We're home from the mini-moon!
Just a little recap :) I'll post pictures tomorrow (probably to facebook...so if you're not a friend, fix that and add me!)
It was crazy and full of errors and absolutely amazing!
So...(sorry...this is long!)
I woke up and it was pouring outside...pretty much rained all day. But it was fine. We had already moved all the wedding parts inside...so no worries.
First...here was my original timeline...you'll see there was a ton of deviation. :)
9:00 Hair
10:30 Home, leave for the hotel by 10:45 with bags packed.
noon -check in to suite in DC...walk around georgetown to get some lunch, then get ready.
2:30-FH meets us at the hotel completely ready...and we do a meeting....and pictures.
3:30-Limo picks us up from hotel.
4:00 pictures at the restaurant
5:00 wedding
5:45 cocktails
6:30 dinner
8:30 limo picks us up from the restaurant and takes us around the monuments for pictures
10-10:30-arrive back in georgetown for the afterparty.
What actually happened:
9:00am - hair appointment (in the car I spilled a ton of coffee all over me...so it was a good start). I don't actually know the name of the place....it's the mother in law of my neighbor. And she did a great job. It was super sprayed so it wouldn't lose it's poof or curl in the rain...and it didn't. It was a little over done just to allow it to settle...and closer to the wedding I was smooshing it trying to get it to fall a little bit! I was supposed to meet my sister at my house at 10:45 to head up into DC to the hotel suite to get ready. We were shooting for an early check in at noon. But, my hair ran long...and I didn't get home until about 11:45! So...I called her from the road, and she packed all my stuff that I had laying out (for the honeymoon).
12:15 - we finally left the house...my sister (who was our photographer), her son, Dominic...and a car full of crap! :) About a mile from the house I called Mark....I had left a sweet card for him in one of our dressers...with a dvd of the last football game he and his father watched together before his father died. He loved it.
1:30- A ton of rain and traffic later, we finally make it to the hotel. Our suite isn't ready for check in...so we decide to grab lunch at the restaurant downstairs while waiting. It's packed....and I'm just a little tense. And with a 6 year old and 4 year old...I was getting quite stressed! Spilling chocolate milk, playing with butter knives...ug.... We ordered, but then our room became available...and so I took it all to go. And quietly, we ate at the coffee table in the living room of the suite...and it was much nicer! The boys found the bidet in the bathroom and that was a source of amusement and entertainment for them for the rest of the afternoon. We got them away from the water, dressed them, and turned on cartoons so I could get ready. :)
2:30- Mark calls...he's not dressed...halfway to DC, he realizes that he forgot his tie...and had to turn around.
3:30- We're all dressed..limo driver calls and he's downstairs. Mark hasn't arrived yet. Stuck in traffic. He arrives at about 3:45...our official meeting was me dressed up answering the hotel room door...we say Hi....I grab his stuff...and he runs to the room to get dressed. So much for an "official" seeing each other for the first time. But it was ok. :) I go back and help him get dressed....I get his cufflinks on him (engraved with his monogram....lockets...on one sleeve pictures of me...and on one sleeve pictures of Dominic). We had the bouquet and the bouts with us there so we could take pictures with them. The bouts aren't exactly what I wanted....but they were just fine. My bouquet was beautiful! I can't wait to post pictures tomorrow!
We call the limo driver and we all head downstairs. Still pouring. We get down to the lobby and I realize I forgot the umbrella. Everyone in the lobby was offering us umbrellas and helping us... very nice. But no worries...limo driver took care of us. The 5 of us pile into the limo (the boys hanging through the limo driver's window chatting him up...and my sister, Mark, and I in the back. Kids are having fun...the adults...we're ok...but a little tense. I was AMAZED at the limo driver's skills on the streets of georgetown....we had quite a few blocks to get down to the key bridge..and though a couple corners were very scary...he got us down safely. We get down to the Key Bridge and are about to leave the city...when I realize I left my bouquet in the hotel room! Ug! So, we turn around at the exorcist stairs, and make our way back. We call the hotel and they go into our room to have it waiting for us in the lobby. Crisis averted! :)
4:50- We finally get to the restaurant...no pictures ahead of time...but we're ok. We hang out in the limo until we know everyone is seated and waiting for us. Because of all the windows, there's no real hiding if they're not in our ceremony room. We send the boys and my sisters in ahead of time to make sure the coast is clear...and take that quiet time. (thanks to elle_jefe for sneaking in to the limo past "security" to give me my amazing wedding present!) When the coast was clear, we went into the restaurant. The managers and staff meet us at the bar with a shot waiting for both of us. We took a shot, took a breath, and headed down the hall. Oh...the ipod system was down, so the night before, I made CDs for the ceremony and the cocktail hour as a back up. But there were only 2 songs for the prelude...so we didn't have a lot of wiggle room. But, the two songs were just enough to get us calm and focused. Our guests listened to "Today" by Josh Radin and "Grace Like Rain" by Todd Agnew. Then, "Feels Like Home" by Chantal Kreveziuk started...and that was our cue to walk down the aisle.
The rest of the recap will be much shorter.... just in highlights. :)
Candle ceremony - beautiful. We were all very emotional. Dominic did a good job of paying attention...for a six year old...though he dropped one ring, walked around the altar a little, had to sit down on my dad's lap...but he was adorable and made it through! He hugged us a lot...and prayed with his hands folded...(played with the candle a little!) really read along with the minister! and it was adorable!! I cried...mark cried...when our sisters did the readings we laughed and cried (I like you and the one from Captain corelli's mandolin). My ring got stuck to the pillow...it took 4 of us to untie it! :) and then dominic struggled with me because he REALLY wanted to put Mark's ring on his finger. The rose ceremony was sweet....and we were married!
We had planned to leave for a few minutes for quiet time...but got grabbed right away for hugs and pictures...so there was no time to leave. And we went right into cocktails. It wasn't until the end of the cocktail hour that we realized we never played the cocktail music...and though we weren't dancing, really, we had a song selected for us to do a first dance to...and a song for me to dance with my son to...to kick off the cocktail hour!...so when we were called to the other room for dinner, we did our first dance there. Mark and I danced to Bless the Broken Road, and then Dominic and I danced to American Boy which he chose (yes...Estelle and Kanye West!...it was cute!)
So then dinner, which was beyond fabulous!...and the cake (cheesecake) and I think everyone made a toast (all short..and there were only 21 of us there!) Everyone loved all the details...the favors, the place cards the origami cranes, the grandmother's teacups... And they rang the bells all night long...so we pretty much never stopped kissing! The boys got ice cream for dessert that looked like eyeballs...and it was served on dry ice. it was so cool! We did notice, though that NO ONE signed the frame we had....even though it was right by the door! Displayed with candles and everything! But that's ok....we forced a couple people to sign it, and we'll snag them and the rest of you all! as you come to visit! :)
Then, the boys left with my parents...and we went out. A limo ride, bottle of champagne, and off to the monuments for pictures! It was so much fun. We were posing like crazy...climbing up on the walls (in my dress!) to get good shots...and it was tons of fun. Though it wasn't professionally done (just my sister and a great camera!)...I know there will be quite a few awesome ones. She said a lot are dark..but you know what? It was so much fun. And only one attack by a crazy homeless guy! Score!
Then...off to the after party by 11...a little late. The after party was full of drama. We just met friends up at a bar....but we were mixed with just regular people out partying in DC.... So we talked and drank...and it was great (and whenever I walked through the bar for some reason...I got hugs and high fives and drinks from strangers!)
So...drinking, drama, drinking, drama (which I was oblivious to!), then the cops came. Cause what's a wedding without cops?? ;) And Mark is being escorted outside...and I'm a mess.... but it turns out everything was fine....Mark was only explaining things.... but still scary. By the time I got up to the room, Mark was already there. End of drama! Sheesh! What a way to end the night!
The next day we went to Vegas....we're not big gamblers, so we spent $25 on poker (high rollers, huh?) and about $10 on penny slots. It all worked out though because I won $80 in slots! We saw Momma Mia and Stomp out Loud, had awesome dinners (though the dinner at TOp of the World at the Stratosphere was terrible) and did all the touristy non-gambling stuff (lions at the MGM grand, roller coaster at Ny Ny, gondola ride at the venetian, pirate show at Treasure Island...it was really nice!). Our best dinner by far was at the Voo Doo steack house (and then tons of fun at the VooDoo lounge after!) And today...we got home (after last night's red eye).
So, there it was...the good, the bad, and the ugly. Over all...amazing and full of memories! :) And tomorrow, I'll post the pictures once I see them!
It was crazy and full of errors and absolutely amazing!
So...(sorry...this is long!)
I woke up and it was pouring outside...pretty much rained all day. But it was fine. We had already moved all the wedding parts inside...so no worries.
First...here was my original timeline...you'll see there was a ton of deviation. :)
9:00 Hair
10:30 Home, leave for the hotel by 10:45 with bags packed.
noon -check in to suite in DC...walk around georgetown to get some lunch, then get ready.
2:30-FH meets us at the hotel completely ready...and we do a meeting....and pictures.
3:30-Limo picks us up from hotel.
4:00 pictures at the restaurant
5:00 wedding
5:45 cocktails
6:30 dinner
8:30 limo picks us up from the restaurant and takes us around the monuments for pictures
10-10:30-arrive back in georgetown for the afterparty.
What actually happened:
9:00am - hair appointment (in the car I spilled a ton of coffee all over me...so it was a good start). I don't actually know the name of the place....it's the mother in law of my neighbor. And she did a great job. It was super sprayed so it wouldn't lose it's poof or curl in the rain...and it didn't. It was a little over done just to allow it to settle...and closer to the wedding I was smooshing it trying to get it to fall a little bit! I was supposed to meet my sister at my house at 10:45 to head up into DC to the hotel suite to get ready. We were shooting for an early check in at noon. But, my hair ran long...and I didn't get home until about 11:45! So...I called her from the road, and she packed all my stuff that I had laying out (for the honeymoon).
12:15 - we finally left the house...my sister (who was our photographer), her son, Dominic...and a car full of crap! :) About a mile from the house I called Mark....I had left a sweet card for him in one of our dressers...with a dvd of the last football game he and his father watched together before his father died. He loved it.
1:30- A ton of rain and traffic later, we finally make it to the hotel. Our suite isn't ready for check in...so we decide to grab lunch at the restaurant downstairs while waiting. It's packed....and I'm just a little tense. And with a 6 year old and 4 year old...I was getting quite stressed! Spilling chocolate milk, playing with butter knives...ug.... We ordered, but then our room became available...and so I took it all to go. And quietly, we ate at the coffee table in the living room of the suite...and it was much nicer! The boys found the bidet in the bathroom and that was a source of amusement and entertainment for them for the rest of the afternoon. We got them away from the water, dressed them, and turned on cartoons so I could get ready. :)
2:30- Mark calls...he's not dressed...halfway to DC, he realizes that he forgot his tie...and had to turn around.
3:30- We're all dressed..limo driver calls and he's downstairs. Mark hasn't arrived yet. Stuck in traffic. He arrives at about 3:45...our official meeting was me dressed up answering the hotel room door...we say Hi....I grab his stuff...and he runs to the room to get dressed. So much for an "official" seeing each other for the first time. But it was ok. :) I go back and help him get dressed....I get his cufflinks on him (engraved with his monogram....lockets...on one sleeve pictures of me...and on one sleeve pictures of Dominic). We had the bouquet and the bouts with us there so we could take pictures with them. The bouts aren't exactly what I wanted....but they were just fine. My bouquet was beautiful! I can't wait to post pictures tomorrow!
We call the limo driver and we all head downstairs. Still pouring. We get down to the lobby and I realize I forgot the umbrella. Everyone in the lobby was offering us umbrellas and helping us... very nice. But no worries...limo driver took care of us. The 5 of us pile into the limo (the boys hanging through the limo driver's window chatting him up...and my sister, Mark, and I in the back. Kids are having fun...the adults...we're ok...but a little tense. I was AMAZED at the limo driver's skills on the streets of georgetown....we had quite a few blocks to get down to the key bridge..and though a couple corners were very scary...he got us down safely. We get down to the Key Bridge and are about to leave the city...when I realize I left my bouquet in the hotel room! Ug! So, we turn around at the exorcist stairs, and make our way back. We call the hotel and they go into our room to have it waiting for us in the lobby. Crisis averted! :)
4:50- We finally get to the restaurant...no pictures ahead of time...but we're ok. We hang out in the limo until we know everyone is seated and waiting for us. Because of all the windows, there's no real hiding if they're not in our ceremony room. We send the boys and my sisters in ahead of time to make sure the coast is clear...and take that quiet time. (thanks to elle_jefe for sneaking in to the limo past "security" to give me my amazing wedding present!) When the coast was clear, we went into the restaurant. The managers and staff meet us at the bar with a shot waiting for both of us. We took a shot, took a breath, and headed down the hall. Oh...the ipod system was down, so the night before, I made CDs for the ceremony and the cocktail hour as a back up. But there were only 2 songs for the prelude...so we didn't have a lot of wiggle room. But, the two songs were just enough to get us calm and focused. Our guests listened to "Today" by Josh Radin and "Grace Like Rain" by Todd Agnew. Then, "Feels Like Home" by Chantal Kreveziuk started...and that was our cue to walk down the aisle.
The rest of the recap will be much shorter.... just in highlights. :)
Candle ceremony - beautiful. We were all very emotional. Dominic did a good job of paying attention...for a six year old...though he dropped one ring, walked around the altar a little, had to sit down on my dad's lap...but he was adorable and made it through! He hugged us a lot...and prayed with his hands folded...(played with the candle a little!) really read along with the minister! and it was adorable!! I cried...mark cried...when our sisters did the readings we laughed and cried (I like you and the one from Captain corelli's mandolin). My ring got stuck to the pillow...it took 4 of us to untie it! :) and then dominic struggled with me because he REALLY wanted to put Mark's ring on his finger. The rose ceremony was sweet....and we were married!
We had planned to leave for a few minutes for quiet time...but got grabbed right away for hugs and pictures...so there was no time to leave. And we went right into cocktails. It wasn't until the end of the cocktail hour that we realized we never played the cocktail music...and though we weren't dancing, really, we had a song selected for us to do a first dance to...and a song for me to dance with my son to...to kick off the cocktail hour!...so when we were called to the other room for dinner, we did our first dance there. Mark and I danced to Bless the Broken Road, and then Dominic and I danced to American Boy which he chose (yes...Estelle and Kanye West!...it was cute!)
So then dinner, which was beyond fabulous!...and the cake (cheesecake) and I think everyone made a toast (all short..and there were only 21 of us there!) Everyone loved all the details...the favors, the place cards the origami cranes, the grandmother's teacups... And they rang the bells all night long...so we pretty much never stopped kissing! The boys got ice cream for dessert that looked like eyeballs...and it was served on dry ice. it was so cool! We did notice, though that NO ONE signed the frame we had....even though it was right by the door! Displayed with candles and everything! But that's ok....we forced a couple people to sign it, and we'll snag them and the rest of you all! as you come to visit! :)
Then, the boys left with my parents...and we went out. A limo ride, bottle of champagne, and off to the monuments for pictures! It was so much fun. We were posing like crazy...climbing up on the walls (in my dress!) to get good shots...and it was tons of fun. Though it wasn't professionally done (just my sister and a great camera!)...I know there will be quite a few awesome ones. She said a lot are dark..but you know what? It was so much fun. And only one attack by a crazy homeless guy! Score!
Then...off to the after party by 11...a little late. The after party was full of drama. We just met friends up at a bar....but we were mixed with just regular people out partying in DC.... So we talked and drank...and it was great (and whenever I walked through the bar for some reason...I got hugs and high fives and drinks from strangers!)
So...drinking, drama, drinking, drama (which I was oblivious to!), then the cops came. Cause what's a wedding without cops?? ;) And Mark is being escorted outside...and I'm a mess.... but it turns out everything was fine....Mark was only explaining things.... but still scary. By the time I got up to the room, Mark was already there. End of drama! Sheesh! What a way to end the night!
The next day we went to Vegas....we're not big gamblers, so we spent $25 on poker (high rollers, huh?) and about $10 on penny slots. It all worked out though because I won $80 in slots! We saw Momma Mia and Stomp out Loud, had awesome dinners (though the dinner at TOp of the World at the Stratosphere was terrible) and did all the touristy non-gambling stuff (lions at the MGM grand, roller coaster at Ny Ny, gondola ride at the venetian, pirate show at Treasure Island...it was really nice!). Our best dinner by far was at the Voo Doo steack house (and then tons of fun at the VooDoo lounge after!) And today...we got home (after last night's red eye).
So, there it was...the good, the bad, and the ugly. Over all...amazing and full of memories! :) And tomorrow, I'll post the pictures once I see them!