Wedding of my Dreams! July 21, 2012

I can not describe in words how amazing our wedding day was! I'll start with the ceremony. It was also held at the ACC in a beautiful room with a gorgeous fireplace. I planned the entire ceremony with the help of my MIL. I work part-time for a catering company as a server so I have witnessed many weddings. I took some ideas from weddings I had worked as well as weddings I had been to. I also designed the programs. This was probably the funnest part about wedding planning. I used williamarthur.com. I wish I could do this for a living.

Here they are:

I got inspiration from birds when I found a picture of a cake with hand sewn birds as a cake topper. Which I had made for our cake too!

My brother, Jesse and nephew, Michael were the Ushers.

My other two nephews, Tyler and Mathew, handed out programs. I am so sad this is the only picture I got of them. This was the night before the wedding. I rented the bowling alley at the ACC out so they could bowl during the rehearsal dinner.

 One of my dearest friends, Kasi managed the guest books. Yes I had two- a traditional one just for people to sign and another one that I had made with our engagement pictures for people to sign and write advice for us!

The ceremony started at 5:30 and was beautiful. The flower girls and ring bearer absolutely made it! They were so precious and so well behaved during the entire ceremony. We had a pianist play the music for the ceremony and cocktail hour. We also wrote our own vows. Rob's were amazing! Robin Barnes McCarthy officiated the wedding. She was wonderful! We met her when Rob's best man, Jason, married him and Lauren. I just loved the way she did their ceremony so I asked her if she would do ours.

Right before walking down the aisle with my Mom and Dad

Walking down the aisle

 Robin, the minister, and I

 Robin with Rob and I. We had the ceremony here in front of the fireplace.

After the ceremony we said hi to all the guests in a receiving line. It was so wonderful to get to see each and every person that made it to our wedding. After the receiving line the photographer took pictures of both bridal parties and family too. I was anxious to get down to the library where a cocktail hour was being set up, just for the bridal party, so I could eat a few appetizers. They were delicious by the way- coconut shrimp (my absolute fave), artichoke fritters, and bacon wrapped chestnuts. We got done with pictures about 10 minutes before we needed to be ready for dinner so I got to eat a few.  The guests were awaiting our arrival in the big room where dinner was to be served. The MC introduced the bridal party, family, and most importantly- Mr. and Mrs. Stan! I can NOT believe I am Mrs. Stan now! Its a hard pill to swallow to change your name after 29 years, but I think I will get used to it. Dinner was delicious! Each guest got a salad, fillet mignon, pecan-crusted chicken, asparagus, and mashed potatoes (my favorite food).

Menu

Us enjoying dinner!

After dinner was served, we cut the cake  Rob and I were laughing because we had never cut a cake together and it was pretty rock solid. We didn't really know what to do. He fed me my piece delicately and I smashed a piece in his face.

We used Cupcake Yum Yum, a local bakery, who I found online last year. Scarlett is the owner and baker. She bakes everything gluten free. One of Rob's groomsmen, Jim, was ecstatic since he is allergic to gluten. She did an amazing job on our little top cake. She made little rosettes for the top and ruffles for the side. I was so sad because I didn't even get to try it. We had the servers cut the top into enough pieces for our parents and bridal party. By the time it was cut and served we were already walking around greeting the guests. I did, however, try all three flavors of cupcakes (Plain Jane, Spiced Maple Bacon, and Kentucky Double Bourbon). I wanted Scarlett to make something that related to my home state, KY, she came up with KY Double Bourbon just for us. Like I mentioned before the cake topper was two hand sewn birds sitting on a tree branch. So cute!  Erika from “Klink Creatively” made them!

Leighton enjoying a cupcake!

After we said hi to everyone at their tables we started the dances. The song list is also something I came up with, with a little help from Rob. I searched on the Internet for hours trying to find the right song for each dance. We hired Reflections Event Group to DJ. They also provide an MC to help announce to the guests what was going to happen next and help coordinate everything with the service staff.

Here is the list:
Our First dance: At Last- Etta James

I have been planning on this being our first dance for years, since we have been together for almost 9 years. At Last is right!

The flower girls were all sitting together watching us do our first dances. So sweet!

Father/ Daughter: Because you loved me- Celine Dion and Born to be wild- Steppenwolf

This was absolutely hilarious! No one expected my Dad and I to break into a fast song! It was awesome! My Dad loves to dance!

Mother /Son: What a Wonderful World- Louis Armstrong

Parent’s/ Immediate Family: LOVE- Nat King Cole

Bridal Party Dance: Chris Brown- Forever

Anniversary dance: Old Fashioned- Cee Lo Green

I just love this dance. For those of you that don't know , the MC invites all married couples out to the dance floor. He starts dismissing couples off according to how many years they have been married. The couple who has been married the longest is left standing!

Bouquet Toss: All the Single Ladies- Beyonce
One of my bridesmaids, Melissa, caught the bouquet. I hope she is next to get married. She deserves nothing but happiness!

Garter Toss: Legs- ZZ Top

This was so funny! None of the guys would come out to the dance floor, so my dear friend Deana, jumped out in front of the few boys that happened to make it on the dance floor, and caught the garter. She turned around and handed it to the first guy she saw, which happened to be my friend Monica's boyfriend. Hopefully they get hitched soon!

Last Dance: The Black Keys – You’re The One

Rob decided on this song for our last dance. It has a melancholy tone so I crying like a baby during this. I did NOT want the night to end. I felt like it went by so fast and I felt like I didn't get to talk to everyone or visit with them as long as I would have liked to. But that's what they say about weddings. They fly by!

Here are some more pictures from the wedding!

Rachel and Mandy 

 Becky and Melissa

 Rachel, Lauren, Kala, Mandy, Becky, and Melissa

 Emily and Jason (Maid of Honor and Best Man)

 Marla and Lois

Precious Leighton

 Beautiful Family- Mandy, Leigh, and Toby!

 The very pregnant Becky and her Boyfriend David

Bridesmaids withour dear friend Andrea, who traveled all the way from Chicago.

Most of my Columbus friends...

Jamie, Molly, Jess, Mary Anne, Deana, Rycki, Ashley, Danielle, Brittany, and Carrie

 Leighton and Jaxson getting down!

 They love to dance!

 Future couple?

 My Aunt Monica and Uncle Gary. They have been married for over 15 years!

I know I will find more pictures to post later, but for now that's all.

The day is kind of a blur for me. I'm glad I have pictures and friends to tell me stories. I wish it could have lasted forever. I am SO happy we hired a videographer. If I could give any advice to brides to be, HIRE A VIDEOGRAPHER! Reflections Event group also provided a videographer for us. They sent us a DVD within 2 weeks of getting married. It was so great to watch the ceremony and all the highlights of the night. It truly was a magical day! Thank-you to all of our family and friends who traveled near and far to witness our marriage! We feel truly blessed to have each and every one of you in our lives!