Some Holga Pictures

I bought a Holga for the wedding. I handed it over to two college students and said go crazy. I thought I’d share a few of the better pictures with you.

Tutorial: Place Cards

For our place cards we used library cards in handmade pockets with people’s names on them. They were cute and whimsical.  I got the pocket template from Creature Comforts I believe.

You start by tracing out the pattern on whatever paper you want to use. I used various colors of orange and gold cardstock.

Then you cut them out, fold them, and glue them together.

   The last thing you do is put the name on the card (I did the calligraphy) and then stuff them in. It’s pretty easy, et voila!

   

*all photos are mine.

Photobooth

This is one of my favorite non-professional photos that was taken at our reception. We set up a little fake photo booth in an alcove beside the dining room. I love this photo because Jonathon looks like “ yeah I’m the man.”

The orange back drop is a sari that I got in India my senior year of college. It’s a beautiful sari. I never get to wear it, but it’s so wonderful.

I took a few photos in the photo booth, but they are on the disposable cameras. So, I haven’t seen half of them yet, but I can’t wait. I just need to get by a photo developing unit.

But here are a few of the best photos from the photo booth so far.

** All photos taken by guests.

Recaps: Reception

I’m moving on to the reception today. I know the pictures are still completely on hold, but I have seen a slideshow preview of our photos and I am BLOWN AWAY. I can’t wait to show them to you.  It’ll be a few weeks before I get my photos (on disc) back from my photographer. But, I wanted to recap with words so that I could move on to finish tutorials and then just focus on pictures.

Our reception was really wonderful. We had Christmas music in the background. We had all our friends at one table and our family in front and behind us. We got to sit down and talk and eat our wonderful pizza (seriously, if you are ever in the area hit me up… sailor pizza is where it’s at). We got to talk to every single guest at least once. We mingled, we smashed cake in our faces.

Even though, to be honest… there was a ton of things we didn’t do. We staged garter and bouquet tosses. There was no first dance. None of that. We cut the groom’s cake instead.

The grooms cake… Neyland stadium of course. Jonathon, had really wanted a Neyland stadium cake. So, Marsheena and I conspired to get one secretly. 

Our “real” cake?  White chocolate and peppermint fudge in orange and white! It was delicious and unique.  Although, it was really beautiful I didn’t even get to try it until 2 days later at a family gathering. But it was wonderful and perfect.

Then, Jonathon disappeared for awhile and took his dad to see his bookstore (Jonathon runs the one on campus) and Nikki and I took some fashion shots.

We did do something fun. Our (I can say that now) Nanny Gail decided we needed to kiss whenever someone tinged the glass and we kissed… a lot. And laughed. And the apple pie we cooked ourselves… yeah, we put WAY to much apple jack in it. It was strong… and so punk rock.

And just like that it was over. We were loading up the car and heading home to the after party. Which turned into taking pictures with the photographer and then Amy falling asleep in the recliner, but it was still a blast.

Personal Reflections: Ceremony

I was in an extreme hurry to get our ceremony started. It could be because I was worried about all of our guests that had to drive home in the horrible winter storm, the fact that I was barefoot on the cold stone floor, or nerves. Either way, I couldn’t wait to get started.

And the moment I walked through the door and saw our guests and Jonathon standing at the alter … I smiled. I almost tripped going up, but I just laughed it off.

Then, the moment I took Jonathon’s hand nothing else mattered. Nothing. I looked in his eyes, we talked quietly, we smiled, we wept a little. And we laughed. Laughed at our mistakes (it’s hard for the perfectionist in me to do that) and we improvised. It was the most present I felt. It was also the most surreal I had felt.

Leading up to the ceremony, I think I mostly in out of body, freaked out and worried because of the weather (it really was that bad) and other things that I wasn’t completely focused.

However, it was incredibly nice to just see the look on Jonathon’s face. I almost kissed him during the candle light ceremony and he giggled and said that we couldn’t. I laughed and looked over at our guests holding their candles.. it was overwhelming.

Ceremony Script

Before I share my ceremony script with you... you MUST go read this post at A Practical Wedding.

We started working on a ceremony script from day one almost. We culled through thousands of readings, vows, religious texts, etc to come up with a ceremony we loved. Then, we changed it. Then, we got married civilly before the wedding and had to change it again. The end result was a ceremony that reflected Jonathon and I.

He stumbled through the first "repeat after me section" and then after that Dr. Roberts decided to only have us repeat a few words at a time. The result was us laughing and smiling and having a great time with it. With a few tears in between.

Announcement

5:09 – Please be seated. *Pause* If we could all first partake in the time honored ceremony of turning off all electronic devices. *Pause* Amalauna and Jonathon have requested that you remain seated for photography after the ceremony.

Opening Thoughts/ Welcome
5:12 - Dear friends on this chilly rainy December evening, our fondness for these two people draws us here that we might bear witness to the light of love that illuminates their lives. I know many of you came a long way to be here, but short or long, your efforts and your presence honor Jonathon and Amalauna, and they thank you for being here.

Amalauna and Jonathon have been married by the law of the state of North Carolina, and they have made a solemn contract with each other. Now, in faith, they come before the witness of the Church to declare their marriage covenant and to acknowledge God’s good news for their lives.

Prayer
5:15 - Let us pray.

Eternal God, creator and preserver of all life, author of salvation, giver of all grace: bless and sanctify with your Holy Spirit Jonathon and Amalauna, who come now asking for your blessing upon their marriage. Grant that they may reaffirm their vows to each other in the strength of your steadfast love. Enable them to grow in love and peace with you and each other all their days, that they may reach out in concern and service to the world; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Declaration of Intent to Marry
5:20 – Amalauna and Jonathon, you have came here today to seek the blessings of God and of the Church upon your marriage.
Jonathon you have taken Amalauna to be your lawful husband. Now you wish to declare, before God and this congregation, your desire that your married life should be according to God’s will.
Jonathon, do you take Amalauna as your wife, your friend, and your life partner? Do you promise to love her more than UT football, take care of her, laugh with her, and hold her?
(Jonathon presumably says I do.)

Amalauna you have taken Jonathon to be your lawful husband. Now you wish to declare, before God and this congregation, your desire that your married life should be according to God’s will.
Amalauna, do you take Jonathon as your husband, your friend, and your life partner? Do you promise to love him during football AND baseball seasons, take care of him, encourage him, and laugh with him?
(Amalauna presumably says I do.)

Jonathon and Amalauna will you accept one another as equal partners in your marriage? Will you continue to love and respect each other and to communicate fully and fearlessly with each other? Will you always strive to support, encourage, and inspire one another? Together will you create a home that is filled with culture, good food, and laugher?
(Presumably we both say together, we will.)

If you will both repeat after me.
I promise to encourage your individuality, because that is what makes you unique.
I promise to nurture your dreams, because through them your soul shines.
I promise to help shoulder our challenges for there is nothing we cannot overcome if we stand together.
I promise to share the joys with you in life because with you they are much sweeter.
Lastly, I promise to you unconditional love and complete trust for one lifetime with you could never be enough.

Reading One – read by Hope
5:30 – "To My Valentine" by Ogden Nash
More than a catbird hates a cat,
Or a criminal hates a clue,
Or the Axis hates the United States,
That's how much I love you.

I love you more than a duck can swim,
And more than a grapefruit squirts,
I love you more than a gin rummy is a bore,
And more than a toothache hurts.

As a shipwrecked sailor hates the sea,
Or a juggler hates a shove,
As a hostess detests unexpected guests,
That's how much you I love.

I love you more than a wasp can sting,
And more than the subway jerks,
I love you as much as a beggar needs a crutch,
And more than a hangnail irks.

I swear to you by the stars above,
And below, if such there be,
As the High Court loathes perjurious oathes,
That's how you're loved by me.


Friends and Family Responses
5:35 – As these two people are joined, so are their friends and families united through them. Their lives will be strengthened and enriched by your support and love. They ask for your blessing. Please signify your blessing by answering, "I will."

Loved ones, I ask you today if you will support Amalauna and Jonathon in their marriage. Will you rejoice in their union and pray God’s blessing upon them?
Friends: I will.

Reading Two read by Jane
5:37 – Excerpt from "The Last Five Years" by Jason Robert Brown
Will you share your life with me
For the next ten lifetimes?
For a million summers
Till the world explodes
Till there's no one left who has ever known us apart
There are so many dreams I need to see with you...
There are so many years I need to be with you...
I will never be complete
I will never be alive
I will never change the world
Until I do

Candle Light Ceremony
5:39 – All of you are points of light in the lives of Amalauna and Jonathon. Each of you have led or guided them at some point. Your light has lit their souls and kept them on the right path. Tonight, they recognize this with a candle light ceremony. If you would stand and light your candle as the flame is passed around. We will all illuminate this winter night with our spirit. Jonathon and Amalauna are also lighting candles to recognize the lights of the people in their lives that they have loved and are past. (Jonathan Roach will start playing Feels Like Home and then Kristen can hit the lights. Amalauna and Jonathon will light their candles. The lighters will come to the stage and light their candles. Then, they will light the grandparents and the end of the rows. It will work like any other candle light ceremony.)

Traditional Vows
5:47 – During their civil ceremony, Amalauna and Jonathon made vows to each other in the faith of their love. They would like to share them with you and reaffirm those vows as well.

Amalauna repeat after me. I, Amalauna, take thee Jonathon to be my husband to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health. To love and to cherish, till death do us part, and thereto I pledge thee my faith.

Jonathon repeat after me. I, Jonathon, take thee Amalauna to be my wife to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health. To love and to cherish, till death do us part, and thereto I pledge thee my faith.

Blessing of Rings
5:52 – Bless, O Lord, the wearing of these rings that they who wear them may live in your peace all the days of their lives. Amen.

Pronouncement
5: 54 – You have declared your consent and vows before God and this congregation. May God confirm your covenant and fill you both with grace.

Jonathon and Amalauna you are husband and wife according to the witness of Christ’s universal church, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Those, whom God has joined together, let no one put asunder. Amen.

5:56 – An ancient belief proclaims that when a couple in love kisses, a little bit of each other's soul is transported to abide in the other. And what better time than now to share your souls and a kiss?

Closing Blessing
5:58 – Dr. Roberts may say a prayer or blessing of his choice here.

Presentation of Couple
6:03 –Dr. Roberts you can present us however you like just use Jonathon and Amy Brock as our names.
May your bodies always be the dwelling place of the love and joy that you feel today, as hand in hand, you look fearlessly towards your future together.

Recessional

Recaps: Tutorials - Programs

I thought I would share a few things that I DIYed for the wedding. I thought I would start with the programs since we are talking about the ceremony.

First off, excuse my messy table. I bought heavy card stock from the paper store in town and then borrowed the cutter from my husband’s book store. Then, I trimmed off about 2 inches.

  I had printed the programs out (about 5.5 x 5.5 inches) and then I had to trim them.

Then, I used a single hole punch (actually I went through 3 of them because of the thickness of the cardstock with the 12 pages of program) to punch out two holes. Then, I took a length of ribbon and tied to two together.

After, I got the ribbon in. I glued on an envelope (the same ones we used with our Save the Dates and our inner envelope of the invitations) to the other side of the inside cover. I then used our paisley stamp we used on all our paper stuff and stamped orange metallic ink over the envelope flap. Then, I tri folded 3 kleenex squares and put in the envelope.

    After that I put in the bookmarks I made  (I used the left over cardstock, printed a couple sheet of a bookmark design I whipped up, punched a hole in the top and then tied it with ribbon). Then, I added to the front cover a design I made, printed, and cut. I attached it with scrapbook black photo corners and was done.

  There’s a better image of the bookmark. It was so much fun (and time consuming) making these programs. But I’m not going to lie. I don’t think I ever want to do that again.

*All photos are author’s own collection. 

Music

Since, I am still waiting for our first look pictures. I'm going to move on to the ceremony. However, I'm going to save the story of the ceremony until I get the pictures back. But I thought we could at least talk about the music. I put a ton of time and thought into the music. And I got quite a few compliments on the music.

Prelude Playlist
I Will Come to You (Acapella) x Hanson
Wayne Brady x Beautiful (Jonathon played this for me when we first started dating and said it reminded him of me.)
Smother Me x The Used
Everything x Lifehouse
The Luckiest x Ben Folds Five
So Much x The Spill Canvas
You x Amy Lee (unreleased)
Collide x Howie Day
The Way I Am x Ingrid Michaelson
First Day of my Life x Bright Eyes
Grow Old With Me x Postal Service
Ice Cream x Sarah McLachlan
Sunsets & Car Crashes x The Spill Canvas
Halo x Beyonce
Lullaby x Dixie Chicks (which if you haven't heard... you must!)
Ava Maria x Beyonce

Ceremony Music
Jonathon & Wedding Attendant's Entrance
     String Quartet x What A Catch, Donnie (Fall Out Boy)

My Entrance
      String Quartet x Grand Theft Autumn (Fall Out Boy)

Reception Playlist
I won't post it here, but it was various Christmas songs (spanning oldies, christian, punk, rock, pop).  Some examples: Street Drum Corps with Bert McCraken from The Used x Happy Christmas (War is Over), Britney Spears x My Only Wish, Elvis' x Blue Christmas.

Morning of…

I woke up the morning of the wedding to the sound of rain. I was okay with that. It would pass or it would stay. Jonathon and I laid in bed and talked awhile. Then, we got up, had left over BBQ (I tried to anyway) and he showered. Then, while my mom and I showered… he played Call of Duty.

I hoped the shower would call me down, but it didn’t. So, after the shower I started doing my mom’s makeup and that did calm me down some. I really stopped stressing out when Kristen came over to do our hair.

By the time my hair was done, all the girls had gotten there and we started putting on makeup and things. Marsheena ended up doing most people’s makeup.  And we talked and laughed. I started to slowly calm down and it was nice. But the rain, steadily got harder and harder as we approached 1 pm. So, I called my photographer and told her to skip the meeting at the house we would meet her at the library.

So, I finished up my makeup and headed out of the house, dress in tow with everyone following to the reception space where the flowers were waiting to be put in vases.  The flowers were so wrong and I don’t think it would have mattered so much if I wasn’t freaked out by a phone call I got right before I noticed the yellow and peach flowers. My photographer had called and they were being hindered by a snowstorm. So, I had no way of knowing if they would get there on time. I felt completely helpless and I had no idea where Jonathon was. I’m pretty sure his presence could have calmed me down. As it was he and the maid of honor went to chew out the florist.

So, I took a deep breath. We moved to the library to start getting ready in the 24 hour study room. I’ll tell you more about that and my first look later.

I may be a few days behind coming up. Mostly because I am waiting on our professional and semi-professional shots. So, I may skip some stories (like the first look) until I get those pictures and filter in other stories. (The pictures so far have been taken by friends on my camera or theirs.)

Also, after the wedding recaps (and starting tomorrow) I will be blogging at xoxoamyb.blogspot.com. So, if you would like to keep up with me, you may do so there. But I will post all the recaps right here! 

Rehearsal and Dinner

The day of the rehearsal was beautiful. It was a little cold, but the weather was nice. It was sunny and there was excitement in the air. I went with my mom to the space early to start setting up for tomorrow, but I didn’t get the candles for the candlelight ceremony set up. In truth, they never got set up but no one noticed. We had two larger candles that we lit instead (I’m getting ahead of myself!) I changed into my dress in the chapel.

As I was changing everyone started arriving. When they all got there we got started. We ran through the ceremony twice (without all the vows) and tried to get the tech stuff down. Our pastor was taking care of his sick mother and wasn’t there, but that was okay. We laughed and had fun.

Then, we headed to the reception space and had BBQ. It was delicious, but I was too nervous to eat. To be honest, I didn’t really eat for 3 days. Then, Jane and Marsheena starting setting everything up. They set up all the tables and all of the centerpieces. They wouldn’t let me help with anything. Which was very sweet of them. So, I hung out and we set up as much as we could. Then, we packed up and left.

Jonathon and I ended up having BBQ for breakfast the morning of the wedding. To be honest, I was a complete wreck leading up to the wedding morning. I had expected it to be calm, but it wasn’t. Mom wanted to change the ceremony  (I put my foot down.) It is was mass chaos and I wasn’t prepared for that, but it was still nice.

I did end up breaking two nails at the rehearsal though falling out of the car. It was kind of humorous and hurt like hell. But I ended up peeling those nails off the day after the wedding. LOL.

After the rehearsal everyone came over and hung our until about midnight playing xbox games and talking and just hanging out. It was nice to spend some time with my friends. I started to calm down then.

Recaps: Vendor Reviews

I wanted to take a moment to mention my vendors. I loved working with almost all of them. So, I wanted to say some kind things about them so that if anyone out there reading this is planning their own wedding they can consider using these guys.

1. Venues and Catering – Since we used to campus we both work on as our venue locations (and you probably won’t) I won’t say much about our venues other than this: They are beautiful and wonderful. I loved the historic old chapel and the dining room. We had several people catering the events.

The rehearsal dinner was catered by Smoke Rings (hosted on the campus) in Hiawassee, GA. Smoke Rings is an incredible BBQ spot that makes their own sauce (delicious) and smokes the meat in a special way to create what they call “smoke rings”.  Anyway, if you are ever in the area stop by and get a chopped pork sandwich. You won’t regret it.

The actual reception was catered by 2 places. The first was by Jennifer Lunde. Who is an incredibly wonderful gal. She really cared so much about us and our wedding and worked super hard to make it perfect. She listened to my endless rambles, set up a beautiful room, and made us feel completely special. She dealt with all our emergencies, problems, and issues so efficiently. I would recommend her to anyone! Plus, the food was spectacular.

The second caterer was Big Al’s Pizza. (Yes, we served pizza and I got some great compliments on it.) The pizza was incredible. First off if you are in Hiawassee stop by and try the “sailor” pizza. There was none of this left. Not a slice to be had. It’s that good. All the pizza was incredible. They gave me a great deal, worked with my main caterer and took care of us right.

2. Our florist (I won’t mention the name, but if you want to know you can message me.) was awful. She got the flowers wrong, lied to me, messed up my bouquet, refused to fix the problem or refund our money, was rude to my husband and maid of honor (actually she made my maid of honor so mad that her blood pressure spiked and she got really sick and had to leave the reception) and the was snotty to me. It was a bad experience that day. They also never answer emails, are rude when you call, and completely the worst florist EVER hands down. So, if you do live in the area ask me for their name and save yourself the heartache.

3. Our stationer was Peculiar Pair Press and we loved them. I have mentioned them several times, but I just wanted to say it once more. They are worth every dime.

4. We used Love at First Invite for the design of our “guestbook” marriage certificate and it was absolutely beautiful. You should call Cathy if you want a gorgeous, but cost effective design.

5. My dresses were made my different people and I want to show those to you when I get some pictures back of them so. I will tell you about the dresses later.

6. Our photographer was Nikki Sanders and I want to wait on her as well until I can show you pictures. However, let me say to you right now… call her. She isn’t booking the rest of the year until Spring I think, but she is AMAZING. Call her. I swear she is worth it.

That’s it. Minus the cake which I am not even going to mention the vendor until I upload the pictures for you!

The less than perfect

I want to get this out of the way so I don’t have to dwell on it.

1. The weather! – It was our luck that a massive rain/snow storm blew through NC on the day of our wedding. It poured! I mean POURED. So, I ditched my wonderful sexy heels (so not to die) and made us rethink some things. (Like we got dressed in the library for the first look shoot. Which in a way was funny because the ITECH guys walked in on us changing.) But the snow almost prevented my photographer from being there. BUT it didn’t!! She had to follow a snow plow to get to us!! That is dedication. I loved Nikki. (More on Nikki later.)

2. The weather causing other problems. Like we had to hurry to get to the venues and change there, but we ended up leaving things and having to scramble around. Very few people could actually make it with the weather and the rock slide on 64.

3. The flowers! – They were completely wrong, but still beautiful. So, we went with it. Although, NEVER use this florist. She was completely rude and refused to fix the problem. She also was unresponsive and never replied to emails. So, if you want a name of a florist to NOT use in North GA … send me a message.

4. My reaction to stress – I wasn’t allowed to do anything (help with the decoration or anything) so I couldn’t get my mind off things or feel useful. (Which in the best woman and my maid of honor’s defense they were trying to help me and were doing a wonderful job!!! I couldn’t have made it through the wedding without them.) So, I basically just freaked out and stressed out and couldn’t focus (until the ceremony!!!).

But really all things considered it was minor and I really did enjoy the wedding.

Recaps soon

The wedding is over.

I really can’t even begin to describe it yet. I will say that yes, many things went wrong (a snow storm, heavy rain, a stuck photographer [who did make it on time], and many other tiny details) and yes I got stressed out and a little miffed. I wish I could change the way I handled the stress (I wasn’t a complete bridezilla, but I was completely helpless and that really annoys me. So, I wish I could go back and not be stressed out. But it was fun.)

HOWEVER, I will say that the day was perfectly flawed. It was wonderful. Every bad thing vanished the moment that we started saying our vows.

And Jonathon said he almost cried when he saw me the first time.

I don’t have any pictures to share yet. Heck, I’m not even sure where everything is yet! 

We are at home (in TN) until after Christmas and Jonathon is getting his wisdom teeth cut out tomorrow, but I promise you recaps and images shortly.