A peek into my personal life

The wrap around my bouquet is the sleeve from my mom’s wedding gown.  (Yes, sleeve!)  I wanted as little green in the bouquet as possible and tried to bring some gray in it.  The leaves around the perimeter are called “dusty miller” and have a gray-ish tinge to them.  And I loved the whispy feathers!  It was awesome!  My flowers were all done by Bayport Flower Houses.  She had SUCH great ideas!  I definitely recommend them!

Here is a collection of very “pinteresting” getting ready shots 😉

My garter was a tribute to my Alma Mater and also my something borrowed.  Years ago, my roommates and I always said that when the first of us got married, we’d buy her an ECU garter.  Then, we’d pass it on to the next ones as their “something borrowed”.  I actually made this for my friend Allie who got married last summer.  This summer, I borrowed it!  My photographer kindly asked, “Can I ask what’s with the skull and crossbones?”  HAHAHA!  Guess the rest of me didn’t strike her as the “skulls” kinda girl…

 

my mom 🙂

leaving the house!

We did a “first look” because our ceremony and reception were both at the same place with no time in between. We didn’t want to miss cocktail hour – even though we did end up missing it.  We both met at a park nearby where we grew up (on Long Island).

 

Justin was a little late (even though I made all of the groomsmen a very pinteresting schedule of the day!  haha) so I had some individual shots.

 

We still haven’t seen eachother at this point…

 

This is the first time we saw each other that day!

And now my favorite ones – the ones with our precious boy Porter!

 

By the way – Porter’s tuxedo came from Big Lots but was originally backwards (the “shirt” was on his back… weird) so my mom sewed it so it was turned it around correctly.  I also got the yellow bowtie at the Target Dollar Spot around Easter for $1!!!  It was a kid’s tie.  My mom just sewed it on.  The outfit just wraps around his collar and then velcros onto his legs/paws.  He was SO good with it on!  And my, he’s handsome!  🙂

I was so nervous he’d lick my makeup off!

 

Pinterest anyone?  😉

Justin is a twin. So that people could differentiate between him and his brother, Justin wore a bowtie while all of the other groomsmen wore long ties. Regardless, right before we did our “first look”, Jason (Justin’s twin) was walking up to me and my mom said, “Honey! I don’t think they’re ready yet!” Yes, they’re very identical.

 

hands down, our favorite picture of the day!

My brother walking my mom in

 

Justin and his groomsmen, after his best man finished walking up the aisle!

 

my sweet brother walking me down the aisle

 

I just LOVE the yellow and gray!  The bridesmaids’ flowers were stunning, too!

 

I love this perspective

 

The man that married us is not a member of the clergy.  He was ordained online, I believe, after his son asked him to perform his marriage ceremony.  His wife and my mom have worked together and been friends for over 40 years!  He’s been friends with my dad and family for a long time.  It was better having him than picking someone random off of a list provided by the venue…

 

And we’re MARRIED!  I love the “pep” in Justin’s step here.

 

Yes, Justin is pouring that champagne.  Or as I like to call it, a la Heather Dubrow from RHOC, “champs”! 😉

 

I love how this picture shows the back of my dress <3

Here are some pictures of the ceremony room.  Many of my ideas and DIY projects are obviously from Pinterest!

Table numbers – The blurry picture frame described how to post pictures to our Instagram and Shutterfly sites.

 

This was set up on the table with the seating cards.  It’s our parents’ and grandparents’ wedding pictures.

These ADORABLE monograms (including the Mr. & Mrs.) are from Mint Julep Monograms.

 

I made the menus myself.

 

This was our sweetheart table.  I got that Mr. & Mrs. plaque from Groopdealz.

 

I love that every table is against the dance floor.

 

Yellow and gray cake!

These are all of my first cousins – minus only 2.

 

My cousins who were bridesmaids and my brother – the family members in the wedding party

2 of my cousins.  The three of us are pretty inseparable – even though we all live in different states right now!

Even though these three are my cousins, I feel like their surrogate sister.  We grew up just a mile from each other and I spent my summer days with them while my parents were at work.

 

Justin and I have been best friends since 9th grade.  This is our whole group from high school – going strong for over 13 years!

 

My college friends.  Go Pirates!  ARRRGH! (That’s a pirate hook, btw.  Kinda like ECU’s version of the “Hook ’em horns” thing UT does.)

 

Our first dance was to “Then” by Brad Paisley.

“Not Justin”

 

Us watching the best man’s speech

Then came the crazy dancing.  My niece and nephew were the youngest ones there – and they partied the hardest!  They did not leave the dance floor.  At. All!  It was great!  Here are some of my favorite shots of us dancing with them!

 

He loves a pretty girl!  The girl is Justin’s cousin.  My nephew loved the girl in the sparkly dress 🙂  She taught him how to do the Saturday Night Fever Dance – he quickly obliged!  He was smitten!

 

I heard this one was still dancing on her 30 minute ride home!

 

He touched a little to my chin… and it fell down my dress.  Oops!  haha

 

Justin dancing with his mom while my high school group and I watch.

 

Dacning with my brother <3

 

The bouquet toss…

The 2 year old caught it!

Another Pinterest!  We got suspenders as part of the tuxes JUST for this picture.  And I LOVE IT!  😀

Part of the groomsmen’s gifts were these adorable gray and yellow socks (from Express).