A Walk in the Park - Portraits

We ended our ceremony with a KISS then, grinning ear to ear along with a sigh of relief we ran down the aisle as husband and wife.

 

There were handshakes and high fives but mostly smiles and well wishes!

 

Soon after everyone picked up their chairs and headed to the reception I had help from my brother and maid of honor to remove wood chips from my shoes and pumped up for more pictures.  I forgot to put on lip gloss at this point (Bummer) - so make it a point to tell your maid of honor to remind you!  It's just not something you think of at that moment in time!

Then the real work began - wearing a non-stop smile!  I tell you what, my cheeks felt it the next morning!   We took family portraits and bridal party portraits under the tree and additional couple portraits inside the gazebo and around the park. 

Here are some portraits to look at.  If you can't get enough you can view more pro photos and friend's photos on Picurio.

This is when Michelle did her work and we just smiled and enjoyed each others' company.

The following photos are all by Michelle

 

 

 

 

 

Our photographer, Michelle Lee scouted out a few other spots earlier in the week so we spent another 20 minutes and took some additional couple photos, which I LOVE!

 

 

Then we walked elsewhere which was caught on film and I love this one by one of our guests.

 

After we took a few more shots and we were ready to be introduced and dance our first dance.

My Inspiration vs. REALITY

I used Polyvore to create this wedding look half way through the planning process, in May to be exact - 4 months before the wedding.

After reading about a million girls' planning "dos and don'ts" I knew I should create some sort of visual with a combination of wedding elements I'd like to include.  At that point in time some of the elements, like the flower girl dress, were already decided.  The rest of the visual was a combo of all of the ideas, colors, and textures that were floating around in my head.  To a point, this validated my color decision and lingering questions if it was a cohesive look.




Polyvore

So above is the Polyvore look and below is a board made up of photos from the wedding.

Click on the photo to enlarge it.

How do you think I did?

We've waited long enough - pro photos

I'd like to share some of my professional photos with you.

Before we walked down the aisle, we walked down a pier!  We used one of the piers running toward the middle of Lake Tahoe to capture some of our formal photos.  I loved the location, it was just how I wanted to first see Nolan all dressed up.  
Nolan and I did a "first look" (a meeting of the bride and groom before the wedding) and then a little fun photo session with our bridal party. 

me and the man

our bridal party

the men

 

bride and groomsmen

 

the ladies

"how high?"

"Let's go get hitched"

All photos by Michelle Lee

Favorites - Dancing the night away!!

a FAVORITES series

When you attend a DAY wedding and reception, dancing is in question - do you, or don't you?

I have to say without hesitation, we danced!  And it was so fun!  I loved gettin' down in my dress (I rocked it for 12ish hours!) and loved that everyone else joined in.  

Our DJ, Stefan, from Sierra Sound who has become one of our good friends in the last couple years was amazing.  About a month prior to our wedding, I sent him a few pages of what I imagined our soundtrack  might sound like.  Not only did I tell him those ever important songs: processional song, my song, recessional song, first dance, father-daughter dance and last song, I included different times of the day (such as "before ceremony," "cocktail hour," "dinner hour," and "dancing") and an explanation of what I envisioned with a few songs that complemented my vision.  I made an entire MUST PLAY list as well, (about 30 songs).  I knew I wanted all of them to be played - most toward the end so we could dance, but others spread throughout the rest of the day.  

We had our ceremony at 1:30 and our last dance at about 7ish so we had a lot of airtime to fill, and a lot of dancing time!!!

Here are some of my favorite dance photos!

First Dance

 

Dip - First Dance

 

Dancing and everyone singing!

 

We couldn't pull our flower girl off the dance floor!  Look at my face! haha

 

Dancing with my Maid of Honor!

Nolan and my mom dancing!  LOVE THIS!

 The park closed around 7:30 so we had to get it all cleaned up within 25 minutes after our last song.  To my surprise, I didn't have to pitch in.  While I was busy saying my good-byes, my cousins, my dad, family, and friends put away or packed up the cars with all the tables, umbrellas, chairs, tents, canopies, tablecloths, and napkins so we were ready to rock out at our after-party party.  

The construction and deconstruction group was such a well-oiled machine!  They main point people who set up the park were the ones running the break down.  They all knew where items had to be stored because they got the speech in the morning of where things needed to be put back.  I also included the list in one of my handouts, a "jobs list" that my maids, and family received.  Without that and the awesome workers, I most likely would have been the one directing the craziness instead of saying my thank yous!

Alteration #1

In reference to my posts before, #1, #2 and #3 you can tell of my confusion and frustration with finding the perfect wedding dress. Well it's all falling into place now. It really is happening!

I wanted to commit to loosing weight before I went to try on dresses but it just didn't work out that way, I was really too anxious to go shopping. So I have tried to be diligent in my eating habits and exercise routine to fit a little bit better into the dress I've found at each alteration appointment, I do have a few appoints still before the wedding, not to mention a few more lbs to shed.

For my first alteration appointment we worked on length. Because I ended up purchasing a sample dress it wasn't exactly long enough. There was talk of more ribbon this, satin that and sparkly extension thingys, and eventually it was more of wonka wonka (Charlie Brown's teacher) than any real solutions. From an hour's worth of work and experimenting, Donna, my expert alterations lady at the House of Brides worked in a great solution.

I had no idea it was possible. She would insert a ribbon in a seam under the chest - genius! It gave the dress length and style. I was impressed with the ingenuity on her part. Donna has obviously been doing this for quite some time, the Eastern European woman who stands at around 5' tall has proven to be my bridal dress savior. A big thanks goes out to Donna! So this last Saturday when I went, Donna had it worked out and after my glee we accepted that as our final solution.

For my next appointment, work on a bustle that works (because by then I should own my wedding day shoes), frilly sleeves should be off and I will be glowing with excitement. Next appointment: May 16.

I didn't know what anger meant until now!

I received a phone message today. My bridal gown saleswoman explaining that my dress that I found and paid a deposit to was discontinued on 12/31!!! That's right on 1/2 I got measured and put a deposit down, and well now it looks like I will still have to go searching for a dress. I can't tell you how angry I feel. I don't know what to do, especially since I tried to call my saleswoman and she's yet to return my call! I am disappointed!
Bridal Gowns 10,000,001 - Camille 0!

Other bright notes, it's snowing A LOT!

I did it!

I tried on the wedding dress again. It was the ONE! I knew when I slipped it over my head and around my hips. I found the wedding dress. It was a surreal moment, but I was so ecstatic about finding such a monumental object of my future. Measured and money down, it's mine in 6 months!
I bought a wedding dress.

I think I found a dress.

Rachel and I went to The House of Brides in Chicago to try on some dresses. I found just one that has all the elements I was looking for in a dress.

I guess my word, "think" eludes to the fact that maybe I am in doubt of my find, but I just really think I don't like committing to something so substantial, so defining of an event. This is my WEDDING DRESS! I will have these memories and pictures forever, my children's children will see these pictures. I should be absolutely sure, right?

Who's done this, did you have any doubt?

I go in on Friday to get measured, I will have to make a decision before handing over my money! But that might sway my decision right then and there, the dress is only $488 with all the fees!

Anyway, Have a great New Years!