Food!

After the slide shows, Jacob and I started the line through the buffet. After many, many back and forths and plan fails over what we were going to serve, we decided on a pasta bar. It's inexpensive, allows people to mix and match what they want, and really, how can you go wrong with noodles?? =) We had linguine with choices of marinara, Alfredo and pesto sauces, with either chicken or meatballs on the side. We also had a garlic and french bread options, and a Cesar salad.

The food turned out pretty good. We the families with kids thanked us for having some an easy, kid-friendly menu. =) That wasn't even on my mind, but I was happy to make them happy!

** Photo courtesy of Justin at Sky Blue Iris Event Photography

** Photo courtesy of Justin at Sky Blue Iris Event Photography

** Photo courtesy of Justin at Sky Blue Iris Event Photography

You know how you read all of those tips for your wedding day and they always tell you to be sure to eat before the reception because you won't eat at it? Well, I'm here to tell you that it IS possible! I ate! lol I had a full plate of food, and I think I even went back for an extra slice of garlic bread. I was determined to enjoy my dinner! =)

After everyone was served, Jacob and I wandered around and said hello to all of our guests, table by table. During this time our guests also had the opportunity to visit with each other and enjoy the company.

** Photo courtesy of Justin at Sky Blue Iris Event Photography

** Photo courtesy of Justin at Sky Blue Iris Event Photography

** Photo courtesy of Justin at Sky Blue Iris Event Photography

** Guest Photo

** Guest Photo
My high school besties and I! It's so weird to see us "all grown up"!

** Photo courtesy of Justin at Sky Blue Iris Event Photography

** Photo courtesy of Justin at Sky Blue Iris Event Photography
I love that I'm caught mid-laugh in the background of this one!

** Photo courtesy of Justin at Sky Blue Iris Event Photography

** Photo courtesy of Justin at Sky Blue Iris Event Photography
Jacob and I never saw this "hat" thing... didn't even realize it existed until we saw this photo of his cousin. lol

** Guest Photo

** Guest Photo

Our Grand Enterance...

... wasn't really that grand. lol

When we got to the reception venue there were still guests arriving (apparently our "after ceremony photo session" didn't last long enough!), so Jacob and I waited in the parking lot for several minutes until our guests were all inside and we got the go-ahead from our DOC and photographer to go in.

Our DJ made the introductory announcement, we walked in to applause and headed to our table.


We then treated our guests to the now-somewhat-customary wedding reception slide shows. =) Jacob spent a good amount of time putting these together and I think he did a pretty good job! (Even with my inability to make a decision on musical selections).

(Click on the screen shots below to view each video!)

I have watched these videos several times... and I love them more each time I watch them. =)

More Formals

Since Jacob and I chose to keep it traditional and not see each other until the ceremony, we took a few minutes after for some more formal photos.



And some hugs =)













Jacob wanted to recreate a photo that he reminders seeing in his parents wedding album, so he made sure to have a pick up truck on hand. =)


We then drove to the reception venue and took a couple more photos before our grand entrance.

(I love how he's looking at me in this one. =) )

Waiting for Jacob to get out of the bathroom so we can join the party! lol

The Ceremony

(Note: Our ceremony was beautiful and full of SOO much laughter and smiles--as you'll see in the photos below. I wrote/compiled the ceremony based on bits and pieces of other scripts that I found online... though the sand ceremony was almost completely original... and I've already seen it copied at least once on another bridal blog. lol)

INTRODUCTION

Friends and family, we have gathered here today to celebrate one of life’s greatest moments, to give recognition to the worth and beauty of love, and to cherish the words which shall unite Jacob and Brittney into marriage. The bride and groom have decided to commit themselves to each other’s hearts, to share in life’s incredible moments, and help make each other’s dreams realities.

** Guest Photo

Each time two people come together to blend their lives as one, it is a reaffirmation of human courage, hope and love. Marriage is the supreme sharing of experience and an adventure in the most intimate of human relationships. It is risking who we are for the sake of who we can be. Marriage is the promise of hope between two people who love each other sincerely, who honor each other as individuals, and who wish to unite their lives and share the future together. Marriage is a dedication. You give yourself, your life and love, into the hands of the one you love. You do so trustingly and generously. Yet, each of you also receives a gift—the life and love of the other.

Marriage should be a growing and dynamic relationship, a dream of tomorrow in which we grow and fulfill our possibilities. It is wondrous when someone believes in the dream of ourselves and wants to live with us and help make these dreams and aspirations come true.

** Photo courtesy of Justin at Sky Blue Iris Event Photography

Today’s celebration is the outward token of an inner union of hearts. It is in this spirit that they have come here to be joined together. It is also in this loving spirit that they have invited you all to join them in their joy and to witness their first steps into this next adventure.

Brittney and Jacob, please take a deep breath, your journey begins now.

** Photo courtesy of Justin at Sky Blue Iris Event Photography

HAND CEREMONY

Please face each other and hold hands, so that you may feel the gift that you are to one another.

** Photo courtesy of Justin at Sky Blue Iris Event Photography

** Photo courtesy of Justin at Sky Blue Iris Event Photography

** Guest Photo

These are the hands of your best friend, young and strong and full of love for you, that are holding yours on your wedding day, as you promise to love each other today, tomorrow and forever.

These are the hands that will work alongside yours, as together you build your future, as you laugh and cry, as you share your innermost secrets and dreams.

These are the hands that will passionately love you and cherish you through the years, and with the slightest touch will comfort you like no other.

(Note: During the above line my brother/minister ad libbed a bit and replaced "cherish" with "caress"... and then, when we started giggling made a comment about how my script was "inappropriate"... which lead to even more laughter)

** Photo courtesy of Justin at Sky Blue Iris Event Photography

** Photo courtesy of Justin at Sky Blue Iris Event Photography

** Photo courtesy of Justin at Sky Blue Iris Event Photography

** Photo courtesy of Justin at Sky Blue Iris Event Photography

These are the hands that will hold you when fear or grief wracks your mind.

These are the hands that will countless times wipe the tears from your eyes, tears of sorrow and tears of joy.

These are the hands that will tenderly hold your children.

These are the hands that will help you to hold your family as one.

These are the hands that will give you strength when you need it.

These are the hands that when wrinkled and aged will still be reaching for yours, still giving you the same unspoken tenderness with just a touch.

DECLARATION STATEMENT

Jacob, do you choose to hold these hands for the rest of your life? Do you choose Brittney as your partner in a relationship built on respect, friendship, and love?

“I do”

** Photo courtesy of Justin at Sky Blue Iris Event Photography

Brittney, do you choose to hold these hands for the rest of your life? Do you choose Jacob as your partner in a relationship built on respect, friendship, and love?

“I do”

** Guest Photo

FAMILY/FRIENDS

You all were invited here to share this rare moment with Brittney and Jacob because you are the people who mean the most to them. The love and respect which the couple brings to their life together has roots in the love, friendship, and guidance you have given to them. As many of you know, a successful marriage is not something that just happens. It takes work, it takes patience, it takes time. It takes a commitment to each other and the shared goal to make the relationship thrive. Some days, it even takes the love and support of a community.

** Photo courtesy of Justin at Sky Blue Iris Event Photography

Friends and family, do you agree to help Jacob and Brittney make it through the hard times, as well as to celebrate life’s joyous moments? Do you offer your blessing for their marriage, promising to support them, guide them and encourage them in the years ahead? If so, say we do.

“We do”

** Guest Photo

** Guest Photo

VOWS

The couple has written their own vows. I now ask you to share your vows with each other.

** Photo courtesy of Justin at Sky Blue Iris Event Photography

Just two weeks after our first date, you sent me a text message that said: “My eyes opened while sitting at the table with you and I saw you and me in the future.”

I knew then that you either had some really good lines, or you were going to be someone special.

Since that day my eyes have opened, too... a little more with every moment we’ve spent together and with every new adventure that we’ve had.

Two and a half years later I know how very special you are, how much I love you, and how fantastic the future that you saw is truly going to be.

From this moment forward I promise to continue loving you, supporting you, dreaming with you, and sharing a life with you. I look forward to the many adventures that we will have and the loving family that we will create.

Jacob, I love you and I can’t wait to see what tomorrow brings.

** Photo courtesy of Justin at Sky Blue Iris Event Photography

Brittney, the moment I met you I knew there was something beautiful in my life. Over the last few years you have given my life adventure, love, happiness.

I promise to return all this and more. I promise to love and respect you for who you are and for who you will become.

You are the love of my life, the life of my love, the essence of my eternity.

** Photo courtesy of Justin at Sky Blue Iris Event Photography

RINGS

This is the point in the ceremony when people talk about the wedding bands being a perfect circle, having no beginning and no end. But all know that these rings have a beginning. Stones are dug from the Earth. Hot metal is poured into a mold, cooled, and painstakingly polished. A ring is formed. Something beautiful, made from raw elements. Love is like that. It's hot, dirty work. It comes from humble beginnings, made by imperfect beings. It is the process of making something beautiful where there was once nothing at all. The circle into which the ring is formed is symbolic of the unbroken circle of love; a reminder that love freely given has no beginning and no end.

May these rings remind you always of the vows you have taken here today.

May we have the rings?

** Guest Photo

Brittney, repeat after me:

“With all that I am, with all that I will become, with this ring, I marry you.”

** Guest Photo

(Note: I couldn't get the ring on his finger... it had swollen in the cold weather. He had to jamb it on there himself)

Jacob, repeat after me:

“With all that I am, with all that I will become, with this ring, I marry you.”

** Photo courtesy of Justin at Sky Blue Iris Event Photography

Brittney and Jacob let these rings serve as a reminder of the feelings you have in your hearts at this very moment. There are times in life that we tend to focus on the things not yet accomplished and losses that we’ve experienced. Yet as you look at your wedding band, remember the great gift that you have been given and all that you have in one another. Remember that you have someone to share this life with. Never again will you have to walk alone.

SAND CEREMONY

Today Jacob and Brittney have made vows to each other to unify their lives and to move forward in their adventures as one. These two bottles of sand symbolize their lives before this moment. Each grain of sand in their separate containers represents a unique and separate moment, decision, feeling or event that helped to shape them into the unique individuals that they are today.

** Photo courtesy of Justin at Sky Blue Iris Event Photography

** Photo courtesy of Justin at Sky Blue Iris Event Photography

** Guest Photo

As the couple pours their separate bottles of sand into one common vessel, they are symbolizing the merging of their two lives into one. One life that will be strengthened and solidified by the unique, individual grains of sand that each partner brings with them, and the lessons learned from life experiences.

From this moment forward, like the sand, your lives will never be the same. Your hearts and souls are forever blended, and, as with the grains of sand, they can never be separated into their individual containers again.

CLOSING STATEMENTS

Brittney and Jacob, as you embark on this wonderful journey ahead of you, hand in hand, experiencing life together, may all that is true and beautiful be with you always. May there be peace in your home, quietness and confidence in your thoughts, and joy and celebration in your hearts. May you have happiness, and may you find it in making one another happy. May you have love, and may you find it in loving one another.

Do not forget the love that you share today. Continue to show your appreciation and admiration on a daily basis through the rest of your lives. Do not forget to say “I love you” every day.

Jacob and Brittney, having witnessed your vows for marriage with all who are assembled here, and by the authority vested in me, I announce with great joy that you are husband and wife.

** Guest Photo

It is my privilege to present to you for the very first time, Mr. and Mrs. Jacob and Brittney Corey!

(Note: My brother/minister forgot to say the above line and we just walked out to our processional song (I Can't Get Enough of You Baby, by Smash Mouth). When everyone was lining up for group photos he ran up, got our attention, and said his final line. =) )

** Guest Photo

** Photo courtesy of Justin at Sky Blue Iris Event Photography



** Guest Photo



** Photo courtesy of Justin at Sky Blue Iris Event Photography