Red Pattern

Sunday, March 17, 2013

Getting Hitched: Just When You Thought I Couldn't Possibly Have Any More Couple's Portraits...

I have no idea what our Bridal Party was doing while we took these photos. Literally, clueless. I remember all of us taking group photos, and I remember making our entrance into the reception all together, but the in between? No clue. What I do know, however, is that Mr. C and I were thoroughly enjoying being newly married and I think these pictures do a great job of showing it.

All photography by Megan Fortner

If you're tired of looking at our faces, feel free to come back next time when I begin sharing our reception photos that provide a little more variety. You won't hurt my feelings. But if you're in the mood for some lovey-dovey wedding portraits, feel free to stick around :)


I know these pictures don't need much explanation - it's just me and Mr. C looking happy to be married - but I will say it's fun being able to look back on pictures of us from before AND after the ceremony. It's probably not noticeable to you guys, and the differences are subtle, but I can see small changes in these photos from the earlier ones. We both seem more at ease, there was more laughing (if that's even possible), and we've changed from excited we're about to get married, to happy (and a bit relieved) to be married. I love the contrast and would recommend doing both if you have the time on your day. 




Coming Up: We make our entrance into the reception!

Miss a recap?

First, I shared some of my favorite guest photos from the big day!

Next, Mr. C and I spent some quality time with family, rehearsed for the big day, and then enjoyed our tasty rehearsal dinner.

My girls and I spent some quality time together and got our hair and makeup done in our hotel suite.

We headed over to the Piazza, where I slipped into my dress.

I showed off my wedding gown in my pre-wedding Bridal Portraits.

You got a sneak peek into the Groom’s Suite while the guys got ready.

I got a little misty during our First Look.

Mr. Coach and I took a few couple’s portraits with our photographers.

It was almost time for the ceremony to begin, so our parents and grandparents made their entrances.

We exchanged handwritten vows during our ceremony.

Our photographers snapped some pictures of Mr. C and me with our Bridal Party.


Monday, March 11, 2013

Getting Hitched: Portraits With Our People

After our ceremony had concluded and the guests had exited the chapel for Cocktail Hour, we headed back inside for the obligatory formal photos ;) This is one of the times during the day when organization really pays off. Our photographer had previously asked for a list of the photos we wanted and running through that list made things go by so much quicker. I took it one step further, however, because I meticulously planned out not only what pictures we would be taking, but what order they would be in. I made sure we started with Mr. C's family, for example, because they have the younger children who would've been impatiently waiting otherwise. Once they were finished, their parents were able to take them outside to let some of that energy out while we took the rest of the photos.


For the sake of variety, I'm only sharing a few "formal" photos - those of Mr. C and I with the children who were in our wedding. We took all of the family photos inside the chapel, but I wanted to change things up a bit for the pictures of us with our bridal party. We didn't have time to get photos with them after our first look; in fact, they walked out to meet us only to be told it was time to go back in. So, we have some fun walking shots ;)

You HAVE to do a jumping photo, right?
We did, however, had a pretty significant amount of time after the ceremony to get some great shots with our closet friends. The girls made it over to the location first, and were looking cute while waiting for the rest of us. Side note: I am still so in love with their dresses. They wore them so well.


Once the rest of us had made our way down the street, we got down to business. We started out with a few smiling photos, and then showed off our "model" faces in a more serious pose...



 ...And then there was a little bit of kissing ;) Look at our wonderful bridal party just cheering us on!


After the group shots, we split up between our two photographers and got a few individual shots. For the sake of not embarrassing the boys, I'll post their serious photos, but you'd better believe those boys took goofy shots as well. 

Okay, okay, I had to post one, although I have no idea what is going on here. Silly boys ;)
And, then there's me and my girls. Poor Bridesmaid R got to act out my Bridezilla side with me. I promise no one was actually harmed by that rather large bouquet.



Coming Up: A few more couple's portraits and then it's time for the reception!

Miss a recap?


First, I shared some of my favorite guest photos from the big day!

Next, Mr. C and I spent some quality time with family, rehearsed for the big day, and then enjoyed our tasty rehearsal dinner.

My girls and I spent some quality time together and got our hair and makeup done in our hotel suite.

We headed over to the Piazza, where I slipped into my dress.

I showed off my wedding gown in my pre-wedding Bridal Portraits.

You got a sneak peek into the Groom’s Suite while the guys got ready.

I got a little misty during our First Look.

Mr. Coach and I took a few couple’s portraits with our photographers.

It was almost time for the ceremony to begin, so our parents and grandparents made their entrances.

We exchanged handwritten vows during our ceremony.

Sunday, March 10, 2013

Getting Hitched: The Ceremony

Talk about a cliffhanger! So sorry to keep you guys waiting after my last post, but let's be honest - you all knew what was coming next ;)


Mr. Coach and I kept things fairly simple when it came to planning the ceremony. Our officiant, Josh, sent me a copy of what he usually says during a ceremony, we tweaked it a bit, and that was that. I did, however, have two things I wanted to add. During our wedding planning journey, I decided I was pro-personalized vows. Although it's been quite a while, some of you might remember my post discussing writing our own vows, and whether not we would be able to incorporate it into an otherwise very traditional ceremony. After seeing it discussed many times here, I also decided closer to the wedding that I would love to have someone other than our officiant read a passage during the ceremony.

With the help of the 'Bee, I was able to accomplish both of those things. Your responses to Miss Sword's post about ceremony readings led me to the one we ultimately picked, "Union" by Robert Fulghum, and Mrs. Jam's guide to writing your own vows was a lifesaver when it came to Mr. C and I writing our own personal, yet cohesive, vows to each other. 
Excerpt from "Writing Your Vows: A Simple Exercise" by our own Mrs. Jam
For the most part, you'll notice our ceremony was very traditional, and that was exactly what we wanted. What we didn't want, however, was for our ceremony and vow exchange to feel impersonal, and what really didn't want was for the entire event to last 5 minutes and be gone before we even knew what was going on. I wanted a little more "meat" and the addition of a few personalized touches scattered into our Big Day. If I had to go back and plan it all again, I would 100% choose to write our own vows. The "outline" from Mrs. Jam made the writing so simple, and hearing Mr. C's own words being recited to me was the highlight of the afternoon. After the reading and the exchanging of vows, Officiant Josh flowed effortlessly into the traditional exchanging of rings, and it was the perfect combination.

But, enough chit chat. I've intermingled our full vows with some of my favorite pictures from the day so that you guys can see how well each of our vows fit together, thanks to the outline we followed. There was not a dry eye in the house after Mr. C finished reading, including his. Ladies, if you want to see your groom get choked up and show emotion, GET YOUR MAN TO WRITE HIS OWN VOWS ;)


As the Piazza chapel doors opened, Mr. C and I locked eyes for the first time (well, since our First Look) and it was magic. I could not get down that aisle fast enough. Unfortunately, my rather large dress, high heels, and the fact that I kept telling myself to slow down and take in the moment, were keeping me from a full on sprint to the front of that church. 


Edelweiss was being played in the background by our harpist (which I don't remember at all, but I've been told it did in fact happen) and I made my way toward my best friend who was waiting for me at the alter. When my dad and I did finally reach the front, he and I shared a hug, and he handed me over to Mr. C to become his wife.




After Josh had finished his opening words and scripture, he handed the microphone over to Bridesmaid J who began to recite the simple and romantic, "Union"by Robert Fulghum.
You have known each other from the first glance of acquaintance to this point of commitment. At some point, you decided to marry. From that moment of yes, to this moment of yes, indeed, you have been making commitments in an informal way. All of those conversations that were held in a car, or over a meal, or during long walks – all those conversations that began with, “When we’re married”, and continued with “I will” and “you will” and “we will” – all those late night talks that included “someday” and “somehow” and “maybe” – and all those promises that are unspoken matters of the heart. All these common things, and more, are the real process of a wedding.
The symbolic vows that you are about to make are a way of saying to one another, “You know all those things that we’ve promised, and hoped, and dreamed – well, I meant it all, every word.” 
Look at one another and remember this moment in time. Before this moment you have been many things to one another – acquaintance, friend, companion, lover, dancing partner, even teacher, for you have learned much from one another these past few years. Shortly you shall say a few words that will take you across a threshold of life, and things between you will never quite be the same. 
For after today you shall say to the world – This my husband. This is my wife.
As the reading concluded, Mr. C took the notebook that was holding our vows from his Best Man, and began to read. For those of you already planning to write your own vows to one another, or say anything that isn't memorized during the ceremony, I think having it written or printed in a notebook is a great option versus just pulling out a folded piece of paper that the Best Man had in his pocket. The folded piece of paper route was a pet peeve of mine from previous weddings, and I found a solid black notebook for Mr. C and I to each print and glue our vows into. I think it photographed so much better!


Miss Coach, In the last four years of our relationship I have learned so much about myself. I've learned that it's possible to share anything and everything with you. And, I'm not just talking about sharing my time and my goals, my ideas and thoughts with you, I mean that I've learned that it's even possible to share my money, my tv remote, and even my toothbrush with you because I love you so much. I am only able to share those things with you, Miss C. You are my one and only love.
The toothbrush thing is a joke between us - please don't let it gross you out too much :)
I love you because of what I have seen in you since the beginning when I look at you. I love your eyes for the trust and innocence they reveal in you. I love your smile which not only is the most beautiful thing I have ever seen, but that it shows the joy and love that you have deep in your heart.  
I love you because you have always been set on having me and only me all to yourself.  
I love you because I know my love is safe with you. 


Because I love you, I promise to care for you, both physically and emotionally. 
Because I love you,  I promise that my hand will only ever hold your hand, my lips will only ever kiss your lips, and my toothbrush will only ever be shared with you, as long as I live.
Because I love you, I vow to be with you through the good times and the bad, and I vow to treat you not only as my equal, but to lift you up and honor you as my lovely bride, my best friend, and my soulmate. 
Miss C, my angel, today is without a doubt the most important day of my life and I"m sure that you're pretty excited about it too. I know that we are perfect for each other and I know that you are the perfect girl for me. I love you and this is exactly what I want - to be matched with you forever, and ever, and ever. 


Then, it was my turn.
Mr. C, Some of my first memories of you are a little more unusual --- you yelling senseless things at other Club guys down the hallway in your dorm, and the embarrassing noise you made when I took that probably too large bite of coffee cake during one of our first Starbucks trips.  However, many others are much more romantic, like that first sweet text message you sent at the perfect time and our first kiss after a wonderful date. With your jokes and your sweet words, you were such a mix of comedy and charm then, and luckily for me, you still are. You were unexpected, and absolutely perfect for me.

 I love you because you are a leader in our relationship, but in the most respectful, kind, and gentle of ways. 
I love you because your contagious smile and laugh make everyone feel welcome and at ease. Even if I don’t start out laughing with you, I usually end up shaking my head and joining right in. 
I love that you stand by my side through difficult times, and you encourage me and support me. You are strong when I need you to be, but tender and sincere when it’s most important. 
I love you because you are never afraid to be yourself, and who you are is wonderful. You are an honest, trustworthy, kind and caring man.
 Because I love you, I promise to be a constant as things around us change.
I will endure the bad times with you, whenever they may come, and I will celebrate and laugh with you when life is simple and easy, but no matter the circumstances, I will be there.
 
I promise to show you the respect you deserve, as a man and as my husband, and I  promise to be the best wife and partner that I can be for you. I will pay attention and give you quality time.  I will be faithful to you, and maintain your trust through my words and my actions. 
I promise to love you – when it’s easy, when it’s not, when you’re stubborn, when I’m stubborn- I will love you, today and every day. 


Mr. C, today is the happiest day of my life, because I get to stand here facing you and become your wife. You are my best friend and the one I cannot imagine living life without. With our friends and family as witnesses, I voice my commitment to you. I choose you, for as long as we both shall live. 
Once we had both finished reading our vows, it was time to exchange rings and make things official! We each got our respective rings from our MOH and BM, and proceeded to repeat after Josh:
With this ring, I thee wed. 
I give you this ring as a symbol of my love and faithfulness. I pledge this love to you and you alone, as long as we both shall live.


Now that the rings were on, and we were officially Mr. and Mrs, there was only one thing left to do and we were extremely pleased about it ;)



Miss a recap?

First, I shared some of my favorite guest photos from the big day!

Next, Mr. C and I spent some quality time with family, rehearsed for the big day, and then enjoyed our tasty rehearsal dinner.

My girls and I spent some quality time together and got our hair and makeup done in our hotel suite.

We headed over to the Piazza, where I slipped into my dress.

I showed off my wedding gown in my pre-wedding Bridal Portraits.

You got a sneak peek into the Groom’s Suite while the guys got ready.

I got a little misty during our First Look.

Mr. Coach and I took a few couple’s portraits with our photographers.

It was almost time for the ceremony to begin, so our parents and grandparents made their entrances.