A Wedding Potion

Tuesday, January 21, 2014

Love Potion #18: Toasting the Potions

The reception was now more than halfway over, so everybody had a drink (or two) in their hands. That meant it was the perfect time for some toasts!

You may recall that we weren't sure how much champagne to offer since we knew not everyone would want it for the toasts. In the end, we decided that the two of us would rather toast with our signature drink- Maker's Mark and Sprite- and we figured our guests would feel the same, so we scrapped the champagne idea all together!

You may also recall that we forgot to charge the batteries in our wireless microphone, so it was completely dead when toast-time rolled around. (Such are the hazards of doing everything yourselves...) We didn't know that the mic was dead until my sister (and MOH) started her toast. At first we weren't sure if the volume was just not loud enough, or if the restaurant had crummy acoustics, so she continued to speak into it. By the time her toast was done, it was obvious that the mic was completely dead- but you'll notice in these pictures that everyone held it for their toasts anyway. I guess there's something comforting about holding a microphone when you're speaking in front of a crowd?

My sister went first with a toast that made me want to laugh and cry at the same time. She listed all the reasons why she was so excited for Mr. Potion to be joining the family, and how she knew we were a perfect fit for each other. She spoke about how Mr. Potion immediately hit it off with both of my sisters the first time they met- how he's the type of person they were able to naturally become friends with because of a shared taste in movies and books, not to mention the fact that he's always treated them like people, not just little sisters. She said that he'd won Mom over immediately- but that's not saying much, since she gets along with everyone. According to MOH, she knew Mr. Potion was perfect for me when it became obvious that Dad was impressed with him (which is saying something). MOH spoke for both of my sisters when she said that if they had to have a brother, Mr Potion would definitely be their choice- and they really do act like siblings, including the occasional bickering!

Then came Mr Potion's Best Woman. They went to college together, so she shared some funny stories from classes and parties at his fraternity house. They also lived in an apartment together with two other people so, Heaven help her, she's had experience cleaning up after him and gave me some tips. ("He seems to think Taco Bell has a shelf life. It doesn't.") She ended her toast by reaffirming how very good Mr Potion is, and how she's so glad so see him with someone who makes him so very happy.

Finally, my dad grabbed the (dead) mic for his toast. "I was really honored when Mrs. Potion asked me to be the Father of the Bride," he said, earning him some hearty chuckles. His toast was mostly filled with advice for the years to come, since he's a dad, and that's what dads do- give advice. He told us that marriage requires a lot of work, but that if we keep Christ at the center of our relationship it won't have to feel like work. He got a little emotional, the way he always does when he's reminded that his baby girl is all grown up, but we were definitely all smiling when he shared the great secret to a successful marriage. ("There is no secret, you just have to figure it out.")

Who gave toasts at your wedding? Were they all humor or all heart?

*all photos by One Photo Gallery*

Love Potion #0.5: Uh…Who is This Chick?
Love Potion #1: Dress Rehearsal
Love Potion #2: Gettin’ Our Hairs Did
Love Potion #3: Last Minute Details
Love Potion #4: Corsages for the Generations
Love Potion #5: The Boys Get Spiffy
Love Potion #6: “Formal” Portraits
Love Potion #7: Goin’ to the Chapel…
Love Potion #8: Proceeding with the Ceremony
Love Potion #9: Leaving Our Families to Cling to Each Other
Love Potion #10: And Then We Got Married
Love Potion #11: Our First Meal as a Married Couple
Love Potion #12: Boys Just Don't Smile
Love Potion #13: Formal Portraits that are Formal: Family Edition
Love Potion #14: Formal Portraits that are Formal: Bridesmaid Edition
Love Potion #14.5: We Didn't Have a DOC
Love Potion #15: Why Dance When You Can Watch Football?
Love Potion #16: The Sweetest Part
Love Potion #17: More Pictures! Because Wedding.

Tuesday, January 7, 2014

Love Potion #17: More Pictures! Because Wedding.

...like I said, weddings are mainly comprised of photo ops.

The weather was absolutely beautiful that day, so we couldn't resist some outdoor shots with our bridal party. But first- I needed to pop my collar?

I swear I didn't know this photo was being taken

We gathered up our friends for some fabulous photos:

I don't think they knew this picture was being taken, either

Our photographers told us to pretend we were posing for a magazine, like supermodels. This is what we came up with. (Once again we were unable to round up all 4 tiny attendants.)

Please observe my baby cousin's interpretation of "act like a supermodel":

And again, sans little ones:

The bridesmaids' dresses had pockets (pockets!), so the photographers decided to emphasize that fact.

If the seated photo was for a magazine, then this one must be our album cover:

Since our wedding was a large family gathering in the month of November where we were all dressed nice, my Mammaw decided to go for the obvious- Christmas card photos!

My mom liked this idea, too.

And I got a couple of pictures with my parents before we made our way back to the party

Did you take lots of family photos on your wedding day? Also- how great are dresses with pockets?!

*all photos by One Photo Gallery*

Monday, January 6, 2014

Love Potion #16: The Sweetest Part

...I'm talking, of course, about the cupcakes.

You may recall that we decided to forgo the traditional wedding cake and have a variety of cupcake flavors instead. There was a table to the side of the dance floor holding a small selection of these cupcakes as the guest arrived to whet their appetites, as it were, though we placed a sign on the table so no one would steal a cupcake before we had a chance to eat one :)

Front and center on this little table was our "cake topper," created by my uber talented sister/MOH:

About halfway through the reception, the waiters brought out the rest of the cupcakes and removed the sign:

That meant it was time for the "cake cutting!" We surveyed the delicious offerings and discussed whether to share a chocolate, red velvet, or carrot cake cupcake:

We picked chocolate!

I gave Mr Potion a bite:

Then it was my turn- but first, I reminded Mr Potion not to squish it in my face because that would NOT. BE. FUNNY. PERIOD.

...I got frosting on my nose anyway, though. It was kind of unavoidable!

The cupcakes weren't the only sweets at the reception- we also had a candy buffet!

(Do you see those two potion bottles hiding off to the right?)

Are you having a traditional tiered wedding cake or a different kind of dessert? Married ladies- did you get cake smooshed in your face on the big day?

*all photos by One Photo Gallery*

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Saturday, January 4, 2014

Love Potion #15: Why Dance When You Can Watch Football?

Once we were done with photos at the church, we made our way to the reception. The schedule for the reception was simple- the guests could eat, drink, and mingle before we arrived, then we'd make our grand entrance, have the special dances, then open the floor for dancing while we grabbed some food ourselves before cupcakes and toasts, and finally, after many goodbyes, we'd make our grand exit. (You may remember that we weren't having a seated dinner- just hors d'oeuvres and a smashed potato bar.)

Did I say grand entrance? I meant epic.

We rode invisible horses into the reception with our bridal party.

Yeah, we were those people- we made our entrance to "Gangnam Style". Unfortunately, our photographers were not there to capture the moment, but my cousin L sent me this great picture:

photo via my cousin L

Once the crazy was over, Mr Potion and I immediately cuddled up for our first dance. I know I had talked about choreographing a show-stopping ballroom number for this dance, but, as the wedding approached and I had to cut things from the epic to-do list, this idea quickly died. We ended up just swaying and grinning like the goofy kids that we are, with the occasional spin- and I actually let Mr. Potion lead! Oh, and what song did we end up choosing?

We went with the beautifully romantic "Hard to Concentrate" by Red Hot Chili Peppers instead of the Disney songs that were in the running. Again, I have no professional photos of this moment, but I did manage to find a guest photo:

photo via my godmother

Next, I danced with my dad. We had considered opening the dance floor up to other dads and their daughters halfway through, but when the microphone died there was no way to really communicate this to the guests, so we dropped this idea, too. It was nice to share an almost private moment with my dad, though, as we danced to "Rainbow Connection" by Weezer featuring Haley Williams:

photo via my Aunt P

Next, Mr Potion danced with his mom to "Forever Young" by Audra Mae & The Forest Rangers, and unfortunately we don't even have a guest photo of this moment :(

After that, the floor opened for everyone to dance- or at least that was the plan. You may recall that I had a few tricks to get people to dance- a huge dance floor with no assigned seating, an awesome playlist featuring songs requested by the guests, and alcohol + candy. I really envisioned everyone dancing and being goofy for the rest of the reception, but I forgot one crucial detail.

It was football season.

It was football season, Alabama was playing that afternoon, and there was a TV on the upper floor of Spring House.

So yeah, nobody danced.

Well, not nobody...

This is entirely unrelated, but- this is the cutest picture of the whole day:

they're comparing the LEGO men on their flowers!

Was there a lot of dancing at your reception, or did other forms of entertainment take over?

*all photos by One Photo Gallery unless otherwise noted*

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