Getting Hitched: Dancing the Night Away

After we finished feeding each other cake, and all of the toasts had been made, you had better believe Mr. C and I were ready to dance. Now, we may not be the best dancers, and the photo below may or may not be Mr. C "reeling me in"on the dance floor, but either way we have a great time making fools of ourselves!

Per our request, our DJ played quite a bit of classic rock, and started out the night by belting out a little Aerosmith to one another (no worries, the air guitar photos come later). It makes me so happy to see that Bridesmaid J is doing the same thing in the background. Who doesn't love a good power ballad!?

Only for you, hive. Only for you.

Officially the luckiest bride ever for getting to dance with this cutie! Love our little ring bearer!

There was also a good bit of country music played during our reception (in case you've forgotten, this is Texas, y'all!)  and I have to just take a moment and tell you guys how much fun it was to watch these two dance. As in, I seriously wanted to leave the reception immediately and go take dancing lessons at the nearest honky tonk. So amazing.

Bridesmaid J and her man putting us all to shame with their dancing skills.

Talented dancers or not, we had the best time dancing together as husband and wife. We knew at some point, though, that our feet would want a break, so we had planned with our DJ to do the Newlywed game as a little bit of entertainment for our guests. I've also heard the game called the shoe game (couples take off their shoes and use one of each for his & her answers) as well as seen it played with two drinks in hand (cocktail and beer for his and hers, etc.) as variations.

Our DJ provided us with a Barbie and Ken doll, and then proceeded to ask us questions about our relationship and each other. I don't have the exact list, but it included questions like "who is the better driver?" and "who is most likely to get lost while driving?" as well as the "easy" questions like "who do you love most in the whole world?" *Awww..*

A lot of DJ's actually have lists of their questions online if you want to use theirs as a guide, or you could make up your own or even have a bridesmaid do it. I chose to let the DJ use his so that neither of us would know what the questions were beforehand. We got quite a few laughs, and the game is quick enough paced that the guests didn't seem to get bored. It was a nice break-- long enough to grab another drink at the bar!-- and then we were back to dancing!

At that point in the night, things started to look a little more like this:

See, I told you the air guitar was coming.

No words are needed.

Hopefully seeing those pictures will help you understand the craziness that was our bouquet/garter toss. The bouquet toss wasn't too out of control. The girls put on their game faces and gave it their all..

Looking at this photo, I'm actually not sure how any of them caught it..

But in the end, my MOH was victorious. And I think her face just about says it all.

The garter toss... was a different story.

Yes, teeth were involved. Multiple people ended up on the ground. And the garter may or may not have been worn on the winning Groomsman's head for the rest of the night.

Celebrating their accomplishments ;)

So, it was obviously one of the goofier parts of the night, but I was so excited that everyone really got into it, especially the guys! I had this huge fear that none of the guys would come out to the dancefloor to try to catch the garter (omg! end of the world!) but luckily they all really got into it. I know a lot of people choose to skip this tradition for one reason or another, (more than likely because it's silly, and my pictures just proved that) but seriously, why not just go all out because when are you ever going to get the chance to throw a bouquet ever again!? ;)

Coming up: our last dance and exit!

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.

Before the reception, we took the time for a few more couple’s portraits.

We made our grand entrance into the reception.

Some of our favorite people said some nice things about us in their toasts.

A Bee's Life: Coach Edition!

We now interrupt these wedding recaps (there are more coming, I promise!) for a little Weddingbee post series action, and the one that just happens to be my favorite: A Bee's Life! There haven't been too many of these lately, (I think Sword and Funnel Cake were the most recent?) so I figured I would change things up a little and share my story. Not only did I find this series helpful in my pre-Blogger Bee days, but I have always thought they were just so interesting to read. Maybe I'm the only one who finds it exciting to hear just how long someone waited to get their response from Pengy or how they even got into blogging in the first place, but here's to hoping someone else out there enjoys it too ;)

How Did I Find Weddingbee?

I stumbled across Weddingbee during my Freshmen year of college while surfing wedding websites when I should've been studying. Mr. C and I were already pretty serious at this point, so even though we weren't engaged, I was certainly guilty of doing a little pre-engagement wedding planning. Pinterest wasn't really a "thing" yet (can you even imagine!?) so I was still looking for wedding inspiration the old fashioned way, and hopping around from one website to the next. At that time, FroYo had just started blogging, and I immediately started following her story because I loved that she was in Dallas and mentioned a lot of places I was familiar with. (I actually went on to use the same florist and videographer she did, so I certainly have her to thank for introducing me to them way back when. Just another thing I love about the 'Bee!) Once I started following along with some of the Bee bloggers' stories, I was hooked, and Weddingbee became the one website I would consistently visit and read, while secretly bookmarking all of the ideas I loved!

How Long Have I Been Blogging?/My Application Story

I grouped these two together because they are somewhat intertwined. I didn't start blogging for the sole purpose of creating a Weddingbee application, but it was certainly always in the back of my mind. Because I found the 'Bee long before I was engaged, the majority of the time I was a reader the idea of becoming one of the bloggers wasn't even an option. I was more than content just following along and keeping up with everyone else's wedding. However, once I actually was engaged, blogging about my own wedding was suddenly a possibility. But even then, I didn't rush to start blogging for my application. I actually started my blog for two reasons: It allowed my mom and grandmother to keep up with my planning process even though we were long distance, and I really wanted to document all of my planning in a blog so that I could print it all out in a book when the wedding was over (possibly with a company like this). For this reason, a lot of my original posts were not meant for a large audience, they were more of a "diary style" and simply for me to read.

When I finally did decide I wanted to blog for a larger audience, that was one of the first things I had to change. Thankfully, this post series existed, and I stalked all of the blog posts that had tips for applicants. The one thing that kept popping up was to find your own voice, but to also stay away from the diary-type writing. So, I went back to my very first posts and edited the heck out of those suckers. I did my best to re-write them in a way that wasn't just about me and my wedding planning, but more about my wedding planning and how it could related to other brides' planning to. I think this really helped when it came to my application.

I finally got my blog where I wanted and had a significant amount of posts at that point, so I typed up my application (which was a bit wordy, but nothing fancy), and sent it all off. And then I waited. And waited. And had just about reached the point where I was going to e-mail Pengy to be sure I wasn't one of the few applications that had gotten lost, when I finally received my acceptance e-mail and literally teared up with excitement.

(I just went back and checked my e-mail archives, and it was exactly a month between my application and my acceptance, so I guess it wasn't quite as long as it felt, but I certainly wasn't one of the lucky ones who heard back within a week or two!)

And because I didn't cover it way back when in my intro post, I'll answer the "Why Miss Coach?" question: because Fairy and Archer were already taken! Just kidding. But really, those were the first Weddingbee icons that I ever really wanted to be (and I think the extra push I needed to apply) mainly because I loved their long, brunette hair and thought they were just all-around precious. But let's be honest here, those icons are a perfect fit for the bloggers who have them, and with all of that long, flowing hair out of my way and no longer distracting me, I discovered the shiny little Coach I was meant to be. All is right in the world!

What's It Like Blogging for Weddingbee?

Time consuming and difficult at times, but also super rewarding. Blogging frequently takes a good bit of work, which is why many of us have at least one lapse in our posting due to the fact that we're first and foremost trying to plan a wedding, and sometimes documenting it in detail is not the top priority. We all start out with so many posts and ideas, yet after a certain point, it does seem to become a little more difficult. However, being a blogger for Weddingbee is also very rewarding in many ways. Not only because of the great atmosphere around here which many people mention in this section of the post, but also because it encourages you to plan and do more. There were multiple times when I considered not trying a certain project or writing about a particular subject, but when I thought about the fact that it could beneficial to both me and (hopefully) you guys, it was many times the extra push I needed and I never regretted it.

My Advice to Potential Bloggers:

• Have a friend (or two, or three) read the posts you've written and ask them for their honest feedback. If you think they won't feel comfortable giving their opinion, asking for help on the Weddingbee boards is a great way to get other opinions. The great thing about that option is that the people who will be giving their advice are the ones who already read Weddingbee and are interested in weddings. They can tell you what they think would go over well with other brides, and what they didn't connect with as well. In addition to readers, a lot of the current Blogger Bees are happy to read what you've written and give their advice, which makes posting on the boards another plus. It's not always easy to hear advice and critiques of your writing, but when you're considering writing for an audience much larger than just you, it can be extremely beneficial. 
• Write, write, write. Blogging consistently and having a large number of entries can make a difference when it comes to your application. It's important to not only show that you have great ideas for your blog, but that you've taken the time to type up a posts about them. I know how tempting it is to submit your application as soon as you hit that eight month mark, but taking the extra time to get a few more posts up and find your writing voice (I know, everyone says it, but it really is important) can pay off in the long run.
• Don't just write to write (despite what you may have taken from my last point.) Yes, quantity is important, but so it quality and some good "meat" in your posts. Rather than listing off a bunch of details in one post, try focusing on one particular point and really elaborating. And while you're at it, don't just elaborate on details you think we want to hear, but focus on what was unique about your personal experience. So for example: instead of writing a post about everything you did this weekend that was wedding related such as looking at centerpieces online, talking to your caterer, and trying on dresses at one of your bridal appointments, write a post that focuses just on your dress appointment. And rather than just listing off a timeline of the appointment, tell us about a specific detail, like your struggle with finding a non-strapless dress, or the crazy shop attendant who just didn't get on board with your dress inspiration and kept putting you in mermaid silhouettes when you strictly wanted ball gowns. 

Of course, all of that is just my unsolicited advice so take it for what it's worth. At the end of the day, it's your blog and your wedding so try not to lose sight of that! If you become a Bee Blogger that's great! And if you don't, that doesn't make your wedding any less special or exciting. I would encourage anyone who applies, accepted or not, to keep blogging and enjoy the special keepsake you have of your planning journey!

Getting Hitched: Kind Words and Champagne Toasts

After we had finished cutting the wedding cakes, things got a little more sentimental while our MOH, BM, and dad's made their toasts. Our coordinator handed us our Kate Spade toasting flutes, and we stepped out onto the dance floor to listen to what our closest friends had to say about us.

My MOH kept things short and sweet, as I knew she would. She's not a big fan of public speaking (which you'd never guess from her personality), so saying anything in front of a group of people was quite the sacrifice. She wished us well and told us how happy she for us, and that was about the extent of her speech. I'm actually very lucky that that was the extent of her speech, because she and I have been partners in crime for way too long, and things could've gotten a little embarrassing ;)

Mr. C's best man, on the other hand, was a little more elaborate, and told this extremely cute story about Mr. C cooking these fabulous brownies when they were young boys and how impressed everyone was by them. I know, it sounds super random, but I just love when boys get all sentimental and his BM did not disappoint. The story really summed up Mr. C's personality and their friendship. He had everyone laughing and it was a great part of the night.

I just love seeing these guys together!

We may or may not have forgotten to mention to our dads, "Hey, we'd really like you to say a few words during the reception!" so they hadn't exactly planned anything out, but they both spoke from the heart and caused me to make the face on the left pretty much the entire time, while trying not to cry yet again:

And just to keep things educational, here's my one tip for the toasting and speeches portion of your wedding: remove the price tags from the bottom of your champagne flutes. Not that I would ever actually do anything with this picture anyway (like frame or print), but it drives me insane every time I look at it and can only see those stickers. The crazy mind of a bride ;)

So, after a few sips of champagne, and hugs all around, we were ready to get the dancing started. I've already decided to share with you guys one big post focused on the fun and dancing that happened as the night went on, so this post is going to stay a bit on the short and sweet side.

Just for fun, here's a peek at what's to come!

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.

Before the reception, we took the time for a few more couple’s portraits.

We made our grand entrance into the reception.

Getting Hitched: The Party Begins!

Side Note: I know, I know. I did what all of us hope we won't do and let my recaps get put on the back burner. Hopefully you guys have just been keeping up with all of the wonderful new bloggers and didn't even notice? Maybe not? Either way, thanks for not hating me being patient, and I'll do my best to not let it happen again! 

Making our grand entrance into the reception was one of those tiny, little parts of the wedding day that I was really looking forward too. It comes and goes quickly, but in my opinion, the hype is justified. You've said your I do's, the photos have been taken, and then, to top it all off, you get to hold hands with your new hubby and make an entrance into a room full of clapping people that are just super excited for you. I was really looking forward to this part of the day and it didn't disappoint.

Although you can certainly tell how happy Mr. C and I were, my MOH, L, seriously had us all beat in the excitement department. The girl was ready to party, and you can tell by the look on her face ;)

I seriously love her for this.

After our bridal party had gone in and found their places along the dance floor, it was finally our turn, and we enthusiastically made our entrance as husband and wife!

Pure. Joy.

We went right into our first dance, and found ourselves wishing we had practiced a little more as we swayed to "That's How Strong My Love Is" by Otis Redding.

The choice for our first dance song did not come easily. Between the two of us, Mr. C and I know a fairly large amount of music. We are both pretty big fans of classic rock, and while we really wanted to choose a song from one of our favorite bands from that genre, it was so hard to narrow it down and choose just one. It was also extremely difficult for me to get over previous associations with certain songs, like certain times or places we had heard it, or even movies that had featured it. I made it way more difficult than it needed to be, but Y'ALL. It was our WEDDING SONG, so of course it had to be perfect ;)

We finally decided, after one of the only real arguments I can recall during the planning process (there were a good bit of "disagreements", but arguments were thankfully few), to find a "new" song that we both liked and would hold more significance to us after the wedding as our first dance song. I'm also a sucker for a little soul and R&B, so I presented Mr. C with "That's How Strong My Love Is", we took it for a little test drive and practiced our dance in the living room, and quickly decided it was the one. The song is somewhat short - just shy of 2:30 - which made it perfect for the non-choregraphed or rehearsed dancing we were planning on doing at the wedding.

For the most part, we stuck to swaying, but Mr. C just had to spin me a few times, which led to faces like this one:

Laughing to ease my embarrassment ;)

After the song finished, Mr. C welcomed our guests and thanked them for coming. Apparently, I also said a few words? I have absolutely no recollection of this (which is probably for the best because I am not a huge fan of speaking in front of people) but the pictures tell a different story.

We then transitioned straight into eating dinner, during which time our photographers and videographers were able to enjoy a little food themselves. You might remember my "feeding the vendors" dilemma mentioned here. We chose to give them their own table, close enough to the action for a good view of any potential spontaneous actions (there were none) but certainly not one of our "prime" tables either. They seemed happy with the arrangement, therefore we were happy with the arrangement.

After dinner, it was time to cut the cake! Many of you will notice there was no topper on our wedding cake. I searched the world wide web for months looking for one that I liked enough to either purchase or attempt to make myself, and never succeeded. I also learned in the process that I actually liked the look of cakes without a topper. After that it was put on the back burner and turned into one of those things I just never got around to. Do I think about cake toppers everysingleday and regret not having one? Not at all. The cake tasted fabulous all on its own :)

Our coordinator quickly showed us the best way to slice each piece:





We listened closely and did our best, but Mr. C still managed to put his own spin on things. Classy, huh?

Next, it was time for the groom's cake. I tried so hard to get Mr. C to have a super elaborate cake. The man loves to grill, and I had found pictures of these amazing cakes (like this one!) in the shapes of a grill, with little hamburgers and grilling tools  He also has a beautiful classic Mustang, so I suggested finding someone who could make a neat replica in the form of cake. Not interested. Instead, he wanted a simple chocolate cake with the state of Texas on top of it. He told me time and time again that it was my day, and he didn't want his groom's cake to "take away" from our wedding cake. How can a bride argue with that??

We cut the cakes, fed each other a piece (while our faces stayed cake-free in the process), and topped it all off with a kiss. It doesn't get much better than that!

Up Next: Some of our favorite people make a toast!

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.

Before the reception, we took the time for a few more couple's portraits.