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Friday, December 11, 2009

A Winter Dream

I don't have any pictures of the ceremony so we are skipping straight to the reception. I will tell you this. When I heard B start to repeat the vows, as he held my hand in his, a million things and only a single thing went thru my mind. That moment that I had looked forward to for so long, it was all happening. How often do actually get to pin down the moment dreams are coming true? (I'm totally entitled to be sappy when it comes to my wedding!)

Anyway, that was when the tears started. I was trying to breathe, I didn't have a tissue. B just wiped the tears away and it was my turn to repeat the vows. ~sigh~

On to the reception...OH MY GOD! is all I really have to say about it. I was so floored, that was all I could say.

My pictures seriously don't do it justice. Seriously. You lose the detail and the lighting and the mood in these pictures but I had to give you a sneak peak.

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THIS is our sweetheart table. I opted not to do a head table because I didn't want the party separated from their significant others. I think everyone should be able to sit with their sweethearts.

Do you remember how I told you Shawna incorporated birch into everything? You can barely see it here but there are birch branches all behind our table.

It all started because Shawna wanted to cover the mirror behind our table. She didn't want our pictures to reflect the photographer in all our shots. I still can't get over the finished product.

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The candy buffet! We bought like twice the recommended amount of candy and the thing was totally demolished in a few hours. I mean totally and completely gone. It was such a hit!

Also, do you see the crane tree?! Isn't it seriously amazing! I'll get some more close up shots. And for those of you lovelies like Jana and Curegirl that helped me.... there was a shout out to you on the table.

To the left of this was the photobooth. I can't believe we didn't get a picture of it!! I think I must have been too excited to see Darin. He was awesome to work with and we met for the first time in real life at the reception. He did a custom chocolate brown booth for me and their booths are gorgeous. I'll be doing a post about them soon.

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The cake table. Holy smokes! Snow, birch trees, orchids, hydrangea. She had these tables custom made so she can fill them and adapt them to the wedding theme.

B picked out the cakes. We had two different kinds. Banana cake with chocolate ganache and bavarian cream and white cake with mango mousse and raspberry filling. We used french buttercream on the outside which is less sweet than a regular buttercream.

Can you totally picture the look on my face here?

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These are the tall centerpieces. Glass cylinders filled with water and crystals, candlelight at the base and flowers, branches and crystals dripping from the top.

The tables were numbered but were also each named after B's bicycles as well as a few of his watches.

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The shorter centerpieces were equally amazing. Snow, crystals, candlelight, birch, double level. I'm so happy we had a photographer so that I can go back and stare at pictures of the decor for hours.

We also didn't get a shot of the escort card table. It was amazing. There was a whole table of ice and snow and branches and candles and flowers and such Behind the table was a wall of bare and iced branches. The whole installment was like 7 feet tall and equally as wide and the escort cards were tucked into the branches.

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We need another look at the cake table. Do you see the continuous birch that starts at the base and goes thru the table and then holds up the cake? Yeah, I have no idea how in the world she did that.

The cakes are done in the french buttercream which is an ivory color and had white snowflakes and swiss dots on it. Thank you to Beverly's Best.

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Did you happen to notice the snow tiger lounging in front of my table? This was thrown in by my mom as a surprise.

What was funny is that I had just told my bridesmaid the story about my childhood fantasy of having snow tigers at my wedding. Half the guests probably have no idea why there was a huge stuffed animal at such a luxurious reception. Oh but you and I know. We know the whole story.

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Here we are at the entrance into the reception. Poor Chrissy, the tiniest of us was with the two tallest of the guys.

I should have gotten a shot of them but the groomsmen all had different ties on as well.

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Hi Chrissy, can you see us?

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Shibata and my sister Sherri!

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Conger and my sister Debbie! Always with a cocktail in hand!

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Ah, the best man Brandon and maid of honor Tina!

I'd just like to take a moment to mention that she has had 2 kids. Two. And she has the body of an 18 year old.

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Apparently they did a whole football-like pass of the bouquet and a victory dance. I can't wait to see video!

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The flower girls and ring bearers. They met for the first time at the rehearsal the night before and were instantly best friends. Kate is my niece on the left and Jordyn is B's niece on the right. They looked so beautiful! We didn't get any posed pictures with the kids so I hope Adrienne got us all on the altar or something.

Also hiding back there are Alex and Josh. B's and my nephews, respectively.

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Then Bruce, the DJ, introduced us and everyone stood and applauded!

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It was a little overwhelming. This photo makes me smile because B is looking at me and clapping as well....as if its all for me...when its really for us. Its like he is presenting me to the crowd.

Thats my husband. ~giggle~

I sometimes get shy in front of big crowds. It makes me nervous. Even if I don't seem nervous.

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But being overwhelmed by the love of family and friends wasn't so bad after all.

Before the reception Kim switched my veil (again) and I took off my necklace and added the halter strap and vintage brooch. It was like having a new outfit.

What a dream that day was. Up next are some pictures from the reception. Just a few more days of this, just keep holding on and we'll be back to some normalcy.

Whatever "normalcy" means around here. For those of you who are loving this... I'll be covering more details when I get the professional pictures.

I'm off to stare at those arrangements again...

39 comments:

  1. I'm like speechless!! Everything is just SUPER GORGEOUS, ORIGINAL, AND BREATHTAKING!!!!!

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  2. I spotted the snow tiger right away! What a beautiful reception--and soooo you!! Lovely!

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  3. LOL! I love the white tiger... that was so sweet of your mom. :)

    I have to echo Alicia --everything just looked amazingly awesome!

    I am so glad that you are sharing the pics with us and letting us be a part of your wedding somehow. :)

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  4. Your reception literally looks like a dream with all of the snow and birch and glorious flowers up high as well as down low. I've never seen any thing so quite so beautiful and unique. If it was this gorgeous on the pics, I can't imagine what it was like in real life!
    More!

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  5. Wow! That's all I can say, I need time to intake all of this, Wow! It doesn't get any classier than that. Wow! : )

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  6. So beautiful! Congratulations!

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  7. cannot stop smiling as I read your lovely words and see all the incredible pics. I'm LOVING poking my nose in! xxx

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  8. I've never seen anything like this in my life. What happens to the birch tree table, the one where the tree comes through and holds up the cake, after the wedding? I can't imagine disassembling this stuff and never seeing any of it again. And what happens to the snow tiger?

    This is the most beautiful, well thought out wedding I've ever seen. I'm loving it and I want to see more.

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  9. Drrrooooool, your reception looked AMAZING. What a sweet Mom for adding in the snow tiger! What fun memories!

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  10. Shawna takes the table with her... if you check out her gallery you can see other setting she has done with it. I believe her sister is also a designer in Oregon and thats where she got the birch. I am positive she will use it again. Can't you just picture a spring wedding with it? Or Fall? Or summer for that matter?

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  11. OHMYWORD, the birch trees in the cake table!!! If we remove the cakes, can I have that in my house forever? So incredibly beautiful!

    If I ever get married and have my dream autumn wedding, I want the exact same table but with bright leaves all over. I'll have to hit you up for your designer's card if the day comes! :)

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  12. Oh my word it was all so beautiful!!!

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  13. All I can say is Wow! Well, I can say more, but there is so much to say, I don't know where to start. I love it all! The winter theme is so amazing.
    P.S. I love the bridesmaid dresses. I looked at them carefully...the colors and a different style for each bridesmaid. They all looked scrumptious.

    And You! You looked surrounded by love. Exactly as a bride should be.

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  14. Wow! Simply beautiful. All of it. How different the centerpieces and theme of the wedding was. It turned out spectacular. And you looked simply beautiful, of course. Congratulations and wishing you eternal happiness and love.

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  15. First off you guys look made for eachother. What an adorable couple. Now to the reception...so pretty. The tables were gorgeous. I loved your centerpieces. So classy and elegant. I bet in person it was very moody and sparkly.

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  16. Just totally beautiful.

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  17. Anonymous is me, Cathy!

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  18. Wow wow wow! Everything is so beautiful! I love it!

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  19. Hey this is my kind of normalcy. Wouldn't it be great to live like this all the time? Dressed up and cheered by crowds? Of course, you'd have to get over the shyness thing so you could act like it's old hat. Everything looks amazing!!

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  20. So gorgeous... she really incorporated that birch theme well, it was subtle and perfect.

    And I totally loved the snow tiger. Your mom ROCKS.

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  21. Bravo! Everything looks absolutely GORGEOUS! And you look BEAUTIFUL! Love it, how fun.

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  22. Dawn, I am loving this! Almost feel like I'm there! You are such a beautiful, gorgeous bride, and I love all the different looks! The reception... every detail is breathtaking. Thanks so much for sharing your special day. Enjoying every moment! -Tammy

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  23. Dawn,

    I understood the snow tiger from the first photo you posted. What a magical theme this was and how each element just added to the next one. Love all the snow, birch and crystals! Breath-taking.

    Love and Hugs ~ Kat

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  24. I wanna stare at the pictures all day long too!! So gorgeous! Everything is so perfect. I LOVE the snow tiger!! Your dreams really DID come true!! B's your hubby AND you had a snow tiger!!! YAY!

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  25. I'm so glad I met you via my own Curegirl...otherwise I would never have seen these lovely photos. Everything I saw was amazing - the dresses, the tiger, the cranes, all that birch, the boys and the girls! Thank you for sharing your wonderful day.

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  26. Speechless... what an amazing day for you!! I look forward to watching you create an amazing future with B. I am so happy to see all your dreams coming true. Altough we may not have been in touch these last 9 years or so, just know you have always held a special place in my heart. Thank you for being you!! Love Summer

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  27. oh WOW. i believe you when you say the pix dont do justice.. its already BREATHTAKING in the pictures, i can only imagine what it was like in real life! it looks like a winter wonderland!!! :) i am so glad that "your dreams came true" as sappy as it sounds but HEY! like you said, you can be sappy about your own wedding. hehe! have a great weekend!

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  28. This totally makes me want to get married with you as my stylist! ;) This reception is by far the most elegant i have ever seen and the white tiger is sooo sweet! you two are just precious, I love that he was clapping for you! keep the photos coming!

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  29. Ok, so I'm not a sissy person, but when I saw Craig wipe away your tear I totally started crying. It was the sweetest most tender moment in the whole world. Precious :)

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  30. You look absolutely gorgous...and happy!

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  31. Seriously can I hire you as my stylist when it's my turn? This wedding turned out so gorgeous. It's such a great style. Orchids are my favorite, and paired with the birch trees...wow! I'm loving these posts, can't wait to see ones of the ceremony!

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  32. I haven't even made it past the first picture. TELL me you kept all the crystals and birch and they are waiting to be strewn around your house as we speak. TELL ME you get to keep all that loveliness!

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  33. This is just so incredibly beautiful.

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  34. I'm not sure I could ever get tired of these wedding posts. I am LOVING them! Perfection. Your wedding was just perfection. Look at how much fun everyone was having. Just look at those faces.

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  35. WOW--so absolutely gorgeous! I loved the winter theme. The flowers are so beautiful and I loved the tall arrangements on the table. I hate to be mercenary but I can't even imagine what all those orchids cost! Worth every penny to see such loveliness.

    Most of all I want to see close up pictures of the crane tree. That is too cool.

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  36. Wow. Also, wow. And did I mention...WOW!
    So beautiful...great pic of you looking at the cake table!

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  37. The flowers are gorgeous! I love flowers and yours are beautiful.

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  38. Thanks for letting us be a part of such a special day for you. I've been reading through your posts for about an hour. My cheeks are hurting from smiling so much and the kids are giving me strange looks as I sit here reading, smiling, and laughing. :)
    ~ingrid

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