We asked for proof of vaccination or negative test from our guests and while stressful to gather, it made the day feel very safe. My MOH could not be there due to being and English teacher in Turkey and her job not letting her leave the country due to COVID. My bridesmaid surprised me with a cardboard cutout of her and she gave the most beautiful speech that was recorded and played on a projector. One major hiccup was that our officiant had my last name wrong and said it in his speech THREE TIMES. Luckily it is correct on the marriage certificate. We had some issues with the flowers not being what I asked for, which my planning team helped to remedy. We were also running a bit behind and my planner wasn’t as present as I expected her to be, leaving me feeling like I had to be the one to keep people on schedule. We missed most of cocktail hour because of this, which was a bummer because we specifically designed the timeline to be able to attend our cocktail hour. However, it was so lovely once we got there and one of my favorite parts was my husband and I “sabering” bottles of Prosecco. Cant wait for the professional pics on that one.
The reception was a blast. I wish we had more time to dance (but sadly this was also affected by being behind on schedule) but I was on that dance floor the entire time music was playing. My husband and I had so much fun and I was so surprised by how calm and collected I felt the whole night. I know everyone says it, but it went by SO FAST. I genuinely feel like it should have been 2 hours longer to be able to be fully present and enjoy everything that was going on. The barn had stallion stalls where our planning team set up a bourbon and cigar lounge/bar and another lounge. I barely stepped in there and never even saw the dessert table which was in another stall. There was also a fire pit my husband and I never made it to. So much to do and so little time. I do feel like I was able to make it around to all of our guests throughout the night either by myself or with my husband, which I’m happy about.
We had an after party at a bar in town, which helped prolong the celebration. Friends walked us to our hotel afterward and we had an impromptu drunken photo shoot. Upon removing my dress, we found that a LIVE BEE was chillin in the tulle. The bee made an appearance in those pictures. See if you can find it lol.
Below are guest pics. Professional pics still to come!
