Our Wedding, Part 1: Our Non-Traditional Really Early First Look (aka, the pre-wedding day photo shoot)

So, I am finally, finally, FINALLY writing a few posts about our wedding. I didn't mean to take this long but I waited until we got our professional pictures back and then life got busy with a new city, new friends, work, exploring...and you know, marriage. But, I have a one year rule on "wedding bliss" (you read that correctly, wedding bliss, not wedded bliss) Ask my friends and family, and they will tell you that I have always said that I want to be the type of person who takes her wedding  facebook profile pic down after a year, etc and moves on with life. Of course there will be posts and pictures from our wedding on anniversaries, etc, but not all the time, because so much else is going on! Anyways, I had better go ahead and finally post our wedding blog posts before I hit the approaching 1 year mark!

Our Super Early "First Look"

In most ways, Dave and I are quite traditional, so naturally, our conservative tendencies flowed over into the wedding...classical and religious ceremonial music only, traditional Presbyterian vows, father walked me down the aisle, large reception, etc, etc. But, surprisingly, there were several areas of wedding planning where we were quite progressive -- a friday night wedding, fun modern touches throughout the reception (that I will discuss soon, but don't want to give away just yet), gorgeous colorful letterpress invitations and programs, and perhaps the most progressive thing we did was take wedding pictures together---in full wedding attire -- a month before the wedding.

Yes, you read that right. We saw each other, in all our wedding "glory", weeks before the actual event.  Due to time constraints, convenience or nerves, many brides and grooms see each other a few hours before the wedding. The couples have a "first look" prior to the ceremony and go ahead and take most of their pictures before the wedding which makes everything go much more smoothly and quickly after the ceremony. But, we took it a step further.  I was having bridal portriats taken outside and  I asked the photographer if Dave could come along too.  Our wedding venue was an old restored warehouse in downtown Jackson, and I knew that we wouldn't get many outdoor pictures together on the day of the wedding. Our photographer loved the idea of a joint bridal portriat/pre-wedding picture session.

Some of the reasons I did a pre-wedding shoot:

1. It took the pressure off having a "special reaction" from Dave. Although I have no doubt that Dave was excited to marry me, I knew that he was not the type to have an emotional teary moment as I walked down the aisle and he saw me for the first time n front of hundreds of people -- and I certainly wasn't going to try and manipulate that reaction from him. There was no big emotional moment at our pre-wedding shoot and some emotion the day of our wedding during our "first look". However, had we waited to see eachother for the first time as I walked down the aisle, I would have been *HOPING* for a big reaction and dissapointed (because poor boy just looked nervous)
2. I wanted some outdoor pictures which differed from my warehouse venue. I loved our venue, but I wanted a few pictures near something green! So if you are having an outdoor reception, but want some downtown pics or vice versa, I suggest you do a pre-wedding shoot to get both backgrounds!
3. This gave me more relaxed pics. Some of my favorite pictures are from the pre-wedding shoot because we were relaxed, not rushed and we didn't have other people (wedding party, family) waiting for us.
4. I got more pictures to choose from. This gave us two shots at taking lovely pics. If one of us looked funny or red faced during one shoot, it would be okay because we had pictures from two different times.
5. I was able to see what needed to change. I got to see these prints before our wedding, so I knew that I needed to hold my arms differently and Dave needed to smile more-- and I also could tell he needed to relax which is why a couple pre-wedding beers helped him out :)
6. I got to spend most of my wedding day with Dave.  We still had a "first look" that day, but it was early on- and there was less pressure, so I was able to joke around, cuddle, pray with and enjoy being with my soon to be hubby almost ALL day on the day we got married. There was no waiting until 7 pm to see him. In fact, I saw him that morning (pre make up and dress and bridal luncheon) so I feel like we shared the nerves and excitement all day long.
7. We had more time to celebrate. Having done nearly all my pictures either one month  before or hours before our wedding, we went straight from "I do" to celebrating, mingling and dancing. After all, I planned this party and so many people I knew and loved were there to celebrate with me so I wanted to be with them, not taking an hour's worth of pictures after we said our vows.

I am certainly not advocating that a pre-wedding shoot is the right way to do wedding pictures or the best way, but it was best for us. It took a lot of pressure off us and we got some beautiful shots. I'd encourage other brides and grooms to at least consider a pre-wedding photo shoot....it's a bit less traditional, but I think it has a lot of benefits. My photographer was great- super supportive of the idea and actually admitted she wished more brides and grooms wanted to do a pre-wedding shoot. Think about it, the only person MORE stressed  than the BRIDE about a short time window for pictures is the PHOTOGRAPHER.

Although I won't go so far to say it's preferable to do a pre-wedding shoot, I will boldly say I think it is best to have a "first look" and take your pictures pre-ceremony. It relaxes you, give you calm non-rushed pictures, gives you a few private moments alone (probably your only private moments together all day), is considerate of your guests who will be waiting for you to take pictures and arrive at your ceremony and it will allow you to spend more time dancing, eating, drinking and having fun instead of rushing to take pictures.

Concerns about "the walk": I think some people shy away from taking pictures before the ceremony (either earlier on the wedding day or in a pre-wedding shoot) because they are afraid that walking down the aisle will lose its "speical-ness"  because you have already seen your groom. This isn't true. Walking down the aisle is emotional and nerve wrecking and sacred, no matter when your pictures are taken.  I did a wedding day "first look" (in our case, a second look) where I shared those private moments with Dave.  We were able to say many "I love you's" and pray together and rejoice in the fact that we were getting married in a few short hours. THEN, we got a second special moment as I walked down the aisle, tearing up and quietly thanking God for his provision, stopping to hug my mom, having my dad place my hand in Dave's hand, seeing Dave's nervousness and seeing him finally relax when I caught his eye during the sermon and smiled. Those moments are powerful, no matter if the groom has seen the bride's attire or if they have already kissed that day because those are the moments where you vow forever in front of friends and family and let God join you together for all your earthly days. 



Don't do a "pre-wedding shoot" if: 

• it will upset you not to have a lot of emotion at the shoot! I will willingly admit that our "pre-wedding" photo shoot lacked any big emotions or moments (from Dave and even from me) - although Dave saw me in my dress for the first time and we were taking wedding photos, etc. The reason why is that wasn't our wedding day. Although there was some excitement that this meant our marriage was getting closer, we were just two people in love, dressed in fancy clothes, taking pictures. The shoot made for good pictures, but not "special moments" However, having those pictures already taken enabled us to have a sweet sweet wedding day with a lot less stress, a lot more fun, and plenty of precious moments! If you want or need every moment of the wedding process to be emotional (for you and maybe even your groom), then the "pre-wedding" shoot will dissapoint you. It's practical and helpful and enhances your wedding day, but it doesn't lead to tears or great joy or whisphered "I love you's"
• you are super traditional and will be upset by breaking traditions. I think pre-wedding shoots have a lot of benefits, but if your dream is to not be seen in your dress until your wedding day and you think anything different than the norm will upset you, then do what's best for you!

***Pictures by Christina at Christina Foto

May 9th: Five on Friday!

Joining in again this week for FIVE ON FRIDAY. You should join in on the fun too!!

{1}

Baby Boys and Preppy themes!

Last Sunday, we celebrated My friend's sweet baby boy who is arriving in June. He is a June baby and his mamma loves the beach, preppy clothes and all things summer so we decided on a nautical themed baby shower: AHOY ITS A BOY!!!

The party had red white and blue, nautical touches, declicious brunch food and a mimosa bar.

It was fun to celebrate this precious boy and shower him with lots of good gifts. A couple of us southern gals made sure he received some smocked clothes so he will look proper for special occasions.  Living in DC is no excuse for poor baby fashion :)

{2}

NO MORE PART TIME JOB.

This was my first week not working at night, and y'all, it was glorious.  I went to Happy Hour. I cooked shrimp, tacos (Cinco de Mayo), chicken, etc. I was able to research and apply for open jobs. I curled up on the couch next to my adorable hubby for TV and time together. We went to the gym and started our plan to get back in shape (which, for the record, we started back in January, but after a good month of workouts, our healthy living plan kind of came to a hault because I was gone most nights)

With no more work (and springtime), I have a renewed sense of love for the city I live in. I want to drink coffee or cocktails on restaurant patios and watch other Washingtonians walk past. I want saturday bike rides by monuments and still have a sense of awe when I walk into the capitol. I want girls brunches, after work happy hours, date nights to local joints, sundays spent exploring museums and walks through DC's neighborhoods and markets. (I know I have discussed this before, sorry, but spring makes me love DC life even more!)

We also want to explore Virginia (and Maryland)  One of the great things about DC is that the metro area includes a couple states as well!!! There are so many great suburbs with restaurants, sights and weekend festivals. Tonight, we plan on making our first trip to the Mosaic District in Vienna for dinner and walking around. It's a little shopping center with restaurants and outdoor seating and friday night outdoor movies (which it's supposed to shower tonight so we will likely skip the outdoor movie)

{3}

THE OTHER WOMAN -- go see it. I thought it was quite cute.  A few friends and I saw it last Friday. True, its just a chick flick, not an instant classic or an award winning film, but fun to see for a girls night.

Basic plotline: This scumbag of a guy is having multiple affairs, but the women he is dating do not know he is married, and abviously, his wife doesn't know either.  The wife and two of the women find out and become friends, mourn the situation and plot to ruin his life.

Why I like it (besides the fact that its funny): The women hated the man, not the other women.  So many times, the wife or girlfriend hates the other woman, but doesn't hate the man who cheated. I am not giving a pass to women who sleep with other people's husbands, but I do think that the person who is most wrong in that situation is the husband who cheats. He made the vow, he broke it. He should get a fair share of the anger and hurt.  This movie, in its own humorous way, made the point that the man was wrong too.

(PS, I know women cheat too, but this example is just about husbands because the movie was about husbands)

{4}

CILANTRO LIME SHRIMP

Last night, we cooked a delicious shrimp recipe.  Healthy, easy and delicious -- the perfect trifecta for a meal!

We don't cook shrimp often because up north, shrimp costs a lot, 15-20 dollars a pound. But, this is probably one of my favorite meals I have made recently, so when shrimp is a decent price OR I'm willing to splurge, I will definitely make this again!

You can get the recipe HERE.

{5}

***Skinny Girl Sparklers***

I love skinny girl margaritas. The company also makes skinny girl sangria, skinny girl wine, skinny girl cosmos, etc.

.....and now there are skinny girl sparklers (fruity bubbly water) I only discovered the drinks this week, but I have splurged 3 times to buy myself one at CVS in the morning. This habbit has to stop, but for an occasional summer drink, its delicious and refreshing!

Next time you have a pool day or want to read on your porch, grab one!

EVERYONE, ENJOY YOUR WEEKEND!!!

Sunday Morning Mimosa Bar

This weekend, we celebrated my sweet friend and her precious baby boy (arriving in June!)  As everyone knows, I love a good party.....and especially, I love a party celebrating a sweet baby!!

The shower had a nautical theme: "Ahoy Its a Boy!" with beautiful preppy summery decorations, lots of red, blue and white and gorgeous flowers.  We served brunch food and I was assigned Mimosas for the cocktail of choice!

I decided why just do mimosas when I could set up an entire Mimosa bar?!?! (My friend, Avery, used to always make Mimosa bars at our Jackson parties and I thought it was so festive!)  So I set up a lovely bar for guests to make their own Mimosas. It's a fun drink station to have a party and it is not much work...exactly what I love, LOTS OF IMPACT, LITTLE WORK :)

{1}

 Set out glasses and possibly arrange on a cute tray!

{2}

Pick 3 different types of fruit juises for the guests to choose from. I picked classic OJ, grapefruit juice and strawberry orange banana. Pour the juices into pitchers.

{3}

Set out a couple **SPARKLY** options for mixers.  Buy a few bottles of a sparkly wine or champagne and some type of bubbly water or soda for the non drinkers or mommies to be! (I chose ginger ale.)

{4}

Finally, serve 2-3 fruit garnishes. I think berries or cut up citrus fruit is probably the best. I served blueberries, strawberries and orange slices.

See? So simple, but it makes a simple cocktail feel like an event.  I may have to try this at more parties! (Excuse the photos still showing a kitchen in progress and a charging phone! I took these pics pre party while we were still cooking and setting up! The party was too fun to remember to take pictures later!)

May 2: FIVE ON FRIDAY

Joining in on "FIVE ON FRIDAY" again for a little weekend fun!

(1) Pray for Mississippi, will you? 

My sweet home state was hit by several tornados this week, one of the worst tornado days in Mississippi history. I will probably talk more about this later, but few things make me prouder to be a Mississippian than watching how we respond to tragedy. The joke is that a church van has arrived with aid before the storm has even ended.  Seriously, Mississippi gets a lot of negative press-- some of it is deserved, some isn't, but we rarely get press for the good that occurs....and you know what, thats ok, because Mississippians will continue to do good and unite, black and white, poor and wealthy, different areas of the state, different faiths - to rebuild after tragic events (even if know one is watching or applauding while we do)

(2) Meatballs.

This may sound crazy- or gross, but Dave and I are currently OBSESSED with meatballs and cooking them different ways. Several weeks ago, we had meatballs as an app at Haven Pizzeria. I've never been a big meatball eater, but these were delicious and tender! Since then, we have cooked italian meatballs in the crockpost and are trying this buffalo turkey meatball recipe this weekend (Dave loves wings, so why not try buffalo meatballs?). I've just bought the frozen turkey meatballs, but once I get the hang of it, I want to try making my own! Here's hoping my buffallo meatballs turn out like this....

(Sidenote: Meatballs, even turkey meatballs, can seam kindof heavy since its only meat, so I love the idea of pairing it with simple cut veggies, just like you would seve celery and carrots with wings!)

We are so excited for a new recipe and a movie at home this weekend...have we really become an old boring married couple? The answer is NO (we went out Fri, Sat and Sun night last weekend) -- BUT it's always nice for a casual night in! One of the things I love about marriage is one of the things I loved about roomates-- always having someone to hang with if you wanted a Saturday Night in!!

I'll let you know if these turn out successfully!


(3) 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee

I had a girls theater night last night and went to see this musical at the Ford Theater.

I love a good play or musical and this one was hilarious!  Plus, if given the chance, I will go to another play at the Ford Theater. It was small enough that all seats were good and the tickets weren't expensive at all.

Hmm, I am thinking Dave needs to take me on a date night to Fords Theater soon, right???

(4) ROKU, Netflix and Evening TV

Quite possibly, the best purchase we've made all year is our roku. It was a birthday gift for Dave and we use the heck out of it. You can stream Netflix, Amazong Prime, Hulu, ESPN, etc directly on your tv...just like an apple tv, but a bit cheaper.  We are considering getting another one for our second tv eventually, although we may get apple tv so we can watch ITUNES movies too.  Right now, we have the Roku in our bedroom - since we only have cable in the living room-- and a few nights a week, we watch a tv show before bed. (I know, I know, people say this is horrible for your marriage, but for right now, it works for us....we talk plenty and there are few things I love more than just getting to cuddle up with Dave on the couch or sitting on our bed while watching TV)

Anyways, we have watched Downton Abbey, Once Upon a Time and Veronica Mars -- We have started "Parenthood"  For those of you who are tv binge watchers, what do you recommend?

(5) "Mississippi Mules"

I mentioned earlier this week that I have developed a new favorite summer cocktail..the Moscow Mule, or as I call it, the Mississippi Mule. It's like summertime in your mouth. You know how mojitos are cool, minty and refreshing, the perfect drink to sip amidst swealtering heat on a big Mississippi front porch? Well, you could probably swap a mojito for a mule and get the same effect!

1 1/2 - 2 oz Vodka

1/2 - 1 oz fresh squeezed lime juice

4-6 oz cold ginger beer

Lime slices

Mint to garnish (optional)

Ice

It's customary to serve mules in cold copper mugs...so, maybe if this remains a favorite, I will invest in some copper mugs! Doesn't this cold copper mug of summery goodness look inviting?

Forcast here in DC is warm and sunny. Excited for a sunny, happy, enjoyable weekend in the District.  My plans include a girls movie night, cooking, a baby shower for a dear friend, church and happy hour with friends....plus a little time in relaxing! I hope you all find a way to relax and enjoy atleast a little bit of this beautiful spring weekend!

"LONG AWAITED" Spring

I'm a true believer that waiting does make the blessing SWEETER.  (I feel I am constantly being taught this lesson) I don't necessarilly think those who wait feel MORE joy than others (although sometimes they might), but I do believe they feel more grateful. Several people told me I was the happiest bride they had ever seen (probably because I didn't get nervous, or worried that day, just giddy -- to be fair, I had a wedding planner and a mother to worry for me that day), but truthfully, I wasn't the happiest bride ever, probably just incredibly grateful, more grateful than most women -- because I had waited and I knew how blessed I was to be marrying Dave.

And, that is the only way I know how to describe how we Washingtonians feel about this spring....it seems full of more Joy, but only because it was so anticipated all winter! The blessing of spring is definitely SWEETER this year. Spring came late --- after we waited in inches of snow (until the end of March) and below zero temps all winter - but it finally came and it is glorious!  I am sure that spring this year is no different than any other year -- the flowers are no more beautiful than last year, nor are the warm days and cool evenings any more refeshing than every other year! But, never before have I been this eager to enjoy every delicious morsel of sunny afternoon walks, pink fluffy flowers or restaurant patio sitting!

I have spent the past few weekends enjoying dinners out with friends, concerts neighborhood walks with Dave, baseball (only 2 innings due to rain!), open windows 24/7, summer cocktails, an easter egg hunt with Jack, egg dying and breezy Cherry Blossom strolls. I look forward to many happy DC days ahead...hikes, bike rides, weekend mornings spent exploring the booths at Eastern Market, outdoor movies and lots of Happy Hours!

Here are a few snapshots from our Happy Spring!!

Cherry Blossoms....

 A Sunday Morning walk around the tidal basin!

Mr. Jefferson in all his pink adornment!

Cute man, pretty flowers-- what more can a lady want?

Monuments and Flowers

"No matter how long the winter, spring is sure to follow."

Easter Weekend....

Easter Sunday

 Jack's first time dying eggs!

I make him dye eggs every year and he pretends to be annoyed (but who are we kidding, he's the artsy one and his eggs are way better than mine!)

 Jack in all his silly adorableness!

 Egg Hunting!

2 goobers enjoying a spring park day!

 Jack being silly during Easter pics!

"For the winter is passed. The rain is over and gone. The flowers are springing up. And the time of the singing of the birds has come."  Solomon 2:11-12

Other Happy Outings.....

 Nats game

Ethiopian food-- yes Dave tried it and liked it!

Girls night concert!

 Nothing says spring as much as country music!

My NEW favorite spring cocktail -- the Moscow Mule (which sounds completely unspringy, so I call it the "Mississippi Mule" like Fondren Public does!)

It’s spring fever. That is what the name of it is. And when you’ve got it, you want — oh, you don’t quite know what it is you do want, but it just fairly makes your heart ache, you want it so! ~Mark Twain