the wedding part two

It’s pretty exciting that you’re still reading after that super long first wedding post!  Thanks!!

After the ceremony, it was time to sign our wedding contract and head out for pictures.  I have no idea how cocktail hour was but I do know from the pictures that it was awfully pretty!

When we were done, it was time to make our big entrance.  Our wedding party was such a good-looking bunch.  Seriously.  The girls looked gorgeous in their grey dresses and mint shoes.  The guys looked super dapper in their skinny ties and suspenders!  They were announced in pairs and then huddled all together.  Dustin and I snuck into the middle of the huddle as the DJ switched the tune to “Turn Down For What.”  When the beat dropped, so did our wedding party, and Dusty and I popped up dancing in the middle.  Our entrance wasn’t something we took too much time to think about, but it ended up being pretty sweet! We went straight into our first dance.  My groom and I danced to “Turning Page” by Sleeping At Last.  It was such a surreal moment to be slow dancing with my brand new husband in the middle of our loved ones.

Dinner time! We had our wedding catered by a local Florida treasure- 4 Rivers.  How was it?  I think it was great, but I’m not too sure because everyone was right…and I didn’t really eat at my wedding.  My appetite hadn’t returned quite yet, and apparently neither did Dustin’s.  The most of something I ate that day was probably that delicious bite of cake we had after the cutting.  I didn’t even know someone put a slice for me at my seat.  You know, I am rather excited to eat that thing up on our first anniversary!

Someone had told me not to stress over the little details.  That when I was at my wedding I wouldn’t even notice the decorations and those little touches I worked so hard on.  Lies!  I couldn’t get over how lovely everything looked now that it all had come together.  After the wedding we heard from so many of our guests that it was those little details that made the wedding feel so us.  I couldn’t agree more.  And I honestly don’t think I would change a thing. From the cake toppers I painted myself, to the photos we collected of loved ones who celebrated from heaven. It was all so stunning to me.

Before we ate dinner, my Grandpa led us in the blessing.  I was his “best person” in his wedding a few years back, and I was glad he could have such a special role in my own wedding.

While everyone besides Dustin and I ate, my MOH, one of my bridesmaids, and Dustin’s big brother gave their speeches.  Each was beautifully written with just the right amount of comedy and sincerity (props guys!).  We were seriously feeling the love at that point.

Dinner was served in a big white (air-conditioned) tent that we connected to the barn.  Globe lights strung on the beams and baby’s breath in jars set the mood for our night.

When dinner was through, everyone made their way back out to the barn for the cake cutting and special dances.  I danced with my step-dad to “Yellow” by Coldplay as my mom made her third and final “ugly cry” for the night.

Dustin danced to “What a Wonderful World”  by Louis Armstrong with his beautiful mama.  I remember that while they were dancing, I was still holding on to my step-dad.  I remember him saying how much he liked Dustin’s family.  And that was pretty great.

Now my second favorite part of the night- DANCING!  Everyone in the barn shaking their groove thing and enjoying each other’s company.  Here are my favorite highlights:

• the girls vs. boys epic singing battle to “Trouble” by Taylor Swift
• everyone dancing to “Paper Planes” by M.I.A.  What a weird song to have at a wedding, right?  It’s sort of a tradition with this group of friends, and it was so fun!
• belting out “Wannabe” by the Spice Girls with my cousin, Shelby
• shaking it Off to Tay Swift with my baby sisters
• watching my step-dad dance battle
• watching my Grandpa get groovy
• throwing glitter in the air with my bridesmaids (supplied by BM Colleen).  Wish there was even more glitter because that was a blast
• Being picked up by the guys and rocking out from high up
• saving my groom as he attempted to dance battle…and failed
• watching Dusty’s dad give chest bumps to his old basketball players
• surprising everyone with our choreographed dance to “Work Song” by Hozier

Our amazing friends and family seriously got their party on and it was the most fun I have ever had.  Thank you to all who helped make our day the best ever.

We walked out of our wedding through two rows of bubble blowing peeps.  With one final smooch, we got into Dusty’s car and drove off.  On the ride out we were speechless at first.  Then kept yelling,” WE’RE MARRIED!” “YOUR MY HUSBAND!” “YOUR MY WIFE!” “DID THAT REALLY JUST HAPPEN?”

Before heading to our cottage for the night, we drove and drove, and wound up sneaking onto the beach.  We danced under the stars and ran around barefoot in the sand.  Him still in his trousers and tie, me still in my white dress.  We climbed onto a lifeguard’s post and soaked it all in.

Finally it hit me.  I had to pee.  Like bad.  Like now.  I realized then and there that I did not go once during the wedding.  Oops…I guess I was too busy living it up.  So I told Dustin about this little emergency and he let me know that we were about thirty minutes away from the cottage.  Nope. Not going to work buddy.  So a semi-trashy gas station bathroom in the most dressed up clothes we’ll ever wear was going to have to do.  On the way in, someone gave me the best compliment ever.  Like they don’t even understand how much it was appreciated it was when he said, “DUDE!  You married Taylor Swift!?”   Ahhhh! Thanks random guy, trying to be funny.  I LOVE HER! So that made this bathroom emergency totally worth it.

Back to the cottage and that’s simply where this post is going to end….except….

I’m going to share something we’ve been waiting and waiting to see since June:  our stunning wedding film!  Thanks for reading…stay tuned for my upcoming post: The Perfectionist Bride’s Guide to her Perfect Day!  Interested in following? Subscribe on the right (:

 

photos by Nate + Lori // nateandlori.com

film by White in Revery // whiteinrevery.com