2 Whole Years

2 years ago today B and I had the best wedding ever.

We laughed and ate and laughed and had fun and laughed and took pictures and laughed some more.

We were surrounded by the best friends and family and it was an all around wonderful time.

It was documented in true blogger style.

Yes we had a photographer (the amazing Adrienne Gunde- our wedding post here)

but we also each had our own cameras... of course.

I even took pictures of my food.  I guess that's sort of weird.

All my posts are in December 2009 if you would like to check it out.

The best wedding ever has been followed by the best marriage ever.

It's been an easy 2 years.

Am I not supposed to say that?

Perhaps it's because we already lived together

or maybe because we've already been through so much together

or maybe because we kicked it off with the best honeymoon ever (in New Zealand)

or maybe because we have the best Peanut ever.

Sure we've had our days but really it hasn't felt like a struggle.

I'm just going to count my blessings.

Thank you B for a wonderful 2 years and for all the decades you have left with me.

Forever.

For-ev-er.

FOOOORRRRR-EEEEVVVVV-VVVVVEEEEERRRRR

Are you scared now?

Happy 1st Anniversary B!

Oh B, where do I even start? I can hardly believe that one year ago today we were getting married. It seems like yesterday and yet it seems like years ago. We knew it would be a great year and a great adventure. Boy were we right. What a wonderful, whirlwind of a year.

I'll never forget the feeling that washed over me as I said my vows and you wiped the tear from my eye. The wedding was incredible, our vintage winter wonderland like a dream, but this first year of marriage has been the best part.

We traveled to far away places and indulged in our every whim. We explored, experienced and tasted our way thru the trip of a lifetime. I'm so glad we had that time together, just the two of us.

I never would have expected that on our 1 year anniversary I would be looking into the sweet face a 5 week old baby. Thank you for our beautiful little Peanut. A little baby B. I won't hold it against you that he doesn't seem to have any of my characteristics... yet. I'm sure he'll have my sparkling personality and quick wit.

Thank you for balancing me, for being grounded when I'm spinning around. Thank you for loving me and all my craziness. Thank you for being such a wonderful husband.

I expect all of our years to be as absolutely perfect as this one... so you had better start planning something exciting for next year.

No pressure though.

Be sure to work in romance, culinary adventures, life-changing revelations and marital bliss. OK?

And something sparkly.

And world peace.

Amen.
~~~~~~

Now for all of you out there in the blogosphere. So many of you have shared in all of this with me. We've been together thru the planning of the wedding, the crane-folding and the guest book making, the honeymoon in New Zealand, the pregnancy and the birth of Peanut. Thank all of you as well for a wonderful year. It seemed as though so many of you really should have been celebrating with us at the wedding.

Since you couldn't be there with us I'd like to share some never before seen (by you) footage of our wedding day.

Craig & Dawn from Garner Films on Vimeo.

Andrea & Chachi's Wedding

I'll be showing you weddings in reverse order because I'm feeling sort of backwards these days anyway.

On Friday night Andrea and Chachi were married at the Sterling Hotel in Sacramento.



I love the old charm of this gorgeous building, nestled amongst the trees not far from the California capitol.



The wedding and reception took place in the ballroom that was equally as charming.





I love these pictures of them!



We arrived a little bit early and I was able to sneak around and take pictures of the table arrangements. Simple and beautiful.



The hanging key accents made such a gorgeous statement.



They had me at cupcake display. This picture doesn't do it justice.



There were actually 3 colors and flavors. Darker pink, light pink and white. Each color had a slightly different accent from pearls to flowers. You can't tell here but some of them were glittery!



More centerpieces, I love the mix of short and tall so they don't crowd the room.



Classic and glamorous.



Have I told you how much I love hydrangeas?



I got a sneak peak of some of the groomsmen and made him sit for me so I could get a picture.



The gentlemen all waiting very patiently. On the far left we have the minister and the 2nd gentleman is the groom.

We found out later that the mother of the groom gave all the groomsmen smelling salts in case they needed to revive him.



This blurry picture is the only one I have of the bride and grooms adorable son. He turns 1 next month!



I loved her hair and I felt the urge to go out and buy hair accessories... preferrably with feathers.



All the ladies waiting for the grand entrance of the bride...



and the saxophonist starts playing a melody.



Andrea looked so beautiful, she had the bridal glow.



You may kiss the bride!



I love Chachi's expression here.



Such a happy couple! The reception was full of laughter and a bit of chaos. I mean that in the best way possible. It was an adult only reception and included lots of dancing and drinking, a photo booth and many, many memories.



See, you can tell I'm pregnant! The black just disguises the belly in photos.

Oh and I did have flats with me just in case my feet or hips or back got tired. I ended up using them about the last 30 minutes or so.



Light-up hula hoops! I love little surprises like this :) A fun wedding for a really fun couple... I wouldn't expect anything less!

Tina's Wedding- the reception

Here we are at the final installment of Tina's amazing wedding!



After the wedding we headed to Laguna Beach for the reception at the Surf & Sand Hotel.



Tina and her youngest boy. Don't you just love little boys in tuxedos?



The newlyweds!



It was such a lovely venue.



These are the views from this balcony/courtyard area.



Our rooms were right off of this area as well. I'll cover our stay here another time.



Celeste, Tina and I. Celeste is expecting too!

There are a series of these pictures and in every one I am looking in the opposite camera as the other two.



The centerpieces were simple and beautiful.



My bouquet of perfect roses.



I love menus. I'm sure you aren't surprised.



Celebrating our 6 month anniversary.



You will not believe this but I didn't get any pictures of the food?!

Each layer of this menu described a different course. We started with seasonal baby greens tossed with tear drop tomatoes and basil vinaigrette.



On the head table (of the bride & groom as well as maid of honor/best man and their dates) you can sneak a peak of the entrees.

We had a choice and of course B and I got 1 of each. Grilled Filet Mignon topped with gorgonzola cheese and pinot noir sauce, served with garlic mashed potatoes and Filet of Salmon drizzled in basil sauce, served with saffron mashed potatoes.



We can't forget the cake! 3 different kinds, actually. White cake with banana custard and strawberry filling and vanilla icing, chocolate with chocolate filling and icing and carrot cake with maple cream cheese filling and icing.

Each slice of cake was served with a chocolate covered strawberry.



The favors were bottle filled with jelly bellies for everyone to take.



The tossing of the bouquet....



and the removing of the garter



were very entertaining! To say the least.

I've never seen a groom so eager to get a garter off!



Baby boy had a great time dancing, running and rolling on the dance floor!

The rest of the night was filled with laughter and dancing and love. We all had a fantastic time and we always smile and laugh when we think about it.

Congratulations Tina and Ben, we wish you many years of love and happiness.

Tina's Wedding- going to the chapel

In my last post I shared pictures of us all getting ready but the most exciting part is ahead of us.

These two darlings are the flower girls in dresses made by the mother of the bride.



Lisa and Kim, two very gorgeous ladies. Kim will be getting married next April (and I suspect that Lisa won't be very far behind).



Courtney is Tina's sister and both of us will be escorted down the aisle by Tina's oldest son.

Courtney and I have a lot in common and it was great hanging out with her. She couldn't stay all night because she was flying to Austria the next day for another wedding. Did I mention she was in Maui the previous week. Lets all take a moment to silently curse her. Is cursing people during wedding posts bad form?

I should also mention that the bride made our accesories... earrings, bracelets and hair pieces.



Eagerly anticipating the big event... oh all the things running thru your head on the way to the church. I can remember it like is was yesterday. :)



We're all gathered in the bride's room, primping, preening and taking some last minute pictures. Thats me in the bottom right. I'm one of the three pregnant bridesmaids in the wedding.



When Tina first saw her oldest from the limo window the tears started. It's a big day for the entire family. He was in on the proposal and very involved in the ceremony itself.



She was just an incredibly beautiful bride... as expected!



Even though it was no less that 168 degrees in the brides room with basically no air. We were all trying to fan her off. Noone wants to be the sweaty bride.



Thank you to B for taking majority of the pictures for the day!



Another picture of the shoes. But really we were lifting her dress and fanning her to help cool her off. I mean, there were a lot of layers on that dress. Did I mention it was 192 degrees?

I'm pretty sure it was.



The last picture I have of Tina as a single lady....



and an hour later she is happily married.

The ceremony was sweet, with the most amazing music and we didn't cry too much.

~snif~



Congratulations Tina and Ben!

Up next is the reception!