. classically modern .

9.3.10

Nearly Nautical Nuptials : The Reception Space

While we were taking a few last pictures, and our guests were getting themselves off the boat, our second shooter Meredith zipped into our tent and took pictures of the set-up and details before our guests got in there. I'm so thankful she was there to capture photos of all the details I put my blood, sweat and tears into.

First up: the tables - if you remember, we opted for rectangular tables.
We had set up the bones of the space the day before (placed all the tables and chairs) but Emilie & Fiona of Pink Orchid weddings transformed the space just as we had discussed and it was perfect.

These vases were one of the first things I bought. I loved how the yellow flowers popped against the navy runners. Although my mom planted hundreds of flowers to grow for the wedding, I'd say only half came up in time due to a terribly rainy summer, so we ended up buying some bulk flowers. The week after our wedding though - the whole garden was yellow :)

Our place settings : I've refused to touch my sewing machine since sewing all those napkins and table runners. We ran out of time to iron all the tablecloths but the runners hid the crease down the center really well! I'm not sure if I ever got around to posting about our menus but they were gocco'd and tied on with blue and white baker's twine. Since we ended up doing a buffet, we kept the plates near the food stations and I think it really helped keep the tables clean and uncluttered for these photos.

Our escort cards : I cut these out of white museum board and used a laser cutter to engrave the names of the tables along the sides. Then I wrote out the name of the guest and tied more blue and white bakers twine around it.

The Signage : We named each of our tables after different boating knots (we were seated at 'snuggle hitch'). The table signs were backed with navy paper, the food/drink signs were backed with yellow, to keep things interesting but organized :)

Above : guestbook made via Blurb with our engagement pictures, photo sharing cards made via vistaprint with instructions for our guests to upload their photos to our flickr account post wedding.

I made special chair signs for myself and Mr. Gloss (shown below) since we were VIP's and all.

Our chalkboard welcome sign.

This was a big hit with our guests - some of our older guests found some accidental and not-wedding appropriate words, but I can't wait to hang this up once we buy a place of our own.

The Favors : We included a basket of flip-flops and pashminas for our guests, the flip-flops flew out of there, and even though it wasn't cold most of the pashminas were gone by the end of the night as well -

Our main favor was strawberry jam. My mom handpicked enough strawberries for 120 jars of jam - bless her, I wouldn't have had the patience :) Most of our guests had never had my mom's jam before (those who had took a lot more than one jar ;) ) and those who hadn't called or emailed all the next week saying how awesome it was. One person, who will remain nameless, admitted to making a PB&J sandwich and then eating the remainder of the jam straight out of the jar, it was that good. Smucker's has nothin' on my mom.

We also included bags of goodies for the kids to entertain themselves with. There were coloring books, crayons, some games/frisbees and random Martha Stewart crafts. They were a big hit!

Since I never posted about these before, I figured I would include them now since they kind of tie in with our favors - our Out of Town Bags. They included a few maps of the area, some water, snacks, matches and maple syrup that my parents bottled.

We also included a brief welcome note to our guests -

Gratuitous napkin shot - there were 6 facts in all.

and I saved the best for last: THE CAKES!

My mom made our cakes and my dad made the stands.

1.3.10

How I Knew I Wanted to Marry Mr. Gloss....

Today is our 10th anniversary (pre-wedding of course). A decade is a very long time, in fact I've been with Mr. Gloss almost half my life -

So naturally, many things have changed since those first few months/years. We've grown-up and instead of growing apart like many couples that date from a very young age, we've grown together. Like all relationships its not rainbows and sunshine 100% of the time - but those are the times that I value the most. I'll admit sometimes I get so mad at him I don't even want to be in the same room together - and while I'm sitting alone, fuming, I realize that even though I can't stand to look at him right this second, there isn't anywhere else I'd rather be. Which leads me to the point of this post: I knew I wanted to marry Mr. Gloss when I realized I wasn't IN-love with him anymore. Now, before you gasp and gossip about me to all your friends hear me out.

To me, being 'in-love' comes early in the relationship, there are no worries or concerns, you can't stand to be apart and spend your days floating on a cloud of bliss. While that is all well and good it most likely will not last forever. When I realized I wasn't 'in-love' with Mr. Gloss anymore I also realized that I loved him so much more than I ever thought possible. Its just a different kind of love- I realized that I wanted to wake up beside him every day and take care of him when he's sick, or strategize together if we are broke. And as angry as I get when he never lets me have control over the remote, I wouldn't want to be anywhere else. My love for him grows everyday, honestly- I'm not just saying that, and everyday (save for a few ;) ) I love him a little bit more than I did before.

So, having said that- I know the next ten years will not be all candy and bubbles and stickers; there will be hard days and I will appreciate them (notice I did not say 'like them') because they give perspective to the good days and make me realize how lucky I am 99% of the time.

So, cheers Mr. Gloss, and here's to the next decade!

When did you realize that you wanted to marry your fiance/husband?

24.2.10

Nearly Nautical Nuptials : Back on Land

After our lake cruise/ceremony/cocktail hour(s) was complete we headed back to the dock for the reception! It took some persuading for our guests to actually get off the boat, I don't blame them for not wanting to leave though :)
It's really humerous to me looking though these pictures now what prized possessions everyone helped carry off -
Important Item A - Bucket of Alcohol

Important Item B - Bag of Cigars guarded by the Best Man

Important Item C - Oh, what? You saw that cleverly hidden bottle of Veuve in my arms?

I've been documented.

We opted for another group shot with the boat in the background while we were waiting for our guests to get seated in the tent.

And the classic group shoe shot. (I thought this was classic - everyone else in non-wedding land was 2 stops past confused that our photographer was taking pictures of their feet.)

We took a few shots with my dad since our guests weren't quite ready yet,

and found some entertainment in the form of a giant anchor.
Giant anchors + alcohol = Swing.

As my bridesmaids walked toward the tent and our photogs captured one of my most favorite wedding photos:

Straight from the JCrew catalog - no?

Our guests were finally seated -

So, Mr. Gloss persuaded me to come along......

22.2.10

Nearly Nautical Nuptials: Martinis, Munchies, Mingling & Martha

After our family photos we rejoined our guests downstairs at the 'official' cocktail hour.

We got a chance to mingle with all our guests.... (notice at this point my dress was bustled and veil was off - I felt so bad it kept whipping all our guests in their faces because of the wind - but it did make for some great photos :) )

....and ate some delicous food.

Those happen to be bacon wrapped water chestnuts and they are SO good.

My mom made the appetizers….and grew flowers for our centerpieces, and made our cakes, and boiled and bottled syrup for our OOT bags, made over 100 jars of jam with strawberries she picked herself, and grew fresh vegetables for our caterer to use in the dinner. AKA Martha Stewart on Crack.

This is normal to me, this is how I grew up – why pay someone for something you can do yourself? Our extended family was not as aware of her abilities to multi-task and as she ran around our house for a few days before the wedding she was lovingly dubbed “Martha Stewart on Crack”.

Our guests were enjoying themselves and Mr. Gloss and I snuck off for some alone time -

Our photographers happened to catch us, but since they were shooting from the opposite side of the boat we didn't even know they were there!

Mr. Gloss was wearing a ring - it was weird, but I liked it :)

At this point we were almost back to the dock, but we were temporarily distracted:

Let me set the scene a little for you:

1. It's HOT, really hot and they are all wearing dark jackets with pants. I'd say some were a little 'dehydrated' from the rehersal the night before too. ;)

2. There was a slight mix-up in the ‘Blueberry Lemonade Martini’ Recipe….i.e. the lemonade was missing. So the bartender improvised and added just a few fresh squeezed lemons to a vat of Stoli Blueberry, which she doled out in 12 oz. glasses to our unaware guests. Lets just say the party got kicked off ….Hard….while Martha, I mean my mom, frantically searched for the lemonade. The Lemonade was found, but not before a significant amount of damage was done to the intoxication levels of our guests.

Which led to this : Groomsmen G & J had found the boat's supply of life jackets.

OOOH lets put them on! They have whistles! and shiny reflective surfaces!

Oh yes, tonight is going to be a good night :)

20.2.10

Nearly Nautical Nuptials : Pop That Cork!

Our families and bridal party gathered at the bow of the boat immediately after the ceremony to do a champagne toast and start the family portraits. There was lots of hugging going on at this point. I gave a few to the other important men in my life -

My grandfather -

And my daddy-

If you remember, I was very concerned about why my glass had no champagne-

Our DOC's (Pink Orchid Weddings) were on top of things, (I was just too excited) - they were passing out glasses and handed me a bottle of champange. I tried to hand it off to Mr. Gloss to open, but he didn't know how to open a bottle of champagne (don't worry, we've practiced a lot since). So, anyways - I took matters into my own hands.

Here Mr. Gloss - hold my flowers -

Mr. Gloss was not-so-silently praying I didn't poke anyone's eyes out.

But I'm a total pro -

Magically everyone else had full glasses of champagne at this point (and by magically I mean our fab. DOC's).

Some of my facial expressions in these photos are pretty priceless, enter 'Surprised Chapagne Toast' :

And "I Find that Hilarious Champagne Toast"

The rest of our guests were huddled around the bar downstairs *I'll let you in on a secret about this later* while we were on the front deck gathered for family photos. I know these aren't always the most exciting photos so I'll do a quick snapshot.

Mr. Gloss and I started the action -