2-_r7-NescNiBmwdPKG8jUCDSEa3TAVDE/s1600-h/DJ+Post+2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDICuKwM-BRgh17mSTVU-R4idCiti1xVcF0OWlmwiwuML3pD2O-z1MPVFctr9veVQYGNEOfHRgDFiiJ5reQRQNQEF7uQBTUqUplA_LWLf69b2-_r7-NescNiBmwdPKG8jUCDSEa3TAVDE/s400/DJ+Post+2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430366708965117730" border="0" /></a>Source: <a href="http://www.lauriepeacock.com/">Laurie Peacock</a><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjElXZ0zBPdekk7IUHVujpoStNCrXMUXGh0F890ql1tOsEVzvNbH9S-hgwguryTIzZUU1hagU020FQaMj3mUhqosFrvlnVjXA0Etm1-e0XpQ3L44FR5qy_-KZDo77beiefvPryJNjVEjEk/s1600-h/DJ+Post+3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjElXZ0zBPdekk7IUHVujpoStNCrXMUXGh0F890ql1tOsEVzvNbH9S-hgwguryTIzZUU1hagU020FQaMj3mUhqosFrvlnVjXA0Etm1-e0XpQ3L44FR5qy_-KZDo77beiefvPryJNjVEjEk/s400/DJ+Post+3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430366702874842194" border="0" /></a>Source: <a href="http://www.lauriepeacock.com/">Laurie Peacock</a><br /></div><br />All of our friends danced for the entire reception and there wasn't a single song played that I didn't love. Jeremy doesn't have a cheesey bone in his body. He's so professional and well spoken. Amazing!<br /><br />And, in case you need more proof of Jeremy's fantastic-ness, coming up next are some dancin' videos from the reception.Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11779301862432140898noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4383586636665371685.post-82637892661115578192009-12-15T21:19:00.004-06:002009-12-15T21:42:27.482-06:00Vendor Review: Laurie Peacock PhotographyAs I've been traveling through my wedding day recaps, they wouldn't be complete without sharing about who made these recaps possible. The one, the only, the fabulous Laurie Peacock of <a href="http://www.lauriepeacock.com">Laurie Peacock Photography</a>!<br /><br />See this scrumptiousness that Laurie created?!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlqF7cPBIkqF7GT8BduN6DiBe-cdWpBt1g5AAMWy8NTNWDbxLT_nvZ5EpmsZD-C7Ji9psPqahDwSd7cePzjk9SgsX9WZ7e4Vwwmb0Uxvf7K_eUW_Nkf8EiYOqXWjEXlDH5Sh124ZBvLpw/s1600-h/Review+2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlqF7cPBIkqF7GT8BduN6DiBe-cdWpBt1g5AAMWy8NTNWDbxLT_nvZ5EpmsZD-C7Ji9psPqahDwSd7cePzjk9SgsX9WZ7e4Vwwmb0Uxvf7K_eUW_Nkf8EiYOqXWjEXlDH5Sh124ZBvLpw/s400/Review+2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5415669938290399522" border="0" /></a>Source: <a href="http://www.lauriepeacock.com">Laurie Peacock</a><br /></div><br />Mr. S, a photographer himself, is 100% credited with finding Laurie. We met with her and immediately booked Laurie well over a year before our wedding and never for one second doubted our decision.<br /><br />Laurie has a very photojournalistic style, a great eye for detail and composition, and a fantastic, bubble personality to boot! She's so upbeat and fun to be around but still incredibly professional. I was completely put at ease the morning of the wedding when Laurie arrived at the hotel - I had my shoes, jewelry and rings all lined up and ready for Laurie to start shooting the details!<br /><br />We were also lucky to have a second photographer for the day - <a href="http://www.maggierifephotography.com/index2.php">Maggie Rife</a>. Maggie was so much fun to be around, is a wonderful photographer and managed to catch far <a href="http://www.weddingbee.com/2009/10/28/step-by-step-guys-get-ready/">too much mischief</a> with the guys in the morning!<br /><br />There are so many talented, independent photographers in the Chicago-area and we were lucky enough to have two of them at our wedding. I could continue to rave about their work, but you should just go take a look for yourself. (Oh, and Laurie does some fantastic boudoir photo shoots for those of you who want some photos with sizzle!)Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11779301862432140898noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4383586636665371685.post-83931684491806360832009-12-13T17:57:00.008-06:002009-12-13T18:47:48.252-06:00Step by Step: All About the DetailsIt's a sad day when I have to say that my recap posts are quickly winding down! But, it's a fabulous day because I'm sharing a lot of the little detail shots that didn't end up in the other posts, yet are oh-so-spectacular.<br /><br />Even though I experienced massive dress envy along the way, I still can't help but love the floaty, dreamy feel of my dress. After asking for no beading, no lace but some sort of detail and all for under $1,000, I really lucked out.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh10tPM43dkLfOaQPWw7ZqmQ6ROnCydi_5t0P5oRQFKXJ7I66K1CGFhdPf-6aszIEn87B7TmLSqkaRtntpMFGey0jJCV5FLqaEA0STUAjgfhpy_oATPWrgRn29P6g9cffTBollm7ZqufCE/s1600-h/Details+1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh10tPM43dkLfOaQPWw7ZqmQ6ROnCydi_5t0P5oRQFKXJ7I66K1CGFhdPf-6aszIEn87B7TmLSqkaRtntpMFGey0jJCV5FLqaEA0STUAjgfhpy_oATPWrgRn29P6g9cffTBollm7ZqufCE/s400/Details+1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414874955804573154" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipTDVgfm7oZKTWyHDBfQ_tJREyadujIyNYp2l9DjQ0da08PBkhjuybNdxd002h4oI4oh-xXuFd70gfVvX7U7oGoVO-LhAoLIo8TUV9p2xJr8OP1b0I5QizblvpX6fprsIDGUbqaxl-7bM/s1600-h/Details+2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipTDVgfm7oZKTWyHDBfQ_tJREyadujIyNYp2l9DjQ0da08PBkhjuybNdxd002h4oI4oh-xXuFd70gfVvX7U7oGoVO-LhAoLIo8TUV9p2xJr8OP1b0I5QizblvpX6fprsIDGUbqaxl-7bM/s400/Details+2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414874954454240738" border="0" /></a><br />Swoon. I'm a sucker for shoe shots, and I simply adore this one.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFkZXtEgwCCdqHJI0mRrdu3zfEz79FXQ-ofwij7msLs1kLbob81CHU5GZN7h3D2nE7iMnrS9T_uiCAlQbJADeEs13689iDHBeQ_qlbgS5WWY2oDe9KOAs9GDibebkSWFnngTfDkw23Pxo/s1600-h/Details+3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFkZXtEgwCCdqHJI0mRrdu3zfEz79FXQ-ofwij7msLs1kLbob81CHU5GZN7h3D2nE7iMnrS9T_uiCAlQbJADeEs13689iDHBeQ_qlbgS5WWY2oDe9KOAs9GDibebkSWFnngTfDkw23Pxo/s400/Details+3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414874949675017986" border="0" /></a><br />Another glamor shot of my wonder necklace. I love how it makes a heart!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJSEOocAwOLsMQ1cLGwfuL4ll6xfxzmcifDOkY7nLVYaaBx3Zr8Dl95BeuivIfE494-J8lEEhUPakDnNE45R-N_5dfKidHowyXx9UiOj8oX_uz3Yar3MQonNnNf9LsFnaewMw30iWXKSY/s1600-h/Details+4.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJSEOocAwOLsMQ1cLGwfuL4ll6xfxzmcifDOkY7nLVYaaBx3Zr8Dl95BeuivIfE494-J8lEEhUPakDnNE45R-N_5dfKidHowyXx9UiOj8oX_uz3Yar3MQonNnNf9LsFnaewMw30iWXKSY/s400/Details+4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414874771680642178" border="0" /></a><br />And, what's a wedding day without the obligatory ring shot?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDEwObsBTsaPy5F2chT2sT5GV6QHYE56iMhmjORHt__czSwECjNtgXTSWAP5Fagt7_p7ssZyf3N1KZuinsk_U-RfSmBcg5a8R1jPAYAYzE9hTC3egaAQai5gnGtQCxNi_ZbzpVHt5m69M/s1600-h/Details+5.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDEwObsBTsaPy5F2chT2sT5GV6QHYE56iMhmjORHt__czSwECjNtgXTSWAP5Fagt7_p7ssZyf3N1KZuinsk_U-RfSmBcg5a8R1jPAYAYzE9hTC3egaAQai5gnGtQCxNi_ZbzpVHt5m69M/s400/Details+5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414874771311317298" border="0" /></a><br />Remember the vintage <a href="http://www.weddingbee.com/2009/03/11/bridesmaids-gifts-part-2/">handkerchiefs</a> I bought for my girls? They worked perfectly since their dresses had pockets!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEp-RLT4Wp5DdNlBETr30j581aadf1YQm3v5PWQ9ehoYAGaI3L2RYtBIRT6TjTu6VeyGEZ0gdx_nHDF7CPIJCLA4FeM7N-kc4fVOFDyuKf1bOvt-noq8Ei_0TGyFCuf-nFJr8gDe0zoiM/s1600-h/Details+6.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEp-RLT4Wp5DdNlBETr30j581aadf1YQm3v5PWQ9ehoYAGaI3L2RYtBIRT6TjTu6VeyGEZ0gdx_nHDF7CPIJCLA4FeM7N-kc4fVOFDyuKf1bOvt-noq8Ei_0TGyFCuf-nFJr8gDe0zoiM/s400/Details+6.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414874763500412498" border="0" /></a><br />If I can have shoe shots, so can Mr. S. We debated buying Chucks for all of the groomsmen, but ended up just having a pair for Mr. S. He wore black dress shoes for the ceremony and quickly traded them in for his Chucks.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7gpBZ43CHieal5C2XFoEdQkCQpifZOoo3lYEHVs1roE8li_j6euijFBcjetF627rf3n0_cbA30hXXAJpsevDVRttjeE-yv6m790cf3uErY_KQXUKpBgke-193C8diomfHqVWD9dOUFBk/s1600-h/Details+7.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7gpBZ43CHieal5C2XFoEdQkCQpifZOoo3lYEHVs1roE8li_j6euijFBcjetF627rf3n0_cbA30hXXAJpsevDVRttjeE-yv6m790cf3uErY_KQXUKpBgke-193C8diomfHqVWD9dOUFBk/s400/Details+7.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414874760319482706" border="0" /></a><br />I debated so long and hard about our flowers! In fact, I posted about it <a href="http://www.weddingbee.com/2009/02/27/anemone-anticipation/">here</a>, <a href="http://www.weddingbee.com/2009/03/12/going-green-with-hypericum-berries/">here</a>, <a href="http://www.weddingbee.com/2009/05/11/final-floral-touches/">here</a> and <a href="http://www.weddingbee.com/2009/06/02/a-case-of-the-greens/">here</a>. Whew, that's a lot of flower talk. And probably not all of it...I'm embarrassed to say that I think there might a few more posts out there.<br /><br />Anyway, in the end we stuck with our green and white scheme for the flowers, featuring hydrangeas and dahlias.<br /><br />Each of the bridesmaids carried one of these babies down the aisle. Simple and (hopefully) a little chic with the black and white ribbon loosely tied.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqEYR_RlTBIXLdyUxJoRWjqq9-7-xoaXYN-IlViRAFLAqRDcV-sACIwUeThheIQwO5WjF92NdIEUsLMGMSuQaURyKrrXuD2rYi0y7B5kgqFLdvk_GG-YvDUr983Zorzwvg4FjqJJCiwpU/s1600-h/Details+8.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqEYR_RlTBIXLdyUxJoRWjqq9-7-xoaXYN-IlViRAFLAqRDcV-sACIwUeThheIQwO5WjF92NdIEUsLMGMSuQaURyKrrXuD2rYi0y7B5kgqFLdvk_GG-YvDUr983Zorzwvg4FjqJJCiwpU/s400/Details+8.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414874755778739186" border="0" /></a><br />My bouquet was a larger version. When I'd originally met with my florist, we had discussed using all white flowers for my bouquet to keep it different than the rest. So, imagine my surprise when my green and white bouquet arrived! I was a little frustrated at first, but sucked it up. However, I absolutely love that mine featured green as well. It's MUCH more visually interesting in all of the pictures, and I love it!<br /><br />Hmm, does that stem look somewhat familiar? Let's take a closer look.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjib0hAKT0Gf0MXrcWiTLhftNOjiZmc-rwclQ8wgbO6ImYzVRhynaGOEnj_JuUx3P2vrihylj6JR9IxfRGAeRYBrqLJH2Q7LGNicz3KxUi5SQqm3duaZLpzihwvH-rQR_-nHlpsJ5jWEaE/s1600-h/Details+10.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjib0hAKT0Gf0MXrcWiTLhftNOjiZmc-rwclQ8wgbO6ImYzVRhynaGOEnj_JuUx3P2vrihylj6JR9IxfRGAeRYBrqLJH2Q7LGNicz3KxUi5SQqm3duaZLpzihwvH-rQR_-nHlpsJ5jWEaE/s400/Details+10.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414874469615688850" border="0" /></a><br />Why, it's my Mrs. Lovebug-inspired stem! <a href="http://www.weddingbee.com/2008/06/04/one-lucky-day-cont-details-and-whatnots/">Remember hers</a>? Mrs. Lovebug was my first introduction into Weddingbee, and I simply had to have L-O-V-E on my bouquet, so I picked up the typewriter keys off of Etsy waaaaay before I decided on anything else.<br /><br />We gave the florist a piece of lace off of my mom's wedding dress and had her wrap it around the stem as well. I loved these little details!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKFfgZ2c5ZpkatzQIquzQQL-xaSZSDWZIhov2-ZwfVxCHOFoMS4JdqNeJDQ8qEDwbA52k_xcbFLNBFmTaK4G5e1q871xEi-csY2A6iyVjfA49ayKhxF_CQzXugCMAaXaj66HVc_Tw8cJg/s1600-h/Details+9.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKFfgZ2c5ZpkatzQIquzQQL-xaSZSDWZIhov2-ZwfVxCHOFoMS4JdqNeJDQ8qEDwbA52k_xcbFLNBFmTaK4G5e1q871xEi-csY2A6iyVjfA49ayKhxF_CQzXugCMAaXaj66HVc_Tw8cJg/s400/Details+9.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414874474796024802" border="0" /></a><br />Mr. S rocked a pretty great bouttonniere with some sort of white mum-flower-thing with some green accents, and all the rest of the guys had little pops of green kermit mums.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBbBmhj9hhAHQONqHjVtgDRSWskffo_gQjWvbvdtgeAEXnlaRHgPKe0W3usRaa9EGMUEWHxLM1lD6RreQPd-6vx_pF2bkaVS7wSdC1SadvCAkCsiIZpxM7zLzPdEphCVu9GmE6HETac4A/s1600-h/Details+11.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBbBmhj9hhAHQONqHjVtgDRSWskffo_gQjWvbvdtgeAEXnlaRHgPKe0W3usRaa9EGMUEWHxLM1lD6RreQPd-6vx_pF2bkaVS7wSdC1SadvCAkCsiIZpxM7zLzPdEphCVu9GmE6HETac4A/s400/Details+11.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414874467184792130" border="0" /></a><br />I worked on our programs up until two days before the wedding. Remember my <a href="http://www.weddingbee.com/2009/09/14/wedding-programs-penguin-style/">program inspiration</a>? Unfortunately I think these ended up looking better in pictures than they did in person, considering I printed them on our home printer and cut them with my little $10 Cricut paper cutter.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkbFm6NH39Bj7QUDkv3uT8ZB8TM0gG0s0ldVX43bLFWMLn1F-1kmC2Dropt22F8tNctl5y_eGfd2VSNsI9HHQZq_lIb_f8z4thnV9B40d95urabMf3xIpWCX_KXl8Fjp3S-cSRUzY9Qy4/s1600-h/Details+12.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkbFm6NH39Bj7QUDkv3uT8ZB8TM0gG0s0ldVX43bLFWMLn1F-1kmC2Dropt22F8tNctl5y_eGfd2VSNsI9HHQZq_lIb_f8z4thnV9B40d95urabMf3xIpWCX_KXl8Fjp3S-cSRUzY9Qy4/s400/Details+12.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414874461084138642" border="0" /></a><br />When I posted about our <a href="http://www.weddingbee.com/2009/09/01/leave-your-message-after-the-picture/">guest book plans</a>, I was still doubting it all. Polaroid cameras and film are crazy expensive. That factor combined with concerns over a lot of our guests not even participating in the fun had me stressed.<br /><br />But, it was SO MUCH FUN! Even though some guests never made it over to sign the book (which I'm sure happens at most weddings - I know I've been a guilty guest and not signed!), we still ended up with pictures of everyone. And, toward the end the night I took one of the cameras out on the dance floor and we took a ton of great dancing shots!<br /><br />All of the pictures of our guests were so great, including that of our fabulous photographers, Laurie and Maggie. Seeing them posed there with their cameras is just the cutest thing, and you know you've got some great vendors when they take the time to sign the book!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh29nVPeTAIn90XXpK27pxQFwmauvlcSxkO-mXlZhYPbYkF37PU6NybTYH11dwdiaZldeiHfFDtTinjJZAWH8TNPfpPDLazZXjHUTcQkAs0vD88YRVTbz-uDMM-Nt4EEC0921Ku8Fucq7k/s1600-h/Details+13.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh29nVPeTAIn90XXpK27pxQFwmauvlcSxkO-mXlZhYPbYkF37PU6NybTYH11dwdiaZldeiHfFDtTinjJZAWH8TNPfpPDLazZXjHUTcQkAs0vD88YRVTbz-uDMM-Nt4EEC0921Ku8Fucq7k/s400/Details+13.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414874458932974066" border="0" /></a><br />*Please note: All photos from <a href="http://www.lauriepeacock.com/" rel="" target="_blank">Laurie Peacock Photography</a><br /><br />Next up - Review of Laurie Peacock Photography<br /><p><span style="font-weight: bold;">Previously in our wedding recaps:</span><br /><a href="http://www.weddingbee.com/2009/10/26/step-by-step-girls-get-ready/">Step by Step: Girls Get Ready<br /></a><a href="http://www.weddingbee.com/2009/10/28/step-by-step-guys-get-ready/">Step by Step: Guys Get Ready<br /></a><a href="http://www.weddingbee.com/2009/11/02/step-by-step-first-look/">Step by Step: First Look<br /></a><a href="http://www.weddingbee.com/2009/11/05/step-by-step-gettin-ready-to-walk/">Step by Step: Gettin’ Ready to Walk<br /></a><a href="http://www.weddingbee.com/2009/11/09/step-by-step-we-get-hitched/">Step by Step: We Get Hitched<br /></a><a href="http://www.weddingbee.com/2009/11/15/step-by-step-strike-a-pose-in-the-park/">Step by Step: Strike a Pose in the Park</a><br /><a href="http://www.weddingbee.com/2009/11/17/step-by-step-urban-love-in-oak-park/#more-118568">Step by Step: Urban Love in Oak Park</a><br /><a href="http://www.weddingbee.com/2009/11/18/step-by-step-lookin-sharp-reception-details/">Step by Step: Lookin’ Sharp - Reception Details</a><br /><a href="http://www.weddingbee.com/2009/11/23/step-by-step-cut-a-cake-and-dance-a-dance/">Step by Step: Cut a Cake and Dance a Dance</a><br /><a href="http://www.weddingbee.com/2009/11/30/step-by-step-some-toasts-thanks-and-more-dancing/">Step by Step: Some Toasts, Thanks and More Dancing</a><br /><a href="http://www.weddingbee.com/2009/12/08/step-by-step-get-low/">Step by Step: Get Low</a></p>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11779301862432140898noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4383586636665371685.post-61936708094836807052009-12-07T19:54:00.007-06:002009-12-07T21:14:54.793-06:00Step by Step: Get LowAll the toasts were shared and champagne sipped. Our special dances were done and thank you's complete. There was nothing left to do but hit the dance floor for the night!<br /><br />However...before we get into the good stuff, I have a confession to make. I. Can't. Dance. Whew, there, I said it. Having absolutely no rhythm, moves, or confidence on the dance floor was a huge concern for me leading up to the wedding. Brides always seem so confident and happy on the dance floor, and I knew that wasn't me.<br /><br />I didn't want to consume the required number of alcoholic beverages to give me the false confidence required to even enter the dance space. What's a bride to do, you say? Fake it till you make it!<br /><br />Ok, confession time is over, onto the fun.<br /><br />Our fantastic wedding party took to the floor...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5aTq4mKXYw5cmvR545Pxow1CqmIIsrj1Y7zsiaGG_W2MaoETDWQmqB5q3wxZ-B97GXLjTrjoCkNfai6d0_ReeqqGlz6uEvru2zLZKyA0OgQ-Tvp0bU1l8-9gBrKyXDB95IOojZxd4M2g/s1600-h/Dancing1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5aTq4mKXYw5cmvR545Pxow1CqmIIsrj1Y7zsiaGG_W2MaoETDWQmqB5q3wxZ-B97GXLjTrjoCkNfai6d0_ReeqqGlz6uEvru2zLZKyA0OgQ-Tvp0bU1l8-9gBrKyXDB95IOojZxd4M2g/s400/Dancing1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412680890108165746" border="0" /></a><br />...and later were joined by many more friends.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVsjWgRYHxFJBK3fw0294ahjE6NFP2Zp6rcGwzFmeUkOQ_haH5oIVsXdCxLSi2L54z1rS5lDO_7ibfrBjw-GnBTzwmT8Yusl3g-HjASHYvGPMfeFD2pGLM304lkWdQCbwFTZjOpbUWM7w/s1600-h/Dancing2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVsjWgRYHxFJBK3fw0294ahjE6NFP2Zp6rcGwzFmeUkOQ_haH5oIVsXdCxLSi2L54z1rS5lDO_7ibfrBjw-GnBTzwmT8Yusl3g-HjASHYvGPMfeFD2pGLM304lkWdQCbwFTZjOpbUWM7w/s400/Dancing2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412680884089111170" border="0" /></a><br />We celebrated their wedding a year and a half ago, and was by far one of the most personal, beautiful weddings we have been to! Needless to say, they set the bar pretty high for us as we planned.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2Ne0VQfV7odUhUzEzUoyE20xv28ikCzNYs5LKPrSvsUkjr5bo8FqhU8He4ubDU9Aoqcg48pixVL5_z7CLHz65C1cqDl2pcSXA57qjL8-ghMkCYvJ1Vxt384lT5ycGu0TxmlQq_uHnosc/s1600-h/Dancing3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2Ne0VQfV7odUhUzEzUoyE20xv28ikCzNYs5LKPrSvsUkjr5bo8FqhU8He4ubDU9Aoqcg48pixVL5_z7CLHz65C1cqDl2pcSXA57qjL8-ghMkCYvJ1Vxt384lT5ycGu0TxmlQq_uHnosc/s400/Dancing3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412680879660835842" border="0" /></a><br />So cute!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEEDI02ZOkFdCmsGXnYrLIkfS_MgNkf0Sq1zWcIRQvz_K4elRjt-ARUiBNH2e4Nv46ff5pdiwsx5zQ8aHhTHWP7maojHXG-ueJkdJBi7zLc0P3ikuVDBB9vcwxXiMnE57rMYkfS-nRa24/s1600-h/Dancing6.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEEDI02ZOkFdCmsGXnYrLIkfS_MgNkf0Sq1zWcIRQvz_K4elRjt-ARUiBNH2e4Nv46ff5pdiwsx5zQ8aHhTHWP7maojHXG-ueJkdJBi7zLc0P3ikuVDBB9vcwxXiMnE57rMYkfS-nRa24/s400/Dancing6.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412680338994430882" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Ok, I'm selfishly putting this picture in because my arms actually look somewhat toned in it! I seemed to have flabby-arm-syndrome in the majority of our pictures (ugh).<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu5aFB2uWzEZI62xshmyUBzeTuRUHUBqAHyVpPCBZmXZ2PIk3c6FQYN53rS3BN7E1kYR-37hQ0saU-vR4zj_Jh7i0BuLNNqheKQ5fKtNPyvGpJSEhPEPCnGCFh2hYVP0L8Aec3_n7HxAU/s1600-h/Dancing4.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu5aFB2uWzEZI62xshmyUBzeTuRUHUBqAHyVpPCBZmXZ2PIk3c6FQYN53rS3BN7E1kYR-37hQ0saU-vR4zj_Jh7i0BuLNNqheKQ5fKtNPyvGpJSEhPEPCnGCFh2hYVP0L8Aec3_n7HxAU/s400/Dancing4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412680353516004194" border="0" /></a><br />Hopefully our children will be lucky and get some of Mr. S's moves...cause they definitely won't be getting any from their momma!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq-0s1Xd13Mxx4aopHeHKoj7OuojQfPNG9iChOpVlYT52Awi5uEqGsxmBEFisU9rKlS1fMLSyXXvx3Dgm4AE-UODVofAUEuapNKm7D9halI00gJMbAWd-v1Wa40sKOK0KzwQ7SxTD9qpg/s1600-h/Dancing5.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq-0s1Xd13Mxx4aopHeHKoj7OuojQfPNG9iChOpVlYT52Awi5uEqGsxmBEFisU9rKlS1fMLSyXXvx3Dgm4AE-UODVofAUEuapNKm7D9halI00gJMbAWd-v1Wa40sKOK0KzwQ7SxTD9qpg/s400/Dancing5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412680346365764162" border="0" /></a><br />I had originally planned my attack prior to the wedding. Champagne and wine? Champagne and cocktails? Only beer. Or all of the above? Yes please! Bridesmaid Darcie kept me with vodka tonics for most of the night (thank you!!) but I kept it all within moderation. After 18 months of planning, I wanted to remember my reception, thankyouverymuch.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7NJg3TA1bGciAM-VRFVltd-llsNtQYLtrbNjEkFHeQWy-7d4gycv9PtchlOruaj15svTHMaVpfH5pC2xaY8psnPka2f2L1ukvKwLn23UHnJB55b3GTyYd1DMlZwdzrFDhs6yrNOA_5gk/s1600-h/Dancing7.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7NJg3TA1bGciAM-VRFVltd-llsNtQYLtrbNjEkFHeQWy-7d4gycv9PtchlOruaj15svTHMaVpfH5pC2xaY8psnPka2f2L1ukvKwLn23UHnJB55b3GTyYd1DMlZwdzrFDhs6yrNOA_5gk/s400/Dancing7.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412680333907189202" border="0" /></a><br />We had so many amazing dancing shots captured!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9yZncWswdaQSmutc2LPDYTCoSZrQ-yWc3XnO8OSu4jOA1iwY1_wg3boOa5ZUfCKNja-pBKsNABXUwJZzovBAkF_-tLHVgy8QfPvvSFAkK8FSe4FLX0yCnWdugzoCBibzsqa51S3Adh94/s1600-h/Dancing8.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9yZncWswdaQSmutc2LPDYTCoSZrQ-yWc3XnO8OSu4jOA1iwY1_wg3boOa5ZUfCKNja-pBKsNABXUwJZzovBAkF_-tLHVgy8QfPvvSFAkK8FSe4FLX0yCnWdugzoCBibzsqa51S3Adh94/s400/Dancing8.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412680332923008770" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifPP64LoicJGrJiYaw3pGKelDbDO9NoqSxH1AGX5WimFz_EzMBMfmgElMFdG7Qo9_U5_Ipae1aiYCvMZOGfAbCfKv0Qo81jIpI0piXDmAUFhc0mSG18DvpZ0YTj7IXLYzhsKXYOvNlhQI/s1600-h/Dancing9.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifPP64LoicJGrJiYaw3pGKelDbDO9NoqSxH1AGX5WimFz_EzMBMfmgElMFdG7Qo9_U5_Ipae1aiYCvMZOGfAbCfKv0Qo81jIpI0piXDmAUFhc0mSG18DvpZ0YTj7IXLYzhsKXYOvNlhQI/s400/Dancing9.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412679933650681378" border="0" /></a><br />And to top it off? Prior to the wedding, Mrs. Powderpuff suggested we all learn the "Thriller" dance. With my lack of time combined with lack of skillz, I didn't join in. But, Mrs. Powderpuff and Mrs. Taffy ROCKED OUT.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNrl06Ymb54edqLvyFPnptTRJZEd-QEzYynu6JecvMVC6fZPi-yf1omwN12qnD1AHcdM5ssdUVzD5Z5UAo7WYdp7ACKeKMwosVvD2Ab0p9B9aKp19wyFOvvO1rY-BLeDS20dzG9hJKWdE/s1600-h/Dancing10.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNrl06Ymb54edqLvyFPnptTRJZEd-QEzYynu6JecvMVC6fZPi-yf1omwN12qnD1AHcdM5ssdUVzD5Z5UAo7WYdp7ACKeKMwosVvD2Ab0p9B9aKp19wyFOvvO1rY-BLeDS20dzG9hJKWdE/s400/Dancing10.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412679928389866642" border="0" /></a><br />Notice everyone stopping and staring?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSxq3Fw_l5g2lsVmgAPD57HtxyYBiQsY-ReihwBqbfFVg-fJR128_TUIJccFsyn2w6tjaZOpZtmv_nvGpDdGhw-rjtrF90kH_E_WkfLWxLYt3WrnCGpJxcGqlsB2XYvZlwifTyefPCwDU/s1600-h/Dancing11.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSxq3Fw_l5g2lsVmgAPD57HtxyYBiQsY-ReihwBqbfFVg-fJR128_TUIJccFsyn2w6tjaZOpZtmv_nvGpDdGhw-rjtrF90kH_E_WkfLWxLYt3WrnCGpJxcGqlsB2XYvZlwifTyefPCwDU/s400/Dancing11.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412679917739042322" border="0" /></a><br />As they should be - these ladies totally represented!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUaxg0XnjlbbkhpeoUaWoMwctRojWdUnLdbE2pwv6aOLxdkp6ZobjWWuZG6KnCW3j-xiIVz48BtCyK_eLh0XlDk13pfawG84YJmI44-cenGVM7E3LkqbbtlrYd7_n8bptH-TJEH5DTp-o/s1600-h/Dancing12.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUaxg0XnjlbbkhpeoUaWoMwctRojWdUnLdbE2pwv6aOLxdkp6ZobjWWuZG6KnCW3j-xiIVz48BtCyK_eLh0XlDk13pfawG84YJmI44-cenGVM7E3LkqbbtlrYd7_n8bptH-TJEH5DTp-o/s400/Dancing12.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412679914292088178" border="0" /></a><br />But don't worry, "Thriller" was open to all. Bridesmaid Abby's fiance, Josh, had some moves of his own (we can't wait to celebrate your wedding in just a few months!!).<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7k0AwmpWzkGST4hOVWIM48YgSEj4HQvGjX5pLwNBFnK4YKt_n6Q71zYFcWnDLacspwbICSiRzsJIodRTNBQ-ugBd4o9NJLayln6wOj9rBYQn5uQ29NH6_8DN9fjWF3nFTyUMs06xdCu4/s1600-h/Dancing13.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7k0AwmpWzkGST4hOVWIM48YgSEj4HQvGjX5pLwNBFnK4YKt_n6Q71zYFcWnDLacspwbICSiRzsJIodRTNBQ-ugBd4o9NJLayln6wOj9rBYQn5uQ29NH6_8DN9fjWF3nFTyUMs06xdCu4/s400/Dancing13.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412679911893211090" border="0" /></a><br />We managed to get some slow songs in, too!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipRcXy0t5_GcoSFInd5zLKKT03WwXPVmMk1acX0EXt2rBl4wKZ3bJtrBNqB3GSKLQkzwWha3GKDIE6qYqbjWFrQov3LiMpjcnF85Z7CeIZ_XqvnzVShu3XGyinJAXObW0vQx1cNkwNVNA/s1600-h/Dancing14.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipRcXy0t5_GcoSFInd5zLKKT03WwXPVmMk1acX0EXt2rBl4wKZ3bJtrBNqB3GSKLQkzwWha3GKDIE6qYqbjWFrQov3LiMpjcnF85Z7CeIZ_XqvnzVShu3XGyinJAXObW0vQx1cNkwNVNA/s400/Dancing14.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412679577324230434" border="0" /></a><br />In the midst of it all, Grandpa S and I got a slow dance in. Grandpa has a great singing voice and serenaded both Mr. S and I earlier in the day. But, at the reception, it was all for me as Grandpa sang "You Must Have Been a Beautiful Baby." Such a special moment!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinswEyxgr8Ej9KHtTGTDvJWZAaQzOVvTfyhZ8eaou6HWJshBelKIsPtFtHawDyw_h4BDlgM9TXllgZaLRZCmdIFfZhuyWLcymhtZHmSHH67sy4RSl9QBYjnv_ahGq1MlO0LYeAybYSu3Y/s1600-h/Dancing15.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinswEyxgr8Ej9KHtTGTDvJWZAaQzOVvTfyhZ8eaou6HWJshBelKIsPtFtHawDyw_h4BDlgM9TXllgZaLRZCmdIFfZhuyWLcymhtZHmSHH67sy4RSl9QBYjnv_ahGq1MlO0LYeAybYSu3Y/s400/Dancing15.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412679572561756002" border="0" /></a><br />This is the man who sold us our condo. Not only is he awesome with negotiations, he's not so shabby on the dance floor. He freestyles as well and performed for us later on in the night - it was amazing!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJpd4hjds6bg8ct-eLFjkC3gGY3NuyDE79QYptCNOKsf49aAdJOVbZeuNiYpCVWANAlpf5l8OT_5N5fRRHo15VpocBkRTDm0EG-Kk6F5UL-t6W1G4HocRXMNiCi-C4fHfNaCx6W7jXj2k/s1600-h/Dancing16.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJpd4hjds6bg8ct-eLFjkC3gGY3NuyDE79QYptCNOKsf49aAdJOVbZeuNiYpCVWANAlpf5l8OT_5N5fRRHo15VpocBkRTDm0EG-Kk6F5UL-t6W1G4HocRXMNiCi-C4fHfNaCx6W7jXj2k/s400/Dancing16.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412679561869223970" border="0" /></a><br />Some ladies swoon over Ella Fitzgerald's "At Last." But my song at each and every wedding we attend is Flo Rida's "Get Low." Sigh, you had me at Apple Bottom jeans.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQL3uH1NrZ_fHCMEUWOgWjBz2HCaFEGnADsXMRX4ipSo1gvW3zZLiFVsmR9Yk_d8gobSFSnGsnTBkTxrIX4qP1RQbUIcsnRjbwINeZKu9wlUfNlYt8Rio_Fewldz2kyk06aXq7RZP7Pj8/s1600-h/Dancing17.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQL3uH1NrZ_fHCMEUWOgWjBz2HCaFEGnADsXMRX4ipSo1gvW3zZLiFVsmR9Yk_d8gobSFSnGsnTBkTxrIX4qP1RQbUIcsnRjbwINeZKu9wlUfNlYt8Rio_Fewldz2kyk06aXq7RZP7Pj8/s400/Dancing17.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412679560846520610" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3oIMYiMrkF0HFdoqz1g6RkZigrV_apqkATpVPZO03xafleWIN5fi7rzFO76TTk4Cq5H0GZXke72muvw1gLpj0YgRBUGmuCp5AwRiWnWjhrnb707AvbUB06u_FulR_mWd5vJ54_NavIL0/s1600-h/Dancing18.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3oIMYiMrkF0HFdoqz1g6RkZigrV_apqkATpVPZO03xafleWIN5fi7rzFO76TTk4Cq5H0GZXke72muvw1gLpj0YgRBUGmuCp5AwRiWnWjhrnb707AvbUB06u_FulR_mWd5vJ54_NavIL0/s400/Dancing18.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412679556067910322" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQVBjF4wj73D4z99_ACoxH7fIMrBISF_2pXPjCTQZrbAW6t5foJD-E6YeaIVCcRZdTyV4QZHAoK-vc3W1SrEYPgVw8NeNZ0NIVb5jyy9MiV6k6275j_iH1S_DOgukUDwqn0CgRLBKMKuU/s1600-h/Dancing19.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQVBjF4wj73D4z99_ACoxH7fIMrBISF_2pXPjCTQZrbAW6t5foJD-E6YeaIVCcRZdTyV4QZHAoK-vc3W1SrEYPgVw8NeNZ0NIVb5jyy9MiV6k6275j_iH1S_DOgukUDwqn0CgRLBKMKuU/s400/Dancing19.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412679152014643746" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY4e1dxwDPZa1-FD1YF3BT1uaJmANzlWjwknO0LFgPNm5XpygRxp4mUiZMBJDoi1oWEMrVUZBdt4P5oRw__EFVFjmBtKusQgbQ1ywSIGwm3FDfXmm05gjkWJuCuY4LfJCCP4rcOskS91A/s1600-h/Dancing20.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY4e1dxwDPZa1-FD1YF3BT1uaJmANzlWjwknO0LFgPNm5XpygRxp4mUiZMBJDoi1oWEMrVUZBdt4P5oRw__EFVFjmBtKusQgbQ1ywSIGwm3FDfXmm05gjkWJuCuY4LfJCCP4rcOskS91A/s400/Dancing20.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412679144027164210" border="0" /></a><br />Some brides would freak out when their dress is stepped on and the bustle rips. Me? Just find me my day of coordinator, Marilyn, and grab me a beer.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXkOz_HDEwYqCeOxa9hUso4tOrEgfgZ0a5v4I-nx8JFYaliuMt8YoSBipIADKShkvms_3U_RCI8SXFcw7KfaV_Wb4aU3WhkHgUNyQEpLz2w07cJ09cRT_b0GLe-tGOzahm1TPIWj_6ITg/s1600-h/Dancing21.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXkOz_HDEwYqCeOxa9hUso4tOrEgfgZ0a5v4I-nx8JFYaliuMt8YoSBipIADKShkvms_3U_RCI8SXFcw7KfaV_Wb4aU3WhkHgUNyQEpLz2w07cJ09cRT_b0GLe-tGOzahm1TPIWj_6ITg/s400/Dancing21.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412679138465503970" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQeiB6dNSOqsYfcioQFbjXOgjDZ5xV4OzurXuO6wXvh5P3ATw6Kgwlt6-J6mBulYnITBjgQ-ap7GzHkOXQgPkO_yLge_HjwUdI19V0Gu7JNGRxYh8UYp_wwc_HRkBQdWn5sm8LRD9cqWc/s1600-h/Dancing22.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQeiB6dNSOqsYfcioQFbjXOgjDZ5xV4OzurXuO6wXvh5P3ATw6Kgwlt6-J6mBulYnITBjgQ-ap7GzHkOXQgPkO_yLge_HjwUdI19V0Gu7JNGRxYh8UYp_wwc_HRkBQdWn5sm8LRD9cqWc/s400/Dancing22.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412679126995364866" border="0" /></a><br />Whew! Dress crisis averted, beer in hand, man on my arm. Can it get any better?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkKmWy3J7qV5UYNP59xT2ACH0yrRqVSYUgtOHfcQf62YAC9Az64oemicH9AmhKk1XSBPOZiRdjnJ1FGXooH8KTzBxr5jrIikbma3Gd2V4OG-u16lXAw5Mo2lUEo6Q5OC82Hazs7eOxuYU/s1600-h/Dancing23.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkKmWy3J7qV5UYNP59xT2ACH0yrRqVSYUgtOHfcQf62YAC9Az64oemicH9AmhKk1XSBPOZiRdjnJ1FGXooH8KTzBxr5jrIikbma3Gd2V4OG-u16lXAw5Mo2lUEo6Q5OC82Hazs7eOxuYU/s400/Dancing23.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412679121096015490" border="0" /></a><br />*Please note: All photos from <a href="http://www.lauriepeacock.com/" rel="" target="_blank">Laurie Peacock Photography</a><br /><br />Next Up - Never before seen details of the day.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Previously in our wedding recaps:</span><br /><a href="http://www.weddingbee.com/2009/10/26/step-by-step-girls-get-ready/">Step by Step: Girls Get Ready<br /></a><a href="http://www.weddingbee.com/2009/10/28/step-by-step-guys-get-ready/">Step by Step: Guys Get Ready<br /></a><a href="http://www.weddingbee.com/2009/11/02/step-by-step-first-look/">Step by Step: First Look<br /></a><a href="http://www.weddingbee.com/2009/11/05/step-by-step-gettin-ready-to-walk/">Step by Step: Gettin’ Ready to Walk<br /></a><a href="http://www.weddingbee.com/2009/11/09/step-by-step-we-get-hitched/">Step by Step: We Get Hitched<br /></a><a href="http://www.weddingbee.com/2009/11/15/step-by-step-strike-a-pose-in-the-park/">Step by Step: Strike a Pose in the Park</a><br /><a href="http://www.weddingbee.com/2009/11/17/step-by-step-urban-love-in-oak-park/#more-118568">Step by Step: Urban Love in Oak Park</a><br /><a href="http://www.weddingbee.com/2009/11/18/step-by-step-lookin-sharp-reception-details/">Step by Step: Lookin' Sharp - Reception Details</a><br /><a href="http://www.weddingbee.com/2009/11/23/step-by-step-cut-a-cake-and-dance-a-dance/">Step by Step: Cut a Cake and Dance a Dance</a><br /><a href="http://www.weddingbee.com/2009/11/30/step-by-step-some-toasts-thanks-and-more-dancing/">Step by Step: Some Toasts, Thanks and More Dancing</a>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11779301862432140898noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4383586636665371685.post-57833046914463314552009-12-03T12:19:00.008-06:002009-12-03T12:39:26.887-06:00Ornament Inspiration: Stiletto Version<div align="left">It's that time of year already! I can't even believe it. I'd like to think that Mr. S and I will get our little Christmas tree out of storage and decorate with our el-cheepo Target ornaments (you know, the ones that come all in a big container for $4.99 and <em>look</em> like metal but really aren't?), but we're probably too lazy for even that.<br /><br />Hopefully, though, Mr. UPS, Mr. FexEx and Mr. USPS will be dropping off the many gifts we have ordered in the past week so that we can get to wrapping and at least make the place look a little more festive!<br /><br />Anyway, in the spirit of the season and in honor of those brides currently planning winter wonderland weddings, I give you my ornament inspiration board, full of silver, sparkle, and everything nice. </div><div align="left"><br /></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left">Inspiration:<br /></div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"></div><p align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411080199249688898" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 379px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZQVhrSh1Xp7xdxl57xA64Nkxw4Y0OstFDtkPQPWT4Y4dXR5dB6jyUvO5OTjSyZQgjpkNaNBoxZb4rBoLa3_oqGDkSTYW1DzMJSm57hWHrBoY9Of4Gz5-I1oR4FpNCP_L7vR_SiVZMArg/s400/Ornament.jpg" border="0" /> <a href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=35894178&ref=sr_list_6&&ga_search_query=tree+ornament+silver&ga_search_type=handmade&ga_page=&includes[]=tags&includes[]=title">Source</a></p><p><br /><br />Blissful winter wedding: </p><p></p><p><br /></p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ3wsjB12gvuUB-nSt3OgIOy4QB5QjsPqATZ7xv36ylsopU7PiPwENCaNEAY5EOdIV_Qfy1bVbUEUI7AjaCnUJW31JKkbEAdjrSFgAMJ98f_g6k-U51KSOvzlfUrF0D5eYFwW1bx1ZKHM/s1600-h/Ornament+Collage.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411076267971035698" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ3wsjB12gvuUB-nSt3OgIOy4QB5QjsPqATZ7xv36ylsopU7PiPwENCaNEAY5EOdIV_Qfy1bVbUEUI7AjaCnUJW31JKkbEAdjrSFgAMJ98f_g6k-U51KSOvzlfUrF0D5eYFwW1bx1ZKHM/s400/Ornament+Collage.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div align="center">Row 1 (L-R): <a href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=35894178&ref=sr_list_6&&ga_search_query=tree+ornament+silver&ga_search_type=handmade&ga_page=&includes[]=tags&includes[]=title">1</a> <a href="http://www.cakepower.com/default4.asp?WebsiteID=5260&theIF=%2Fgallery%2Easp%3FWebsiteID%3D5260">2</a> <a href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=29216625">3</a></div><div align="center">Row 2 (L-R): <a href="http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/3012189?cm_cat=datafeed&cm_pla=shoes:women:sandals%2fslides&cm_ite=jessica_simpson_%27hardy%27_slingback:239793_1&cm_ven=Linkshare&siteId=Hy3bqNL2jtQ-twC_ckfGOv8ENyhSi45Z0w">1</a> <a href="https://www.kleinfeldbridal.com/staging/index.cfm?pid=52&item_id=10293&showpic=10540&rowid=1&page=1">2</a> <a href="http://www.polyvore.com/suzy_smith_sequin_bow_clutch/thing?id=10976155">3</a></div><br /><div align="center"><br /> </div><div align="left">That dress alone makes me swoon enough to want to plan my wedding all over again, sigh. Maybe one day I'll buy a dress just like it and sit around in it at home watching reality shows. Who says loungewear can't also be fancy?</div><br /><div align="left">Happy, happy holidays!</div>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11779301862432140898noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4383586636665371685.post-50141839311655229772009-11-29T19:22:00.009-06:002009-11-29T20:01:04.976-06:00Step by Step: Some Toasts, Thanks and More DancingAfter 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!<br /><br />Daddy Stiletto started off with a sweet welcome for all of our guests at the beginning of dinner.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzLJWXR1zpIVeUCoT-7tf8j7iPlzpIQmu9ns7-_JYiPFnL2kY1GO_qbfLlEPZ27u99B8TX8fVe9_7CW4K3dHCZK-aZylC25xYmhDanSNHmx7jmIv3B_ka982K49ph9E7eXsg1eYwrvAXU/s1600/Dinner+1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzLJWXR1zpIVeUCoT-7tf8j7iPlzpIQmu9ns7-_JYiPFnL2kY1GO_qbfLlEPZ27u99B8TX8fVe9_7CW4K3dHCZK-aZylC25xYmhDanSNHmx7jmIv3B_ka982K49ph9E7eXsg1eYwrvAXU/s400/Dinner+1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409702192566005746" border="0" /></a><br />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!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjawG30L3lSC6tdE6Y35oPW5-If7qfDK9-aFS5mqs87xGu_fb8YuPOEC-HD9iSHEhz0bNEzWvkaw6_t-Tyzia1Jrgc_2kCLSekKEJgQ3KnBe23L3FEBPRij68lmBePXu_GH80CXMF3AUHw/s1600/Dinner+2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjawG30L3lSC6tdE6Y35oPW5-If7qfDK9-aFS5mqs87xGu_fb8YuPOEC-HD9iSHEhz0bNEzWvkaw6_t-Tyzia1Jrgc_2kCLSekKEJgQ3KnBe23L3FEBPRij68lmBePXu_GH80CXMF3AUHw/s400/Dinner+2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409702187860344114" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrHA962f3mvZ8QSXXDKQFn8_QGwKIox7mcGqEQMZoWo5Sf93M8XcAY8OOv2ftlsxykPyBpGjSh4ANe3N8tTN2ocUlQRSUM0__0QEEF_N7cFTm2byDyLMd8cATCtgjxutsxt8UCcxYho_k/s1600/Dinner+3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrHA962f3mvZ8QSXXDKQFn8_QGwKIox7mcGqEQMZoWo5Sf93M8XcAY8OOv2ftlsxykPyBpGjSh4ANe3N8tTN2ocUlQRSUM0__0QEEF_N7cFTm2byDyLMd8cATCtgjxutsxt8UCcxYho_k/s400/Dinner+3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409702079351411874" border="0" /></a><br />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.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKIV0wqiVMG6hHIi4SdJpamJsRXI9pn7thCjZF8TWbtvjQ407uRKigVlRl7P3_SOU2PG4gp3iwqnxrZ2t7bBzsEuhDNEyz7KpjVO9OSkwVgx0zm_2eKTmasgGbMfazZMCd5ie3TcqEM90/s1600/Dinner+4.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKIV0wqiVMG6hHIi4SdJpamJsRXI9pn7thCjZF8TWbtvjQ407uRKigVlRl7P3_SOU2PG4gp3iwqnxrZ2t7bBzsEuhDNEyz7KpjVO9OSkwVgx0zm_2eKTmasgGbMfazZMCd5ie3TcqEM90/s400/Dinner+4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409702077487746066" border="0" /></a><br />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!).<br /><br />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 - <a href="http://www.weddingbee.com/2009/03/05/bridesmaid-gifts-part-1/">remember those?</a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjPzVtUKFhI08-isfpHcvD3LL6eYzqnx7FjTI67L9lSnIgdg05YmXLfZ-Lx9ekR_H1CBkx1rnEXlqbQggrkUCkUJ_LW_f5WUrpSUfCnR92WkxcJkBmv9iMIxvhFK3u_eplrIHcUKYKrQY/s1600/Dinner+5.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjPzVtUKFhI08-isfpHcvD3LL6eYzqnx7FjTI67L9lSnIgdg05YmXLfZ-Lx9ekR_H1CBkx1rnEXlqbQggrkUCkUJ_LW_f5WUrpSUfCnR92WkxcJkBmv9iMIxvhFK3u_eplrIHcUKYKrQY/s400/Dinner+5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409702069187161090" border="0" /></a><br />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!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuqQI1HuRqRRmK8g6eEpEuuwoJElOSJpaM_wNKiE7Jg2JZpURVxRJZiP7Tky0DXsmVUig9Y7ZnxODuyxSqxcBOSJuGfixLUAVu1qwEGfokibUDGh1gRlWXjD3d83gd_LhYRwqzv9BcnEE/s1600/Dinner+6.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuqQI1HuRqRRmK8g6eEpEuuwoJElOSJpaM_wNKiE7Jg2JZpURVxRJZiP7Tky0DXsmVUig9Y7ZnxODuyxSqxcBOSJuGfixLUAVu1qwEGfokibUDGh1gRlWXjD3d83gd_LhYRwqzv9BcnEE/s400/Dinner+6.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409702067225699794" border="0" /></a><br />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.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTnhIAmnkMPhFZYug23F1qKptls26JKvvBJ6NlG361zdAgIyEhT31I5NU21CEXxrjy8imPLq8EjTjQZUz0WqlvB5FXW_llnhSR2urKABgi0y3STisREHGeZmgDuxLSAAhv7vswu-5gNQ0/s1600/Dinner+7.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTnhIAmnkMPhFZYug23F1qKptls26JKvvBJ6NlG361zdAgIyEhT31I5NU21CEXxrjy8imPLq8EjTjQZUz0WqlvB5FXW_llnhSR2urKABgi0y3STisREHGeZmgDuxLSAAhv7vswu-5gNQ0/s400/Dinner+7.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409702062424403682" border="0" /></a><br />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."<br /><br />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.<br /><br />Of course, all was good and who would have thought it would later be a humorous start to Matt's toast?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhORqQpXhgUrBOfFXVEgnqJRzH7-ODMQn5wJHIQ3uYo5LltstBMKSjswdgmHwxp3agBxtZcxcKAe8g8usV7gTdRcreGPxigk-SzK61WHrXofuxA9TEJUq3479u1YyejyLyY2rM7E75WFbc/s1600/Dinner+8.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhORqQpXhgUrBOfFXVEgnqJRzH7-ODMQn5wJHIQ3uYo5LltstBMKSjswdgmHwxp3agBxtZcxcKAe8g8usV7gTdRcreGPxigk-SzK61WHrXofuxA9TEJUq3479u1YyejyLyY2rM7E75WFbc/s400/Dinner+8.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409701753226233346" border="0" /></a><br />Overall, we were both so happy to be surrounded by family and friends and hear their kind words.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikQtIQoYEEPV1YFM7bJT5wGStA6s7rdKSFCSNWnv5Fz8c9vQ9cfoYhkP-jSmFsf3qOWX140Z4jfrB-R4B8qjya4FuKRHZpKiwmjeQzuZbQ1RhBe2UQz8ACN1kzQv_vM37uuuGTE6ood5A/s1600/Dinner+9.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikQtIQoYEEPV1YFM7bJT5wGStA6s7rdKSFCSNWnv5Fz8c9vQ9cfoYhkP-jSmFsf3qOWX140Z4jfrB-R4B8qjya4FuKRHZpKiwmjeQzuZbQ1RhBe2UQz8ACN1kzQv_vM37uuuGTE6ood5A/s400/Dinner+9.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409701750851206066" border="0" /></a><br />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.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtA5YPvzSLXxD9MYRaA1qG-9dLPPNw9j9ySo3kLJf7w_hAPQPm4GDlEaxs7A5ccBf1qGKsjx7HOQaoZ2mbB-qHtkuo_EZyUuDWjEdO2JbimwNj6CBvuI0PQAC_Nrd23cVMmVrDJVv6J50/s1600/Dinner+10.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtA5YPvzSLXxD9MYRaA1qG-9dLPPNw9j9ySo3kLJf7w_hAPQPm4GDlEaxs7A5ccBf1qGKsjx7HOQaoZ2mbB-qHtkuo_EZyUuDWjEdO2JbimwNj6CBvuI0PQAC_Nrd23cVMmVrDJVv6J50/s400/Dinner+10.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409701744437547970" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0w_1jYPxNNXtYk5qMoNd-xWvuMJRkam46fJ8j1NxWgeUIrpFhE5c6x7UefGyGL7m2C2PZWSXidbfwaEGx4L4PTlsaxKBxNQclaXyytvnwSa3Roa6rEyC9RybCV_ogzz0P3BMTBWS3KZA/s1600/Dinner+11.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0w_1jYPxNNXtYk5qMoNd-xWvuMJRkam46fJ8j1NxWgeUIrpFhE5c6x7UefGyGL7m2C2PZWSXidbfwaEGx4L4PTlsaxKBxNQclaXyytvnwSa3Roa6rEyC9RybCV_ogzz0P3BMTBWS3KZA/s400/Dinner+11.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409701741073054098" border="0" /></a><br />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!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4dex0Q7s05MPudD7yi9rZ15wgvT7FQWjOkpuRgZErKFDz5f6FSaLUybMu31VbGOO5Cud9m2hwf1E4_PWscTen9lyEN4t1EHOjg5hQ5S7eD70vJIpl54cb07l0EkXAVadBbHflw1K2lAM/s1600/Dinner+12.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4dex0Q7s05MPudD7yi9rZ15wgvT7FQWjOkpuRgZErKFDz5f6FSaLUybMu31VbGOO5Cud9m2hwf1E4_PWscTen9lyEN4t1EHOjg5hQ5S7eD70vJIpl54cb07l0EkXAVadBbHflw1K2lAM/s400/Dinner+12.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409701739040341570" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzldEnbHCV3d0httcQ8zO8SeS7hSAzEoGxHeECi-2F33rD6TvqHVO1B9OwScUD_XgGxnhlZgL8C8aMk-cAA6WL8TchVIt6BLdCWpknjnJpUYIofiZxo61-CCyqF5-gZ1P_0SAWSJ_b5qI/s1600/Dinner+14.1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzldEnbHCV3d0httcQ8zO8SeS7hSAzEoGxHeECi-2F33rD6TvqHVO1B9OwScUD_XgGxnhlZgL8C8aMk-cAA6WL8TchVIt6BLdCWpknjnJpUYIofiZxo61-CCyqF5-gZ1P_0SAWSJ_b5qI/s400/Dinner+14.1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409701386489835522" border="0" /></a><br />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.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFFfXxFVRJOmfCF-w3SHNVN36_PcvsM3so_a6I40cAQCbysYHXqnk2lLwppsrvXY_c4_jDyQeLUt1aWjSAcojTqUjG13jhzc140RY1O2tODG5x1PJ6F6LIFTBfTMIOe81abaSwqYK3G3s/s1600/Dinner+14.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFFfXxFVRJOmfCF-w3SHNVN36_PcvsM3so_a6I40cAQCbysYHXqnk2lLwppsrvXY_c4_jDyQeLUt1aWjSAcojTqUjG13jhzc140RY1O2tODG5x1PJ6F6LIFTBfTMIOe81abaSwqYK3G3s/s400/Dinner+14.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409701383082621362" border="0" /></a><br />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 <span style="font-style: italic;">finally</span> gobbled down a piece after tracking down a fork from the catering staff!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-ocUV1kQuSlUh-bSlmZhU1tEZS4pdqj3aqfcJgZSUjKrZmq0q_sVEHyjlCMCpxzFeRfnNCca2FrK-3QP9QBcdvvDVHXya7PEn65K13gbeJlyNehNn6ezOWD8jiyufGnc_nzoCCe8JgdQ/s1600/Dinner+15.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-ocUV1kQuSlUh-bSlmZhU1tEZS4pdqj3aqfcJgZSUjKrZmq0q_sVEHyjlCMCpxzFeRfnNCca2FrK-3QP9QBcdvvDVHXya7PEn65K13gbeJlyNehNn6ezOWD8jiyufGnc_nzoCCe8JgdQ/s400/Dinner+15.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409701376122847362" border="0" /></a><br />The formalities were finally done so it's all dancing and fun from here on out!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHze9Mak-v07J1goRVV4oDDRgd9QN_IcRIDj7ptl8A8TFvzGlEfaNWZWMa5FrVEeoFaSx92j5FG7qpwF4Fx4xmPK-n77daCu658JFnmowDxp0N0_MmqJi82-1iI9jmXva65NqUioH5ox8/s1600/Dinner+16.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHze9Mak-v07J1goRVV4oDDRgd9QN_IcRIDj7ptl8A8TFvzGlEfaNWZWMa5FrVEeoFaSx92j5FG7qpwF4Fx4xmPK-n77daCu658JFnmowDxp0N0_MmqJi82-1iI9jmXva65NqUioH5ox8/s400/Dinner+16.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409701370717998546" border="0" /></a><br />*Please note: All photos from <a href="http://www.lauriepeacock.com/" rel="" target="_blank">Laurie Peacock Photography</a><br /><br />Next Up - We bust out our dancing shoes!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Previously in our wedding recaps:</span><br /><a href="http://www.weddingbee.com/2009/10/26/step-by-step-girls-get-ready/">Step by Step: Girls Get Ready<br /></a><a href="http://www.weddingbee.com/2009/10/28/step-by-step-guys-get-ready/">Step by Step: Guys Get Ready<br /></a><a href="http://www.weddingbee.com/2009/11/02/step-by-step-first-look/">Step by Step: First Look<br /></a><a href="http://www.weddingbee.com/2009/11/05/step-by-step-gettin-ready-to-walk/">Step by Step: Gettin’ Ready to Walk<br /></a><a href="http://www.weddingbee.com/2009/11/09/step-by-step-we-get-hitched/">Step by Step: We Get Hitched<br /></a><a href="http://www.weddingbee.com/2009/11/15/step-by-step-strike-a-pose-in-the-park/">Step by Step: Strike a Pose in the Park</a><br /><a href="http://www.weddingbee.com/2009/11/17/step-by-step-urban-love-in-oak-park/#more-118568">Step by Step: Urban Love in Oak Park</a><br /><a href="http://www.weddingbee.com/2009/11/18/step-by-step-lookin-sharp-reception-details/">Step by Step: Lookin' Sharp - Reception Details</a><br /><a href="http://www.weddingbee.com/2009/11/23/step-by-step-cut-a-cake-and-dance-a-dance/">Step by Step: Cut a Cake and Dance a Dance</a>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11779301862432140898noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4383586636665371685.post-91115501971886373792009-11-22T17:25:00.006-06:002009-11-22T18:17:57.430-06:00Step by Step: Cut a Cake and Dance a DanceEven though we were able to sneak in a see the ballroom before the reception, it was SO exciting to come back in to a room full of guests! It was so fun to be introduced as the new "Mr. and Mrs. Stiletto"!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUoqu-ZofV_hqq9Q6JMAsZMI_VBfHd7q65n9c2pEF-G_PXLWvPi1skMbvYXDiZ9zErnKAUz-HlNlfzWaUsDRjaw9nV3xOGHAMvS5idsLlXlDJbv-3jun0gc4Pgy-UBHjtSQQRDomiNYjk/s1600/Cutting1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUoqu-ZofV_hqq9Q6JMAsZMI_VBfHd7q65n9c2pEF-G_PXLWvPi1skMbvYXDiZ9zErnKAUz-HlNlfzWaUsDRjaw9nV3xOGHAMvS5idsLlXlDJbv-3jun0gc4Pgy-UBHjtSQQRDomiNYjk/s400/Cutting1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407074136624510178" border="0" /></a><br />Because we nixed our head table at the last minute in favor of having everyone sit a different round tables, I had a momentary freak out about where the wedding party would go once entering the ballroom. We were all sitting close to the door we'd enter through, so it would be a rather lackluster grand entrance if people went straight to their seats!<br /><br />Mr. S had the best idea - everyone lined up behind the cake and waited for us to arrive. Genius!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7dKQXugxdXQHyI4IhA1ILeMmEvJxh0Wzl3yZXx_heOwdnFKyPTflYjNiNfjGQXisy4somzHqzPB87fe3h2iMcCFCIZmyP-IFLMc2GX6tng27dUcFOVeczmj9SExpFjmK9SPtvlmcy-R0/s1600/Cutting2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7dKQXugxdXQHyI4IhA1ILeMmEvJxh0Wzl3yZXx_heOwdnFKyPTflYjNiNfjGQXisy4somzHqzPB87fe3h2iMcCFCIZmyP-IFLMc2GX6tng27dUcFOVeczmj9SExpFjmK9SPtvlmcy-R0/s400/Cutting2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407074130160693042" border="0" /></a><br />Note to future brides: your wedding cake may seem very intimidating when you go to cut it. Have your wedding coordinator or someone from catering give you a quick lesson. Even with that, we struggled to get through this sucker. It was too pretty to cut!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiT0RwmlbBCmSbNZyRYMcv9ILM9QQb8fjrmSSCy5phTvmHuGNwqf7b6AtiRXvnR_oUAeLntz2obXDCODvbdGXg9q5X0DnuoFotEIFy7hOhON9mk6Q6-O-Dfg30yB6TLHI16-nwk9dS1xM/s1600/Cutting3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiT0RwmlbBCmSbNZyRYMcv9ILM9QQb8fjrmSSCy5phTvmHuGNwqf7b6AtiRXvnR_oUAeLntz2obXDCODvbdGXg9q5X0DnuoFotEIFy7hOhON9mk6Q6-O-Dfg30yB6TLHI16-nwk9dS1xM/s400/Cutting3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407074127851460274" border="0" /></a><br />Nope, no cake smashing for us! I don't think we would have regardless (I get majorly weirded out about having food on my face in public!), but with a fondant-covered cake, there's no messy frosting to smush.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOlkvk3qHSgBkoRQXPR9PAxOCc7Ivsb-AMJa4uXDDWFLlvxtJtefcK9CC5br4XBpFE5UHJ-jUJSsuKouofEry62oQEfr8JzIpt-xnO0UJ2k9IX_0sCTExs1gfC0c5skzcNYo2OKMMNK2g/s1600/Cutting4.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOlkvk3qHSgBkoRQXPR9PAxOCc7Ivsb-AMJa4uXDDWFLlvxtJtefcK9CC5br4XBpFE5UHJ-jUJSsuKouofEry62oQEfr8JzIpt-xnO0UJ2k9IX_0sCTExs1gfC0c5skzcNYo2OKMMNK2g/s400/Cutting4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407073762707511330" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMTFIbwMtnB4f7oS40eRyNjz4yenNNji8BEjj2Wcyb1xafFkA5vrDbcLBEbZLG9pCMA1_U0Pk6IZKnvfjG-zWxW0CEdEi6h3oPiaNMzJaBdxHok7LEBp670CKEonNRNyUE1OwtGf49RqE/s1600/Cutting5.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMTFIbwMtnB4f7oS40eRyNjz4yenNNji8BEjj2Wcyb1xafFkA5vrDbcLBEbZLG9pCMA1_U0Pk6IZKnvfjG-zWxW0CEdEi6h3oPiaNMzJaBdxHok7LEBp670CKEonNRNyUE1OwtGf49RqE/s400/Cutting5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407073757621544386" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh_kWTcq0KHMMzY-DoL7NIuLAR7svWf6HGr9dZS5mE8YTpzqyM7hWEK-A0-A7TujZON-6q31VsJ1tI0RPYlV8LBJ1qjgDDPLWjgG046p2IFx835gLIRIFcyfxlShPwlihSl3Urt-N8CiE/s1600/Cutting6.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh_kWTcq0KHMMzY-DoL7NIuLAR7svWf6HGr9dZS5mE8YTpzqyM7hWEK-A0-A7TujZON-6q31VsJ1tI0RPYlV8LBJ1qjgDDPLWjgG046p2IFx835gLIRIFcyfxlShPwlihSl3Urt-N8CiE/s400/Cutting6.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407073760726637778" border="0" /></a><br />We played the song "All I Want is You" by Barry Louis Polisar during the cake cutting. It was Mr. S's pick and I wasn't sure how well it would work for this, but it was PERFECT. We had the most fun cake cutting and thanks to <a href="http://www.weddingbee.com/author/taffy/">Mrs. Taffy</a>, you can check out the fun!<br /><br /><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/u8eKvkiiFcU&hl=en_US&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/u8eKvkiiFcU&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="344" width="425"></embed></object><br /><br />Straight from cake, it was time to dance! Mr. S and I have always liked the weddings where immediately on entering the reception, the bride and groom cut the cake and dance their first dance. Getting it all done off the bat let us get two of those "must do's" checked off the list right away.<br /><br />We danced to "Right Red Ankle" by The Decemberists. After many song debates between the two of us on <a href="http://www.weddingbee.com/2009/05/29/we-together-make-a-limb/">out here in the blogosphere</a>, this was definitely the right choice. But, as sweet as it was, 3 1/2 minutes seemed like a lifetime! I struggle having all eyes on me, and I felt like we were SO front and center during the song.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR39yGIqRCw0YfwiUI0eHApzrNbXP1qUueOnfQ_sgPfvtE1A3h65tV3jXjOwP2mro7CTMpF0tbaQHikd_asc8ofbWoqwXTMXP6HmVdbB4PGLLv-mF_51F_DACWoA_0ALtxaIfhXlIt1eE/s1600/Cutting7.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR39yGIqRCw0YfwiUI0eHApzrNbXP1qUueOnfQ_sgPfvtE1A3h65tV3jXjOwP2mro7CTMpF0tbaQHikd_asc8ofbWoqwXTMXP6HmVdbB4PGLLv-mF_51F_DACWoA_0ALtxaIfhXlIt1eE/s400/Cutting7.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407073753514449234" border="0" /></a><br />So, while I enjoyed our first dance, I was relieved when the song ended and all eyes could be on someone else for a minute!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJtK_TkNqFSEBcA35iWTBuhYqVd1USJfNskkDpwnDHBns8aIWN_Olcd90tj48yFevjYV-MN1ATsIUe7oITcxj5de8Hm9VThluiJeuJH8JCj_NxOzxl9Jo2p2APYye__nfeVH-UH2BIA34/s1600/Cutting8.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJtK_TkNqFSEBcA35iWTBuhYqVd1USJfNskkDpwnDHBns8aIWN_Olcd90tj48yFevjYV-MN1ATsIUe7oITcxj5de8Hm9VThluiJeuJH8JCj_NxOzxl9Jo2p2APYye__nfeVH-UH2BIA34/s400/Cutting8.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407073749956303970" border="0" /></a><br />*Please note: All photos from <a href="http://www.lauriepeacock.com/" rel="" target="_blank">Laurie Peacock Photography</a><br /><br />Next Up - some toasts and more dancing!<br /><p><span style="font-weight: bold;">Previously in our wedding recaps:</span><br /><a href="http://www.weddingbee.com/2009/10/26/step-by-step-girls-get-ready/">Step by Step: Girls Get Ready<br /></a><a href="http://www.weddingbee.com/2009/10/28/step-by-step-guys-get-ready/">Step by Step: Guys Get Ready<br /></a><a href="http://www.weddingbee.com/2009/11/02/step-by-step-first-look/">Step by Step: First Look<br /></a><a href="http://www.weddingbee.com/2009/11/05/step-by-step-gettin-ready-to-walk/">Step by Step: Gettin’ Ready to Walk<br /></a><a href="http://www.weddingbee.com/2009/11/09/step-by-step-we-get-hitched/">Step by Step: We Get Hitched<br /></a><a href="http://www.weddingbee.com/2009/11/15/step-by-step-strike-a-pose-in-the-park/">Step by Step: Strike a Pose in the Park</a><br /><a href="http://www.weddingbee.com/2009/11/17/step-by-step-urban-love-in-oak-park/#more-118568">Step by Step: Urban Love in Oak Park</a><br /><a href="http://www.weddingbee.com/2009/11/18/step-by-step-lookin-sharp-reception-details/">Step by Step: Lookin' Sharp - Reception Details</a><br /></p>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11779301862432140898noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4383586636665371685.post-52825333075569656442009-11-17T20:00:00.000-06:002009-11-17T20:15:41.542-06:00Step by Step: Lookin' Sharp - Reception DetailsWithout further adieu, I give your our fabulous, fabulous cake from <a href="http://www.thesugarsyndicate.com/home.htm">Sugar Syndicate</a>:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9rnhS3i9JMxXVi7zeZ0D4En4eJqUxEaqal1KhbD6rk5srepi7lggZL_82Cr2bBUChqwsC0aRXu6sc2ao3JzygMrG9LT9J2bcrToOG-scnc6-Hr21bdqy6W-V_7L0c4QWKU0mkOar9AZE/s1600/Details+1.0.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9rnhS3i9JMxXVi7zeZ0D4En4eJqUxEaqal1KhbD6rk5srepi7lggZL_82Cr2bBUChqwsC0aRXu6sc2ao3JzygMrG9LT9J2bcrToOG-scnc6-Hr21bdqy6W-V_7L0c4QWKU0mkOar9AZE/s400/Details+1.0.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404920733966762578" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_xXrsGXcl7A_tlqawdNPdRoWfXvsn48Ysezcc8roekCkoyhq0_IBup8V6j5-5ZKIHoEGS4sU19gPTJJW5vy4PLC9XkBk4xn6d5MOvO9Ma1pVY1csD6sP3CW0KDUlvERBUUqklron5axc/s1600/Details+1.b.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_xXrsGXcl7A_tlqawdNPdRoWfXvsn48Ysezcc8roekCkoyhq0_IBup8V6j5-5ZKIHoEGS4sU19gPTJJW5vy4PLC9XkBk4xn6d5MOvO9Ma1pVY1csD6sP3CW0KDUlvERBUUqklron5axc/s400/Details+1.b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404920733855414626" border="0" /></a><br />And, I give you my reaction to seeing our cake for the very first time. I was awestruck at how amazing it looked in person, and how it was even better than what I had ever envisioned. Oh, and it tasted as divine as it looked! (Half was chocolate cake with white chocolate peppermint ganache, the other was vanilla cake with mango curd and strawberries...and we get a complimentary mini-tier on our anniversary instead of having to freeze the top layer - counting down the days!)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg05q4xkI7Ah8klc8SXa6ivPLrqyN_pl2oPScgAxnfQyAWIgSJS9eV22NBXaeDX7v8hQBKmmSE6i7J6F2OGUBI-MtEhmANGqq5ET147dtLnvRa8wowh9xsL9j8fOtw6iFM34Qbq46O8GD4/s1600/Details+2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg05q4xkI7Ah8klc8SXa6ivPLrqyN_pl2oPScgAxnfQyAWIgSJS9eV22NBXaeDX7v8hQBKmmSE6i7J6F2OGUBI-MtEhmANGqq5ET147dtLnvRa8wowh9xsL9j8fOtw6iFM34Qbq46O8GD4/s400/Details+2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404920627773770034" border="0" /></a><br />Remember my <a href="http://www.weddingbee.com/2009/06/09/coming-up-daisies-escort-cards/">escort card project</a>? They turned out great and were a big hit with our guests.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVeuozkiNhz-6WDOktS5CgbPUiXBbr6JDV2yCSSRzRwaA6em6tjQJjc5XOpzoWU-M5nEbkTFe0xHVSWkQh8G3ejWndijoDmRDYr32jp2jRpMeR48lR4McNqkxubzS44mT88EGQa7wgKF4/s1600/Details+3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVeuozkiNhz-6WDOktS5CgbPUiXBbr6JDV2yCSSRzRwaA6em6tjQJjc5XOpzoWU-M5nEbkTFe0xHVSWkQh8G3ejWndijoDmRDYr32jp2jRpMeR48lR4McNqkxubzS44mT88EGQa7wgKF4/s400/Details+3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404920624776882546" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi13xL0pYbUxof_gwYqQBl3KQ9WRzxz5RAGwkWJQSBl3FBqGEcCWAOTQjGY8I_EiH6lbUJHrLQ63qKS5w3uwz5ugqnxF2NlVNHK7sYoRJuO5XZdMMcDyoMYIUiTm2PeG273OC-BndccH7k/s1600/Details+4.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi13xL0pYbUxof_gwYqQBl3KQ9WRzxz5RAGwkWJQSBl3FBqGEcCWAOTQjGY8I_EiH6lbUJHrLQ63qKS5w3uwz5ugqnxF2NlVNHK7sYoRJuO5XZdMMcDyoMYIUiTm2PeG273OC-BndccH7k/s400/Details+4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404920616967255698" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPSCtL8lUS8PP64WSpvqOLnbWxulp_6pmV6-JhRfEaQcfm6uswt4DD1ak8cVy_io8P9LyMavNdLaqCTpV-q7QOE3v52s0qZ2A61l0kIp9SaBmFHps0qwTz5Xj5bfK8efmSyHv35_obF7U/s1600/Details+5.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPSCtL8lUS8PP64WSpvqOLnbWxulp_6pmV6-JhRfEaQcfm6uswt4DD1ak8cVy_io8P9LyMavNdLaqCTpV-q7QOE3v52s0qZ2A61l0kIp9SaBmFHps0qwTz5Xj5bfK8efmSyHv35_obF7U/s400/Details+5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404920614160563106" border="0" /></a><br />Our <a href="http://www.weddingbee.com/2009/06/29/favors-all-in-the-details/">granola favors</a> that also incorporated a charitable donation. Purchasing of the granola plus the donation we made helped support programs for at-risk youth. And the granola was super yummy.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg902IibTYPq_dI8YdKaaHFM_sn9MHNm5RHVQpbWaIy2KUgE_AW1Uk4oa-oGgxWehyMQuidqMKbJi64hFLCFlbI1mOWUG1unLfh4tGYGAnWR-3inVG9OXAlssrHpCwFb6-9XrXEX77MWP0/s1600/Details+6.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg902IibTYPq_dI8YdKaaHFM_sn9MHNm5RHVQpbWaIy2KUgE_AW1Uk4oa-oGgxWehyMQuidqMKbJi64hFLCFlbI1mOWUG1unLfh4tGYGAnWR-3inVG9OXAlssrHpCwFb6-9XrXEX77MWP0/s400/Details+6.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404920614675309490" border="0" /></a><br />And, of course, my <a href="http://www.weddingbee.com/2009/08/03/diy-menusor-what-i-spent-my-saturday-night-doing/">DIY menus</a>. If I could do it all again, I would get back the hours I spent on these suckers! But, they looked cute on the tables.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizUH7RnEU39SJFwfESDm4nuhrsduFxR1K7entfB3Yt1UWAmFlJJcPvEN2OcL7QnlbZ5_y7GJn2WGB5-2HR3qb1KIYXtXpPzPPQ9plOofxWOfOmS8WX5c31mg9GxjZlGlqOae2-zVx0jIc/s1600/Details+7.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizUH7RnEU39SJFwfESDm4nuhrsduFxR1K7entfB3Yt1UWAmFlJJcPvEN2OcL7QnlbZ5_y7GJn2WGB5-2HR3qb1KIYXtXpPzPPQ9plOofxWOfOmS8WX5c31mg9GxjZlGlqOae2-zVx0jIc/s400/Details+7.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404920223763295634" border="0" /></a><br />Our <a href="http://www.weddingbee.com/2009/08/31/grab-your-name-and-find-your-number/">table numbers</a> were so popular with our guests - we even had one guest take home the their table's number! This was by far one of my favorite projects and was so super simple.<br /><br />Since we didn't have a head table, I opted to place my bouquet in a vase as our table's centerpiece instead of the other centerpiece we had arranged, and placed the bridesmaid bouquets in vases on the gift / guestbook table.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoPMYIUanCz50WYuzNUpyPA8CVXM_QqnBNwT3VOwK424yOGjDD0BHHqAzffiJe7aHnI51N-K-IOk77KbmsfSy6l8S8y-UdYOSeClBaKKuAaGPI5d6ZC3sOejWq3r_BgRIYakq5LHI3U5I/s1600/Details+8.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoPMYIUanCz50WYuzNUpyPA8CVXM_QqnBNwT3VOwK424yOGjDD0BHHqAzffiJe7aHnI51N-K-IOk77KbmsfSy6l8S8y-UdYOSeClBaKKuAaGPI5d6ZC3sOejWq3r_BgRIYakq5LHI3U5I/s400/Details+8.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404920218828351618" border="0" /></a><br />Tables all set up...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAfyVMO08bvyBo_RyEsuDYB1FdD5s-eNj3Y0v56ppgVAH83OM0qYEAbl-KiVFfHDN5zYfLZwVW22Lfnw4bPg0TbtHkhYCkHTQWcyBGGnROQYWMPjYfxKNtoAwS_CeGII7M15dqHL_AzdA/s1600/Details+9.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAfyVMO08bvyBo_RyEsuDYB1FdD5s-eNj3Y0v56ppgVAH83OM0qYEAbl-KiVFfHDN5zYfLZwVW22Lfnw4bPg0TbtHkhYCkHTQWcyBGGnROQYWMPjYfxKNtoAwS_CeGII7M15dqHL_AzdA/s400/Details+9.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404920216748727570" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQnJQmwD23gn-DDyjYX9Xnqe16LICI0rDo4ZrNmJFWHS71R1r9Nj30fj8ouR173iZDUGBEzDYYTjpeP5fVEIuM2aL8ytjZw7DSdiuOwn5L77-wlTgtswChT9EjTgCaA6UPUQMyUQ_mZ-c/s1600/Details+10.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQnJQmwD23gn-DDyjYX9Xnqe16LICI0rDo4ZrNmJFWHS71R1r9Nj30fj8ouR173iZDUGBEzDYYTjpeP5fVEIuM2aL8ytjZw7DSdiuOwn5L77-wlTgtswChT9EjTgCaA6UPUQMyUQ_mZ-c/s400/Details+10.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404920211857999714" border="0" /></a><br />Some yummy hors d'oeuvres. This was the plate they brought into Mr. S and I while our guests enjoyed cocktail hour. We opted to have some downtime together while everyone else socialized.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPWHp_6v_d7_Y4i9fwwOiTw1met0IhVyZMibcukWRsqwGXoPuLY4wEeBkHWsufDmKXxK2hc7EvedDahGpr6US-kzGksq4qWhqfhbXtAFRAxbIvVqaVSASgFfcSw6ptasGT70xrYoIW_Lw/s1600/Details+11.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPWHp_6v_d7_Y4i9fwwOiTw1met0IhVyZMibcukWRsqwGXoPuLY4wEeBkHWsufDmKXxK2hc7EvedDahGpr6US-kzGksq4qWhqfhbXtAFRAxbIvVqaVSASgFfcSw6ptasGT70xrYoIW_Lw/s400/Details+11.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404919760572238818" border="0" /></a><br />Also during the cocktail hour, our ushers manned the <a href="http://www.weddingbee.com/2009/09/01/leave-your-message-after-the-picture/">Polaroid guestbook</a>. They took pictures of all of the guests and then gave them the opportunity to sign the book. After cocktail hour, it was brought up to the ballroom for guests to write in during the evening.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5cCDEr9DXvYwPUAFIGnayDRL32PYLylY1mk9QzJAhoaOihtPMeW_HvL5ankZ-zqhNwNWMzYR5sEVuriY5N3X0K7a_ad0f-yeQ3nVtw6vF9MmBjMREspEQgPwqQogVUiOUYO2uBocb9_Y/s1600/Details+12.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5cCDEr9DXvYwPUAFIGnayDRL32PYLylY1mk9QzJAhoaOihtPMeW_HvL5ankZ-zqhNwNWMzYR5sEVuriY5N3X0K7a_ad0f-yeQ3nVtw6vF9MmBjMREspEQgPwqQogVUiOUYO2uBocb9_Y/s400/Details+12.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404920210529484018" border="0" /></a><br />We left a little note to our guests asking them to write of messages of well wishes and advice.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_5Oa962tn2tHHdHnydAnujHSVInAuNsh7-1oDtzLVDtnPteUk96Nz3xTVy-4FOYt2NtvAxE6pAjDURJbLLJjMpva0tVmJO0ONVZYBat_cSQI0BP3Yu7m9D9KwBsVfmC5vZ0CwAZCdEG0/s1600/Details+13.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_5Oa962tn2tHHdHnydAnujHSVInAuNsh7-1oDtzLVDtnPteUk96Nz3xTVy-4FOYt2NtvAxE6pAjDURJbLLJjMpva0tVmJO0ONVZYBat_cSQI0BP3Yu7m9D9KwBsVfmC5vZ0CwAZCdEG0/s400/Details+13.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404919755030330306" border="0" /></a><br />Our guests definitely had a lot of fun with the guestbook! While not everyone remembered to come back and sign it, we had awesome pictures of everyone. And, later in the night we brought the Polarioid cameras out on the dance floor and took lots of fun pictures. We loooved looking at everything after the wedding, and have since taken the candids and added them to the guestbook.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg887OKd_Bfb7x7BFvrKmo8zCTKjsRBS9HebejgRai0emjUFmpeVTx3rGvB2_EpptlP7HAgMA45qRN4pZpRijrIwOj_OmuKgLhoAqRsmEPGlNCg-aS43NrwMXRd2W783Ya47cXpr4p2Juc/s1600/Details+14.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg887OKd_Bfb7x7BFvrKmo8zCTKjsRBS9HebejgRai0emjUFmpeVTx3rGvB2_EpptlP7HAgMA45qRN4pZpRijrIwOj_OmuKgLhoAqRsmEPGlNCg-aS43NrwMXRd2W783Ya47cXpr4p2Juc/s400/Details+14.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404919746916902034" border="0" /></a><br />Hmmm...do I spy a Bee in this picture?!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiG9nM1OfmLo5iKvRXWDmFsE1v463cb3DNiGHzuxlrgdyVOdss9hkhaEFAKQzTa3WPuFFLS2814fmB1pHxIogR7EcQj_qCLg4wsfm5CXXRyFb5c-Ao_WY0krW-Jbm0H3X9AxxmFglquA0/s1600/Details+15.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiG9nM1OfmLo5iKvRXWDmFsE1v463cb3DNiGHzuxlrgdyVOdss9hkhaEFAKQzTa3WPuFFLS2814fmB1pHxIogR7EcQj_qCLg4wsfm5CXXRyFb5c-Ao_WY0krW-Jbm0H3X9AxxmFglquA0/s400/Details+15.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404919742042073954" border="0" /></a><br />*Please note: All photos from <a href="http://www.lauriepeacock.com/" rel="" target="_blank">Laurie Peacock Photography</a><br /><br />Next Up - We cut our BEAUTIFUL cake and take time for some special dances.<br /><p><span style="font-weight: bold;">Previously in our wedding recaps:</span><br /><a href="http://www.weddingbee.com/2009/10/26/step-by-step-girls-get-ready/">Step by Step: Girls Get Ready<br /></a><a href="http://www.weddingbee.com/2009/10/28/step-by-step-guys-get-ready/">Step by Step: Guys Get Ready<br /></a><a href="http://www.weddingbee.com/2009/11/02/step-by-step-first-look/">Step by Step: First Look<br /></a><a href="http://www.weddingbee.com/2009/11/05/step-by-step-gettin-ready-to-walk/">Step by Step: Gettin’ Ready to Walk<br /></a><a href="http://www.weddingbee.com/2009/11/09/step-by-step-we-get-hitched/">Step by Step: We Get Hitched<br /></a><a href="http://www.weddingbee.com/2009/11/15/step-by-step-strike-a-pose-in-the-park/">Step by Step: Strike a Pose in the Park</a><br /><a href="http://www.weddingbee.com/2009/11/17/step-by-step-urban-love-in-oak-park/#more-118568">Step by Step: Urban Love in Oak Park</a><br /></p>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11779301862432140898noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4383586636665371685.post-89916306306186889472009-11-16T21:13:00.012-06:002009-11-16T22:03:22.064-06:00Step by Step: Urban Love in Oak ParkHold your horses, because I have a whole lot of fabulosity coming your way! While we had a lot of fun <a href="http://www.weddingbee.com/2009/11/15/step-by-step-strike-a-pose-in-the-park/">posing in the park</a> after the ceremony, we had allotted most of our time for pictures throughout downtown Oak Park. We knew we didn't have time to head into the city for urban shots there, but Oak Park turned out to be a fabulous alternative.<br /><br />For those of you who are familiar with Oak Park, we had our limo driver drop us off at the corner of North Boulevard and Harlem Avenue. From there we started walking east, stopping at whatever caught our eyes, and met the driver about an hour later at North Boulevard and Oak Park Avenue.<br /><br />Straight out of the limo, one of my favorite shots. That needs to be framed and on my wall, pronto!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9Jh3PYSdyUJgfqLNQTEcB-dquY0A1mmkEG1mtRNhztUJrsDP5qUIRzfHU6qLk5xdfvk4rHi65twK4JZBcZx8dS839jyxWIMFJoeG_s01HOcW49ECf0aZSfVrdmG3lWfTra8XPHSyjRkg/s1600/Urban+2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9Jh3PYSdyUJgfqLNQTEcB-dquY0A1mmkEG1mtRNhztUJrsDP5qUIRzfHU6qLk5xdfvk4rHi65twK4JZBcZx8dS839jyxWIMFJoeG_s01HOcW49ECf0aZSfVrdmG3lWfTra8XPHSyjRkg/s400/Urban+2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404907304922905922" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinkU2qHSeRfD3Z_a0qK97YNKmdT9HlqlSlhi9rkTignSEYA7fdAqDxHYFBquO0s5_MwCFBMQ8Ne45dryA6EIJr7YvMyxND13bMbEzQf5SUzU_ER403Vx1RoJI7sMNzuKMAXTt599126eU/s1600/Urban+1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinkU2qHSeRfD3Z_a0qK97YNKmdT9HlqlSlhi9rkTignSEYA7fdAqDxHYFBquO0s5_MwCFBMQ8Ne45dryA6EIJr7YvMyxND13bMbEzQf5SUzU_ER403Vx1RoJI7sMNzuKMAXTt599126eU/s400/Urban+1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404907305403629698" border="0" /></a><br />Oak Park has a great El/Metra train station, where we took some great shots. I couldn't envision how this would turn out, and I fell in love once I saw it.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoPWJlDyMg4CvpwAaD5FIlLe6z-AomxWVK65h3KBFN5fxIu0DpN8HRc5DfSjei4kvcQOWO_UGSDzQYdPsFVvpNLRVwmi3xzYyPcps8ZnbFWbX8dUb_YL0EQDrCb6dHsgsLjPHHuO3jSEE/s1600/Urban+3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoPWJlDyMg4CvpwAaD5FIlLe6z-AomxWVK65h3KBFN5fxIu0DpN8HRc5DfSjei4kvcQOWO_UGSDzQYdPsFVvpNLRVwmi3xzYyPcps8ZnbFWbX8dUb_YL0EQDrCb6dHsgsLjPHHuO3jSEE/s400/Urban+3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404907161557801762" border="0" /></a><br />Hmm...Mr. S can whisk me away on a train any day.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA7iWh4QmKUdT5yb7nxG_LIVLhddw8UOYRT1FQ1UE7tqyMrDtmepdwFG8p6r-nfUWy4ZTUo5-pUpsQBWZ_iSFixmsah6fvyslfiF2R89D-Y4Tmg71mIHlN39e_To7VvMvps_VW2aAfo_8/s1600/Urban+4.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA7iWh4QmKUdT5yb7nxG_LIVLhddw8UOYRT1FQ1UE7tqyMrDtmepdwFG8p6r-nfUWy4ZTUo5-pUpsQBWZ_iSFixmsah6fvyslfiF2R89D-Y4Tmg71mIHlN39e_To7VvMvps_VW2aAfo_8/s400/Urban+4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404907159008827506" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_LdYeP-SFP-T6UMIlSjDTzYTMeoyF49KjeP5VPIdWLGAXjHg0Q5RN1DcplGamSA7Tt5OpRZw2NOdjMRhXw7qQQKagrT9Dmj-QzE6tHah8szxy1iNSDKapwki38ZCCIwkLy5ziEGV431A/s1600/Urban+5.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_LdYeP-SFP-T6UMIlSjDTzYTMeoyF49KjeP5VPIdWLGAXjHg0Q5RN1DcplGamSA7Tt5OpRZw2NOdjMRhXw7qQQKagrT9Dmj-QzE6tHah8szxy1iNSDKapwki38ZCCIwkLy5ziEGV431A/s400/Urban+5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404907155816841282" border="0" /></a><br />There happened to be a festival going on that day - "Oak-tober Fest"! We got a lot of stares and many well wishes as we walked through.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioWryRa-w-UFVNHklUYV0HfpHiSduv2_XSmwG7JiyXq68xm0wlz97c6dcqtGYY5dv8o2v2-ShpBv8pTAgkKGu-vL7W4Yh8Wyhviv5tERyD97aJRUtF_TKeqnl1KFSltb2RNlwEZGg45SE/s1600/Urban+6.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioWryRa-w-UFVNHklUYV0HfpHiSduv2_XSmwG7JiyXq68xm0wlz97c6dcqtGYY5dv8o2v2-ShpBv8pTAgkKGu-vL7W4Yh8Wyhviv5tERyD97aJRUtF_TKeqnl1KFSltb2RNlwEZGg45SE/s400/Urban+6.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404907149462739378" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0ViYFFpZmtBN7zz0GlcCCv7bbF8k8T4qKLTe7m_TmEFn8VrQ9Zds77y8QiLIOgOa6LT1RJgpf-Dze9joDz6wZ7_idvvewNEI3FD8nN0ocAdpcDpR2f31InRbs1QQGABcUpHxIrJ982k4/s1600/Urban+7.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0ViYFFpZmtBN7zz0GlcCCv7bbF8k8T4qKLTe7m_TmEFn8VrQ9Zds77y8QiLIOgOa6LT1RJgpf-Dze9joDz6wZ7_idvvewNEI3FD8nN0ocAdpcDpR2f31InRbs1QQGABcUpHxIrJ982k4/s400/Urban+7.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404907146068771650" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm0rIEgMNGP74MNfi85xlXFcAnYLTnawScAPksob_O8x2iMMZYlDGdnlIWy4sxcVzueyJSyYbhjpmZeeDn9n9voIgECO-lZw-HDJWUiR61oiVY8Fbofww1GF12tMRUQH_joe_I_X2kswM/s1600/Urban+8.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm0rIEgMNGP74MNfi85xlXFcAnYLTnawScAPksob_O8x2iMMZYlDGdnlIWy4sxcVzueyJSyYbhjpmZeeDn9n9voIgECO-lZw-HDJWUiR61oiVY8Fbofww1GF12tMRUQH_joe_I_X2kswM/s400/Urban+8.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404906824348384994" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqkdspzDQ7Tf5REziy0KM75OhPQYZ_LUOsrvlJN7d1NKR6aJiUWJozmnI_9e1IUEcv8M_luC2KqIP-nc5rIio8BtEMxOtohNP3f0m0xF0KfxcCSnyGNBOv3zNR2KK4px8hqaCOHzI1XjM/s1600/Urban+9.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqkdspzDQ7Tf5REziy0KM75OhPQYZ_LUOsrvlJN7d1NKR6aJiUWJozmnI_9e1IUEcv8M_luC2KqIP-nc5rIio8BtEMxOtohNP3f0m0xF0KfxcCSnyGNBOv3zNR2KK4px8hqaCOHzI1XjM/s400/Urban+9.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404906822135527554" border="0" /></a><br />We were always very anti-jumping. It turns out, the jumping was a whole lot of fun! We didn't ask our bridal party to jump, but Mr. S and I gave it a shot. Sadly, this is the best out of the bunch, notice my feet planted firmly on the ground. Ladies, you must remember to SMILE when you jump. I did not, hence many angry looking jumping shots of me. And Mr. S and I could never get in sync with our jumps.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv8Og8vrtXwDCLVyduhvRnk4nHFWjha35JBj82iOv0Lv04Oc1Omn87DLVSrkLQpmZsswSBTlZIrbXtSRbZr3CL7u8c32rlUlRcgFNPEjAp8KHyL3Ha6BNnWbKDs1MgikqTU7oi3497-r4/s1600/Urban+10.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv8Og8vrtXwDCLVyduhvRnk4nHFWjha35JBj82iOv0Lv04Oc1Omn87DLVSrkLQpmZsswSBTlZIrbXtSRbZr3CL7u8c32rlUlRcgFNPEjAp8KHyL3Ha6BNnWbKDs1MgikqTU7oi3497-r4/s400/Urban+10.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404906819587863714" border="0" /></a><br />Love.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf-lws4mJLLbj9ICUJOo_CPKP7mVdF01K6rdgmrxrea3YOGWqzj95TErrp1v2DTiXzqK61YhoA9Q3LiQUHSbEhcRqDheHa74Zrs02grC0ZqOfh62oKK1qnu1RrwI6nSiYoQ_s23jo_bdw/s1600/Urban+11.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf-lws4mJLLbj9ICUJOo_CPKP7mVdF01K6rdgmrxrea3YOGWqzj95TErrp1v2DTiXzqK61YhoA9Q3LiQUHSbEhcRqDheHa74Zrs02grC0ZqOfh62oKK1qnu1RrwI6nSiYoQ_s23jo_bdw/s400/Urban+11.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404906814292150738" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7Hdc6h7pokgzuQmZFnI-BycouOvMAyWRqSnKycclqQ0neDsspTPD12VlWWbcsRNkJHfmRhFFUu5N9DHtz2g5Ic1Bq8E0ZCUl59MJ178d7QHGF8HmARCKytXpXC7BLqTrTjtY0XXSIKGQ/s1600/Urban+12.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7Hdc6h7pokgzuQmZFnI-BycouOvMAyWRqSnKycclqQ0neDsspTPD12VlWWbcsRNkJHfmRhFFUu5N9DHtz2g5Ic1Bq8E0ZCUl59MJ178d7QHGF8HmARCKytXpXC7BLqTrTjtY0XXSIKGQ/s400/Urban+12.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404906811714853730" border="0" /></a><br />Yes, our wedding party was totally fierce. Don't they look like a force to be reckoned with?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzKPv-vVKhrn8cce6YTFOV5E3ohNG5TEqn4IeOyyww1PNxSWrWcPK4WNmn6iz3tXgRM1XU_BhWRLhjOFNwLmNpPbxEndTb5W8vaCveKx7swoM_DGTb6e5A_H04lxF7hTotnWmgU_vtMnk/s1600/Urban+13.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzKPv-vVKhrn8cce6YTFOV5E3ohNG5TEqn4IeOyyww1PNxSWrWcPK4WNmn6iz3tXgRM1XU_BhWRLhjOFNwLmNpPbxEndTb5W8vaCveKx7swoM_DGTb6e5A_H04lxF7hTotnWmgU_vtMnk/s400/Urban+13.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404906526518492146" border="0" /></a><br />Love. Love. Love. Love. Love. I'm not a naturally laughy, bubbly person. So I adore that Laurie caught a completely natural, carefree laugh on my part.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaUckj75eltFyA3P81rdAv4Yrw04LM74SVwSMf2IJn8DAtUP6aVPttC-NUzUvvscFk4JCtLQnSdM3YYJfxjKgyTTgQwsYQzS97_eB3OdhBfSZIMN3ml9qymBA2vy0DGPmcsw3zn7tWk-A/s1600/Urban+14.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaUckj75eltFyA3P81rdAv4Yrw04LM74SVwSMf2IJn8DAtUP6aVPttC-NUzUvvscFk4JCtLQnSdM3YYJfxjKgyTTgQwsYQzS97_eB3OdhBfSZIMN3ml9qymBA2vy0DGPmcsw3zn7tWk-A/s400/Urban+14.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404906523404074578" border="0" /></a><br />And also a very serious, sweet moment.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtN3CMT9atDETqumxl1gM_och1x0Etar0ypafi04FkMpfTlFGrrzzDoSio88rUgAJntTRAUNoZXEgeR3aGH42Ir3yz3NJPLyd95iInJUiXKPWfTYUR1hNF5UKclo7BSFiNxMSj6-t2rrM/s1600/Urban+15.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtN3CMT9atDETqumxl1gM_och1x0Etar0ypafi04FkMpfTlFGrrzzDoSio88rUgAJntTRAUNoZXEgeR3aGH42Ir3yz3NJPLyd95iInJUiXKPWfTYUR1hNF5UKclo7BSFiNxMSj6-t2rrM/s400/Urban+15.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404906518813061922" border="0" /></a><br />Us trying to look fierce. Who knew Oak Park had so many great murals? I had never really noticed them until we were scouted for good photo locations.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvDAv-SWRPnAuNER_5duE7HER6HFJQzRvb6RGel47Ei9PwVRpH0pBUkfbNAlVzmA8nyIcEfav7849zrAKlLnnGN-UYaXeiboZrEFGxICLj0g4IupWx-NNukQIVI6qf8v2cFL-sWP9REfQ/s1600/Urban+16.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvDAv-SWRPnAuNER_5duE7HER6HFJQzRvb6RGel47Ei9PwVRpH0pBUkfbNAlVzmA8nyIcEfav7849zrAKlLnnGN-UYaXeiboZrEFGxICLj0g4IupWx-NNukQIVI6qf8v2cFL-sWP9REfQ/s400/Urban+16.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404906513873670290" border="0" /></a><br />Once we hit Oak Park Avenue, our wedding party was more than ready to put their feet up! My one mistake was not considering the fact that they may not have been as excited to walk around in their fancy shoes as I was. While I was totally fine with powering through blisters and cramped toes, they were not! Fortunately we were way ahead of schedule, so we bought them a bunch of water and let them chill out.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7BpBSOQ9MCb1y77n7Zy6oxo9DDTS4f-PmhkI-B6w9ggpDqTIhRCgt14b4lY9vAcHM3UvrvRYiYZUmCQWUXur7DxVdFO0Uo_j475oBVOSIpKjoYi09a90IzUCJ4U2JLxdFIoYx3KNvNBM/s1600/Urban+17.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7BpBSOQ9MCb1y77n7Zy6oxo9DDTS4f-PmhkI-B6w9ggpDqTIhRCgt14b4lY9vAcHM3UvrvRYiYZUmCQWUXur7DxVdFO0Uo_j475oBVOSIpKjoYi09a90IzUCJ4U2JLxdFIoYx3KNvNBM/s400/Urban+17.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404906512661944770" border="0" /></a><br />After a bit of rest (and letting our photographers rest, too - they were working hard!), Mr. S and I headed over to a nearby park for a few more one-on-one shots. This was definitely a stand out of the bunch. These kids were playing football and made their best "Eww, you're kissing faces" for the shot. I'm normally not into things that are so posed, but this is so stinkin' cute.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0t2oZNbn-Rd5ZOuUb_H3fPIrEUmmDYcbC7X-fXsWjyS770ZwTBqoxNLOz-pu_AklxsGMffJu20F1I5sYRXH9pHDAri_ua23CW9gWn4o0MOdu3P4BzsRhHtKymIJUJRoyFUrXW3u57sDk/s1600/Urban+18.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0t2oZNbn-Rd5ZOuUb_H3fPIrEUmmDYcbC7X-fXsWjyS770ZwTBqoxNLOz-pu_AklxsGMffJu20F1I5sYRXH9pHDAri_ua23CW9gWn4o0MOdu3P4BzsRhHtKymIJUJRoyFUrXW3u57sDk/s400/Urban+18.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404906242205358658" border="0" /></a><br />One more sweet embrace...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYj_qpWvgsuq7mZVCuWnI9Ki7m1x0962rnmkwfRIxTvqrS_1KI2ucnwq2VcLoI9Cfr3HMHWGxiviiJAbVGMTNuQZs5ydPFUVmwgpuSysMOHjwLGofduzB1-zIwBMdhKZFQL8IhtgIhgtY/s1600/Urban+19.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYj_qpWvgsuq7mZVCuWnI9Ki7m1x0962rnmkwfRIxTvqrS_1KI2ucnwq2VcLoI9Cfr3HMHWGxiviiJAbVGMTNuQZs5ydPFUVmwgpuSysMOHjwLGofduzB1-zIwBMdhKZFQL8IhtgIhgtY/s400/Urban+19.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404906237460002178" border="0" /></a><br />...and dress shot...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIoTFlz8NChDLuQTKtAxbHGZIJDBWMFmPyfvCWXLxWdNfULggXi9ALe5X6xjiVsC1wcD-DtSTCjDf8vZg8aA1ed0-WIOH0F4PXa1hetUQfPWPRENObfRM2SDFqv1vS1pKEYz9zIJx2I1s/s1600/Urban+20.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIoTFlz8NChDLuQTKtAxbHGZIJDBWMFmPyfvCWXLxWdNfULggXi9ALe5X6xjiVsC1wcD-DtSTCjDf8vZg8aA1ed0-WIOH0F4PXa1hetUQfPWPRENObfRM2SDFqv1vS1pKEYz9zIJx2I1s/s400/Urban+20.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404906234248820034" border="0" /></a><br />...and finally, a bit of lovely flare...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6cxFo1lp7wy4X45yhpbkClIPXUCHHvFMweHFleCRCY2cU_-K7os9hv34S0Kq_T5fZXJekYDEph-GWenMAqhKFRV3eEwl5e4v8skzvvFEj9wpWjXqkH8o4Wjhgp7bG9-VEnjfCE_wJ398/s1600/Urban+21.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6cxFo1lp7wy4X45yhpbkClIPXUCHHvFMweHFleCRCY2cU_-K7os9hv34S0Kq_T5fZXJekYDEph-GWenMAqhKFRV3eEwl5e4v8skzvvFEj9wpWjXqkH8o4Wjhgp7bG9-VEnjfCE_wJ398/s400/Urban+21.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404906232064977474" border="0" /></a><br />...and it was time for Mr. S to flag down our limo to take us on over to the reception!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg125meD7r68E6jzIJCJVoBd5UcjSjHYqylfObWqlGf9DA1l5_S0kUVL2ZeJxBkjoIjn-qNA6NBK3ifXy1dq5Nr1XVJJs1JkdRPHNOZZRidUdnWcmj1s05p7-KO4BsKftKzBiqDRiJj6ms/s1600/Urban+22.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg125meD7r68E6jzIJCJVoBd5UcjSjHYqylfObWqlGf9DA1l5_S0kUVL2ZeJxBkjoIjn-qNA6NBK3ifXy1dq5Nr1XVJJs1JkdRPHNOZZRidUdnWcmj1s05p7-KO4BsKftKzBiqDRiJj6ms/s400/Urban+22.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404906226068335570" border="0" /></a><br />Did I mention that I love flare?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHTdJGFTECKHdPHgayR7ICEsh51FPnhx_YCR09iY7EIExT9TiqyUgILydDppIv8yqoIraPJqrLAb3Q7KJdxI7vTNSThtSfT2SpA75W9bLWMAygFuYUPtqvLxRp5CtQb2AFl-hO7rnHTUU/s1600/Urban+23.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHTdJGFTECKHdPHgayR7ICEsh51FPnhx_YCR09iY7EIExT9TiqyUgILydDppIv8yqoIraPJqrLAb3Q7KJdxI7vTNSThtSfT2SpA75W9bLWMAygFuYUPtqvLxRp5CtQb2AFl-hO7rnHTUU/s400/Urban+23.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404905935915256306" border="0" /></a><br />The sun was setting so beautifully at that moment, our photographers just kept on shooting after our friends had piled into the limo.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5fnHfrtbp6L3Vws8TvB7Kt0pOkY-Gq90qYeIaBje58CpsnaQ2nW1LOhiNg1uYzzOtg8T0vp5e4As1BlW_KxyktkeaotNboARdSD4piMnzOha-HZZKH-GybZsPS7i9zqE9EOUxGaxtdaM/s1600/Urban+24.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5fnHfrtbp6L3Vws8TvB7Kt0pOkY-Gq90qYeIaBje58CpsnaQ2nW1LOhiNg1uYzzOtg8T0vp5e4As1BlW_KxyktkeaotNboARdSD4piMnzOha-HZZKH-GybZsPS7i9zqE9EOUxGaxtdaM/s400/Urban+24.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404905933961265362" border="0" /></a><br />Fortunately, by the end of the day, I was a master at getting in and out of the limo in my heels and dress! It was definitely a well-crafted combination of grace and gymnastics.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn5ZkC80k9L9eXi1-qHdg6pLmrBZFQvSvVqjtN7LDO1c5lQ_mAz-XUlEAf2rEFhMd3b4X2gkwcA9D-m9B-XcVgSasL200-XBByJvZ8SxXlEIoXuxVaOzysTeJosxuDJ2to2aN-nX-6sPw/s1600/Urban+25.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn5ZkC80k9L9eXi1-qHdg6pLmrBZFQvSvVqjtN7LDO1c5lQ_mAz-XUlEAf2rEFhMd3b4X2gkwcA9D-m9B-XcVgSasL200-XBByJvZ8SxXlEIoXuxVaOzysTeJosxuDJ2to2aN-nX-6sPw/s400/Urban+25.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404905931432443906" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZrhdl77Zt55EgrGLjLhHy20IKV8VI60Ml2erxmsTg5FwcDbtIctdOjIJ-bKuljmMvpQRZZoSC_MhvB0bKduIY21KhL4OjyUmEAOv6evyuaQkY91casCdh7l_Jocg1djkfdBUgJQLZtIc/s1600/Urban+26.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZrhdl77Zt55EgrGLjLhHy20IKV8VI60Ml2erxmsTg5FwcDbtIctdOjIJ-bKuljmMvpQRZZoSC_MhvB0bKduIY21KhL4OjyUmEAOv6evyuaQkY91casCdh7l_Jocg1djkfdBUgJQLZtIc/s400/Urban+26.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404905927304786274" border="0" /></a><br />Time to head on in and see the ballroom!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz0nbTLI1aR7-V2VGtyDAJCDME6yHpox61w1reqHzM1FvRLMb2y6BcSxQ9pqJ3QaKq3HLHF-0l2Ti0_IjO5qWcCb_F_HoUQ4LEFEpOO5xnn993IBYVhPyw5_FX3V3TRmV45-6E75Ca4DU/s1600/Urban+27.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz0nbTLI1aR7-V2VGtyDAJCDME6yHpox61w1reqHzM1FvRLMb2y6BcSxQ9pqJ3QaKq3HLHF-0l2Ti0_IjO5qWcCb_F_HoUQ4LEFEpOO5xnn993IBYVhPyw5_FX3V3TRmV45-6E75Ca4DU/s400/Urban+27.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404905920543633506" border="0" /></a><br />*Please note: All photos from <a href="http://www.lauriepeacock.com/" rel="" target="_blank">Laurie Peacock Photography</a><br /><br />Next up - All of the fun little reception details, including the cake of my dreams!<br /><br /><p><span style="font-weight: bold;">Previously in our wedding recaps:</span><br /><a href="http://www.weddingbee.com/2009/10/26/step-by-step-girls-get-ready/">Step by Step: Girls Get Ready<br /></a><a href="http://www.weddingbee.com/2009/10/28/step-by-step-guys-get-ready/">Step by Step: Guys Get Ready<br /></a><a href="http://www.weddingbee.com/2009/11/02/step-by-step-first-look/">Step by Step: First Look<br /></a><a href="http://www.weddingbee.com/2009/11/05/step-by-step-gettin-ready-to-walk/">Step by Step: Gettin’ Ready to Walk<br /></a><a href="http://www.weddingbee.com/2009/11/09/step-by-step-we-get-hitched/">Step by Step: We Get Hitched<br /></a><a href="http://www.weddingbee.com/2009/11/15/step-by-step-strike-a-pose-in-the-park/">Step by Step: Strike a Pose in the Park</a><br /></p>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11779301862432140898noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4383586636665371685.post-3839387450781887512009-11-14T20:38:00.006-06:002009-11-14T21:27:11.364-06:00Step by Step: Strike a Pose in the ParkAfter the ceremony we loaded up in our supersized limo with our wedding party and fabulous photographers to go have some fun. We had allowed about 2 1/2 hours for pictures and chose locations very close to the church and reception, so it was a really laid back and fun time.<br /><br />My first job as a wife? Making sure Mr. S's shoelace is tied!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAxyacv8Ss-ftORRkHqZmiwaTdQ_QPuzAMvKBunfuvDLOZdj1Q52r5crvOwTdvQwmoie3zanAJLx271zReYj1rOhMVYaBM3q1WFumMd-BjNEZr5kRKN0w7nZfxw3KuWsLc4U6r6HPcTmg/s1600-h/Park+1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAxyacv8Ss-ftORRkHqZmiwaTdQ_QPuzAMvKBunfuvDLOZdj1Q52r5crvOwTdvQwmoie3zanAJLx271zReYj1rOhMVYaBM3q1WFumMd-BjNEZr5kRKN0w7nZfxw3KuWsLc4U6r6HPcTmg/s400/Park+1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404155388745826178" border="0" /></a><br />Our first photo stop was <a href="http://www.oprf.com/oppd/LindbergPark/index.html">Lindberg Park</a> in Oak Park. We had scoped it out the week before the wedding and I loved the garden of prairie grasses with a path winding through it.<br /><br />But before we could go anywhere, we needed to have a little married couple shoe love! We opted not to do chucks for all of the groomsmen, although we thought about it, but Mr. S wanted to pick up a pair for himself. I did make him wear normal black dress shoes for the ceremony, though...I'm a traditionalist like that. His chucks were a huuuuuge hit at the reception, though - everyone commented on how cute they were!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhiAPjP7ODGKxVK4Warxyogaz6IKgwAucluEtuSVzb7D2dSTiXGMPAob2CdVHSAv_cQAm8S7_pgbYzKJbvgSc0LOqSp5JrHXzeJEgSey5QTSdc-75QH8T_UlDHXRATF3_peRSS6RZtGm4/s1600-h/Park+2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhiAPjP7ODGKxVK4Warxyogaz6IKgwAucluEtuSVzb7D2dSTiXGMPAob2CdVHSAv_cQAm8S7_pgbYzKJbvgSc0LOqSp5JrHXzeJEgSey5QTSdc-75QH8T_UlDHXRATF3_peRSS6RZtGm4/s400/Park+2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404155387306160626" border="0" /></a><br />See what I mean by the beautiful path through the garden? You would never know that behind us was a huge soccer field and baseball diamond, filled with kids! I'll just let you enjoy the eye candy for a little bit...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh43LyxJqN6iuf_5_jcdLwVl0tVXJEJIZ6SPQTh-gHPWR9M1M0LdW2aoBcU-b2HfZVotB6pIlv7J84irgDT5NdEG0JMX9up8zgvuN5JynfzELl2aTYsMkOI6x5GILbQhCuCn4zYod_xqsI/s1600-h/Park+3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh43LyxJqN6iuf_5_jcdLwVl0tVXJEJIZ6SPQTh-gHPWR9M1M0LdW2aoBcU-b2HfZVotB6pIlv7J84irgDT5NdEG0JMX9up8zgvuN5JynfzELl2aTYsMkOI6x5GILbQhCuCn4zYod_xqsI/s400/Park+3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404155385961872706" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnQrZM_Fv_jyzYfVf5fufwgDiCX72L3QQwg3hrnnz9NuVsEhsKEpMvvqrW4c90P6ovTJEs3QFPqCw_GSxdsVeu196_1lZWLIzyyyeZGrXKG_I95cPclWqtdSFUUYhlIMELoYLi783gA5o/s1600-h/Park+4.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnQrZM_Fv_jyzYfVf5fufwgDiCX72L3QQwg3hrnnz9NuVsEhsKEpMvvqrW4c90P6ovTJEs3QFPqCw_GSxdsVeu196_1lZWLIzyyyeZGrXKG_I95cPclWqtdSFUUYhlIMELoYLi783gA5o/s400/Park+4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404155212164665970" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5OpVIuVE1TAOlp5ANLoJ7y5KgP4T2tLzELRal7hYpEhbpiMgzYnDBzpvGbkdocUeTrZ-qpNHp0-RhGcfCFvzd7Mv-9Ex3i324zpagXE3QkUeHerPRfLpZImC_oQiYM2vbzHn4Rqf_G7s/s1600-h/Park+5.1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5OpVIuVE1TAOlp5ANLoJ7y5KgP4T2tLzELRal7hYpEhbpiMgzYnDBzpvGbkdocUeTrZ-qpNHp0-RhGcfCFvzd7Mv-9Ex3i324zpagXE3QkUeHerPRfLpZImC_oQiYM2vbzHn4Rqf_G7s/s400/Park+5.1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404155209050499634" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyWEXBQcJY29xX0BzJq99lKazpd6Jouj9MrnppbcnLJbJN0Ek_Cvcx7DAZVZmuNrtDvzFiGizeJHLhCiwfwLUtgLi2bw0x26Fgqyhfy9N0807gWuLiIhogklquIiwt6LZjqcCV4ZWbtyU/s1600-h/Park+5.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyWEXBQcJY29xX0BzJq99lKazpd6Jouj9MrnppbcnLJbJN0Ek_Cvcx7DAZVZmuNrtDvzFiGizeJHLhCiwfwLUtgLi2bw0x26Fgqyhfy9N0807gWuLiIhogklquIiwt6LZjqcCV4ZWbtyU/s400/Park+5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404155202329449186" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU_NHV8AHnhWH36-igZSTl0E4wUQ5w6L_8jmx7UaRpQysugOWqrTLzmcklV_AS-Qhu0jQ-h2DQgoVWBgzyCHwfXohrLTZoLGbPBG_MvnRJVWTkE0XrVgdFZk2SDTJzzcN-ZTKQdqTpEj0/s1600-h/Park+6.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU_NHV8AHnhWH36-igZSTl0E4wUQ5w6L_8jmx7UaRpQysugOWqrTLzmcklV_AS-Qhu0jQ-h2DQgoVWBgzyCHwfXohrLTZoLGbPBG_MvnRJVWTkE0XrVgdFZk2SDTJzzcN-ZTKQdqTpEj0/s400/Park+6.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404155202465672770" border="0" /></a><br />Sigh. These trees are just an amazing backdrop.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh5_WuXPjovCbZDTpwm1SRSu6JF7gXdO26AcDQXRm3zQoSSYMD8hr5kcOms7x4xlUSzjxjkE6b0Kpo8WnJho9A3BQCDZswzaqmJP6j3tS4izArWI96tzHcYk5r2YgXuuhEKalmh9yN9OQ/s1600-h/Park+7.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh5_WuXPjovCbZDTpwm1SRSu6JF7gXdO26AcDQXRm3zQoSSYMD8hr5kcOms7x4xlUSzjxjkE6b0Kpo8WnJho9A3BQCDZswzaqmJP6j3tS4izArWI96tzHcYk5r2YgXuuhEKalmh9yN9OQ/s400/Park+7.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404155199851500594" border="0" /></a><br />I made him tie the chucks all by himself this time.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1bAWk62-Q_jncs6izbKwyggRo-OPHkaLYiNfTY0yuGwW0k7XEHNZ9gPq-ANWF5ECZK3IU6ILV68xDTilmCJ93xrV5hqXTau6nWuidmNoEwAARHX4t2r5iCiLcZmi0ta7FOVQxYBz59L0/s1600-h/Park+8.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1bAWk62-Q_jncs6izbKwyggRo-OPHkaLYiNfTY0yuGwW0k7XEHNZ9gPq-ANWF5ECZK3IU6ILV68xDTilmCJ93xrV5hqXTau6nWuidmNoEwAARHX4t2r5iCiLcZmi0ta7FOVQxYBz59L0/s400/Park+8.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404154900305456434" border="0" /></a><br />Mr. S hammed it up a bit with his guys...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy8wQILZlJtGKk47BlDKG6C-v9w5h_gPDzigRArT8_Dj42k0jTjEUezBhTM0gOlZkEuVjomGtKPrH4L4gHLXS9sm1-eFV3wHEBOPQJmGt9FmIVS_sVKJw76_USwFrw1KQHb-89RbYkCyg/s1600-h/Park+9.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy8wQILZlJtGKk47BlDKG6C-v9w5h_gPDzigRArT8_Dj42k0jTjEUezBhTM0gOlZkEuVjomGtKPrH4L4gHLXS9sm1-eFV3wHEBOPQJmGt9FmIVS_sVKJw76_USwFrw1KQHb-89RbYkCyg/s400/Park+9.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404154895195268178" border="0" /></a><br />...while I got to cozy up with my beautiful bridesmaids.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZTTpWhdGuqLBwCRlI2EhFJCCPG5GhakHGvnJComAAmFgX1vaDkhoJfjsBFtuaE47OdYtywxnJSUaC63XwprKOYt2lp11GoXmrp6YGazyi2atV2qcJjg2RKfD_GS-haltOm682XE1qdTE/s1600-h/Park+11.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZTTpWhdGuqLBwCRlI2EhFJCCPG5GhakHGvnJComAAmFgX1vaDkhoJfjsBFtuaE47OdYtywxnJSUaC63XwprKOYt2lp11GoXmrp6YGazyi2atV2qcJjg2RKfD_GS-haltOm682XE1qdTE/s400/Park+11.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404154891555170306" border="0" /></a><br />I've been getting a lot of great comments about the green bridesmaids shoes (only $25 from Newport News, what a steal!). When I picked out their shoes and dresses, this was the very shot I was envisioning...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8E5eBvWuBf3iwwPBcqvlaLA11uoO_EPb0DgAG0iIEJIC5UkrBJUPjhUYVWAC8_9XLKJUo4_l4FMvxbE_GrdORWPQRKkdZeimWqarcF1l-Qgf3wjxLH7xIHdL72YEspQ6ErrDhROC-KVQ/s1600-h/Park+12.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8E5eBvWuBf3iwwPBcqvlaLA11uoO_EPb0DgAG0iIEJIC5UkrBJUPjhUYVWAC8_9XLKJUo4_l4FMvxbE_GrdORWPQRKkdZeimWqarcF1l-Qgf3wjxLH7xIHdL72YEspQ6ErrDhROC-KVQ/s400/Park+12.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404154886909538066" border="0" /></a><br />Just a little more beautiful eye candy.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEnQurKmSjRMWAjzCxvwFSGkWkNkRy3l-AJmlLWYzzV7IgLIl9dE-MdrkwVFA2kywg0rn60vh70oGIPN1jkx8ERwFjsT5eUfh6p5FpYuMm26ynIDXY_ZdjuZ2JnXmuRHtut6BhaQPgJ6Y/s1600-h/Park+13.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEnQurKmSjRMWAjzCxvwFSGkWkNkRy3l-AJmlLWYzzV7IgLIl9dE-MdrkwVFA2kywg0rn60vh70oGIPN1jkx8ERwFjsT5eUfh6p5FpYuMm26ynIDXY_ZdjuZ2JnXmuRHtut6BhaQPgJ6Y/s400/Park+13.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404154581889469890" border="0" /></a><br />While the shot above of my dress may have been pretty, what you can't tell was how it was snagging on the sidewalk with each and every step. I was SO over having a train by this point! I begged and pleaded until my girls bustled it up.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMrkQDiUt-IFYBeY_sM4PigIxr_69EOqE0tNNUPbQmTRBx5YZpDM2UuYFxz31eDpePdyVzdcmZRCiLMWvFYbamJhYqp65IvXi1CkPZcS5UsBTIxHN1Ilj4ElyMX-9g29jkQzsWKIRztk0/s1600-h/Park+15.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMrkQDiUt-IFYBeY_sM4PigIxr_69EOqE0tNNUPbQmTRBx5YZpDM2UuYFxz31eDpePdyVzdcmZRCiLMWvFYbamJhYqp65IvXi1CkPZcS5UsBTIxHN1Ilj4ElyMX-9g29jkQzsWKIRztk0/s400/Park+15.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404154577087884962" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0es9pqqK385er1Sw7RtUACwu1xrobQGmQ_Sts0-eFJKkTNEbsW8xzJmvzA0N88kasdKqC2eOqnnfbIUQnxEZFXnPcuohh9qCfCtM9uXPVsIx189EA6i08VusI3gYcHUmcOGcuMmXFpXI/s1600-h/Park+16.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0es9pqqK385er1Sw7RtUACwu1xrobQGmQ_Sts0-eFJKkTNEbsW8xzJmvzA0N88kasdKqC2eOqnnfbIUQnxEZFXnPcuohh9qCfCtM9uXPVsIx189EA6i08VusI3gYcHUmcOGcuMmXFpXI/s400/Park+16.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404154570545808882" border="0" /></a><br />Just a couple more group shots in the park...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1uI6zijmsO_lIUl_bQZkjFUSA_nPDM1pVqyEFRj3ePL7rLG69cmAVsyRqelQXVo_99JDqTKYqNFX4s38k7x5DHApiWPyoL4hx74dEDGS0kZqQjyId08Uti1EENfQxVeRGdWKJ3hlVrc0/s1600-h/Park+17.1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1uI6zijmsO_lIUl_bQZkjFUSA_nPDM1pVqyEFRj3ePL7rLG69cmAVsyRqelQXVo_99JDqTKYqNFX4s38k7x5DHApiWPyoL4hx74dEDGS0kZqQjyId08Uti1EENfQxVeRGdWKJ3hlVrc0/s400/Park+17.1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404154569206797714" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiceFClFBZvCPHy3mE1TLsM_sXJsFF3TnKMtK5Si7u0vnAPVZy1uywJggmtFcosjlNxtSARQCyaoNbprlp9AiKoxCnx1M3JWoWjJqzvmfRGwcmkLoK_YIpBL55UprBBjYhO_M8gfX88hEs/s1600-h/Park+17.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiceFClFBZvCPHy3mE1TLsM_sXJsFF3TnKMtK5Si7u0vnAPVZy1uywJggmtFcosjlNxtSARQCyaoNbprlp9AiKoxCnx1M3JWoWjJqzvmfRGwcmkLoK_YIpBL55UprBBjYhO_M8gfX88hEs/s400/Park+17.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404154565821885746" border="0" /></a><br />...and it was time to pile back into the limo and head on our to our next location for some real fun! The park was pretty and all, but we're a lot less park people and a lot more urban street art and alley people. That's just how we roll.<br /><br />*Please note: All photos from <a href="http://www.lauriepeacock.com/" rel="" target="_blank">Laurie Peacock Photography</a><br /><br />Next up - Train tracks, murals, alleys and overpasses, oh my!<br /><br /><p><span style="font-weight: bold;">Previously in our wedding recaps:</span><br /><a href="http://www.weddingbee.com/2009/10/26/step-by-step-girls-get-ready/">Step by Step: Girls Get Ready<br /></a><a href="http://www.weddingbee.com/2009/10/28/step-by-step-guys-get-ready/">Step by Step: Guys Get Ready<br /></a><a href="http://www.weddingbee.com/2009/11/02/step-by-step-first-look/">Step by Step: First Look<br /></a><a href="http://www.weddingbee.com/2009/11/05/step-by-step-gettin-ready-to-walk/">Step by Step: Gettin’ Ready to Walk<br /></a><a href="http://www.weddingbee.com/2009/11/09/step-by-step-we-get-hitched/">Step by Step: We Get Hitched</a><br /></p>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11779301862432140898noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4383586636665371685.post-85031366652098446372009-11-12T12:13:00.003-06:002009-11-12T12:49:54.055-06:00Changing Names in Chiiicago.<div align="left">Whew, as far as changing names goes, I'm grateful to just be changing a few cards and documents rather than changing one of these babies:<br /><br /></div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7ooWvI5vvC8FlgQ8AuLnFi0aTjb_axvdv4VgxQ5nruYb-PnusA1_A1PVr-6EcGXuDxL_BppnMP0_BjbNCOWLXbjuA6-v_Q4K8ZaDA3XvHCnFkGKi5djLUhM1VyPQfBs8LeFXMgY1aT_Q/s1600-h/Tattoo.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403283688897585298" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 266px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7ooWvI5vvC8FlgQ8AuLnFi0aTjb_axvdv4VgxQ5nruYb-PnusA1_A1PVr-6EcGXuDxL_BppnMP0_BjbNCOWLXbjuA6-v_Q4K8ZaDA3XvHCnFkGKi5djLUhM1VyPQfBs8LeFXMgY1aT_Q/s400/Tattoo.jpg" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tupwanders/200141627/">Source</a><br /><br /><div align="left">Claudia is one lucky lady I'd guess. Anyway.</div><div align="left"><br /></div><div align="left">I was absolutely dreading the whole process from start to finish. It seemed very mysterious and confusing and like it would be difficult. </div><div align="left"><br /></div><div align="left">Fortunately, I found this fabulous <a href="http://newlastname.org/il-illinois/how-to-change-your-name">Web site for Illinois residents</a> to work through the name changing process. It walks through step by step exactly what order you should do things in, the forms you'll need to fill out for each office, and even form letters that you can modify and send out to notify your banks and other organizations about the change. And the Web site is free, free, FREE!</div><div align="left"><br /></div><div align="left">And, still, I put everything off. I absolutely could not motivate myself to go and pick up a copy of my marriage certificate, the Holy Grail to changing your name. Please keep in mind that my work is less than a 10 minute walk from the office where I can get the certificate, and their office hours (8am - 5pm) work perfectly with my schedule to allow me to make it over there. Heh.</div><div align="left"><br /></div><div align="left">Once I finally went there, I was in and out in less than 5 minutes! And about $20 poorer. I paid for two copies of the certificate (one copy is like $15, a second is $4, I thought it was smart to have a backup so as not to have to go back).</div><div align="left"><br /></div><div align="left">The next week, I headed on over to the Social Security Office to apply for my new card. Their office hours are not so friendly - 9am-4pm. What?! Really? Ugh. So I went over my lunch hour and after a 45 minute wait my number was finally called (I am guessing that I was lucky and this was a relatively short wait for that office).</div><div align="left"><br /></div><div align="left">My big concern was that I was taking my maiden name and moving it to my middle name, and then taking Mr. S's last name. There is nowhere on their Web site that states you can do this. From asking around and reading message boards, I learned that whatever you put on your application for your new Social Security card, you should be fine as long as you have your marriage certificate to prove the change. My name change on my card was accepted without the bat of an eye!</div><div align="left"><br /></div><div align="left">Less then a week later, I had my new Social Security card in my hand. And better yet, your social security card is FREE! </div><div align="left"><br /></div><div align="left">Feeling powerful with my new card and excited to put things into motion, I headed over to the DMV to get my new license. Mind you, the license I had was the one I got when I turned 21 and still had my parents' address on it (where I haven't lived for 5 years). I was sad to part with my old friend, but excited to finally have something with my new name on it to flash around (since flashing around one's Social Security card tends to be frowned upon). </div><div align="left"><br /></div><div align="left">There's an "Express" DMV in Chicago's Loop and I went there after work on a Friday (they are also open until 5pm!). There was NO WAIT, people. I worked with the nicest lady who autmatically asked me if I was moving my maiden name to my middle name and chatted about how much she loved my new Korean last name. </div><div align="left"><br /></div><div align="left">$5 and one surprisingly good picture later, I had my license!</div><div align="left"><br /></div><div align="left">Note to self: practice writing new signature <em>before</em> signing a card I will have for years to come. Doh!</div><div align="left"><br /></div><div align="left">I've since sent out all letters to my various accounts using the handy dandy form letter I found online, and am awaiting for new cards and changed accounts. </div><div align="left"><br /></div><div align="left">This weekend Mr. S and I are heading over to my bank, where we will change my name on all of those accounts AND add him onto the accounts, thereby starting down the road of the dreaded (on my part) joint account. Must. Stop. Buying. Clothes.</div><div align="left"><br /></div><div align="left">Part of me was sad to leave my maiden name behind, so getting to bring it right along with me and having it be such an easy process to do so has been fabulous. I officially feel like a Mrs.!</div><div align="left"><br /></div><div align="left">Did you have a hard time working the system to change your name?</div></div>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11779301862432140898noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4383586636665371685.post-18388350695609270842009-11-08T18:12:00.010-06:002009-11-08T19:02:02.837-06:00Step by Step: We Get Hitched!Walking down the aisle was so incredibly surreal, but I was very, very happy that the aisle wasn't long - I was ready to get to Mr. S!<span style="text-decoration: underline;"><br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpxui7xnqFfiraP6VUjQvjxIOa91K30vrr8XELNHNMGfesSTnf3gvdZc1IX_9QEC8pe4SESLgp9rJHSfp6TTMNsBYtAI6UtxoDx-stHpFo1LcKOjPaptm6kVNS4Q2RSn7Adax-VMTQufM/s1600-h/Ceremony+1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpxui7xnqFfiraP6VUjQvjxIOa91K30vrr8XELNHNMGfesSTnf3gvdZc1IX_9QEC8pe4SESLgp9rJHSfp6TTMNsBYtAI6UtxoDx-stHpFo1LcKOjPaptm6kVNS4Q2RSn7Adax-VMTQufM/s400/Ceremony+1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5401891561995699810" border="0" /></a><br />Our wedding party was ready and waiting for my arrival...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyADDdEMh7HgY-BCcDB9Zwhj_a8XPpoQbyzzi6hDtbRi6rk3DOFA3zHYb7AZDfe8EBL1y5zitMZf7xHNht8weHIgTUFB_WwhFPsZVSl6788k12n0ZARUuoiV-4NVOBhvsSUnBhwA4ooMc/s1600-h/Ceremony+2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyADDdEMh7HgY-BCcDB9Zwhj_a8XPpoQbyzzi6hDtbRi6rk3DOFA3zHYb7AZDfe8EBL1y5zitMZf7xHNht8weHIgTUFB_WwhFPsZVSl6788k12n0ZARUuoiV-4NVOBhvsSUnBhwA4ooMc/s400/Ceremony+2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5401891558905732690" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6vH7KCjI2k3cd99P8IcusRYASDxdrg-ilmnTtP-nr7XYI6OZlUxhFKaAV-MjIKtOYduth-FB1D3pLBC8KGtl7cC_h-DJhCKPEAg5pQtz7-89_YYNo0UHGx1e42g7I0gP48Z7b0JbP_LE/s1600-h/Ceremony+3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6vH7KCjI2k3cd99P8IcusRYASDxdrg-ilmnTtP-nr7XYI6OZlUxhFKaAV-MjIKtOYduth-FB1D3pLBC8KGtl7cC_h-DJhCKPEAg5pQtz7-89_YYNo0UHGx1e42g7I0gP48Z7b0JbP_LE/s400/Ceremony+3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5401891552282624802" border="0" /></a><br />And Daddy Stiletto delivered me safe and sound to Mr. S.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi11fni5jdiNUM6V5pkPeTGl_Z_uyVihSfAps2llWwng86He5873p7HRxunVRfUATn-4VDRMAsyyncK4-vCdkFC9LehhlCo4gfJ3KOGDlLGSJ3SBirRDv-KyUank6Q3cvkphektVdyLXuw/s1600-h/Ceremony+4.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi11fni5jdiNUM6V5pkPeTGl_Z_uyVihSfAps2llWwng86He5873p7HRxunVRfUATn-4VDRMAsyyncK4-vCdkFC9LehhlCo4gfJ3KOGDlLGSJ3SBirRDv-KyUank6Q3cvkphektVdyLXuw/s400/Ceremony+4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5401891551725783234" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhRvtjajMpx6c0CmX3jRDQTGdZ2dJ15tWuiQ0YgtOet4upmEwY6smfhbPLFdvQIBj1fSXkdm_yZywzTtiULRMi6900I3KioScpoF_JuqMoy781Z3aZ8SxcG3zyFMNkbFNHLxpV_MQtY9E/s1600-h/Ceremony+5.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhRvtjajMpx6c0CmX3jRDQTGdZ2dJ15tWuiQ0YgtOet4upmEwY6smfhbPLFdvQIBj1fSXkdm_yZywzTtiULRMi6900I3KioScpoF_JuqMoy781Z3aZ8SxcG3zyFMNkbFNHLxpV_MQtY9E/s400/Ceremony+5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5401891214430650962" border="0" /></a><br />It all was a bit of a blur...I focused on looking at the outline of the ceremony that Pastor Scott was holding to help keep the tears at bay!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjndw69wGMHJuQAtl56q-JcCfYV6AIHTNc4k_nYX_AsplhVM2oZXj9rtAlJlArf7_mvosfCjwwave8svF0G3cuHI3-Cq2zOg8zvk7LtfrN_2G57vlqr7OPAK6x5s4QBjIUKi3D1BKE7IJE/s1600-h/Ceremony+6.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjndw69wGMHJuQAtl56q-JcCfYV6AIHTNc4k_nYX_AsplhVM2oZXj9rtAlJlArf7_mvosfCjwwave8svF0G3cuHI3-Cq2zOg8zvk7LtfrN_2G57vlqr7OPAK6x5s4QBjIUKi3D1BKE7IJE/s400/Ceremony+6.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5401891210642407586" border="0" /></a><br />I love this little sneaky shot of the bridesmaids.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeTC4X4jlO8aHwtsuF1XVQpKOuPZl249LrsI-80Cebfix0Xj4dpIUb7yX9aZ9f34bGlGRtDaq0llI945j1qV3nAK1GhPn3RvvYh3W5MyKn9-hDf5G1E38sMlAw9Src_5qnrVJT0rsumA8/s1600-h/Ceremony+7.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeTC4X4jlO8aHwtsuF1XVQpKOuPZl249LrsI-80Cebfix0Xj4dpIUb7yX9aZ9f34bGlGRtDaq0llI945j1qV3nAK1GhPn3RvvYh3W5MyKn9-hDf5G1E38sMlAw9Src_5qnrVJT0rsumA8/s400/Ceremony+7.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5401891204850408018" border="0" /></a><br />And, wait - are those my <a href="http://www.weddingbee.com/2009/09/16/i-diyed-pomanders-too/">pomanders</a>?! I'm so glad that I did these and nothing more, keepin' it simple. (FYI - I have 10 of these pomanders for sale on <a href="http://classifieds.weddingbee.com/topic/white-tissue-paper-pomanders-w-black-ribbon">classifieds</a>, message me if you're interested, otherwise I'm trashing them!).<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie6XKKCt648D3U6SNcs710qANZhSYC9OHGcsu6kZ6__4KUgqJmOCb954I1uw6vRwlxMEgAVRcr6yS4sHvuqis3LnuS02br0I1fagH0yU3okG-ArwahbJ_IWwC_dQPCAo0k3TBLwAf8snw/s1600-h/Ceremony+8.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie6XKKCt648D3U6SNcs710qANZhSYC9OHGcsu6kZ6__4KUgqJmOCb954I1uw6vRwlxMEgAVRcr6yS4sHvuqis3LnuS02br0I1fagH0yU3okG-ArwahbJ_IWwC_dQPCAo0k3TBLwAf8snw/s400/Ceremony+8.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5401891204014528914" border="0" /></a><br />We were so excited to exchange our bling!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZcG1z_KBsmsKgaIpNz_9fA_vIMa98J7X1fpjeLCGi_jWE2A41ovbjxZq9OQEZ0Qnfhv-wzrVFvWkHSga4KABXecRrNfkGza9FMq73rr4QeoX8t0KImOnVl2rKhdAfoJQM31D9lmqQDoY/s1600-h/Ceremony+9.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZcG1z_KBsmsKgaIpNz_9fA_vIMa98J7X1fpjeLCGi_jWE2A41ovbjxZq9OQEZ0Qnfhv-wzrVFvWkHSga4KABXecRrNfkGza9FMq73rr4QeoX8t0KImOnVl2rKhdAfoJQM31D9lmqQDoY/s400/Ceremony+9.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5401891196035087378" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH4saNh6REEqxmGVTcU1q9eX3LYAxIjB6sEEkTEcGvWznBY5ArjHRv9sQ3JflMLEhEfnY-LQ_7DemnsF6MgSwP9WYFYXn_9T0eUAJlg-PcJniDhPN4DOSuLys_NegcC1aVNT-RGELXRao/s1600-h/Ceremony+10.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH4saNh6REEqxmGVTcU1q9eX3LYAxIjB6sEEkTEcGvWznBY5ArjHRv9sQ3JflMLEhEfnY-LQ_7DemnsF6MgSwP9WYFYXn_9T0eUAJlg-PcJniDhPN4DOSuLys_NegcC1aVNT-RGELXRao/s400/Ceremony+10.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5401892048894356866" border="0" /></a><br />And while everyone looked on...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhykr-H8-UyNEqBrgWqOGCgMzDHOdqYK6vTGesioM2eq0kr3d7YpV1RAcFpjIeLrDSe8uoRaCdLEh80Fk_TngpixDlYRjAAIvH21jNNYy-CCzF6wh-ACFIWnSf9Ejezt-uO8JEQdUSjHxw/s1600-h/Ceremony+11.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhykr-H8-UyNEqBrgWqOGCgMzDHOdqYK6vTGesioM2eq0kr3d7YpV1RAcFpjIeLrDSe8uoRaCdLEh80Fk_TngpixDlYRjAAIvH21jNNYy-CCzF6wh-ACFIWnSf9Ejezt-uO8JEQdUSjHxw/s400/Ceremony+11.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5401890758564408434" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="text-decoration: underline;"></span>...we headed on up to light our unity candle (which was a last minute DIY of pinning damask fabric to a white pillar camera, easy and cheap!).<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJdTyclJlJ8FGt5ImWjQjyyJQQBAC8UV2MNNl_W9c_Y2Y2FRbTdqOH-PAUU-TkJHF-JnomhkPib5QOXnF3UTPoy7sJi6fYQXWB93clmmNHT4S-GwcVb6fC4119xJ64lHASyED-ymdwZPc/s1600-h/Ceremony+12.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJdTyclJlJ8FGt5ImWjQjyyJQQBAC8UV2MNNl_W9c_Y2Y2FRbTdqOH-PAUU-TkJHF-JnomhkPib5QOXnF3UTPoy7sJi6fYQXWB93clmmNHT4S-GwcVb6fC4119xJ64lHASyED-ymdwZPc/s400/Ceremony+12.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5401890753131668962" border="0" /></a><br />As we got up there, I started to wonder why I ever thought it would be a good idea to handle fire while full of nerves in a long flowing dress. Eek! Fortunately, no fires were set and after lighting the candle Mr. S and I had a moment to giggle and talk, just the two of us.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigyMoItWi0tWR-i6OSA5MFmZ8fREx2ilHZRgKw2mTfn92QFB0WoGERWEOtGUXlCvXsiW-73A8d13ResC6hyphenhyphenApqzSCpgPmAMoPf7kuYRe-twONe6rHY0GKatGOvF8ABcUL8SrIpdtJ7XN4/s1600-h/Ceremony+13.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigyMoItWi0tWR-i6OSA5MFmZ8fREx2ilHZRgKw2mTfn92QFB0WoGERWEOtGUXlCvXsiW-73A8d13ResC6hyphenhyphenApqzSCpgPmAMoPf7kuYRe-twONe6rHY0GKatGOvF8ABcUL8SrIpdtJ7XN4/s400/Ceremony+13.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5401890746641794882" border="0" /></a><br />Finally, we were almost there!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOHzwBBY2_OY6igd6udPcprpRd0cW2tF7Rxg4nDr98Aykq1TO2LB3HqSw0egyW6s6TwCcPg8mIgrOcY0BfF2pipikl5UDdu1c7D_SEIsLoTOmqViDXfsrAWy0eNW_EqK6shsyQOLyGECo/s1600-h/Ceremony+14.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOHzwBBY2_OY6igd6udPcprpRd0cW2tF7Rxg4nDr98Aykq1TO2LB3HqSw0egyW6s6TwCcPg8mIgrOcY0BfF2pipikl5UDdu1c7D_SEIsLoTOmqViDXfsrAWy0eNW_EqK6shsyQOLyGECo/s400/Ceremony+14.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5401890741175481458" border="0" /></a><br />Time for THE kiss. Remember my post about <a href="http://www.weddingbee.com/2009/08/06/umm-church-tongue/">church tongue</a>? Well, how do you think we did?!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4irhPIez_z0Svnu4LXrWTi-F_PR6BEZ-IfXyMWvbUm7pCBehS90b-kniOVWCDg9PuIb9712380K7Noe3ptNPUonGejdSAcghWXgmGbDiNq1JsBB82e5ADmzrNfyuYcbtp1yiJIO6feCo/s1600-h/Ceremony+15.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4irhPIez_z0Svnu4LXrWTi-F_PR6BEZ-IfXyMWvbUm7pCBehS90b-kniOVWCDg9PuIb9712380K7Noe3ptNPUonGejdSAcghWXgmGbDiNq1JsBB82e5ADmzrNfyuYcbtp1yiJIO6feCo/s400/Ceremony+15.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5401890426698457762" border="0" /></a><br />Not too shabby! Simple and sweet.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTW7Ng6Pfgab5feYzawS8HDgi-NYK2bNw31SD8MZohV4thcZ5caorvIARwHvQDnScmrqWPIyb-f8wTOSgMR5gohLZHzRc95_qSh2DkcZ5VStroWJ6tNQHQuFC7dqhAfEfn5cUD80MZnVs/s1600-h/Ceremony+16.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTW7Ng6Pfgab5feYzawS8HDgi-NYK2bNw31SD8MZohV4thcZ5caorvIARwHvQDnScmrqWPIyb-f8wTOSgMR5gohLZHzRc95_qSh2DkcZ5VStroWJ6tNQHQuFC7dqhAfEfn5cUD80MZnVs/s400/Ceremony+16.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5401890421700827122" border="0" /></a><br />This was it! To Stevie Wonder's "Signed, Sealed, Delivered" we were officially Mr. and Mrs. Stiletto!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4Iffzb-zYteT5tjIfuGo7-dYuqvPGrL1KesFc-xtNZTPuHutKbaOA5KIPRyqBEXEA3P-ZoTJGkSWCkaRxmTwLzi25mpB01IX608-0QpDs2NlaM3ATbtZTIR_ChgfrAFEoiwBHhEylSwo/s1600-h/Ceremony+17.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4Iffzb-zYteT5tjIfuGo7-dYuqvPGrL1KesFc-xtNZTPuHutKbaOA5KIPRyqBEXEA3P-ZoTJGkSWCkaRxmTwLzi25mpB01IX608-0QpDs2NlaM3ATbtZTIR_ChgfrAFEoiwBHhEylSwo/s400/Ceremony+17.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5401890417787375682" border="0" /></a><br />I finally got to look and see who was in the church. There were so many people that I knew were going to be there, but it was such an exciting surprise seeing them there!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0Ey6PKZ7vqdtBDpSlvQoG9GTMY5NVJXV4-TovovQ0Z9LB5OvRZWxUc1BQM29rzCNeDpZozWbN_zWxyRx8rDyzGi8SJWmZMOTF0YBlMHeQUo2-Y8y3hUUXV1Iry2owOzPiRObPMZ66hLo/s1600-h/Ceremony+18.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0Ey6PKZ7vqdtBDpSlvQoG9GTMY5NVJXV4-TovovQ0Z9LB5OvRZWxUc1BQM29rzCNeDpZozWbN_zWxyRx8rDyzGi8SJWmZMOTF0YBlMHeQUo2-Y8y3hUUXV1Iry2owOzPiRObPMZ66hLo/s400/Ceremony+18.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5401890410993532546" border="0" /></a><br />Mr. S whisked me away into hiding until our guests exited the church...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg57cFsmWWAkm2wvdrnenqhHr-ems8x4MtULWv9NrHeWTmuCuUZCQ_7ol-RIZTBhyh7juLEZhrDedpb3C0tzJAIoSbcrcwIhst75Y7oLY4J3q4-b_uLtwZ3snJn1uiwutz9zAtuj1OM8gw/s1600-h/Ceremony+19.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg57cFsmWWAkm2wvdrnenqhHr-ems8x4MtULWv9NrHeWTmuCuUZCQ_7ol-RIZTBhyh7juLEZhrDedpb3C0tzJAIoSbcrcwIhst75Y7oLY4J3q4-b_uLtwZ3snJn1uiwutz9zAtuj1OM8gw/s400/Ceremony+19.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5401890408663795490" border="0" /></a><br />...so that we could have a "grand exit" from the church with all of our guests around. While we opted not to do a toss or bubbles or any of the other fun options, just having everyone out there clapping was fine by us!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFt22CF-LyXgJLg8C-MhJ3gDgLcu53wFFcLWiND3HG-OFitIDp7Be2WSijBtr5aVcXpRzGzpo2V3oaPYgrm7BGpI834XJlGQCeFxOc5LZBUDgVPpCixy1hC9U_hU4leRHoPmA4Y8tZJjU/s1600-h/Ceremony+20.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFt22CF-LyXgJLg8C-MhJ3gDgLcu53wFFcLWiND3HG-OFitIDp7Be2WSijBtr5aVcXpRzGzpo2V3oaPYgrm7BGpI834XJlGQCeFxOc5LZBUDgVPpCixy1hC9U_hU4leRHoPmA4Y8tZJjU/s400/Ceremony+20.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5401899827680779122" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1AR5JRi_obSS8_Ojeo8pHjWGLIT60jE1wtCKaBIFAEkVYHlf4Bi9wFi3NJVxqEnOVcZfHKWEWfZWxQmD6b7kmEJ0aaH9dsxXMQF5fgvQv8C49WJQLLVC4leVF5xJJkGcDRFWlNyUH-mE/s1600-h/Ceremony+23.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1AR5JRi_obSS8_Ojeo8pHjWGLIT60jE1wtCKaBIFAEkVYHlf4Bi9wFi3NJVxqEnOVcZfHKWEWfZWxQmD6b7kmEJ0aaH9dsxXMQF5fgvQv8C49WJQLLVC4leVF5xJJkGcDRFWlNyUH-mE/s400/Ceremony+23.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5401900341598010034" border="0" /></a><br />I love this shot - feels so glamorous!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp-hOsyyW8_sYSpA3lajfanjdogatZdpHPKPqRUHuEeC2B5NnM2EjYhFHjldOBHZRcrATrITCQnGN2fZeEdREh7lGd46rl3a0YMZ1QBtBMpqp4Ze8aDScqlBMAbSALJ6xb2zIYoe1lQlk/s1600-h/Ceremony+21.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp-hOsyyW8_sYSpA3lajfanjdogatZdpHPKPqRUHuEeC2B5NnM2EjYhFHjldOBHZRcrATrITCQnGN2fZeEdREh7lGd46rl3a0YMZ1QBtBMpqp4Ze8aDScqlBMAbSALJ6xb2zIYoe1lQlk/s400/Ceremony+21.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5401899826667161826" border="0" /></a><br />Our limo arrived and it was time to load up and head out for pictures around Oak Park!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJOpeQj7dJEWbQtdIl42BrhIGCp-4qyNBC6mCajkvhEcwS8ET79TaXQk-VK5RYMh5IjTCQGE8S0NbiLMSxwDag5XNXdeiGk0p6hScpEryNycF_ShjhBsKrFnGN0x2lmNPA8zl7Yzlz-Qs/s1600-h/Ceremony+22.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJOpeQj7dJEWbQtdIl42BrhIGCp-4qyNBC6mCajkvhEcwS8ET79TaXQk-VK5RYMh5IjTCQGE8S0NbiLMSxwDag5XNXdeiGk0p6hScpEryNycF_ShjhBsKrFnGN0x2lmNPA8zl7Yzlz-Qs/s400/Ceremony+22.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5401899821240874114" border="0" /></a><br />*Please note: All photos from <a href="http://www.lauriepeacock.com/" rel="" target="_blank">Laurie Peacock Photography</a><br /><br />We had just an amazing ceremony. Many of our guests commented on how nice it was and while it was a little more modern (we spent a lot of time choosing music and readings that were special to us), the messages were still very spiritual and meaningful.<br /><br />Next up - Wedding party pictures as we stroll around Oak Park!<br /><p><span style="font-weight: bold;">Previously in our wedding recaps:</span><br /><a href="http://www.weddingbee.com/2009/10/26/step-by-step-girls-get-ready/">Step by Step: Girls Get Ready<br /></a><a href="http://www.weddingbee.com/2009/10/28/step-by-step-guys-get-ready/">Step by Step: Guys Get Ready<br /></a><a href="http://www.weddingbee.com/2009/11/02/step-by-step-first-look/">Step by Step: First Look<br /></a><a href="http://www.weddingbee.com/2009/11/05/step-by-step-gettin-ready-to-walk/">Step by Step: Gettin' Ready to Walk</a><br /></p>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11779301862432140898noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4383586636665371685.post-27117177198288487352009-11-03T19:55:00.004-06:002009-11-03T20:23:01.196-06:00Step by Step: Gettin' Ready to WalkI love the calm in the church just a couple of hours before the ceremony was to begin. For a wedding of 100 people, we couldn't have asked for a more perfect church to be married in. Some of our guests even commented that it felt like a little country church...that is, until an ambulance came blaring by in the middle of the ceremony. Ahh, urban life!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXm85F15K8ivLb1PL8wmNUR8rmmf9OEcQgj6KgvByF1-n1X3YeJr25OpOco1rxI9F7-HFO4OQruZCeEHPBhd8mYbHV284ENRTzB2gI5NsBOoPUXK6Cs9ZfXrDysBrfcrHJ8UuZiOAL4CE/s1600-h/Before+1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXm85F15K8ivLb1PL8wmNUR8rmmf9OEcQgj6KgvByF1-n1X3YeJr25OpOco1rxI9F7-HFO4OQruZCeEHPBhd8mYbHV284ENRTzB2gI5NsBOoPUXK6Cs9ZfXrDysBrfcrHJ8UuZiOAL4CE/s400/Before+1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400062606538744626" border="0" /></a><br />Daddy Stiletto made sure Mr. S's flower was pinned on just right...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA0LRjkYak505anh7jnx7tFDVGZoJHK0W-kty7NMmg35zX3Y1k3xAT3zS2_8LvNgtofUUu0VgKqyVvZYVY5bwuzDpIMMZvywJyJyZVnTqGjbKJyTVsLBDzt94jK62r6lmfom5sf-BGpVQ/s1600-h/Before+3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA0LRjkYak505anh7jnx7tFDVGZoJHK0W-kty7NMmg35zX3Y1k3xAT3zS2_8LvNgtofUUu0VgKqyVvZYVY5bwuzDpIMMZvywJyJyZVnTqGjbKJyTVsLBDzt94jK62r6lmfom5sf-BGpVQ/s400/Before+3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400062599409624802" border="0" /></a><br />...while Momma Stiletto kept me cool and calm as we waited in a different part of the church. This was after the <a href="http://www.weddingbee.com/2009/11/02/step-by-step-first-look/">first look</a>, but I was still all in knots!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcRp6mNT7CzgxDLYmkJbG2LYn3bFciL5yLmJ0NRz3uNhxAEU-Ml7EYH68XGmtbO6n71MiNoundU3Nsv1TWGf_9T8-01qBfp-Zdp3x2AOFIrhBc2o9kGR1lTeXT75Cz_r67aIsi9MgH_VM/s1600-h/Before+4.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcRp6mNT7CzgxDLYmkJbG2LYn3bFciL5yLmJ0NRz3uNhxAEU-Ml7EYH68XGmtbO6n71MiNoundU3Nsv1TWGf_9T8-01qBfp-Zdp3x2AOFIrhBc2o9kGR1lTeXT75Cz_r67aIsi9MgH_VM/s400/Before+4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400062595026065506" border="0" /></a><br />The guys putzed around while they waited for the high sign that they should line up...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGGaabPbZUxnK2Skhsl3mY4kD_M-QcpN2m5zvrMkzP3m6LsdaTGESO9I2rsfXHxCJ5wDwq3gWLwKzBpKTA2gVAgkr_trPw8ekl7dX4BNP2IyZNV_S-PyGOdFSs8cQ-7OrVO6oyEoKN-H0/s1600-h/Before+5.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGGaabPbZUxnK2Skhsl3mY4kD_M-QcpN2m5zvrMkzP3m6LsdaTGESO9I2rsfXHxCJ5wDwq3gWLwKzBpKTA2gVAgkr_trPw8ekl7dX4BNP2IyZNV_S-PyGOdFSs8cQ-7OrVO6oyEoKN-H0/s400/Before+5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400062390383045138" border="0" /></a><br />...while the ladies kept me company as I asked "Is it time yet?!" many times over.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjQGzMmJffIdxoOB1CG-opChKMVjz-Qa91ZRs80xd6-hDaTkiRxUy3hug3jfco2J_b4JSfzo6P8ax3dA5k4pkEtAM7GVSTPG_IeN6ddNCOEU8SoK62buk0maDUegtd7BI1Q-0HoR_2Wzc/s1600-h/Before+6.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjQGzMmJffIdxoOB1CG-opChKMVjz-Qa91ZRs80xd6-hDaTkiRxUy3hug3jfco2J_b4JSfzo6P8ax3dA5k4pkEtAM7GVSTPG_IeN6ddNCOEU8SoK62buk0maDUegtd7BI1Q-0HoR_2Wzc/s400/Before+6.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400062384065571922" border="0" /></a><br />When Mr. S was on his wait to the front of the sanctuary, I met up with Daddy Stiletto to get lined up behind the rest of the wedding party.<br /><br />Behind the scenes story: notice my arms in the shot? Yeah....I was very concerned that I was going to sweat like crazy during the ceremony (not only out of nerves, but the sanctuary didn't have air conditioning!), so I was keepin' my arms out. But no worries, I was cool as a cucumber!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ0a_f9IZ73NwyvDswFvmekOt_2Q_X5PzhbULzrE0PFUHozYBnCvkUNwoHULGK-QOE5xROrcwEbjFLcwX2hzMz_snGMXxn9HvHjeVqbnIBuSODNKDeqe9vwnJDG3o7zcZYiBjbOWREon4/s1600-h/Before+7.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ0a_f9IZ73NwyvDswFvmekOt_2Q_X5PzhbULzrE0PFUHozYBnCvkUNwoHULGK-QOE5xROrcwEbjFLcwX2hzMz_snGMXxn9HvHjeVqbnIBuSODNKDeqe9vwnJDG3o7zcZYiBjbOWREon4/s400/Before+7.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400062377378811826" border="0" /></a><br />An encouraging smile from Sister Stiletto...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRz2xniM4HwJaIO0hi47kG-SKJvJgV17vU6_Xg_GcMNqbheDIW_2uz01LfvKpqrQwTRrnUqemu5A3_lie82CT9psWfE-J_9RD0ZUJ8SYdryLVdGmVbBd3_dT167XPnz0aFp7NJiNXoMpQ/s1600-h/Before+8.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRz2xniM4HwJaIO0hi47kG-SKJvJgV17vU6_Xg_GcMNqbheDIW_2uz01LfvKpqrQwTRrnUqemu5A3_lie82CT9psWfE-J_9RD0ZUJ8SYdryLVdGmVbBd3_dT167XPnz0aFp7NJiNXoMpQ/s400/Before+8.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400062373963500578" border="0" /></a><br />...and just to not have a completely big head about how great I'd like to think I looked on the day, I give you my ugly face:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioFQmgOvs1hRGvXZeQ1poDf3vBbgOBF8Tak580ei3d7DrhMFW-NYHyL4WEUxwU1svd5AspodU9_qrsE7-2BZmOLbJxbF7J5Vv3abqesxZo2vDfWkfQqzfBEf4TtUIFygR0nvzjn0rFfqE/s1600-h/Before+9.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioFQmgOvs1hRGvXZeQ1poDf3vBbgOBF8Tak580ei3d7DrhMFW-NYHyL4WEUxwU1svd5AspodU9_qrsE7-2BZmOLbJxbF7J5Vv3abqesxZo2vDfWkfQqzfBEf4TtUIFygR0nvzjn0rFfqE/s400/Before+9.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400062368462433410" border="0" /></a><br />Two of our fabulous ushers rolled out the white carpet, err, paper-like runner. That blasted runner (you'll see why in a second).<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6Cv9I3yFjilmyCCsJHqn37Bc_OJksrwa3UwCNzZqxU9bwqGsHZddnuhg6Dl2P0ZM3QxdwYWlYTvAv_MXCd7OtBWpnbNhaJX_mnQ90C2yY-e-PM7Xb7bDUd04w9EDBZckT9AJJpSXqO_U/s1600-h/Before+11.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6Cv9I3yFjilmyCCsJHqn37Bc_OJksrwa3UwCNzZqxU9bwqGsHZddnuhg6Dl2P0ZM3QxdwYWlYTvAv_MXCd7OtBWpnbNhaJX_mnQ90C2yY-e-PM7Xb7bDUd04w9EDBZckT9AJJpSXqO_U/s400/Before+11.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400062028270080482" border="0" /></a><br />The bridal party made their way down the aisle.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik-I5tp9R1vm0AQzWkvH-b06NfFP7u-ryf0bLunYvcolLLZ9RIqYKOfNR1AgnRaVszYLhwAJ0cdN7D56z1BsbPkOaTZBPwjckrlaUI3T_130ELOyUP557VWqLzZCnvMS9y66ZEM-7J0u8/s1600-h/Before+14.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik-I5tp9R1vm0AQzWkvH-b06NfFP7u-ryf0bLunYvcolLLZ9RIqYKOfNR1AgnRaVszYLhwAJ0cdN7D56z1BsbPkOaTZBPwjckrlaUI3T_130ELOyUP557VWqLzZCnvMS9y66ZEM-7J0u8/s400/Before+14.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400062014543112578" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP8OMMUHMcqSRDod8RpBeJzRktwJ9rl1TrYeuq6b6Lz-FEh9ZZRsp9K45kuaqzDAkrI4g9wDJyEgH5FJMYV6TPfG-Lj09tFgtAkAqssTXii_NMGYk4Grb4lVsgMZ1HEKlyzVxWD9Lav8c/s1600-h/Before+15.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP8OMMUHMcqSRDod8RpBeJzRktwJ9rl1TrYeuq6b6Lz-FEh9ZZRsp9K45kuaqzDAkrI4g9wDJyEgH5FJMYV6TPfG-Lj09tFgtAkAqssTXii_NMGYk4Grb4lVsgMZ1HEKlyzVxWD9Lav8c/s400/Before+15.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400061533161514626" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGBF2rawfjHwbIu6QCELgLS9ntYUd_00JQIdXrL8jF0pgMuOJmpo6ZDK_Jy_L5ZjRSprc1bMpVIg6mP8hG1DE_XWxYU1gfGZ_1sR16Kf74eCAyysqZau3Yy0fd3vw-JxxU-dXqI9s_wHM/s1600-h/Before+16.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGBF2rawfjHwbIu6QCELgLS9ntYUd_00JQIdXrL8jF0pgMuOJmpo6ZDK_Jy_L5ZjRSprc1bMpVIg6mP8hG1DE_XWxYU1gfGZ_1sR16Kf74eCAyysqZau3Yy0fd3vw-JxxU-dXqI9s_wHM/s400/Before+16.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400061526682618146" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqaHoMMJZyiLzNYvNLXc-vKOEvAuiRVGPHVa2GIe63BpRe5diOuim72vi_VTiurE0ritKA1i3MC7uZmoiuEdDDdHB80QsMgY6I1tUVxKXuvxDLKpEv3FyUsNfaDsglJ-zMgtkleJdsSh4/s1600-h/Before+17.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqaHoMMJZyiLzNYvNLXc-vKOEvAuiRVGPHVa2GIe63BpRe5diOuim72vi_VTiurE0ritKA1i3MC7uZmoiuEdDDdHB80QsMgY6I1tUVxKXuvxDLKpEv3FyUsNfaDsglJ-zMgtkleJdsSh4/s400/Before+17.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400061523874117378" border="0" /></a><br />And Mr. S was ready and waiting for my grand entrance!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEJZVMKE1FaAVEMVndEummUwzernI4koeks9rBQUgvXv65o9nO1LkiVU5dRVhjAWZLnSLV-eWtDEF8_vxOSwzMX2XvU_hNqApzarpLaiEKVlF_Nc66D4FF4wnzCWWukxU7Bil-bTw6uAo/s1600-h/Before+18.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEJZVMKE1FaAVEMVndEummUwzernI4koeks9rBQUgvXv65o9nO1LkiVU5dRVhjAWZLnSLV-eWtDEF8_vxOSwzMX2XvU_hNqApzarpLaiEKVlF_Nc66D4FF4wnzCWWukxU7Bil-bTw6uAo/s400/Before+18.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400061521837191554" border="0" /></a><br />Here goes nothin'!! (seeeee the runner?! Arrr.)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMSDf1DL-SG6eye2cP3PKyAZTedeG9LdeL6v284o-fCJytwlLf9vqqzHen5zKZO8Kle8YhW-NUECUuNY3o829YGS7KpOg1olmUDVY0yCAkLkkphZsnk3TFY77u2CC9PAl0SoDazNW5t3s/s1600-h/Before+19.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMSDf1DL-SG6eye2cP3PKyAZTedeG9LdeL6v284o-fCJytwlLf9vqqzHen5zKZO8Kle8YhW-NUECUuNY3o829YGS7KpOg1olmUDVY0yCAkLkkphZsnk3TFY77u2CC9PAl0SoDazNW5t3s/s400/Before+19.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400061517202445986" border="0" /></a><br />*Please note: All photos from <a href="http://www.lauriepeacock.com/" rel="" target="_blank">Laurie Peacock Photography</a><br /><br />I have to say while I was ready and rarin' to go down the aisle, it absolutely goes by in a whirlwind. An amazing and meaningful whirlwind, but a whirlwind nonetheless!<br /><br />Next up - the Stiletto ceremony and officially tying the knot!<br /><br /><p><span style="font-weight: bold;">Previously in our wedding recaps:</span><br /><a href="http://www.weddingbee.com/2009/10/26/step-by-step-girls-get-ready/">Step by Step: Girls Get Ready<br /></a><a href="http://www.weddingbee.com/2009/10/28/step-by-step-guys-get-ready/">Step by Step: Guys Get Ready<br /></a><a href="http://www.weddingbee.com/2009/11/02/step-by-step-first-look/">Step by Step: First Look</a><br /></p>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11779301862432140898noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4383586636665371685.post-75911116851235942452009-11-01T12:26:00.007-06:002009-11-01T12:59:51.165-06:00Step by Step: First LookWe had debated doing a "first look" quite a bit. Mr. S was all about it, I was a little more hesitant. I even <a href="http://www.weddingbee.com/2009/07/24/to-look-or-not-to-look/">posted about it</a> this summer. I finally decided that if it was something that he felt was really important for us to do, I would throw caution to the wind and go for it.<br /><br />Our timeline was tight on the wedding day, so I left the hotel in the limo with the bridal party around 2:30, arriving at the church around 2:40. The ceremony started at 3:00 on the dot, so it was a quick look! I waited in the limo after the bridal party went into the church and waited for the "all clear" that Mr. S was all set and waiting for me in our designated spot - a little garden on the side of the church.<br /><br />Mr. S waited patiently with his back turned in one part of the garden.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0DVdUkwcERSvxkYCKLeYbnwv6oAfus1epZrQmwtHnDjbu4y4wzk4nr1gMnXSF6_ltijhb1zkoginkcgr3X8tMegHPIGOT9KX0JmSIpN-oRKuP6gVRndq7XakHK6Hr7PK0s8lnTwjSABc/s1600-h/Look+1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0DVdUkwcERSvxkYCKLeYbnwv6oAfus1epZrQmwtHnDjbu4y4wzk4nr1gMnXSF6_ltijhb1zkoginkcgr3X8tMegHPIGOT9KX0JmSIpN-oRKuP6gVRndq7XakHK6Hr7PK0s8lnTwjSABc/s400/Look+1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399204620743566754" border="0" /></a><br />I was ready and waiting behind him, all anxious and excited. Having a second photographer for this was great - she was standing facing Mr. S and our main photographer (the fabulous Laurie Peacock) was facing me...you can even see Laurie right behind Steve. Love it!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuSGr9a1UJteEqIf4NHQVZQzGlptnJyLWqN46g3mX7pUw8bYUKagkOdcNQ4QUiUFdjwKvpvWJJLAbZmer4FeOdMyZHx12h_elsJ5Eal9s3gBnpdyI2VaqKWMr4JCPTVly6568tpPYCvfA/s1600-h/Look+2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuSGr9a1UJteEqIf4NHQVZQzGlptnJyLWqN46g3mX7pUw8bYUKagkOdcNQ4QUiUFdjwKvpvWJJLAbZmer4FeOdMyZHx12h_elsJ5Eal9s3gBnpdyI2VaqKWMr4JCPTVly6568tpPYCvfA/s400/Look+2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399204526508814818" border="0" /></a><br />As it should be, Mr. S came to me! (ok, I was going to go to him, but part of the garden was a bit muddy, and I wasn't ready to trash my dress quite yet!)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibqvNYGPVmM9hds6ZZwmI34eXYzQ5-bZKQLkdQz6SrCKMaJYF_K_7UJ4cw2YwQ9i2zwmkiHaT4pVKXiFzjOWCgUa47eLrsfC8HFAoULGwRBXdGNNFbTpIjbM2vyLxXJNVeCIicK78FjWE/s1600-h/Look+3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibqvNYGPVmM9hds6ZZwmI34eXYzQ5-bZKQLkdQz6SrCKMaJYF_K_7UJ4cw2YwQ9i2zwmkiHaT4pVKXiFzjOWCgUa47eLrsfC8HFAoULGwRBXdGNNFbTpIjbM2vyLxXJNVeCIicK78FjWE/s400/Look+3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399204525573143154" border="0" /></a><br />I like to think he's liking what he's lookin' at.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIh97XQ5edNxutA4OinhpMAsXnREiH3lNVdb73dC1v9UOuZV4WqruvsGOv_H_lJ8qyyZZIla0vs7DXJxOz22FYMDN8OZPiPMUoxEh8IXNrx5Cmt69GBy00eA90eqwga9ed7880KWCA2K4/s1600-h/Look+4.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIh97XQ5edNxutA4OinhpMAsXnREiH3lNVdb73dC1v9UOuZV4WqruvsGOv_H_lJ8qyyZZIla0vs7DXJxOz22FYMDN8OZPiPMUoxEh8IXNrx5Cmt69GBy00eA90eqwga9ed7880KWCA2K4/s400/Look+4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399204519514433826" border="0" /></a><br />Especially as he goes in for a smooch.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsnbEQYGBQEEzMTS7S8lphvIViuSXpd08Ie4X1R-TxKq-yju3YbwByRk0QXjiLxR075iyUS5a-alUgxbNKokRXMjRv4yJAeFYFa0MauKjwWpU2livHHkucNSkVJWIY91pXQNp_3R2Lw-o/s1600-h/Look+5.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsnbEQYGBQEEzMTS7S8lphvIViuSXpd08Ie4X1R-TxKq-yju3YbwByRk0QXjiLxR075iyUS5a-alUgxbNKokRXMjRv4yJAeFYFa0MauKjwWpU2livHHkucNSkVJWIY91pXQNp_3R2Lw-o/s400/Look+5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399204513279956258" border="0" /></a><br />I gave him the cheek, though. Why? I'm assuming I didn't want to smudge my freshly-done makeup.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsN3EIIxxuYWY94h4UXAWlgTv6IVGhTClvnTUDPP0hv4s2PS2qzJ8u5sAiIPhMeATHJ0eWicfIbCrEXAJxl1llBr9pAWgghR15X-rUmpXxknImZxV0zzH3l7-R3F98ruOnSUKD4f7iy0M/s1600-h/Look+6.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsN3EIIxxuYWY94h4UXAWlgTv6IVGhTClvnTUDPP0hv4s2PS2qzJ8u5sAiIPhMeATHJ0eWicfIbCrEXAJxl1llBr9pAWgghR15X-rUmpXxknImZxV0zzH3l7-R3F98ruOnSUKD4f7iy0M/s400/Look+6.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399204509278893426" border="0" /></a><br />And then it was just time to chit chat, share stories from the morning. Mr. S is most definitely my best friend, and it was nice to FINALLY show him my dress! Whew...that was secret I had kept for almost a year.<span style="text-decoration: underline;"><br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe-INd9CEJ1HqHp62VZnKnYHMgPAVF7O7ArWcSAe6sWASuQy8Q9Pbbugxu7evODv7yOYKun5ccyefy4Te-ocxgR2dwTiIcw90Tq5o3elSstv-T8vl-LfoSGoMYajmtja34IzBnx1BvhOA/s1600-h/Look+8.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe-INd9CEJ1HqHp62VZnKnYHMgPAVF7O7ArWcSAe6sWASuQy8Q9Pbbugxu7evODv7yOYKun5ccyefy4Te-ocxgR2dwTiIcw90Tq5o3elSstv-T8vl-LfoSGoMYajmtja34IzBnx1BvhOA/s400/Look+8.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399204199461414930" border="0" /></a><br />Aww, a last hand squeeze before we separate - almost time for the ceremony to start!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0zxFHUJq_b_s0WA_BLyUgp_KfsHyzeTn6IxR2ZT9xONoiBdGNbAmBbTb6QNxAXd2h7N-LQGoMIYzuy8xT94fh9WFqS2RZslpzKIvpDVIbCw1kT5iVLNXhkw3pNATYfOeTCMmay7XeRUE/s1600-h/Look+9.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0zxFHUJq_b_s0WA_BLyUgp_KfsHyzeTn6IxR2ZT9xONoiBdGNbAmBbTb6QNxAXd2h7N-LQGoMIYzuy8xT94fh9WFqS2RZslpzKIvpDVIbCw1kT5iVLNXhkw3pNATYfOeTCMmay7XeRUE/s400/Look+9.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399204194428255794" border="0" /></a><br />Oh, and maybe a funny face.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrmJPJZAFQzWc5h4FYhZUe33q7EHVVV79C3bQadRc4kuXA51SYodssS5EBZ44QlF-o1h6XCfD1vARfoApmbxfAFEh3aTZ6anSa5djUmvOa9iz5bYU90_jvSWsnCPJzld9Tg13YZMxfkGE/s1600-h/Look+10.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrmJPJZAFQzWc5h4FYhZUe33q7EHVVV79C3bQadRc4kuXA51SYodssS5EBZ44QlF-o1h6XCfD1vARfoApmbxfAFEh3aTZ6anSa5djUmvOa9iz5bYU90_jvSWsnCPJzld9Tg13YZMxfkGE/s400/Look+10.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399204189656548770" border="0" /></a><br />Or two. Mr. S is apparently great with the faces!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNZwsGurJriaXRz5wsYhTkaQ_CMKjqdIVvvzCKWLYV7FptQXZaWqAflGNiBBWVYiqc_geDa1f4BRntQ8kENWCKxxYq3OeuHe7PpXzwL8x0nKxtlX9FOqjhvdcvu9GC7vzPXTssvimbJt4/s1600-h/Look+11.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNZwsGurJriaXRz5wsYhTkaQ_CMKjqdIVvvzCKWLYV7FptQXZaWqAflGNiBBWVYiqc_geDa1f4BRntQ8kENWCKxxYq3OeuHe7PpXzwL8x0nKxtlX9FOqjhvdcvu9GC7vzPXTssvimbJt4/s400/Look+11.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399204190107483330" border="0" /></a><br />*Please note: All photos from <a href="http://www.lauriepeacock.com/" target="_blank" rel="">Laurie Peacock Photography</a><br /><br />I had originally thought that our first look should definitely be in the church as I walked down the aisle. It would be meaningful, emotional and magical. But I truly believe that having those few moments together before the ceremony really was perfect. It eased some anxiety, let us reconnect before saying "I do" and helped us deal with many emotions. I can only imagine what kind of a crying mess I would have been in the church if I hadn't seen Mr. S beforehand.<br /><br />Next Up - Everyone gets lined up and ready for the ceremony to finally begin!<br /><br /><p><span style="font-weight: bold;">Previously in our wedding recaps:</span><br /><a href="http://www.weddingbee.com/2009/10/26/step-by-step-girls-get-ready/">Step by Step: Girls Get Ready<br /></a><a href="http://www.weddingbee.com/2009/10/28/step-by-step-guys-get-ready/">Step by Step: Guys Get Ready</a><br /></p>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11779301862432140898noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4383586636665371685.post-35494155678592797712009-10-29T10:37:00.003-05:002009-10-29T10:52:44.464-05:00Vendor Review: Morgan Blaul (Hair & Makeup)I'm pretty sure I contacted everyone in the greater Chicago-area who might do hair and makeup for weddings. I wanted someone to work on-site at the hotel I was staying at for the wedding, to do both hair and makeup, to be somewhat affordable, and of course, to be fabulous!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.morganblaul.com/">Morgan Blaul</a> definitely personified fabulosity. She was super chill and great to work with for my trial. I showed her what I wanted for my hair, and she replicated exactly what I wanted. I had no clue what I might want for my makeup - I told her to do what would compliment me. She rocked it! Quite honestly, I looked so great after just the trial, I would have been confident walking down the aisle that day.<br /><br />The trial was my first time ever wearing false eyelashes. Morgan applied them perfectly and I loved them. She even did extra long ones so they added this awesome, vintage feel to everything! In fact, Morgan's overall work had a general vintage 1960s twist that fit with the scheme of our wedding.<br /><br />If you make the picture bigger, you can see my rockin' eyelashes!<br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjSCRR3pTCsZGsH_R9GTbeED1sinF0TG_9y8hMRPUpIOdEkJZj6gVY2SjrO4aolOxU1X4IwdSE8QZQfI_2U4_GArKFyL2baDmCZyUTI100rhxiU7jtbUGv1F-hDHjoWyrEzNo5UNp-fBg/s1600-h/Makeup.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398046738422426978" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 266px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjSCRR3pTCsZGsH_R9GTbeED1sinF0TG_9y8hMRPUpIOdEkJZj6gVY2SjrO4aolOxU1X4IwdSE8QZQfI_2U4_GArKFyL2baDmCZyUTI100rhxiU7jtbUGv1F-hDHjoWyrEzNo5UNp-fBg/s400/Makeup.jpg" border="0" /></a> Source: <a href="http://www.lauriepeacock.com/">Laurie Peacock</a></div><br />And, still, I swoon over my hair! I kid you not, it looked as fabulous at the end of the night as it did at the beginning!<br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1_nMmQ1ATo4w5vqAQraHE7VAIdL8US-KoOZ0iCDH2HSnHGwqktZdGGbip8zXpKyX5pEpgHYe2Voa6w3WJDP7rPF6fsuVyVCbfvEeCHCxn-e2ywjVOr2KlumRZs6bPTs3O6keKv07Q9i4/s1600-h/Hair.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398046728138350290" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 266px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1_nMmQ1ATo4w5vqAQraHE7VAIdL8US-KoOZ0iCDH2HSnHGwqktZdGGbip8zXpKyX5pEpgHYe2Voa6w3WJDP7rPF6fsuVyVCbfvEeCHCxn-e2ywjVOr2KlumRZs6bPTs3O6keKv07Q9i4/s400/Hair.jpg" border="0" /></a>Source: <a href="http://www.lauriepeacock.com/">Laurie Peacock</a></div><br />On the wedding day, Morgan brought another stylist (Heather) to help expedite things. Heather was great to work with as well and did an excellent job on my bridesmaids. We had 5 bridesmaids, my mom and me who all had our hair done and my mom, one bridesmaid and me who all had our makeup done. We didn't start hair and makeup until 10am and we finished around 2pm - not too shabby! Both Morgan and Heather worked efficiently but with beautiful end results.<br /><br />I couldn't be happier with how things turned out and would recommend her a million times over to other brides.<br /><br />Thank you, Morgan!<br /><br /><strong>Other Vendor Reviews</strong><br /><a href="http://www.weddingbee.com/2009/10/05/vendor-review-marilyn-of-honeybee-weddings/">Marilyn, Honeybee Weddings</a>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11779301862432140898noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4383586636665371685.post-42801721947158854492009-10-27T19:27:00.009-05:002009-10-27T20:02:40.762-05:00Step by Step: Guys Get ReadyWhile I was experiencing an odd mixture of gettin' pretty amidst nerves and anxiety, Mr. S and his guys seemed to be having a good old time! He, his groomsmen and our ushers met at the church to get ready, where they were joined by our fabulous second photographer for the day, <a href="http://www.maggierifephotography.com/">Maggie Rife</a>.<br /><br />I love how excited he looks, like he's telling a great story (I like to think it was about me!).<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHcs5DBhA-otF_c_8b5XHK3szStI1fXTKuBgMCAQmv7JmmCBCPo84NMPnojjuFkq6U8T8_OGrpQJ7XY2_M3zU544mL2Hp3KRcSRllO4PySOn3h9GksA8qfaV3k1NqgOZT6g_3MNCRT5k0/s1600-h/Guys1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHcs5DBhA-otF_c_8b5XHK3szStI1fXTKuBgMCAQmv7JmmCBCPo84NMPnojjuFkq6U8T8_OGrpQJ7XY2_M3zU544mL2Hp3KRcSRllO4PySOn3h9GksA8qfaV3k1NqgOZT6g_3MNCRT5k0/s400/Guys1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397441832948630290" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPg_TkjwL8WTbyIIOMXRutzuxwhqffIIPTi5Yfje1ezxFNK8reimEB_iWZTC-pPWAHNGK4K5qCtEw0IMy11NV9q20RC3xUWHS1Hb9E1kDRk6O3Jm1QcIae9Ar2IcttlSINzq8V4xnu3Zc/s1600-h/Guys2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPg_TkjwL8WTbyIIOMXRutzuxwhqffIIPTi5Yfje1ezxFNK8reimEB_iWZTC-pPWAHNGK4K5qCtEw0IMy11NV9q20RC3xUWHS1Hb9E1kDRk6O3Jm1QcIae9Ar2IcttlSINzq8V4xnu3Zc/s400/Guys2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397441832980190930" border="0" /></a><br />We spent a very long time finding the perfect tie for him to wear on that day, and it looks like he's got it all under control in tying it perfectly for the big day.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEnlT6OKbRO08EyQnzaw7Ns3Q_prGWnh4jPFnQgTcxcWU2wC3dqtrPsRtSU8V0ShVGx3StKAk5Ur7Ep5BRIuLZU-qrGM1eLQH3tl7F__0aSLu2pYHoD0EWhsFZuX-UIh90dxxHyUV5BaM/s1600-h/Guys3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEnlT6OKbRO08EyQnzaw7Ns3Q_prGWnh4jPFnQgTcxcWU2wC3dqtrPsRtSU8V0ShVGx3StKAk5Ur7Ep5BRIuLZU-qrGM1eLQH3tl7F__0aSLu2pYHoD0EWhsFZuX-UIh90dxxHyUV5BaM/s400/Guys3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397441737279269346" border="0" /></a><br />Oh wait, maybe he just needed a little more help...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLOKmxqD_VNxBuk1AWtw-og7-382nO3SbAVi_6DW265yKKJK91AWJ-405ff7AsFNOyxXlMFgA3zojI7RLBeYn4XImg5BI3zzC21U48XJjP6Su7FEK9ORkOQ3vUyGL4VY44l0RaD000ctM/s1600-h/Guys4.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLOKmxqD_VNxBuk1AWtw-og7-382nO3SbAVi_6DW265yKKJK91AWJ-405ff7AsFNOyxXlMFgA3zojI7RLBeYn4XImg5BI3zzC21U48XJjP6Su7FEK9ORkOQ3vUyGL4VY44l0RaD000ctM/s400/Guys4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397441726217973426" border="0" /></a><br />Oh, still not perfect? Nice to know his boys had his back - nothing like a crooked tie to ruin your wedding pictures!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtwUNgnXIBzok0Yy4MezixttmoFgZXf8dCJ3XIOush7PmSfEuiTT6HKd-HCs4OaOrFjDVW0p6uZ3Q2I3bmS70YridkxPs5zPbihoTCTBR_uhIJHMibH2Qsb6yWmF8h85VN31UnpEvreD4/s1600-h/Guys5.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtwUNgnXIBzok0Yy4MezixttmoFgZXf8dCJ3XIOush7PmSfEuiTT6HKd-HCs4OaOrFjDVW0p6uZ3Q2I3bmS70YridkxPs5zPbihoTCTBR_uhIJHMibH2Qsb6yWmF8h85VN31UnpEvreD4/s400/Guys5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397441728569222434" border="0" /></a><br />Once dressed and with beers in hand, you can just tell that these guys were bound to get into a little trouble.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1mM8ndp96hX1SdM-DU_so489kbjLacl4yoMqgt3FRustOQE3FEBAjsfyyH5SxPUYkQeJjgwbl-YvcYYMaGoIb9RSprISA37mejZTTfe2u_ztyBgG9E3Tlj83wOewpIULJ6WXOdM0AO-k/s1600-h/Guys6.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1mM8ndp96hX1SdM-DU_so489kbjLacl4yoMqgt3FRustOQE3FEBAjsfyyH5SxPUYkQeJjgwbl-YvcYYMaGoIb9RSprISA37mejZTTfe2u_ztyBgG9E3Tlj83wOewpIULJ6WXOdM0AO-k/s400/Guys6.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397441719876040898" border="0" /></a><br />Oh, silly me, they're just posing for some glamour shots. Don't they all look great?! Mr. S did a great job of picking out a black suit with a very faint pinstripe from MW Tux for him and all of the groomsmen. Our ushers just donned their own black suits and we gave them black and white striped ties.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU8xEs3aoYA88l_fe7gsRmOSHE06o6PTs-HesuNkHQLl-6HpFg1KE16eZRd34EzWv3U7vPs21FUZ3rZQzWv_PzBXpih90beQtFFP33dgGwcW7lwLNPJ94ql_KgAqrD5v6vCxDXhZ5RBig/s1600-h/Guys7.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU8xEs3aoYA88l_fe7gsRmOSHE06o6PTs-HesuNkHQLl-6HpFg1KE16eZRd34EzWv3U7vPs21FUZ3rZQzWv_PzBXpih90beQtFFP33dgGwcW7lwLNPJ94ql_KgAqrD5v6vCxDXhZ5RBig/s400/Guys7.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397441713570154514" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuY5WAHDiYdzyjcLbWLu3Vx_DVi95VbPMQfXLqaol3PTtzun245P8kyyFPZ9_b5SUREGG0e51yZ2EYQxCkc0wdoTvHk8-8bqDsKyOPBbtJuQOxmlb2pCdFSFm6jpUDuS4aWZVmHLw-U0Q/s1600-h/Guys8.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuY5WAHDiYdzyjcLbWLu3Vx_DVi95VbPMQfXLqaol3PTtzun245P8kyyFPZ9_b5SUREGG0e51yZ2EYQxCkc0wdoTvHk8-8bqDsKyOPBbtJuQOxmlb2pCdFSFm6jpUDuS4aWZVmHLw-U0Q/s400/Guys8.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397441463606592674" border="0" /></a><br />It was a bit of a joke between Mr. S and me that the week before the wedding he needed to be living in a bubble...he's a wee bit accident prone! I was very concerned that he'd show up with a cast on his hand or a bandaid on his ring finger. We actually had some close calls just days before the wedding, but when the wedding day arrived, we were in the clear.<br /><br />So seeing these pictures of him climbing a fence makes me VERY relieved that I didn't know about this until well after the wedding, and that he made it to the wedding in one piece.<br /><br />The climb up appears to be pretty easy.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLK7do8m1rm9MJDsYtFKoI0Uxe0nmckluF9ttgNVYOwmUSgvf3wB4YxS4eHiostCHog0m8js96XeNORbEH8i2UES3a68ntmhnA_CXLMMuQTnjNl09vqAfhJj5KprYJ1hmEIDLtu-rOnuc/s1600-h/Guys9.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLK7do8m1rm9MJDsYtFKoI0Uxe0nmckluF9ttgNVYOwmUSgvf3wB4YxS4eHiostCHog0m8js96XeNORbEH8i2UES3a68ntmhnA_CXLMMuQTnjNl09vqAfhJj5KprYJ1hmEIDLtu-rOnuc/s400/Guys9.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397441459074499090" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6fw2QScKc92qpKy8gI5Je_miQNsHgy4ghjHk-Uyq9lWCEhTPlYHiigMuCaJ1gpVDEZ4XTA22dWmDzCHAxjgMsN2zbGQPfqi0G4TQ6UFcFb_opfBHnwhdUz5o6iI35IvCa9WC9GxYX8tw/s1600-h/Guys10.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6fw2QScKc92qpKy8gI5Je_miQNsHgy4ghjHk-Uyq9lWCEhTPlYHiigMuCaJ1gpVDEZ4XTA22dWmDzCHAxjgMsN2zbGQPfqi0G4TQ6UFcFb_opfBHnwhdUz5o6iI35IvCa9WC9GxYX8tw/s400/Guys10.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397441457894585698" border="0" /></a><br />Although I'm not sure what he expected to do once he got up there.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIk5Lpv0WEbYaSFflIq0lFzpC1VeVNbJ9nAXljDZ2uMEsxc0oXgiWcGkrf42qKvPXv905pgBh_v9ZWwNJFAE20Rn9jWD8OPs_cBfR2zOMA14cYyFaPba52Ul4rAYss_ZLt2NUm-o2I-f4/s1600-h/Guys11.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIk5Lpv0WEbYaSFflIq0lFzpC1VeVNbJ9nAXljDZ2uMEsxc0oXgiWcGkrf42qKvPXv905pgBh_v9ZWwNJFAE20Rn9jWD8OPs_cBfR2zOMA14cYyFaPba52Ul4rAYss_ZLt2NUm-o2I-f4/s400/Guys11.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397441454364121122" border="0" /></a><br />And, fortunately, he made it back down, safe and sound. I cringe at the thought that he could have ripped his suit just an hour before the wedding. Ahhh!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGI55BURvzGlyYR-THmqi5m9xdfkluCFPYR-uc_U5MUC9-KUwCv_HAAt1kmK6uO71JR1ssXYwlruR1mCQYwBcuCnPq_AhvFaxJJOJZDg4wqYxXX9qBdk7SQic9ER531RKmn0Cjpw2_Sjk/s1600-h/Guys12.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGI55BURvzGlyYR-THmqi5m9xdfkluCFPYR-uc_U5MUC9-KUwCv_HAAt1kmK6uO71JR1ssXYwlruR1mCQYwBcuCnPq_AhvFaxJJOJZDg4wqYxXX9qBdk7SQic9ER531RKmn0Cjpw2_Sjk/s400/Guys12.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397441450421677778" border="0" /></a><br />Apparently climbing fences wasn't enough. No, not when there's a random mattress laying in an alley! You or I might just pass that by (especially on your wedding day!), but these guys thought it would be a great way to demonstrate that Mr. S was the man of the hour.<br /><br />Climb aboard!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4D90gNweI2cecsZ5ye0eYfevjM0jizG441uei27Ak-loWNaEXVFUHuHKNFPBcCdwgZb2Gfjkc4hUTdQIBEooctMv1Zau_tYixq6rFphHiAsqYZ9bfiulUIGGInN2kHJaRiKhPl9kc3no/s1600-h/Guys13.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4D90gNweI2cecsZ5ye0eYfevjM0jizG441uei27Ak-loWNaEXVFUHuHKNFPBcCdwgZb2Gfjkc4hUTdQIBEooctMv1Zau_tYixq6rFphHiAsqYZ9bfiulUIGGInN2kHJaRiKhPl9kc3no/s400/Guys13.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397441190933057634" border="0" /></a><br />If I'd known he was sitting on an alley mattress, I might have held back some hugs.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnSRVL4Lq8T5GazNUrlF-r7Whhvx0dgM3grrQvqZsrPJqy8BcWGfE0oXqtin4NcRMjj3hwq2Mp4lIua5I5Evd2sJV-gTGCnx_VuTisBhr17gt1beI4FQ4VeiPxZZVS4TiAe674KXWcDxI/s1600-h/Guys14.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnSRVL4Lq8T5GazNUrlF-r7Whhvx0dgM3grrQvqZsrPJqy8BcWGfE0oXqtin4NcRMjj3hwq2Mp4lIua5I5Evd2sJV-gTGCnx_VuTisBhr17gt1beI4FQ4VeiPxZZVS4TiAe674KXWcDxI/s400/Guys14.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397441185262798706" border="0" /></a><br />But really, you can't beat these pictures, can you?!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdEZECru7qu3KUWOuSTdE5kMTAsHEmiJfReYYIMnEwZfQgwb7NwQPcD5Q1yBbd7OmbAW8sQKMR2BFCDE0XBmyt2RRawpX7ViJyR79QcvCd2uheKiprlcsJm65dm3ylhNK1vtFocQKskiI/s1600-h/Guys15.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdEZECru7qu3KUWOuSTdE5kMTAsHEmiJfReYYIMnEwZfQgwb7NwQPcD5Q1yBbd7OmbAW8sQKMR2BFCDE0XBmyt2RRawpX7ViJyR79QcvCd2uheKiprlcsJm65dm3ylhNK1vtFocQKskiI/s400/Guys15.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397441181470854290" border="0" /></a><br />This is the man that I love more than anything. Swoon.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQulVJFITQ2WRcdbfD3LBUamYL3FJoDW0h_SyJUdn8nYn7sWF8AKV3itHi9_nJ3-esALy90rC3MJau422eftmvpisbJ0igP0YTJuhRiKwthZ_UBamNRD_zR4w0QPpvLE18xS_nWys7-ps/s1600-h/Guys16.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQulVJFITQ2WRcdbfD3LBUamYL3FJoDW0h_SyJUdn8nYn7sWF8AKV3itHi9_nJ3-esALy90rC3MJau422eftmvpisbJ0igP0YTJuhRiKwthZ_UBamNRD_zR4w0QPpvLE18xS_nWys7-ps/s400/Guys16.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397441177311031970" border="0" /></a><br />Safe and sound, yet again!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibZmfOyBMzYJaUBVu8zfdfHM_pAL4FbMK5SPGs96fqSya-J4xXObGvIOgnMDQ7B7pz-_HJ-6EPWyT6m5CXmKTXb5CSXTCvgvOZUye4VgVAMiSjZBZlz3OKyOZqHkY51mbnOvtSTewaSzA/s1600-h/Guys17.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibZmfOyBMzYJaUBVu8zfdfHM_pAL4FbMK5SPGs96fqSya-J4xXObGvIOgnMDQ7B7pz-_HJ-6EPWyT6m5CXmKTXb5CSXTCvgvOZUye4VgVAMiSjZBZlz3OKyOZqHkY51mbnOvtSTewaSzA/s400/Guys17.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397441173001971586" border="0" /></a><br />*Please note: All photos from <a href="http://www.lauriepeacock.com/">Laurie Peacock Photography</a><br /><br />I know this post may have a slightly sarcastic tone, but in all honesty I'm so happy that Mr. S had a lot of fun before the ceremony. I was so tense that I could not relax until we said "I do." He was able to have some fun for the both of us!<br /><br />Next up - Mr. S and I enjoy our first look before the ceremony.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Previously in our wedding recaps:</span><br /><a href="http://www.weddingbee.com/2009/10/26/step-by-step-girls-get-ready/">Step by Step: Girls Get Ready</a>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11779301862432140898noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4383586636665371685.post-85540859646903110052009-10-26T09:39:00.007-05:002009-10-26T10:28:47.697-05:00Step by Step: Girls Get ReadyThe morning of my wedding I was cool, calm and collected as everyone got primped and pretty in my suite. Ok, so on the outside I was calm, but there was immense turmoil, anxiety and exitement on the inside. I was a bit of a nervous wreck as the clock ticked closer to 2:15, when the limo would be arriving to whisk us away to the church.<br /><br />Once we zipped up the dress, everything became real.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTTQvQBXy0z1znAF_DQTnW3A0ZZ9-Odv0a3d405bQsx5dPV0DLbjzBjqj3vM_nxOw4LQFCLTSdOthuocH6cSOhSHzEP6V_f3MEnmtjKj2owyGabozXldNhNw9k_RqbgFtNpFCfGnRVzxY/s1600-h/Ready+1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396922301544163426" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 266px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTTQvQBXy0z1znAF_DQTnW3A0ZZ9-Odv0a3d405bQsx5dPV0DLbjzBjqj3vM_nxOw4LQFCLTSdOthuocH6cSOhSHzEP6V_f3MEnmtjKj2owyGabozXldNhNw9k_RqbgFtNpFCfGnRVzxY/s400/Ready+1.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />I was so glad that it fit - after our heavenly rehearsal dinner the night before where I'd eaten one too many tacos, it was anyone's guess at to whether or not this sucker would zip up!<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPCqs10w6jpdP-tsN-2kOworXkaBSHVvdOLPCQN6Rvz6Kq05WBkeNdY66__MsEwE92BZ617qQ_Nt6i8IcfP3BHyy2hepZ_o0Zxw8P8N2KHCfmdsLIa_Ro_GJ5MuITDrsoYs883fbqAS88/s1600-h/Ready+2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396922297741103314" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 266px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPCqs10w6jpdP-tsN-2kOworXkaBSHVvdOLPCQN6Rvz6Kq05WBkeNdY66__MsEwE92BZ617qQ_Nt6i8IcfP3BHyy2hepZ_o0Zxw8P8N2KHCfmdsLIa_Ro_GJ5MuITDrsoYs883fbqAS88/s400/Ready+2.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div>We had ousted the bouquet and garter toss in the final weeks before the wedding, so don't ask me why I even slipped my garter on. Tradition? Rite of passage? Because it was there and I'd already paid for it anyway? I'd like to think it was for this sexy leg shot!<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibHQtCehBpuBLDrl2TqSwdK9ZtJ57J3UMer3PDSHD5QAi4qM8AEJnEAzp_5fEfTKuSjqFOJZfunSaYDqPAmVYDWIey_dQgnWrThxOHhF8VZY3WbgjSfYmpyDhe6ENlQM9QfQUNct9VJ4k/s1600-h/Ready+3.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396922294268601586" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibHQtCehBpuBLDrl2TqSwdK9ZtJ57J3UMer3PDSHD5QAi4qM8AEJnEAzp_5fEfTKuSjqFOJZfunSaYDqPAmVYDWIey_dQgnWrThxOHhF8VZY3WbgjSfYmpyDhe6ENlQM9QfQUNct9VJ4k/s400/Ready+3.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />By this point, I'm pretty sure I just liked posing in my dress!<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOxzFhusjI1LYQsyCYgfnRvIvR2MX7FrKdEglAlsYwJHaRGV7qTqU8xsPIo-fOuT3LOT2tkoT3w-ntq1jwQhzeocTVht16JY-wqnMwmIxDg_3p6CGuid3a0E5IoloywqhlHlsGq2Sf-xw/s1600-h/Ready+4.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396922293119107154" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOxzFhusjI1LYQsyCYgfnRvIvR2MX7FrKdEglAlsYwJHaRGV7qTqU8xsPIo-fOuT3LOT2tkoT3w-ntq1jwQhzeocTVht16JY-wqnMwmIxDg_3p6CGuid3a0E5IoloywqhlHlsGq2Sf-xw/s400/Ready+4.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div><br /><br /></div><div>I was getting incredibly anxious once I was dressed, so I don't remember seeing the reaction of two of my bridesmaids as they saw me for the first time all done up. Apparently, they approved of the look!<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9jsTcGnrUkpibR2FWcwljJlThVegpfjXHS0YYo0e8BK3uWQv2sHBt_2zhL2Y-En9kgHuqwt7oWH33aQcLVlWiPTWeXver626GLEpOJboqA_tCtsG6o4d2tMT-KlDP5ZP1JwCWJ9k3TDQ/s1600-h/Ready+5.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396922289358771426" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9jsTcGnrUkpibR2FWcwljJlThVegpfjXHS0YYo0e8BK3uWQv2sHBt_2zhL2Y-En9kgHuqwt7oWH33aQcLVlWiPTWeXver626GLEpOJboqA_tCtsG6o4d2tMT-KlDP5ZP1JwCWJ9k3TDQ/s400/Ready+5.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div>I made sure to also get their seal of approval of the veil...<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfwgeRTqzB5pZ4P6o79F50-80vJht2UdQzHD7uMx1S677jjyajUxb0yXPRkRLkSVvbIubYGBPmyoxqJAomD7bOUvjMVNMcfIBnPRsHGRcaoS2VFXk35O8G6E9usZFRRUtE8OanGodWZis/s1600-h/Ready+6.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396922170687569138" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfwgeRTqzB5pZ4P6o79F50-80vJht2UdQzHD7uMx1S677jjyajUxb0yXPRkRLkSVvbIubYGBPmyoxqJAomD7bOUvjMVNMcfIBnPRsHGRcaoS2VFXk35O8G6E9usZFRRUtE8OanGodWZis/s400/Ready+6.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />...which complimented my fabulous hairstyle to a "t." Swoon. I loved my hair.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhefFLcgaLrHDuCIQfuZOYwT15y0W3Nc0rLuEUZ06a-dFJAeHkOv_pxt9V8CWP0_8cGq5yb_eWRygDVfMizzyFlNlerkKzW3UqfliedAaNeWui_vaXMjoT_kqeXbmZmn4oj6GU2cvZZQxY/s1600-h/Ready+7.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396922158952273762" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 266px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhefFLcgaLrHDuCIQfuZOYwT15y0W3Nc0rLuEUZ06a-dFJAeHkOv_pxt9V8CWP0_8cGq5yb_eWRygDVfMizzyFlNlerkKzW3UqfliedAaNeWui_vaXMjoT_kqeXbmZmn4oj6GU2cvZZQxY/s400/Ready+7.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />One more check from my girls to make sure all was perfect. I have no clue what I had asked them, but everyone seems to be contemplating something, so it must have been an important question.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSyeODB9EkhmcHZdB18Zju5aXV0sflbFVukBs599RBTUfkkWZOfR7uMxldiGGfgJ3cdR3neD58pERcgsQJopplrQwx_NV-mBHEI5lLVeZZfuG4-xmFbqC6xiHrv_CLvnjT-JRJyQqzhdA/s1600-h/Ready+8.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396922155404162274" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSyeODB9EkhmcHZdB18Zju5aXV0sflbFVukBs599RBTUfkkWZOfR7uMxldiGGfgJ3cdR3neD58pERcgsQJopplrQwx_NV-mBHEI5lLVeZZfuG4-xmFbqC6xiHrv_CLvnjT-JRJyQqzhdA/s400/Ready+8.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />And, of course, Momma Stiletto is all "done up" and checking me out for the first time!</div><div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjEN8pypdS3wy613AYnSqNHAF8Q3YVKqll0HMZ3xMXCRhHkY8qoHcUQKs4-LGM3Oer1DZ6jbfhIn6A3iBvddSjquBnlYxBuE3aZ1dkqjdx1FzX2TaMFc51DqAguM4YzKedTCLD_0aeVxI/s1600-h/Ready+9.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396922156455894002" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjEN8pypdS3wy613AYnSqNHAF8Q3YVKqll0HMZ3xMXCRhHkY8qoHcUQKs4-LGM3Oer1DZ6jbfhIn6A3iBvddSjquBnlYxBuE3aZ1dkqjdx1FzX2TaMFc51DqAguM4YzKedTCLD_0aeVxI/s400/Ready+9.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />I was more than ready to get out of the suite. Staying in that space was making me a wee bit claustrophobic; good thing there was a beautiful staircase right outside the door for my escape.</div><div><br /></div><div>Here we go down...<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKH-WnP_JUihBzzyuh_thLOSn-IJBUOUqf9oAah7IRqoHjl3nJ9_aTuxrvGRSLwyo2xoWRAJBqNqfWPybAryGYNCfaflYxb30td3LwnsdBRUUP_YEGZ_CdirizkYTVxqJAJA7MoJjAI5Y/s1600-h/Ready+10.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396922154033191906" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKH-WnP_JUihBzzyuh_thLOSn-IJBUOUqf9oAah7IRqoHjl3nJ9_aTuxrvGRSLwyo2xoWRAJBqNqfWPybAryGYNCfaflYxb30td3LwnsdBRUUP_YEGZ_CdirizkYTVxqJAJA7MoJjAI5Y/s400/Ready+10.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />and around...<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzyhnYQIdhMGPhllHuHw6ldYtjLTlbK0vz23ZVkHXYOmt5and-RmTtCf29tbLBI-VWf_nU0ALZcu5Umz12iX-u1wWl2KuQzhM6Uyxh5In1BKmgMxB2uc_k4x6A7O1Yl2bI55RGWkucoCo/s1600-h/Ready+11.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396921871144263378" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzyhnYQIdhMGPhllHuHw6ldYtjLTlbK0vz23ZVkHXYOmt5and-RmTtCf29tbLBI-VWf_nU0ALZcu5Umz12iX-u1wWl2KuQzhM6Uyxh5In1BKmgMxB2uc_k4x6A7O1Yl2bI55RGWkucoCo/s400/Ready+11.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />and around some more until we made it to the end. Aren't these shots such amazing eye candy?!<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7db8N5WVGf8B9qFHs3pzrdD_yCzg5El2sWcKQs_MYnp0YAmnvh4EXQcqXY5Q_Yse7niDTMEQ7Zi8a3TexViczheSdwurq7opklQgKDK6-pL1CcCUAk2sLISPLaNyrHGgfmRfrueMYJ9g/s1600-h/Ready+12.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396921873305690658" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7db8N5WVGf8B9qFHs3pzrdD_yCzg5El2sWcKQs_MYnp0YAmnvh4EXQcqXY5Q_Yse7niDTMEQ7Zi8a3TexViczheSdwurq7opklQgKDK6-pL1CcCUAk2sLISPLaNyrHGgfmRfrueMYJ9g/s400/Ready+12.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />It's good to be backed up by such a great entourage.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPK52jBSArvKJX-p3I0MLU_onoReqD05tcMrmQr_GElo4OvpCauVi350k56bqKsowe4JrwIevAv5pBec9XwkMuFwbw3ybLDvFQtSx2ju9tWuntiAwcpz9bgjfrPDMmq4aUJqeo4ZXTeyM/s1600-h/Ready+13.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396921865395425058" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 266px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPK52jBSArvKJX-p3I0MLU_onoReqD05tcMrmQr_GElo4OvpCauVi350k56bqKsowe4JrwIevAv5pBec9XwkMuFwbw3ybLDvFQtSx2ju9tWuntiAwcpz9bgjfrPDMmq4aUJqeo4ZXTeyM/s400/Ready+13.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div><br />Fortunately, my limo was ready and waiting for me. When I say that I was ready to get to the church, I was ready. I think if I'd had to wait more than a minute for my limo, I would have turned a little 'zilla. I was slightly taken aback when I saw the car, however. We were supposed to get a stretch Lincoln Navigator, and they ended up sending a monstrous stretch Hummer. H-U-G-E. I was more than slightly embarrassed by the size of this thing.<br /><br /></div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0WlJ49lF2tFHxCBTT7mQWjgJlNN4F-Axe_QqhHWfNZGrEqB-9AWKF8taO2gvMXyWZLMuWSHDGZ6NYRLC6i6_mk-pO947uEeVHsqwf2lmWKPydMcNKKnGvBg7diTB8q2h6bguF5d84MGM/s1600-h/Ready+14.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396921859993700626" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0WlJ49lF2tFHxCBTT7mQWjgJlNN4F-Axe_QqhHWfNZGrEqB-9AWKF8taO2gvMXyWZLMuWSHDGZ6NYRLC6i6_mk-pO947uEeVHsqwf2lmWKPydMcNKKnGvBg7diTB8q2h6bguF5d84MGM/s400/Ready+14.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />But I made it into the beast, packed in with layers of dress and ready to go!<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0IkSzz-rQhkpQGV9uW86EdljqV_Zi9LoJfG_pw3ewuI9kiF15z_Sgjf31tXxyCHeEba2JdMTkCViW8DA1NtCeGZXHyf8LA5ZKaaNFEy_ow5j-WxPI6-3n7Vnyq_VjiWY1iIMUfLIomkg/s1600-h/Ready+15.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396921861880545186" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0IkSzz-rQhkpQGV9uW86EdljqV_Zi9LoJfG_pw3ewuI9kiF15z_Sgjf31tXxyCHeEba2JdMTkCViW8DA1NtCeGZXHyf8LA5ZKaaNFEy_ow5j-WxPI6-3n7Vnyq_VjiWY1iIMUfLIomkg/s400/Ready+15.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div><br />*Please note: All photos from <a href="http://www.lauriepeacock.com/">Laurie Peacock Photography</a><br /><br />I was lucky to have such a wonderful morning getting ready, surrounded by fabulous people and lots of love.</div><div><br /></div><div>Next up - the guys get ready! Oh, the mischief they got into.</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11779301862432140898noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4383586636665371685.post-32552771528844217322009-10-11T21:19:00.004-05:002009-10-11T21:40:32.792-05:00A Little Extra Wedding Buzz<div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">I'd hinted that there might be some Bees buzzin' around my wedding festivities. As our RSVP's were coming in and I saw that our guest count was going to be lower than we'd be planning, I was SO excited to reach out to the Bees to see if any of them would be at all interested in celebrating the day with us.<br /><br />When <a href="http://www.weddingbee.com/author/quiche/">Mrs. Quiche</a>, <a href="http://www.weddingbee.com/author/mssnapdragon/">Miss Snapdragon</a>, <a href="http://www.weddingbee.com/author/taffy/">Mrs. Taffy</a> and <a href="http://www.weddingbee.com/author/powderpuff/">Mrs. Powderpuff</a> all accepted my open invitation, I was psyched! Blogging for Weddingbee became more and more important to me as the wedding day drew closer, and having some of my Bee friends at the wedding was very special for both Mr. S and I.<br /><br />The Bees dined...<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5P0pweGhZZA1bJxIL6LqXAmq7jRt1-p8UiciMvdpPJJ8MLjYQA8SpB9Kw9c02qck0vdpDtvwQw0RwDzcHoTvWWKA0jr3UV1HoErUmqaN0GcwICHHbeir__id6DAlE_E28Sf6LUB4NFEA/s1600-h/Bee2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5P0pweGhZZA1bJxIL6LqXAmq7jRt1-p8UiciMvdpPJJ8MLjYQA8SpB9Kw9c02qck0vdpDtvwQw0RwDzcHoTvWWKA0jr3UV1HoErUmqaN0GcwICHHbeir__id6DAlE_E28Sf6LUB4NFEA/s400/Bee2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391532525344759810" border="0" /></a>Picture by Miss Powderpuff<br /></div><br />...danced (and even stole the show on the dance floor at one point - I can't wait to share those photos!)...<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqS_V_I8ViMjg08ASM17YsAjFzRfHKFKD04uX4dRaX1sLiYb-zBHgJCtxhrxTQvqID_VDhNMLGnKMSB1MWEfnmzhJxjytRIZ48HTAj50aQcpjEhyphenhyphenxbCnNGH8MwPa3pS9ekxot9oqTK_jo/s1600-h/Bee3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqS_V_I8ViMjg08ASM17YsAjFzRfHKFKD04uX4dRaX1sLiYb-zBHgJCtxhrxTQvqID_VDhNMLGnKMSB1MWEfnmzhJxjytRIZ48HTAj50aQcpjEhyphenhyphenxbCnNGH8MwPa3pS9ekxot9oqTK_jo/s400/Bee3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391532534747749458" border="0" /></a>Picture by Miss Snapdragon<br /></div><br />...and posed for a picture or two with me...<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl-Pw42J5yk5y7ZxypU7YlegE4mSMEMSsIIrliGi1wrPqWPPhslksqo-4goaOxy0k1NjS99hgUqi_tw9ZLXe-0K4hCEY_OzcE0nufPWMsKgi-4b7XejE8RjnqKd3fEHPOZOiiHka1eLsE/s1600-h/Bees1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl-Pw42J5yk5y7ZxypU7YlegE4mSMEMSsIIrliGi1wrPqWPPhslksqo-4goaOxy0k1NjS99hgUqi_tw9ZLXe-0K4hCEY_OzcE0nufPWMsKgi-4b7XejE8RjnqKd3fEHPOZOiiHka1eLsE/s400/Bees1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391532516337404610" border="0" /></a>Picture by Miss Snapdragon<br /></div><br />It was so lovely having four fabulous Bees with us on that day! And, my wedding day was the first time I met Mrs. Taffy - how fun to meet a friend in person for the first time on your wedding day. And added bonus of having self-proclaimed wedding enthusiast in attendance is that they take fabulous photos throughout the day and evening and upload them on Facebook right after the wedding, they leave lovely messages in your guestbook, and break it down on the dance floor.<br /><br />Thank you again, ladies! We were so glad that you were there to help make the day extra special.Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11779301862432140898noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4383586636665371685.post-46848166987261829492009-10-05T11:55:00.005-05:002009-10-05T12:44:30.355-05:00Vendor Review: Marilyn of Honeybee Weddings<div align="left">I'm pretty sure the day after the wedding, I wanted to email each and every one of my vendors and gush about how fabulous they were! True story. However, Mr. S urged me to hold off until after the honeymoon...while we were away, we stayed off of Facebook and made ourselves invisible on Google Chat. I did sneak in a little Weddingbee (shh...), but Mr. S snuck in a few work emails, so I guess we're even.</div><div align="left"><br /></div><div align="left">On our first night officially in town released the gushing emails onto our vendors - I think Mr. S was just as excited as I was to share lovely words with the individuals who helped me our day so special!</div><div align="left"><br /></div><div align="left">Vendor Review: Marilyn of <a href="http://www.honeybeeweddings.com/index2.html">Honeybee Weddings</a></div><div align="left"> </div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"><a href="http://honeybeeweddings.blogspot.com/"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389161620298080962" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 153px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLVCP-llgQ_Rn-sI3RAxXQpihoCPSHLLTi9hxMIFM9NfYAnlAiJxFPWiX5AMVy9VbeSpl2tXj1mfeinpOwlnaMS6pJea04AMdy_HNWRxIvrijyQG0GCF3-AWRu6bON5fksq1E2YZsoIjQ/s400/honeybee.jpg" border="0" />Source </a></div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="left">I shared a little while back about <a href="http://www.weddingbee.com/2009/06/25/why-i-chose-to-be-docd/">why I chose to hire a day of coordinator (DOC)</a>. I wanted to know that the little details were taken care of, and that while I thought my DJ was a fabulous great guy, I didn't want to have to talk to him or anyone else about the timeline on that day. I was there to celebrate and have fun, darn it!</div><div align="left"><br /></div><div align="left">Marilyn delivered a hundred times over on the weekend of our wedding. She helped ensure our rehearsal the evening before ran smoothly, taught our ushers how to work the aisle runner and kept us all in line. </div><div align="left"><br /></div><div align="left">On the morning of, it was a relief to have Marilyn show up at the hotel with binder in hand. The monster spreadsheet she'd had me fill out in the weeks leading up to the wedding - covering timelines, bridal party contact info, reception set up details - was organized and at the ready. It was Marilyn who was calling down to the front desk for the extra chairs needed for hair and makeup, running out to pick up lunch for everyone, and getting all of us out the door and over to the church on time.</div><div align="left"><br /></div><div align="left">After the ceremony (which started ON TIME and went perfectly), we went off to take pictures, and Marilyn headed over to the reception site to finish setting up the little details, be present for cake delivery, dj set up, and to light all of those pesky tea light candles. </div><div align="left"><br /></div><div align="left">We were ahead of schedule with pictures, so we arrived at the reception site earlier than planned and were able to check out the ballroom while our guests were enjoying the cocktail hour. Everything was simply gorgeous! All that I had left for Marilyn to take care of was done perfectly. </div><div align="left"><br /></div><div align="left">Throughout dinner, Marilyn would pop over to our table and give us updates - we were ahead of schedule, so if it was fine by us we'd push back the toasts, or, the catering staff was leaving our cake out longer because it looked so fabulous (yay!!). </div><div align="left"><br /></div><div align="left">As we danced the night away and after some guests had left, Marilyn quietly gathered different decor items off of the tables and packed them away. She had the DJ announce that guests could take the table arrangements (something I hadn't even considered as an option), which solved the question of what we would do with all of these tall and short vases after the wedding! And, once we'd danced the last dance and were ready to leave, Marilyn had all gifts and decor boxed up, on a trolly, and ready load into my parents' car.<br /><br /></div><div align="left">In a day that was a mix of excitement and anxiety, I so greatly appreciated having Marilyn there. She was cool, calm and collected. She allowed my family and friends to enjoy the day and not worry about coordinating a thing. Our budget didn't initially include a DOC, but I think our biggest regret would have been not hiring one. </div><div align="left"><br /></div><div align="left">Thank you, Marilyn!</div>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11779301862432140898noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4383586636665371685.post-55687565511207207792009-09-30T12:12:00.004-05:002009-09-30T12:33:46.643-05:00Picturing the RhymeWe are of course waiting for our fabulous photographer to give us our full disk of wedding photos, but we were lucky enough to see a big blog post from her this week! Since I'm sure the Bees who have gone before me would encourage me to wait until I have all of the pictures to then decide how to do my recaps, I shall force myself to wait!<br /><br />But.<br /><br />That doesn't mean I can't share with y'all my "something old, something new, something borrowed, sometihing blue." I didn't have nice pictures of everything before the wedding to share!<br /><br />Withour further adieu...<br /><br /><strong>Something Old</strong><br /><br />My earrings and necklace were made from vintage chandelier pieces. Are they gorgeous?! Swoon. I can't rave enough about the fabu-losity of <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=80290">Precious Meshes</a>. I also had lace from my mother's wedding dress as a something old, but I want to wait to share pictures of my bouquet, so you'll just have to wait for further recaps!<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387310609227850482" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 266px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBwSYyf9wQz3uT5PkPmWijlwzSjJIQQT4BrvP6pr3JNLsxmZS18-93uiG4TlzdDYF-faBqT_er1U1DUFvSNJCoNEqgkYJGecfFB-XVitc6SfLxAYytbDfnUoNRD0g3rtwXRvaGXjFp5UE/s400/Earrings.jpg" border="0" /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387310616883781218" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 274px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEjeqpLIpAcvcuRnB6hLLLZo9CQbGlehJC66V3uicAa59uJYU8pvYXvJNhdPR2Osiw-sDPPGhLQsquCfjAhtse89ZmZ-Myav5cIjAIRHWLuDBnMjk0uLICs4_Tf4ZtagWoPOfPLkc3C64/s400/Necklace.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><strong>Something New</strong><br /><br />What wasn't new during the wedding planning process? But, my official "something new" would have to be my fabulous Nine West shoes. At $40 they were a steal, and I definitely felt like I rocked these puppies!<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387310633731332946" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYz5AkZwe4ZdoXic_Xj23wc7gkStZG1u3XFdaP14O5lhtBsev1yp3ulm2RIGgKOeupJVkwGT4v8BfP3l82Q0pn4v0PW7_Fs8MEkrcwYGbiajQKcPyCbRYmXtT-N2qNDaNQ7tMs5vvUUjk/s400/Shoes.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><strong>Something Borrowed</strong><br /><br />I was at a loss about this one until the lovely Mrs. Avocado offered to loan her birdcage veil. I loved it! I absolutely do not regret not having a long, traditional veil. The birdcage was fun, vintage, and fabulous. I wore it the entire night - during pictures we ended up wrapping it to make somewhat of an avante garde netted poof on the top of my head, and it was equally fabulous. Thank you again, Mrs. Avocado!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-Kw9D7KbTTbKu5_knPFKCmVEJUw_txTXd0XkEhcHDqJ4HeIFtQi9OzAjk4Q1IVCHDV7u3X86WdAwezXffi3g9W4C_gmK9nw7Lv1Tl7VLVkzJ1G5eYs0RGDtMnrdV50xd6YWuJXWwLqeo/s1600-h/Veil.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387310638252708130" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 266px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-Kw9D7KbTTbKu5_knPFKCmVEJUw_txTXd0XkEhcHDqJ4HeIFtQi9OzAjk4Q1IVCHDV7u3X86WdAwezXffi3g9W4C_gmK9nw7Lv1Tl7VLVkzJ1G5eYs0RGDtMnrdV50xd6YWuJXWwLqeo/s400/Veil.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><strong>Something Blue</strong> </div><div> </div><div>Even though I didn't do a garter toss, I still had my cute blue garter. I'm glad we ended up not doing either toss...taking out some of those rituals meant we had more time for dancing and fun!<br /><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAojvVTRUcSAwv-YuV9jWMl9rmd16sZC-GfKs-n5t4W3TjHPwRkbv7vLjnv2xfyvBRTZHpHJDoMThVvp4u2xH13NtpNsQVd_b0YTF0zbl-n9Zqx67DipyJ4bnIa22_bP6qV6OXhWuqUM0/s1600-h/Garter.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387310624242700306" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAojvVTRUcSAwv-YuV9jWMl9rmd16sZC-GfKs-n5t4W3TjHPwRkbv7vLjnv2xfyvBRTZHpHJDoMThVvp4u2xH13NtpNsQVd_b0YTF0zbl-n9Zqx67DipyJ4bnIa22_bP6qV6OXhWuqUM0/s400/Garter.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><em>Please note: All photos are credited to <a href="http://www.lauriepeacock.com/">Laurie Peacock Photography</a>.</em></div><div> </div><div> <br /></div><div>I hope this satiates my hunger for recaps a little bit more and that you enjoy these tasty little tidbits from our day!</div><div> <br /></div><div>Did you manage to find fun little items to complete the "something old" rhyme, or did you decide to chuck tradition all together?</div>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11779301862432140898noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4383586636665371685.post-79934244203645087902009-09-29T19:50:00.010-05:002009-09-29T20:59:26.705-05:00One Happy Honeymoon IslandMr. S and I have dropped back into real life after a wonderful wedding and honeymoon! Leaving for the honeymoon the day after the wedding was the best idea ever - while we were exhausted, it was so great to just escape for some fantastic relaxing in ARUBA!<br /><br />Check out Mr. S at the airport while we had a quick bite before our flight:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC_nis-BsX1xyYUQRWNLmjc3NgUYOstFO93iNGSICrL4R65hSRCnvVaBMZtm12hN3L9m_6klEwfLj-1xgzRA4oaKY8rulUfAoBwNsdYXpQKysIcgjZOSqpRy8QYJM3JKCvXUwGj9UTfWY/s1600-h/Honeymoon1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 368px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC_nis-BsX1xyYUQRWNLmjc3NgUYOstFO93iNGSICrL4R65hSRCnvVaBMZtm12hN3L9m_6klEwfLj-1xgzRA4oaKY8rulUfAoBwNsdYXpQKysIcgjZOSqpRy8QYJM3JKCvXUwGj9UTfWY/s400/Honeymoon1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387058690266406994" border="0" /></a><br />And, yep - Mr. S is sportin' his ring!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwBeZiiYIWQ3QsolC0IuW9eZvVO5T_HKJ-b_ndUTLVK2EKkVPTJTfl157irxekjIbO4V0VuClW9DzpB40ncpoVThrrgGsgmY9jO4r7jpywb6LPwFGUzI78_zXEMzoT2DIl3RadOINLL7w/s1600-h/Honeymoon3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 282px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwBeZiiYIWQ3QsolC0IuW9eZvVO5T_HKJ-b_ndUTLVK2EKkVPTJTfl157irxekjIbO4V0VuClW9DzpB40ncpoVThrrgGsgmY9jO4r7jpywb6LPwFGUzI78_zXEMzoT2DIl3RadOINLL7w/s400/Honeymoon3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387058569501227522" border="0" /></a><br />I'm also excited about the honeymoon, although this picture doesn't show it!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs199EZSIkIMAkbsl8jhpnk3g-boJOkGyutyEpi31kUtdGvCFut5T-y2O2yFGIRnrjf_EHxTGHyTyfe7BTre3XYg0_REnSxa-JBRhQgURlCdrLm_KJaXsFfrStjMknYkpwKRJhCa7OK94/s1600-h/Honeymoon2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs199EZSIkIMAkbsl8jhpnk3g-boJOkGyutyEpi31kUtdGvCFut5T-y2O2yFGIRnrjf_EHxTGHyTyfe7BTre3XYg0_REnSxa-JBRhQgURlCdrLm_KJaXsFfrStjMknYkpwKRJhCa7OK94/s400/Honeymoon2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387058685809468258" border="0" /></a><br />Aruba welcomed us with hot, hot weather, sunny skies and fabulous beaches. We stayed at the <a href="http://www.marriott-vacations.com/travel/resorts/marriott-aruba-ocean-club/overview.html">Marriott's Aruba Ocean Club</a>, which we were able to stay at by taking a week of my parents timeshare that they gifted us and trading it for this location. The bonus of staying here (beyond a free week of lodging!) was staying in a "villa" which is a 1-bedroom unit with a living room, small kitchen, bathroom and balcony.<br /><br />While it wasn't fancy-shmancy, having the kitchen meant we could make some meals in! Aruba is incredibly expensive, but the local groceries stores were very reasonable. We didn't rent a car while we were there, but the Aruban bus was only $1.30 each way. So, an hour and a half and two bus rides later, we had $80 worth of groceries - Cheerios, bread, peanutbutter, beer, bananas, spaghetti and sauce, etc. We were able to eat almost every breakfast and lunch as well as some dinners just from these groceries.<br /><br />When we finally made it down to the beach on our first full day (Monday), we saw where we'd be spending the bulk of our time - the palapas huts. Since it was the off season, our beach was always pretty empty and it was easy to get a hut in a good location, which we could have for the entire day. Score!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSy4o9sQkjR2aevvHIsuoABRD8sREFZEZEsTJeLXG0I30EIY3ZTYS28U8wWRgVfH521E09cvNJHdn4ESYiAsjHYbX66ouXEkKywtzlEcEJwfVeZIfZp352qAhCi6Pkyl85WNwTmtofKgU/s1600-h/Honeymoon18.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSy4o9sQkjR2aevvHIsuoABRD8sREFZEZEsTJeLXG0I30EIY3ZTYS28U8wWRgVfH521E09cvNJHdn4ESYiAsjHYbX66ouXEkKywtzlEcEJwfVeZIfZp352qAhCi6Pkyl85WNwTmtofKgU/s400/Honeymoon18.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387057284806620258" border="0" /></a><br />We spent money on two special activities - one was parasailing. In retrospect, I think we were overcharged a bit ($120 for the both of us), but it was something that Mr. S really wanted to do. Let me just put it out there and say that it wasn't something high on my list. I get incredibly motion sick, hate roller coasters...I mean, I can't even ride in a convertible without getting sick! But, I told myself I could handle this whole parasailing thing.<br /><br />They were going to let us go up together, but after being harnesses up, I completely freaked out and said that I was absolutely not going up. So Mr. S went solo. Look how excited he is!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRbslnm61j80FbHVUFp8k1FIWn02ls0pzBnbX34TplMrYUhlU-e208IzNALzmaj9dIDuQnzG8q8nzyvy4cjwylo5w8EBfbudVBJpHIayfy7h6g_lxCahbr1d-J8Ezs1URd0diZi2D__Kc/s1600-h/Honeymoon4.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRbslnm61j80FbHVUFp8k1FIWn02ls0pzBnbX34TplMrYUhlU-e208IzNALzmaj9dIDuQnzG8q8nzyvy4cjwylo5w8EBfbudVBJpHIayfy7h6g_lxCahbr1d-J8Ezs1URd0diZi2D__Kc/s400/Honeymoon4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387058563471411586" border="0" /></a><br />They told him that if you put one arm out, it means you want to come down. If you put both arms out, it means you're having a great time. Mr. S was having a great time up there.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1q0RgqzIHPBxpybhEDiKZsTsOAK1PfCivtLLjFOYhM2dpZhTMk_6jQ2sM1QeyydgatT7zTiUkb9Zj1YWqEAQJgDT4tm1vwZvnuv-PjCe15BjekOxA_jvNVNwdCr2JpgBiqzgXtjV3FAA/s1600-h/Honeymoon5.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1q0RgqzIHPBxpybhEDiKZsTsOAK1PfCivtLLjFOYhM2dpZhTMk_6jQ2sM1QeyydgatT7zTiUkb9Zj1YWqEAQJgDT4tm1vwZvnuv-PjCe15BjekOxA_jvNVNwdCr2JpgBiqzgXtjV3FAA/s400/Honeymoon5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387058559766933922" border="0" /></a><br />In the meantime, I was sitting on the boat with a huge knot in my stomach, debating if it was worth having Mr. S be annoyed with me for the rest of the day if I didn't go up. Sigh. Once he came down, I knew the guys would require me to make a decision immediately, and before I knew it my harness was hooked in and I was being given instructions on how to sit as the wind lifted me off the boat.<br /><br />You can't see the fear on my face in this picture, or hear the screams.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7ApB0LGZPgFmq30g159RS-s6MHHxLkywzursORESE_qYLgcJwQB6CcRGwJOsC50fOf4Tcuw7KHDe6yztGDbSu74_tDoBAePTrjujHt3Pe_rjNmn1VPy9g49vTsPSJAoDmxQsU47ctGXk/s1600-h/Honeymoon6.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7ApB0LGZPgFmq30g159RS-s6MHHxLkywzursORESE_qYLgcJwQB6CcRGwJOsC50fOf4Tcuw7KHDe6yztGDbSu74_tDoBAePTrjujHt3Pe_rjNmn1VPy9g49vTsPSJAoDmxQsU47ctGXk/s400/Honeymoon6.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387058554384994082" border="0" /></a><br />Fortunately, once I got up in the air, it was fairly smooth and tolerable for me unless we hit an air pocket. They kept me as close as they could, though, which I greatly appreciated. It was a bit peaceful up there, but after a little while (what felt like an hour but was probably 5 minutes), I stuck out my arm so they could reel me in.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIgWTo7CtAVzvSc9z8MK_MmaZGKyE4GAOLDaULGlusgwCz29nfqWi7SNTFQ3WPhVfoBnFN1fB1jgqvHNYsOcJE7BJGJy9K_CXULx2gTHSRL10LG3OgxT_pZfZyFvTLZ_axvcN8SYFd8l8/s1600-h/Honeymoon7.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIgWTo7CtAVzvSc9z8MK_MmaZGKyE4GAOLDaULGlusgwCz29nfqWi7SNTFQ3WPhVfoBnFN1fB1jgqvHNYsOcJE7BJGJy9K_CXULx2gTHSRL10LG3OgxT_pZfZyFvTLZ_axvcN8SYFd8l8/s400/Honeymoon7.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387058550586129666" border="0" /></a><br />Fortunately, there was always happy hour to make things right. Our hotel did two happy hour drinks for $11.34 from 2:30-4:30 every day. The only catch is that it had to be one of the three drinks they were offering that day, and both drinks had to be the same. This led Mr. S to have to agree and take turns choosing. But, since those drinks would normally be $9 or $10 each, the compromise was worth it for the savings!<br /><br />I believe this day was the Banana Daiquiri:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6n121rXLevilzEAAKkpOJFcKBtDVxPeCVWBuIItW_I7oYRghgmNl3huGQMp3fOZqJwIn7c8PzTt6320t-8MtyDYOTboEzXhmsEy2phZHgfvZKQirmXPRDC7lAA0zrLtkPON5J9il-SNg/s1600-h/Honeymoon8.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 356px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6n121rXLevilzEAAKkpOJFcKBtDVxPeCVWBuIItW_I7oYRghgmNl3huGQMp3fOZqJwIn7c8PzTt6320t-8MtyDYOTboEzXhmsEy2phZHgfvZKQirmXPRDC7lAA0zrLtkPON5J9il-SNg/s400/Honeymoon8.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387058241775698354" border="0" /></a><br />Mr. S chose this drink, but I ended up liking it more than him, yum!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY4SWn2jLX1n-FeKvtKdLTypcK721KlEQSKD9DhLUZQ_mf79CZNFTFEQpIfWemWxaJkRVWkNpf7tXeGnEFhWystjIzmbxdx1iY_EZ1bNllllq-OVxz9JxlPsAyopsmhKt6uu0GwLA2IX0/s1600-h/Honeymoon9.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY4SWn2jLX1n-FeKvtKdLTypcK721KlEQSKD9DhLUZQ_mf79CZNFTFEQpIfWemWxaJkRVWkNpf7tXeGnEFhWystjIzmbxdx1iY_EZ1bNllllq-OVxz9JxlPsAyopsmhKt6uu0GwLA2IX0/s400/Honeymoon9.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387058230567933874" border="0" /></a><br />One of the other special activities we chose was a snorkeling trip. We booked through <a href="http://www.depalm.com/">De Palm tours</a> (since we book this in our hotel lobby), and we chose to do a 4-hour snorkel trip on a Catamaran boat. They advertise it for $75/person, but as we were talking to the person she knocked off $10 a person. So, our $65/person covered transportation to/from the boat, snorkelling gear, 3 snorkel locations, lunch and open bar for the entire trip. There were a couple of different options, but we chose the Catamaran because we figured it wouldn't rock back and forth very much since I don't handle boats very well.<br /><br />So, to prepare for our big snorkelling adventure we made sure to have plenty of Balashi, the local beer. They had these great mini cans so you could easily drink them in between snorkelling (probably not the safest idea!).<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSIzMNRNkY0FSB8fj29z-_QdPzsXmioYtVtUifEddb6bZ8p0rdyoiZGekwhj5axa9CJgVfiJ_rywv54C7-t9ppKoQ59O-515tRogHh7RwTRRZ4y6nWVSuvWNtYOxmWxKaHda3-VDFEhCo/s1600-h/Honeymoon10.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSIzMNRNkY0FSB8fj29z-_QdPzsXmioYtVtUifEddb6bZ8p0rdyoiZGekwhj5axa9CJgVfiJ_rywv54C7-t9ppKoQ59O-515tRogHh7RwTRRZ4y6nWVSuvWNtYOxmWxKaHda3-VDFEhCo/s400/Honeymoon10.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387058228124996834" border="0" /></a><br />Look, we're all geared up!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKV5968YtECxaS6SQhLZC2G8mM7OwRMDbNE1x9X8uIPqPe5pLCuq1iOWAi5RE2-9o_r1b6Toe6S0FbTNUym12uJcdJxrt6GmFAD5yGPAWmSLioeqhYukOWGBpRSgeRTc6W1S8zvoJ31u4/s1600-h/Honeymoon12.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKV5968YtECxaS6SQhLZC2G8mM7OwRMDbNE1x9X8uIPqPe5pLCuq1iOWAi5RE2-9o_r1b6Toe6S0FbTNUym12uJcdJxrt6GmFAD5yGPAWmSLioeqhYukOWGBpRSgeRTc6W1S8zvoJ31u4/s400/Honeymoon12.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387058213376681266" border="0" /></a><br />We had a really great time! The guys in charge weren't exactly into teaching people (although I'm sure they would have helped if someone had asked) - they just let us loose at each spot. But we both got the hang of it quickly and had a really good time. The first two spots were clear, calm and we saw tons of fish! Unfortunately, the third spot was further out and unusually choppy, so I didn't get to see the Antilla shipwreck - I kept on get knocked back! All-in-all, it was a great day-trip and it was so fun paddling around the ocean with Mr. S.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCUdpgSS13jCjBMCn4Ey_JqmhxvdMNKjhdln19qaa8EnGJBI9c8JfGU5nZUHAEoFCGEdUYVQ9qnd9m9PsqrdeFUF4XIDAm3hf1vRCq7BGaZv2Wi8IQu8zC74AyE4vNxSk7d5mammwP7pE/s1600-h/Honeymoon11.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCUdpgSS13jCjBMCn4Ey_JqmhxvdMNKjhdln19qaa8EnGJBI9c8JfGU5nZUHAEoFCGEdUYVQ9qnd9m9PsqrdeFUF4XIDAm3hf1vRCq7BGaZv2Wi8IQu8zC74AyE4vNxSk7d5mammwP7pE/s400/Honeymoon11.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387058218179382434" border="0" /></a><br />Don't worry, amidst all the fun, I checked into Weddingbee from time to time!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBloxvVaMYxvzNjmjuJz3gNA4UBdzuUNxB8Y9xwsaJT88lnhLTu6LvUeij7GcTPm_-YKSpd4gSnTnAP_vcm8TLWB7LSTMxzXDjmuiZkzCA-MM3YSUR7xTVJqpjXTzr3bCfDaUqfDaC4wo/s1600-h/Honeymoon13.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 313px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBloxvVaMYxvzNjmjuJz3gNA4UBdzuUNxB8Y9xwsaJT88lnhLTu6LvUeij7GcTPm_-YKSpd4gSnTnAP_vcm8TLWB7LSTMxzXDjmuiZkzCA-MM3YSUR7xTVJqpjXTzr3bCfDaUqfDaC4wo/s400/Honeymoon13.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387057731901538098" border="0" /></a><br />We decided to stay close to our hotel for dinners just because restaurants were so expensive. Our "nice dinner out" was at Simply Fish, on the Marriott Hotel property. They were doing a 3-course dinner for 2 for $89, but you had to eat at 8:30 or later. Since we're poor newlyweds (and the prices are a bit inflated at all restaurants across the boar), we went for it. While it was quite romantic seated on the beach with our feet in the sand, the infamous Aruban wind made dinner a bit of a struggle - at one point Mr. S's champagne glass flew away!<br /><br />While the food we had was great, I don't know that I would have been happy if I had paid full price if they hadn't been doing the fixed price menu. Regardless, it was great having a romantic dinner on the beach.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW4OZN5i7It315tH8FtElQnJMQByhxxV7UHE7cOR1-ZuO2QFzwa1-Di-jPVVnVtG27zvGBsVkb5-6RiQ2Ugo4sYpTPP5BlPzw500GGvyUVMBURSi47aIEgEuCg9zg0Q6Ab2ic_ajUf53A/s1600-h/Honeymoon14.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW4OZN5i7It315tH8FtElQnJMQByhxxV7UHE7cOR1-ZuO2QFzwa1-Di-jPVVnVtG27zvGBsVkb5-6RiQ2Ugo4sYpTPP5BlPzw500GGvyUVMBURSi47aIEgEuCg9zg0Q6Ab2ic_ajUf53A/s400/Honeymoon14.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387057730124183506" border="0" /></a><br />On one of our last nights, we ate at the Pelican's Nest, a little place on a pier further up the beach from where we were staying. It was touristy food that wasn't done very well (sadly), but the ambience made it all worth it! If you get there a little bit before sunset and it's just the two of you, you can be seated on the outer edge of the pier. The sub-par food was forgotten through a view like this at sunset:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgshJGPPqXIaNIKN9qQ3G0HeefVj_cMC8bi9yNk68kDFWfryxvSHkByKMxokNXD2PbaSv3-R_s8E843RmCxPDj8ub5Rxuqf20f6H76VReYI_fTrhvfbZj7RduigkU3dpIpRuj0Y6eGKoK0/s1600-h/Honeymoon19.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgshJGPPqXIaNIKN9qQ3G0HeefVj_cMC8bi9yNk68kDFWfryxvSHkByKMxokNXD2PbaSv3-R_s8E843RmCxPDj8ub5Rxuqf20f6H76VReYI_fTrhvfbZj7RduigkU3dpIpRuj0Y6eGKoK0/s400/Honeymoon19.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387057279295739746" border="0" /></a><br />One thing that we had been warned about before the trip was all of the lizards! They are everywhere...and, to be honest, if you're eating lunch outside they will stalk you at the table. I sat through a whole lunch shooing them away with my purse, fearful they would crawl up my leg. Ewww. Just look how big and creepy this guy's toes are!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHxPTyLJK6DCtf_LFmwh-CXPHQzbtUIRZLINCu8kjwGnGTQ0X40up8tWHqR-ArqMnF9Dylc9_xVvFAVHa_agb90Qb7aOrWFWLNlm_vwjRVW0jwvKNiZijtY5GwknjpUS22Ky3jryvXZ20/s1600-h/Honeymoon15.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 310px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHxPTyLJK6DCtf_LFmwh-CXPHQzbtUIRZLINCu8kjwGnGTQ0X40up8tWHqR-ArqMnF9Dylc9_xVvFAVHa_agb90Qb7aOrWFWLNlm_vwjRVW0jwvKNiZijtY5GwknjpUS22Ky3jryvXZ20/s400/Honeymoon15.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387057727083256818" border="0" /></a><br />There are also, of course, these big guys - the iguanas. We didn't see them as much - we think they slept and layed low during the hotest parts of the day (as did we!). But one day we caught this guy and one of his friends chasing each other around the pool. Hilarious! But, made me glad we didn't hang out at the pool at all because these guys would just crouch under the chairs. Fortunately, they never visited the beach.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQT4fbn2IP9tYMkKWZD8cgSdGbdDUlDquipV-7RX0zrvY8o-Jw_zZCc1E2P14Rin-_7I2dbMpl3L7NrPzB4nWSBDXhC3vyXKs_oXTs2MAXdmKYC71w6XqR9VlXBHaggWC7nPhnqTMbJgY/s1600-h/Honeymoon17.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 291px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQT4fbn2IP9tYMkKWZD8cgSdGbdDUlDquipV-7RX0zrvY8o-Jw_zZCc1E2P14Rin-_7I2dbMpl3L7NrPzB4nWSBDXhC3vyXKs_oXTs2MAXdmKYC71w6XqR9VlXBHaggWC7nPhnqTMbJgY/s400/Honeymoon17.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387057711181617618" border="0" /></a><br />After a week of fun in the sun, it was time to go. If you're ever planning a trip to Aruba, he's a look at what you can expect to find at the airport:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZgra15aaBP5ftcMe-IWNoT3bmZWHwe7tTLEZwUUvcdUnUbdrbxAA9Z0lKkB1MaSDaoXZ30zxphPJpDEiioffpqOMhB-CfFAwYi4tHPvt7vc5MpBmVtY7uq9gwv5n5d1KO3L2LTMNtOb8/s1600-h/Honeymoon20.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZgra15aaBP5ftcMe-IWNoT3bmZWHwe7tTLEZwUUvcdUnUbdrbxAA9Z0lKkB1MaSDaoXZ30zxphPJpDEiioffpqOMhB-CfFAwYi4tHPvt7vc5MpBmVtY7uq9gwv5n5d1KO3L2LTMNtOb8/s400/Honeymoon20.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387057273939382050" border="0" /></a><br />At the beginning of the mural above, you can't see the big Sbarro advertisement - there were tons of Sbarro's down there! So, our last Aruban meal was Sbarro as it was either that or airport sushi.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRLuuwAbbvxqYiaU5vbuyzUkXfpEzvzOn2au1WRLqxXzBvPP1gCHOutTiBOTJvsP3tfdQ2xv0exjnxgi-aKPCdf11_bXyIBlEmJ_pyBittnzk6Iv86b__xKjDd3_94FKbpCYvlbKS3P1U/s1600-h/Honeymoon21.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRLuuwAbbvxqYiaU5vbuyzUkXfpEzvzOn2au1WRLqxXzBvPP1gCHOutTiBOTJvsP3tfdQ2xv0exjnxgi-aKPCdf11_bXyIBlEmJ_pyBittnzk6Iv86b__xKjDd3_94FKbpCYvlbKS3P1U/s400/Honeymoon21.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387057266447894802" border="0" /></a><br />We didn't get into Chicago until about 9:30 on Sunday evening...we grabbed our bags and cab back to our condo then hopped in our car and drove 3 hours down to my parents house to pick up our baby:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4nIak_9Hj-lC_NSUwjGsGKOwFlnNcMnt0azDVTaO_ZW5b-KV5Qror3ZvlAasU11wEFucXxOh1XDv9_1v5gYnCkJyKNwU4hhljCj6TIsZxLdvke9XE88Qcl6vC8NA1KR2VRIUBOtwZtnM/s1600-h/Honeymoon22.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 298px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4nIak_9Hj-lC_NSUwjGsGKOwFlnNcMnt0azDVTaO_ZW5b-KV5Qror3ZvlAasU11wEFucXxOh1XDv9_1v5gYnCkJyKNwU4hhljCj6TIsZxLdvke9XE88Qcl6vC8NA1KR2VRIUBOtwZtnM/s400/Honeymoon22.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387057262037884898" border="0" /></a><br />Driving back up to Chicago Monday morning, we were exhausted, tan and relaxed! The last couple of weeks before the wedding were tense, crazy and overwhelming that taking the time to disappear, nap, have some cocktails and sit in the sun was exactly what we needed! Aruba was the perfect place for us to spend that week.<br /><br />I'm chomping at the bit to get pictures from our photographer...can't wait to share!Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11779301862432140898noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4383586636665371685.post-60622782418986472192009-09-26T08:47:00.004-05:002009-09-26T09:03:07.304-05:00Just Buzzing to Say Hello!Mr. Stiletto and I enjoyed the most fabulous wedding day EVER! I can't wait to share more with you once we get the professional pictures back...I'm already dying to do recaps!<br /><br />In the meantime, I'll leave you with the lovely sneak peak posted by our photographer, <a href="http://www.lauriepeacock.com">Laurie Peacock</a>:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqs0Jtq2WOwy4Kk1rYtIg5k73a-vy2Pblzwnqmg5mU3nSJtjp7C47ULV5hmLRbAZw0LCRZRpFQ8QPSqqnrrEoFqJlzfGS2bDRsv2f-noi1vnHbAMeU4NqBrlX94YLTyeniwydNcMv1Ym4/s1600-h/Peacock.Sneak.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 220px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqs0Jtq2WOwy4Kk1rYtIg5k73a-vy2Pblzwnqmg5mU3nSJtjp7C47ULV5hmLRbAZw0LCRZRpFQ8QPSqqnrrEoFqJlzfGS2bDRsv2f-noi1vnHbAMeU4NqBrlX94YLTyeniwydNcMv1Ym4/s400/Peacock.Sneak.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385774958808922242" border="0" /></a>Source: <a href="http://www.lauriepeacock.com">Laurie Peacock<br /></a></div><br />Wait?! You wanted to see my beautiful mug as well? Since we were lucky enough to have great friends and Bees in attendance, TONS of pictures were uploaded to Facebook right after the wedding!<br /><br />The lovely Miss Snapdragon provided this fabulous picture of Mr. S and I leaving the church:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwx4hBjlYBWGtteEsT2DqdbW2cSNWtoROPY1kJ4Q73Ez4rk8O3rYAaziVaf4LmrxMVlkjbAMa9Mre7sPZ7Oggt7r9-Ee1zqbpmVq6sEHxnGYtVDrzrN-0m1tsrztWIDL96IToiTDB_JyE/s1600-h/Church.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwx4hBjlYBWGtteEsT2DqdbW2cSNWtoROPY1kJ4Q73Ez4rk8O3rYAaziVaf4LmrxMVlkjbAMa9Mre7sPZ7Oggt7r9-Ee1zqbpmVq6sEHxnGYtVDrzrN-0m1tsrztWIDL96IToiTDB_JyE/s400/Church.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385774554349826882" border="0" /></a><br />Can't wait to catch up on all of my Bee reading when Mr. S and I return from Aruba!Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11779301862432140898noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4383586636665371685.post-58532685658176151392009-09-18T16:45:00.000-05:002009-09-18T16:47:34.314-05:00See You on the Married Side!<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicXwu7brPhS3A0VTdm3xfvmjZGNqoL6IUT_Y3TMJFa8LWk4WBe0nd92qTx9QIUSxCgOKgpSAHTQ-MBUovvue-6E5Ag5EmBCCauIHDcYijVLgRZiUZlKly0aNvNV7sBFeQe06CgxdLfaV8/s1600-h/EPic.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicXwu7brPhS3A0VTdm3xfvmjZGNqoL6IUT_Y3TMJFa8LWk4WBe0nd92qTx9QIUSxCgOKgpSAHTQ-MBUovvue-6E5Ag5EmBCCauIHDcYijVLgRZiUZlKly0aNvNV7sBFeQe06CgxdLfaV8/s400/EPic.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382926483410594706" border="0" /></a>Source: <a href="http://www.lauriepeacock.com/">Laurie Peacock</a><br /></div><br /><div>Well, this is it. Finito. Done. My last post as a single gal. Wheeeeeeeeeee!<br /><br />To Mr. S - I'm so incredibly excited to be your wife and continue on our journey together. You're my best friend, and I know that I would even be writing this post today if it weren't for your support and encouragement...I mean, you were the one who set up my <a href="http://www.lazysusin.com/">first blog</a> and told me that I needed to stop reading blogs and start writing one. Turns out, I apparently have what it takes to blog - thank you for believing in me! I look forward to all of the wonderful things to come for us, and I have no doubt that our future will be even more amazing than the past 3 years have already been.<br /></div><div> </div><br /><div>To you lovely ladies (and gents!) out there - 18 months ago, I could never have imagined sharing the details of my wedding with the world. But, I also couldn't have imagined planning a wedding with so many details...and that's soley because of this fabulous site, all of you fabulous brides-to-be, grooms-to-be, husbands and wives. You've been a source of encouragement and inspiration over the past 7 months, and I'm forever grateful! I've shared all of the "befores" and I can't wait to share the "afters"!</div><div> </div><br /><div>...Soon-to-be-<strong>Mrs.</strong> Stiletto</div><div> </div><br /><div>PS Watch for some Bees buzzing around the Stiletto festivities!</div>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11779301862432140898noreply@blogger.com4