Reminder from an 8-month-old

I just love this picture.  

Nieces and nephews

I posted it once before, and I still love to look at it.  It's one picture that was really important to me to capture on our wedding day.  I love to look at each kid's face, and to think about how, in just a few years, we'll marvel at how young they (and we) look.  It's just priceless. 

Another of my favorites is this one, taken milliseconds after the one above. 

You'll notice how all the other kiddies got the heck out of dodge.  They were in a fierce competition to see who could get the most wrinkled before the reception, and the clock was ticking.  But not our youngest nephew, Grayson.  He just stayed put, blabbering and waiting patiently for someone to realize that he was gonna need a little help.  His feelings weren't hurt, he displayed no sense of urgency.  Didn't care one lick that guests were starting to pile up in the lobby, waiting for the sanctuary doors to open.  He just calmly sat and maybe sighed a little.  In the midst of all the hustle and bustle, it was quite a refreshing reminder to me. 

In a way only an 8-month-old could, he seemed to be saying, 'Chill out, Aunt Wiz...handle this whole thing Grayson-style.'

The Reception, part 1

So, Saturday when I promised pictures of the reception "tomorrow or the next day" what I really meant was "tomorrow or the next day or maybe the day after that."  Today is "the day after that", and so I am proud to present you with the first round of pictures from the reception. 

One of the best things about the whole day was the weather. Amazing.  Sunny, clear sky, warm-but-not-too-warm, a slight breeze, and plenty of places to sit outside and enjoy.

The Creek Club at I'On

Indoors

The centerpieces - loved the peacock feathers

Love this picture.  It's my reaction when Jeremy and I first walked inside.  After months of planning, it was so awesome to see everything in real life.  It was even better in real life than it was in my brain. 

CUPCAKES!  And our toasting flutes. 

The outdoor fireplace - some photos and words of advice from our guests.

The favor tree - one of my favorite parts.  My friend, Maggie (hi Maggie!), made chocolate turtles and we displayed them on a tree of curly willow.  Love it!

These sweet potato fries with blue cheese were so good, I almost wanted to slap my mom.  Almost. 

The party sash - another of my favorite elements.  I found this taffeta ribbon at AC Moore and the peacock clip is actually a hair clip I found on Etsy.  Betsy at the dress shop suggested I use it on the sash...it was a hit!

Receiving line in the garden.

I figured out about 1/2 way through the day that all girls under the age of 10 thought I was a princess.  Kinda awesome, no?

Love this shot - some of my cousins and my parents.  And Jeremy, of course. 

My parents and the sweet, sweet Thrashers.  Doug was the minister at our church when I was a kid.  They are such special people and I loved that they were there. 

Me and the 'rents.

The Wedding Par-tay

Jeremy and his bros (bro and bros-in-law, to be exact)

Me, being swarmed and almost knocked over by some of my teenage friends.

Teenage friends.  So cute.

Our first dance, to Dave Matthew's "You And Me"

Dancin' with Dad, to Jimmy Buffet's "Little Miss Magic"

J and his mom.  So sweet!

Hope you're enjoying these pictures.  At the very least, it's fun for me to relive the day.  More tomorrow!

My Australian Import

At some weddings, the thoughtful and sentimental bride and groom light a candle at the altar in honor of loved ones who couldn't make it to the ceremony.  A lovely gesture, no doubt. 

When I first learned that my beloved cousin, Kate, would be studying in Australia and wouldn't be at the wedding, I was jealous.  I mean...hello!?!  Australia?  You go, girl.  After the envy subsided, I was determined to find a way to include her in the festivities.  Since a solemn candle isn't really Kate's style, or mine, I opted for a less traditional token of remembrance. 

After brainstorming several ideas, I came up with the perfect solution:  a huge picture of her face, super glued to a popsicle stick.  I mean, obviously, right? 

I think the results speak for themselves. 

Me, Kate, and mom

My, my Kate...what a lovely dress you're wearing.

I'm so glad Kate's face was able to join us.  The day wouldn't have been complete without her!

Tomorrow (or maybe the next day): The Reception!

The Main Event

Laughing with dad just moments before he walked me down the aisle.  The sound of the joyous, jubilant trumpet as we were standing just feet from the closed doors of the sanctuary.  Looking through the glass to the side of the sanctuary door and seeing Allie, one of my teenage friends.  Making it to the altar, and looking at Sarah (my matron of honor) and saying 'that was easy.'  The way my dad's voice quivered when he said 'her mother and I.'  The hymn.  The homily.  The vows.  The rings.  Being totally awestruck the entire time that I wasn't weeping.  Kissing in public.  Turning to face the congregation and realizing how many people were there.  Amazing.  Being totally awestruck the entire time that I wasn't weeping.

These are the things I remember about our wedding ceremony.  Because I've gone over and over and over it in my  mind since it happened.  At least a few hundred times.   

My bro and grandma.  So cute!

Pausing from cutting up for a photo.

I wasn't really running.  At least not very fast...

One of my favorites.

Two of our favorite people, Sarah and John (Jeremy's brother)

My mom and dad

Love this one, too: Jeremy's parents and brother

Tomorrow, a lesson in how to import a loved one from Australia.

Air or nuggets?

If you've ever stood in front of a camera, you've undoubtedly experienced it.  That panicked moment when you realize, silently in your brain, that your smile is fake.  Maybe the flash is taking a few seconds too long to flash, or the camera operator keeps stubbornly pressing the wrong button, or you've been asked to smile on command repeatedly by the paparazzi who follow you around.  It's inevitable: your once genuine smile starts to harden, freeze, and become fake.  While you might really be very happy, your facial muscles refuse to convey that emotion.  Stupid muscles. 

Smile fatigue.  It happens to the best of us, especially on days when photography is center-stage.  Like at a wedding, for example.  Lots of smiling = lots of fatigue. 

Thankfully, I found the remedy for this tragic condition.  Just fill your cheeks briefly with air and pray that the camera doesn't choose that as the exact moment to fire, lest you end up with something similar to this:

Cheeks filled with either air or chicken nuggets.  You decide.

Happy Thursday!  May your cheeks be filled with nuggets and all your smiles be genuine. 

Tomorrow...The Ceremony