September 2009 ~ SILVER PENCILS

Wednesday, September 30, 2009

Weekend Mountain Wedding: A Walk Beneath the Pines

Before I saw him I knew he was there. Our photographers had spotted him. Photographed him. Our Parents had walked down the aisle. And then one by one, so did our wedding party, our friends. They took the steps necessary to start our ceremony, our walk, our declaration to love eachother, and only eachother forever. And now it was my turn.

My walk to Mr. Espresso begins here:

Press Play to Listen to Iron and Wine's, "Love and Some Verses," as you scroll through the pictures. This is the song I walked down to.

Ethan and Madison make their way before me, unbashful and full of joy. And then it was time. The music began, my stepdad took my arm, smiled at me, and we began to cross the bridge.I remembered the advice of all the Bees before me. "Take your time." "Walk Slowly." "Take everything in."
Mr. Espresso sees me for the first time, and our photographer captures it.

Reaching the middle of the aisle, I kissed my stepdad and took the arm of my dad for the rest of the walk down the aisle.

And on we walked beneath the pines.

I'm happy. I'm calm. I'm happy and calm; and every single person I care about is here.

Mr. Espresso holds back tears

And descends down the steps to meet me

He shakes my dad's hand...

I kiss my dad...

And join hands with the person who will keep me and love me forever.

Up Next: We Say I Do!!

Miss Something? Catch Up Here:
Weekend Mountain Wedding: The Procession of Little Black Dresses
Weekend Mountain Wedding: The Clock Strikes Two
Weekend Mountain Wedding: The Dress Comes On
Weekend Mountain Wedding: Fancy Men at Dreamland
Weekend Mountain Wedding: Time to Get Beautified
Weekend Mountain Wedding: Morning Time
Weekend Mountain Wedding: Fancy vs. Not Fancy at the Rehearsal
Weekend Mountain Wedding: The Day Before
Weekend Mountain Wedding: Proof That It Did In Fact Happen

All photos by the talented Sandra Salisbury

Today is Tuesday

3:25 AM dreams No comments

Today is a Tuesday like every other. I'll go to work. I'll eat lunch and respond to e- mails. I'll research new projects and answer callers with the same questions. But I'm also going to do something different today. Today I'm going to set new Goals for myself. I'm going to challenge myself. Dream. And Plan a route to accomplish everything I want to do.

Image Source HERE

Weekend Mountain Wedding: The Procession of Little Black Dresses

2:40 AM recaps; Weddingbee 2 comments

When money is tight, your wedding party is large, and everyone comes in different shapes and sizes, a Little Black Dress can make decisions so much simpler- especially if you already have one in your closet. I had 7 bridesmaids. The tallest was 6ft and the shortest 5ft. The same dress can look very differently on both. So early on I decided to let each of my girlfriends pick their own LBD. My only request was that it had straps. Some wore dresses they already had, others went out and bought one- but it was their choice, it reflected their style, and they actually could/ would wear them again.

The moms decided to hop on the LBD bandwagon as well. And I'm so glad they did. Here is the beginning procession to our wedding. The parents walked down to Orange Sky by Alexi Murdoch and the wedding party walked to "It's Good to Be in Love" by Frou Frou.

Mr. Espresso's Parents

Brother and Mama Espresso

Ryan and Natall

Daniel and SIL Espresso

Brother Espresso and Allison (I love that he's heading over to shake Mr. Espresso's hand right here)

Pat and Sam

BIL Espresso and Kristie

Mikey and Sister Espresso

Brendan and Chris

How did you pick what your wedding party is wearing? Anybody else doing LBDs? If so, help these photos help you with your planning!

Miss Something? Catch up Here:

Weekend Mountain Wedding: The Clock Strikes Two

Weekend Mountain Wedding: The Dress Comes On
Weekend Mountain Wedding: Fancy Men at Dreamland
Weekend Mountain Wedding: Time to Get Beautified
Weekend Mountain Wedding: Morning Time
Weekend Mountain Wedding: Fancy vs. Not Fancy at the Rehearsal
Weekend Mountain Wedding: The Day Before
Weekend Mountain Wedding: Proof That It Did In Fact Happen

All photos by the talented Sandra Salisbury

Happy Friday!!!

12:15 PM weekend No comments

Image Source here

Weekend Mountain Wedding: The Clock Strikes Two

12:04 PM recaps; Weddingbee No comments

Two o' clock. October 4, 2008. And my fiance is waiting for me beneath the pines. Check my hair. Check my makeup. Check my dress... a little loose. I the guess seamstress forgot to put the clasp back on after altering it... no worries, now I'm being sewn in (just a little added fun for the Wedding night ;)).

A scout runs out to make sure the guests and Mr. Espresso are ready as well, so our Photographer captures the room.

My Aunt Linda and Mama Espresso. My mom is so full of happy tears right here.

My wonderful cousin holds my bouquet for me as I fluff and hug.

Our flower girl Madison was definitely not shy in front of the camera. I gave her a few "Princess" items before the day began to make her feel more special. Here she is posing with her tiara and wand

My dad and step dad came in to tell me it was time.

The guests were ready.

So I took one picture with my beautiful, favorite, and only sister really quick...

And started on my last walk as his fiance. Ethan our ring bearer ran to me... or rather our flower girl. They were excited. I was floating. The reception decor was everywhere around me. I didn't even glance. My eyes were only looking forward.

The day was here. The air was cold and smelled of pine trees.

Everything was perfect. But everything to me only consisted of one person. And he was there waiting for me behind the trees.

There were my friends and family: black tie, encourging us, supporting us, and loving us. And I floated behind. Calm and in my own happy thoughts. Flashing Back. Flashing Forward. Ready. Ready to become the wife of the man I've always loved.

Up Next: The Ceremony Begins!

Miss Something? Catch up Here:

All pictures by Sandra Salisbury

Weekend Mountain Wedding: The Dress Comes On

2:52 AM recaps; Weddingbee No comments

My makeup and hair were done. Now the only thing left to do was slip on my dress. A monumental and strange moment all in the same. I'm putting on the dress that I'll marrry my husband in. The dress I wouldn't touch with a 10 foot pole until the day of our wedding, in fear that I would damage it, spill on it, catch it on fire, etc... And now, not only do I finally get to wear it, but I'm stripping down to my tiny undies and a clear bra that could better pass for packaging tape. Sister, ok. Close friends there, ok. Extended family and SIL...ok. Photographers... please don't take pictures of my front until I say :)

As you can see I'm holding up the front here. I have many pictures of me holding my boobs in fear that the dress would slip and the packaging tape would be on display again. Note to future brides- don't be like me and hold your boobs for 15 photos. I'll only show you this one :)

I don't know if you can tell in this next picture, but I'm totally holding my breath here. Thoughts running through my head at that moment: Oh gosh- maybe I should have tried on the dress to make sure it still fit... maybe I shouldn't have eaten that entire TUB of malt balls for dinner the other night!