What Are You Doing New Year's Eve? - Reception Details

This is going to be another post where I just HAVE to let the pictures do the talking. Our reception was so beautiful, I really don't think I could do the pictures justice by trying to embellish them.

Our escort card table with a cala lily arrangement to match the bridesmaids bouquets.

Our "marriages that came before" board. Perhaps my favorite project. I can't wait until we hang it in our home (because that is ABSOLUTELY where it's going ;) maybe we'll even find a place for a small pic of Mishka and my wedding).

Our gorgeous cake. 

The "New Year's Eve Ball" cake topper was my mom's contribution. Brilliant, no?

Our guests found this lovely arrangement waiting for them at their seats :). How gorgeous is all that gold ;).

Our low centerpiece.

Our tall centerpiece.

How we added ornaments into our gorgeous centerpiece arrangements.

And now for some reception hall gorgeousness:

And of course, a few odds and ends...

Our open bar ;).

And finally, the cigar bar! What's a celebration without a cigar? (though I'm not sure anyone actually partook...)


Next Up: Introductions! 

What Are You Doing New Year's Eve? - The Cocktail Hour

This was the part of the wedding where I took a wee bit of a break from being "the good bride" and stole off to the bridal party's "not-so-private" private room. and just chilled. I had finally changed into my comfortable dancing shoes and needed to get off my feet or I would NOT have been able to do the first dance (I also limited my alcohol intake during the cocktail hour for the same reason ;) ). 

So while I didn't meet and greet as much as I could (probably should) have during the cocktail hour, I justified it in my mind with the knowledge that if I didn't rest just a LITTLE I was not going to be a very fun bride to be around by the time the reception got into full swing. 

But anyway, excuses aside, this is all that went on during our fabulous cocktail hour:

My sister/bridesmaid K and her awesome BF B. B is usually pretty shy, but he really pulled out the stops to have fun at the wedding ;). 

My beautiful bridal party hanging with my godmother D!

My dad is such a great schmoozer ;).

An awesome picture of my co-teacher R and her hubby :). 

Aren't my parents the cutest ;)?

One of my favorite pictures. Definitely one of the best pictures taken of me that night :).

My man and his boys looking superfly ;).

And speaking of superfly...

Sister K and her high school friend S :). 

And now for some people having a good time!!

(no idea what they're looking at btw....)

My sister giving our band the introduction song, and a playlist of songs he was to play at the end of the night (though he didn't, much to my disappointment... however that's a story for another post).

My godmother D having a good time with... one of our signature cocktails in hand! That was the "kiss the bride". I heard it was very yummy and very strong. That's right, I didn't try it. I was too afraid to get drunk at my own wedding. I had more of Mishka's signature cocktail "The Bogbear" which was warm and cinnamony and non-alcoholic. YUMMY!!


Next Up: Reception Decor

What Are You Doing New Year's Eve? - Formal Family Portraits

Oh yeah, something I forgot to mention to you all. I had a veil. You're probably thinking 'I don't remember seeing any veil...' Well, that's because I forgot it at home. 

I know... WHOOPS! We were so rushed to get to the church on time that I completely forgot it until I was sitting with my dad on the balcony waiting for the ceremony to start. It was too late to do anything about it, so my dad just looked at me and said "Is that ok?" And without a second thought I said "Yeah." Veil or no veil I was SO ready to be married that a forgotten veil didn't matter. 

But that didn't mean I wanted to forget the veil entirely! So for the family portraits, back in the safety of the hotel where there was no risk of mud (which is why it didn't make an appearance during the couple shoot). 

But now, without further ado... MY VEIL!!!

It was so pretty. I'm a little sorry he didn't capture any of the details on the veil's train, but you can trust me- they were gorgeous!!

Now for the family pictures. I'll try to run through these as quickly as possible, promise!

Mishka' immediate family (parents and his sister).

Mishka's extended family (mother's parents, and brother-in-law S).

Us with SIL and BIL Katerina and S.

Mishka and his sissy!

Us with our respective parents.

Us with my parents.

Us with my immediate family (I know, that's a lot of women, right?).

Me, Mishka and ALL my cousins (hey, we're an Irish family, what can I say!)

My family + grandparents.

Us + parents + grandparents + my dad's brothers & sisters + spouses.

Us with 1/2 my mom's family.

Us with the other 1/2 of my mom's family.

And last, (but certainly not least!) us with my godparents!

And that's it for the portraits- bridal party, couple, family, and otherwise!

Next Up: Cocktail Hour

What Are You Doing New Year's Eve? - All Around the Town

Our next (and final) shoot location was actually one of the reasons that we picked our photographer. When we were doing our initial "photographer" interviews, we always made sure to question what some of their ideas were for a winter wedding couple shoot location. In the spring and summer, it's easy to find a garden, or some beautiful outdoor location because the world looks at it's best. We wanted to know that the photographer we hired would be as creative and enthusiastic about photos that could potentially be taken with snow on the ground and a chill in the air. 

When he said "Another idea would be to take some photos in your city's downtown..." I was sold. No one else had seemed enthusiastic about the idea of some outdoor shots in the winter. And, not knowing what the weather would bring, we wanted people who would not only be enthusiastic, but at their best. Plus, the idea of a "in the middle of town" photoshoot just seemed too creative and good to pass up on!

Well, anyway, out of all that intro came this...

We took some glamour shots with my uncle's car. We just couldn't get enough of how beautiful that car was!

                            

And of course a shot of the bride! (I look so tired because my feet were KILLING me at this point. I just wanted to change into my comfortable dancing shoes!)

Then it was on to DOWNTOWN with our bridal party!

Tell me that isn't a great shot. Go on. I dare you. (Oh, and if you're wondering, yes those are the headlights of an oncoming car... not everyone is sympathetic to bridal party trying to get their photo shoot on! Kinda gives the photo a dramatic look though, no?)

My Mother-In-Law said this photo looks like we're on the set of a movie. I have to agree with her :).

Why yes, that is our bridal party heckling us as Mishka and I kiss ;).

The infamous SHOE SHOT!!! It had to be done, not only because shoe shots are awesome in their own right, but also because in the years to come, I don't know if anyone will believe the variety of shoes that my bridesmaids were wearing. We have strappy high heels, sparkly stilettos, Toms, and silvery flats. Hey, my girls wanted to be comfortable and or fashionable and wore shoes accordingly.

Pure fun :).

I think we both look a bit haggard in this photo. We were beginning to be "done" with having our photos taken....

But we still manage to pull ourselves together and get a little lovey ;).

Hee hee, I like this picture because it kindof looks like Mishka is trying to get under my skirt. So silly...


Next Up: Formal Family Portraits