While Hal and I were taking our beach portraits, our guests were arriving via school bus! My mom hand-painted these wood signs to lead everyone down the long driveway...
Right this way
We'll see you soon
Get ready, get set
For a fun afternoon
Follow the music
Find your chair
Head to the water
We'll meet you there!
Funny side story: the wacky bus driver, a toothless older woman wearing pigtails with scrunchies and a neon reflector crossing guard vest, whom we later found drinking our beer and eating from our dessert table after the reception, got LOST on the way out to the house! Thank goodness, our buddy Tim knew where to go and turned her around.
Remember when I was looking for a smaller-sized big band or jazz orchestra to serenade our guests as they arrived? With our budget, this didn't seem possible. Then I discovered the Seattle swing band, Route 66. They were willing to cut down their crew, yet still keep a large sound, so we could afford to have them play a few hours.
Our friends and family meandered down the lawn to the theater seats and pews set up by the water. Designer, Kristen of Coates Willie, made the tepee and shipped it out from New York just for the wedding.
Introducing the cutest flower girl and ring bearer known to man: Talynn and Cannon, my bridesmaid Tara's delectable children. My mom and I made them pipe cleaner crowns, gold streamer wands and green flags.
Although we hired a caterer for dinner, we decided to save money by providing our own pre-ceremony snacks. This was a full-day affair, after all. We set out cheese, crackers, fruit, nuts, olives, flavored water and lemonade for our guests to nibble on as they arrived. The goldfish were a hit!
I love this photo. It's typical Hal, scribbling out his vows on a tissue box at the very last moment. He had them written on his iPhone and forgot to transfer them to paper for the ceremony.
Up at the house, my ladies and I had a toast! Or five! A bottle of champagne (and a can of Rockstar) was popped. I don't remember what we were laughing about, but it was some funny isht. So funny that we didn't even realize the groomsmen had started their descent! We quickly grabbed our bouquets and scrambled down the stairs.
My pops met us at the entrance to the circular garden, where we had a moment or two of waiting time inside. I have a vague memory of the girls and I singing a song? Sounds like something we'd do to calm my racing heart.
One by one, they exited the garden on other side to walk down the aisle. Leaving my dad and I alone to take it all in. I grabbed his arm. Deep breath. Here we go...
NEXT WEEK: THE CEREMONY, the vows and all that other good stuff!
{Images by One Love Photo}
