Married for a week and I've been commenting on posts since we only took a short getaway (honeymoon will be after my school year ends - this teacher cannot wait for June!!).. but now there have been enough pictures shared by friends and family that I can't wait any longer to share them with you!
Note to exchange before the ceremony
My cousin (and BM) brought me coffee from my favorite local shop - and, making an appearance, the hoodie with my new monogram that I wore while getting ready!
Some of my ladies getting ready at my parents house while others did their hair in a different room
My dad texted me to look outside at the flower arrangements as everything was getting set up.. by the time I got the message, I found him practicing what he would say during the ceremony. He's our pastor and officiated the wedding! I'm so glad I caught this sweet moment!
The one "matching" gift I got all my girls - monogrammed tumblers! Especially exciting for my cousin getting married in May - she has something with her new initials, now!
I couldn't stop grinning once I stepped out of the manor and onto the patio where I saw all of our guests and heard my song playing ("Here, There, and Everywhere" by the Beatles)
And one from the back
My mom.. so beautiful
![It's time for the.... Non-pro Bam! 03.31.18 9](https://cdn0.weddingwire.com/usr/7/2/4/9/cfb_926054.jpg)
Pronounced husband and wife!
The reception was held in a barn beyond the backyard garden space
DH is from South Jersey, so his godmother made a table with Johnson's popcorn bins and salt water taffy as a nod to his hometown
Instead of cake, we had a cookie table with over a dozen different types, made in bulk by different friends and family members.. it was a hit! We had a cheesecake to share as it's what we had for dessert on our first date (even from the same restaurant!)
Sweetheart table
First dance to "You've Got a Friend in Me" (cover by Sleeping at Last)
My parents danced while the other tables were dismissed to get their food (taco bar!) - it shocked everyone because my dad is NOT a dancer!
Family picture with my new in-laws!
The barn had a deck for extra seating and the views were spectacular! DH also set up a cigar bar (he worked at a cigar shop for 4 years and became quite the connoisseur) so people were out there all night!
Our DOC took this picture of us after we stole away with our photographer and videographer to capture some special moments at sunset. Cannot WAIT to get those back!
This pretty much sums up the dancing portion of the night.. we had a blast!
Snapchat filters were pretty cheap, so, naturally we invested.
No good pictures of our exit, but here's the cabin on the property where we spent our first night as a married couple! The venue director lives on the property as well, and made us breakfast the following morning, delivered in a picnic basket. So so special.
Next day shot with our rings.. it's so weird to look over and see the ring on his finger! Mine has sapphires and diamonds, incorporating both of our birthstones.
All in all, we can't think of a single thing that went wrong during the day. Our venue director and day of coordinator kept things running smoothly and were amazing at communicating to us and our family/bridal party where people needed to go. I think the biggest thing we were impressed with is the fact that they made us sit down at our sweetheart table and brought us plates of food so we'd have guaranteed time together to eat and take it all in. I think aside from how sacred our ceremony felt, that was probably my favorite part of the day.
I'll save advice and other musings for when it's time to share pro pictures, but until then... remember to enjoy the ride! At the end, you're married to your best friend and you get to spend the rest of your lives together. It's all worth it!