I have honestly despised the moments when the DJ calls all the 'single ladies and gents' out onto the dance floor to have the bride and groom toss the bouquet and garter away to see who will 'get married' next. Yeah, right? Does it really ever happen that the people who catch these things get married next? Doubtful.
However, I knew I wanted to somehow have a toss and of course, it had to be unexpected. Originally, I had the fabulous idea that I would surprise the girls I tossed my bouquet* to by having the bouquet break up into 4 smaller bouquets so that more than one girl gets to catch it. :) But as I evaluated our guest list, I realized there weren't as many single ladies as I had expected there to be.
Instead, I had read on some blogs about how some brides were choosing to 'hand' their bouquet off to someone specific rather than just toss it away. I loved this idea and here is how I incorporated this into our own wedding for a very special lady in my life:
As for Mr Fix It and the garter toss, he wanted to do this for sure. But mostly just because he is a perv who wanted to get up my dress. He decided he wanted to be 'covert' about it and worked with the DJ to surprise me with the song selection that would play while he slithered across the dance floor to remove my garter. Here are some great pics and video of his little display:
As you can see, Mr Fix It tricked the guys they called on to the dance floor by acting like he was going to toss the garter, but then he decided to intentionally place it into the hands of one of his groomsmen that he calls a 'playa who needs to settle down finally.' :) I love how the DJ made the comment "If that isn't someone saying 'tag you're it' I don't know what is!"
Unless otherwise noted, all photos by Robert Mullins Photography
Raw video footage courtesy of Video Keepsakes of Beverly Hills
Showing posts with label reception. Show all posts
Showing posts with label reception. Show all posts
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Friday, July 23, 2010
Wed Recap: The party's over
We didn't get a grand exit.** There were no sparklers waving, no bubbles being blown, no leis being placed around our neck or loud cheers and clapping as we made our way out of the room and out into a cool car to speed away in. In fact, there was no car there to be decorated or anything. But we knew this was going to be the case. I had told Mr Fix It all along that if I was spending all this money and I was planning all these things, that there was no way I was going to miss out on anything. I wanted to party with my guests until the last one left the building. And that's just what we did.
It was just about midnight and the only people left in the reception room were me, my mom, my sister, my daughter and my now husband, Mr Fix It. The coordinators and catering company were scampering around trying to pack things up. The tables were almost bare and the DJ was packing up so no music was playing.
We went ahead and headed over to the bridal cottage area and started packing up my gown, bouquet and all the other little things I had brought with me. Mr Fix It and I had each arrived at different times during the day. I got to the venue at 8 am and was there until midnight that night. I had to drive my own car because I had my gown, gifts and lots of other little things to bring with me. Mr Fix It arrived around 2 pm by himself (all his family and groomsmen had to be there an hour earlier for pictures). So we had each come in our own cars. And we didn't want to spend the money to rent a getaway car because we knew it would not really be driven at all...our hotel was literally 5 minutes from the venue.
So after we packed everything into my car, we stood there just confirming what time everyone was going to be at our house the next day for the lunch. I hugged my mom and sister and daughter good-bye, told them I'd see them in the morning, and jumped in my car. Mr Fix It jumped in his car and we followed each other out of the venue past the tigers and onto the street until we reached the hotel.
We checked in (Mr Fix It was supposed to do this on his way to the venue but of course it didn't get done). It was after midnight and the lady at the counter was so sweet. We got into a full on conversation with her about marriage and our wedding and our faith and turns out she was a Christian who just wanted to chat it up with us. She was really nice but we were so exhausted.
We got into our room and jumped out of our clothes. We were both so tired but Mr Fix It said there was no way we were going to sleep on our wedding night without gettin' busy briefly :)
When we woke up in the morning we headed down to the hotel restaurant for our buffet breakfast. Several of our wedding guests (actually our neighbors who had rented rooms because they didn't want to make the 30 minute drive home drunk) were checking out and said hello. Some friends who had come to the wedding from San Jose stopped to say goodbye on their way out. And then we ran into one of Mr Fix It's oldest friends and his girlfriend. They were getting breakfast, too so we invited them to sit with us. We sat there for a good two hours just chatting with them and having so much fun talking about lots of stuff. His friend even offered to stay at our place while we were on our honeymoon so our dog would not have to be by himself. And then we said our goodbyes and headed home to a house full of people and food!
It was a great day before, a wonderful night and a fabulous breakfast with friends. But it seriously did just go by way too stinkin' fast! :(
Our videographer ends his wedding videos with a message from the bride and groom to their guests...we didn't really know about this so when he pulled us aside, I just gave the mic to Mr Fix It. So here is our final goodbye from the end of our reception:
** I told you I was going to jump around and just blog about whatever video clips I came across or whatever was fresh in my memory during my recaps. So don't think just because this post is about the very end of the night that the recaps are over...far from it. There's still a lot more to come :)
It was just about midnight and the only people left in the reception room were me, my mom, my sister, my daughter and my now husband, Mr Fix It. The coordinators and catering company were scampering around trying to pack things up. The tables were almost bare and the DJ was packing up so no music was playing.
We went ahead and headed over to the bridal cottage area and started packing up my gown, bouquet and all the other little things I had brought with me. Mr Fix It and I had each arrived at different times during the day. I got to the venue at 8 am and was there until midnight that night. I had to drive my own car because I had my gown, gifts and lots of other little things to bring with me. Mr Fix It arrived around 2 pm by himself (all his family and groomsmen had to be there an hour earlier for pictures). So we had each come in our own cars. And we didn't want to spend the money to rent a getaway car because we knew it would not really be driven at all...our hotel was literally 5 minutes from the venue.
So after we packed everything into my car, we stood there just confirming what time everyone was going to be at our house the next day for the lunch. I hugged my mom and sister and daughter good-bye, told them I'd see them in the morning, and jumped in my car. Mr Fix It jumped in his car and we followed each other out of the venue past the tigers and onto the street until we reached the hotel.
We checked in (Mr Fix It was supposed to do this on his way to the venue but of course it didn't get done). It was after midnight and the lady at the counter was so sweet. We got into a full on conversation with her about marriage and our wedding and our faith and turns out she was a Christian who just wanted to chat it up with us. She was really nice but we were so exhausted.
We got into our room and jumped out of our clothes. We were both so tired but Mr Fix It said there was no way we were going to sleep on our wedding night without gettin' busy briefly :)
When we woke up in the morning we headed down to the hotel restaurant for our buffet breakfast. Several of our wedding guests (actually our neighbors who had rented rooms because they didn't want to make the 30 minute drive home drunk) were checking out and said hello. Some friends who had come to the wedding from San Jose stopped to say goodbye on their way out. And then we ran into one of Mr Fix It's oldest friends and his girlfriend. They were getting breakfast, too so we invited them to sit with us. We sat there for a good two hours just chatting with them and having so much fun talking about lots of stuff. His friend even offered to stay at our place while we were on our honeymoon so our dog would not have to be by himself. And then we said our goodbyes and headed home to a house full of people and food!
It was a great day before, a wonderful night and a fabulous breakfast with friends. But it seriously did just go by way too stinkin' fast! :(
Our videographer ends his wedding videos with a message from the bride and groom to their guests...we didn't really know about this so when he pulled us aside, I just gave the mic to Mr Fix It. So here is our final goodbye from the end of our reception:
** I told you I was going to jump around and just blog about whatever video clips I came across or whatever was fresh in my memory during my recaps. So don't think just because this post is about the very end of the night that the recaps are over...far from it. There's still a lot more to come :)
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Wed recap: Embarassing the hell out of the bride and groom
That's really what toasts should be referred to...because most of them (at least the ones the guys give) are usually pretty embarassing. In our case, our best man, Mr Fix It's brother started off his toast with a total perverted comment. Watch my lovely reaction to this...and remember that I was very active in my church and that all of our guests know that I am a passionate Christian who tries to uphold and lead by example with some conservative and traditional values and morals. :)
In the end, it was very sweet what he said...short and sweet. Probably a good thing. But man, really?!?
Up next was my sister. Of course the girls always talk a lot longer. And though it may seem like a long time, her speech flew by! She was really nervous about it...she does not like speaking in front of crowds. At one point, she even said she was just going to write a poem and recite it...which I would have loved because she writes amazing poems. But I am so happy about the wonderful speech she shared...it was heartfelt, full of old memories and actually really funny, too! She did great...and when you watch this, you'll get a great glimpse of insight into who both me and my sister are and our pasts as well :)
And finally, I just had to give a thank you speech.
Mr Fix It is also not good in front of an audience. It's funny because he is so loud and boisterous and extraverted in general but when it comes to gettin' up in front of a large room of people, he freezes. Since I do not and I actually sometimes love speaking in front of crowds, I went ahead and handled our speech. I wrote it out months before the wedding and read through it a couple times. But never really memorized it. On the day of, I just spoke from the heart and what I could remember of what I had written out and I loved it. Though I have to admit, this would be the very last thing I'd have to do on the wedding day as far as speaking in front of everyone and I was a tad bit nervous and so glad to get this thing done.
And those were the three lovely speeches that were shared at our wedding reception. What do you think?
Do you have any memorable stories from speeches you have seen, received or given at weddings?
TODAY'S WEDDING TIP: I don't know if you did/plan on doing this at your wedding, but I highly encourage either the bride, groom or both to just share a few words. Doesn't need to be quite as long as mine, but just to say an overall thank you to those you love for celebrating with you.
All video clips courtesy of Video Keepsakes of Beverly Hills
Best Man's Toast
In the end, it was very sweet what he said...short and sweet. Probably a good thing. But man, really?!?
Up next was my sister. Of course the girls always talk a lot longer. And though it may seem like a long time, her speech flew by! She was really nervous about it...she does not like speaking in front of crowds. At one point, she even said she was just going to write a poem and recite it...which I would have loved because she writes amazing poems. But I am so happy about the wonderful speech she shared...it was heartfelt, full of old memories and actually really funny, too! She did great...and when you watch this, you'll get a great glimpse of insight into who both me and my sister are and our pasts as well :)
Matron of Honor's Toast
And finally, I just had to give a thank you speech.
Bride's Thank You Toast
Mr Fix It is also not good in front of an audience. It's funny because he is so loud and boisterous and extraverted in general but when it comes to gettin' up in front of a large room of people, he freezes. Since I do not and I actually sometimes love speaking in front of crowds, I went ahead and handled our speech. I wrote it out months before the wedding and read through it a couple times. But never really memorized it. On the day of, I just spoke from the heart and what I could remember of what I had written out and I loved it. Though I have to admit, this would be the very last thing I'd have to do on the wedding day as far as speaking in front of everyone and I was a tad bit nervous and so glad to get this thing done.
And those were the three lovely speeches that were shared at our wedding reception. What do you think?
Do you have any memorable stories from speeches you have seen, received or given at weddings?
TODAY'S WEDDING TIP: I don't know if you did/plan on doing this at your wedding, but I highly encourage either the bride, groom or both to just share a few words. Doesn't need to be quite as long as mine, but just to say an overall thank you to those you love for celebrating with you.
All video clips courtesy of Video Keepsakes of Beverly Hills
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Wedding Recap: Uh oh...it's magic!
There was one thing that Mr Fix It did not fight me on when I told him that I wanted something extra special to entertain the guests during our cocktail hour: a magician! If you read my post back here, you can check out the story of how we came to find the amazing Jeff Ezell.
Jeff did not disappoint on any level! He showed up before our ceremony started and we quickly greeted him while we passed him taking photos. He sat in the very back of the ceremony by the bridge and even provided over 30 photos on his iphone for me on Facebook! And then as soon as the ceremony was over and he and the guests made their way upstairs poolside for cocktails, he went to work!
He wandered around the guests, amazing and bewildering them with card tricks, rubberband tricks and even a trick with Mr Fix It's wedding band! I'll just let the video speak for itself and then share a few pics with you as well...you *HAVE* to see this! And tell me if you see his slight of hand moves.
Today's video footage (courtesy of Video Keepsakes of Beverly Hills) is a bit longer than my previous recaps...but only because you have to see Jeff's amazing talents...and try to figure out how the heck he does this!!!
The amazing magician, himself
The kids were definitely loving him!
He gave us a deck of cards signed with his name and our wedding date...it was a keepsake that
had a few cards in it that guests had written their names on as you saw in the video.
But I think Mr Fix It was most impressed with him. As a matter of fact, he kept pulling him aside to do tricks for his own family and friends! So much so, that by the end of the night, my mom, sister and some friends said they never even saw him! But oh no, Mr Fix It made sure he made his way to *ALL* of *HIS* friends and family! Twerp!
I love Mr Fix It's reaction in these next few shots!
All above pictures by Robert Mullins Photography
Jeff did such an amazing job, that we asked him to stay during dinner and walk the tables while guests were waiting to be released for the buffet as well. He did this for a very minimal extra fee. We were so thankful!
He was more than accommodating and a wonderful vendor to work with - probably our favorite!
All above pictures provided by Roseanne Rivoli
TODAY'S WEDDING TIP: Find a way to do something different during your cocktail hour if you can. It can be playing a montage video of photos of the bride and groom or having a photobooth or a game table set up. You can hire live musicians to walk around serenading guests or even those live moving tables to serve your appetizers on. I knew I wanted our guests to be entertained throughout the event. I wanted them to be kept busy and eating and having fun. Those who saw the strolling magician raved about him and it was definitely a highlight and hit of our event that I was so excited about.
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