Pages

Monday, December 17, 2012

We Start Today: The Way I Am

I know I already said the photos in this post were my absolute favorite from our wedding, but I have to say these pictures are a close second. We chose "The Way I Am," by Ingrid Michelson for our first dance as husband and wife. I have always loved this song because so many of the lyrics make me think of inside jokes between Mr. Castle and I. For example the line, "Sew on patches to all you tear," reminds me of how I used to tease Mr. Castle before we began dating. He had these jeans with huge holes in both knees, like ridiculously huge. I still don't understand how he could actually wear them they were that bad. I used to say, "You know I can sew those up for you, or better yet I can put a patch on them. Maybe a big peace sign or a groovy flower?" It was my dorky way of flirting with him...

Anyway, this song is so simple and sweet and I knew I wanted to somehow use it on our wedding day. I wasn't sure exactly how we would use it until one day Mr. Castle suggested it as our first dance song. I loved the idea. We wanted our first dance song to be something with a happier tone, not too sappy and "The Way I Am" totally fit the bill. If only I had thought of it first!  Since I love this song so much I spent most of our first dance singing along. Afterwards I thought, "Oh that's probably not going to look very attractive in pictures... opps." Well, I couldn't have been more wrong. Once again our amazing photographers  captured out first dance beautifully. You can't even tell I was singing along!


It was definitely a magical moment, not at all awkward like I had feared. Another great thing about our song choice was that it was short! It's a little over two minutes long which was the perfect amount of time for us. 
"The Way I Am" {Press play to listen}


Photography by Palos Studio
"If you were falling, then I would catch you...
You need a light, I'd find a match.
Cause I love the way you say good morning.
And you take me the way I am.
If you are chilly, here take my sweater.
Your head is aching, I'll make it better.
Cause I love the way you call me baby.
And you take me the way I am."
Then our magical moment became even more magical as bubbles came down on us from above.
" I'd buy you Rogaine when you start losing all your hair...
Sew on patches to all you tear.
Cause I love you more than I could ever promise.
And you take me the way I am.
You take me the way I am.
You take me the way I am."
As the song began to wind down we started hearing some rattling from our guests. They started shaking their tic tac's which said on the back, "Shake these mints for marital bliss and keep on shaking until they kiss."
So we obliged. 
You can see some of our guests shaking their tic tacs in the back.
When our first dance ended we headed to our sweetheart table and got ready for some toasts! 

What did you use for your first dance song? Who ultimately chose it, you or your SO?
Miss a recap? Check it out below!                         
We start at the end with a surprise wedding video!                                            
We rehearse                                                                                                      
Our rehearsal luncheon                              
We start the day with singing, dancing, and an earthquake
I get my hair and makeup done
We arrive at our venue and Mr. Castle asks for some makeup
With the help of my Mom and bridesmaids I get into my dress!
I take some solo shots of me as a bride
My handsome groom and his men 
Some family shots and first look regret
Photos with my Bridesmaids!
I get a three generations photos with my Mother and Grandmother
Waiting for the ceremony to start AND how our amazing vendors saved the day!
The Ceremony, vows and ring
We take a huge group photo with all our guests. 
Bridal party photos
My favorite wedding photos featuring me and my groom.

Friday, December 14, 2012

We Start Today: Making An Entrance

It was time to enter our reception but before we made it inside our bridal party needed to be introduced. For their entrance we chose a song that we thought couldn't be more perfect, the theme songs from Friends! We didn't tell any of our bridal party about the song choice so when the music started they all got really excited!
I`LL BE THERE FOR YOU - THE REMBRANDTS {Press play to listen}

Photography by Palos Studio
 First in were Bridesmaid C and Groomsmen R! 
 Next were Bridesmaid S and Groomsmen I. She was so excited about the song choice because the only thing we ever watched on TV in college was Friends. We didn't have cable but we did have all 10 seasons of Friends on DVD!
 Striking a pose
 The next two in were Bridesmaid L and her fiancé Groomsmen R. 
 Groomsmen R took L's bouquet and tossed it up over his head.
 L waiting for it to come back down.
 She caught it! 
 Bridesmaid J and Groomsmen M followed posing and being silly.
 And finally MOH N and BM N came dancing in.
 Our bridal party made their way through the tables and down to the dance floor. 
Before we made our entrance there was a change in music. This was completely Mr. Castles choice. I was unsure about it for a while but finally gave in. Mr. Castle decided on "The Power of Love," because of its connection to one of his favorite movies, Back to the Future. It ended up being the perfect choice. Our MC Brent let the music play a bit and got our guests on their feet and cheering. They shut the doors after our bridal party had entered and now had a spot light on the doors in anticipation of our entrance. Brent finally introduced us as the new Mr. and Mrs. Castle. The doors opened and we made the most exciting entrance of our lives! 

Huey Lewis & The News - The Power Of Love {Press play to listen}

I look like a crazy person in this photo... I was just really excited!
Making our way through the crowd. PS I got my dress all bustled up! I was so happy that I didn't have to worry about my train anymore.
Making our way to the dance floor.
It was such a thrilling way to start our reception. 
When we made it to the dance floor Brent took my bouquet and we went straight into our first dance!

Miss a recap? Check it out below!                         
We start at the end with a surprise wedding video!                                            
We rehearse                                                                                                      
Our rehearsal luncheon                              
We start the day with singing, dancing, and an earthquake
I get my hair and makeup done
We arrive at our venue and Mr. Castle asks for some makeup
With the help of my Mom and bridesmaids I get into my dress!
I take some solo shots of me as a bride
My handsome groom and his men 
Some family shots and first look regret
Photos with my Bridesmaids!
I get a three generations photos with my Mother and Grandmother
Waiting for the ceremony to start AND how our amazing vendors saved the day!
The Ceremony, vows and ring
We take a huge group photo with all our guests. 
Bridal party photos
My favorite wedding photos featuring me and my groom.

Monday, December 10, 2012

We Start Today: Reception Details

I shared our ceremony details in an earlier post and now it's time to take a look at our reception details! Cocktail hour was coming to a close and our guests were ready to head into the theater. But before they went in they had to grab their "ticket" escort cards.

Photos by Palos Studio
Our escort cards were placed on my DIY zig zag holders. They surrounded a "Will Call," sign telling guests to pick up their ticket to find their table.
A different view of our escort cards on their holders.
A close up of our ticket escort cards

After our guests picked up their ticket they headed into the theater. When they looked to the left they saw our custom wine favors on display.
Our custom red and white wine.
When our guests entered the theater this is what they saw. 
Our cake table!
A different view of the room.
One of our centerpieces with our musical table number.
A close up of one of our beautiful centerpieces by Cupids Arrow
We had two different kinds of centerpieces. Some tables had three tall vases with white tulips, orange gerbera daisies and green "buttons." I don't know the technical name for the button ones...
When our guests found their table they saw our tic tac place cards. Each guests name was on their tic tac container.
Our kitties who were back in New York even had their own tic tac place cards which were displayed at our sweetheart table.
Another shot of our amazing cake by Chantrelles catering.
Our vintage Barbie and Ken cake topper
And finally our kids bags which were a huge hit with the kids and their parents!

Coming up next, we enter our reception! What were some of your favorite reception details from your wedding?
Miss a recap? Check it out below!                         
We start at the end with a surprise wedding video!                                            
We rehearse                                                                                                      
Our rehearsal luncheon                              
We start the day with singing, dancing, and an earthquake
I get my hair and makeup done
We arrive at our venue and Mr. Castle asks for some makeup
With the help of my Mom and bridesmaids I get into my dress!
I take some solo shots of me as a bride
My handsome groom and his men 
Some family shots and first look regret
Photos with my Bridesmaids!
I get a three generations photos with my Mother and Grandmother
Waiting for the ceremony to start AND how our amazing vendors saved the day!
The Ceremony, vows and ring
We take a huge group photo with all our guests. 
Bridal party photos
My favorite wedding photos featuring me and my groom.