Built For Two: Rehearsal Dinner

I cannot stress enough how much I loved our rehearsal dinner.  We chose Belford's as the location because it fit everything we wanted - an outdoor space for cocktail hour, a Savannah feel, great food, perfect location.  We walked from the church to Belford's and were greeted by an amazing setup.  There were martini glasses on ice, filled with shrimp cocktail with a Bloody Mary cocktail sauce.  There were mini bacon, egg, and cheese quiches.  There was bruchetta.  There was a fully stocked bar, with readily available cocktails, wine, beer, champagne, and anything else guests could want.  It was perfection. 

The evening was crisp and guests enjoyed cocktail hour outside in the square. 

 

It was everything I hoped it would be, and then some.  Friends and family were mingling, we caught up with those we don't see often enough, and everyone enjoyed themselves.  Eventually it was time to head into the restaurant for dinner.  The dinner menu was a delicious selection of Savannah favorites:

Starter – Choice of She Crab Stew or Belford’s Salad

Main – Choice of Cajun Lobster Ravioli, Mahi Mahi, Grilled Chicken Breast, or Petite Filet Mignon

Dessert - Choice of White Chocolate Bread Pudding or Strawberry Shortcake

Mr. B's dad gave a blessing before we started our meal and Mr. B gave a speech at some point, thanking everyone for sharing in our special weekend.

Mr. B's sister, her daughter/ Flower Girl Pad, his stepmother, Stepdaughter A, his dad

Bridesmaid Nole surprised us by organizing the shoe game, similar to Mrs. Waterfall. She asked questions ("Who takes longer to get ready?" is one we still debate to this day) and we held up the shoe of the person we thought best answered each question.  It was a lot of fun!

I love how we are holding hands in this picture. :) 

After dinner was finished we took the party back outside for our "Welcome Reception."  We did our best to spread the word to all our guests that we would love to see them that night and that they should stop by for a drink and some food.  

Eventually it was time to head back to the hotel and put this tired, tipsy bride to bed.  Up next: I start my wedding day with a splash, which I do not recommend. 

All photos by Groomsman Rep. 

Miss a recap?  Get caught up here!

• First, we got to Savannah and hosted a haunted pub crawl. 
• Then we spent the day getting our nails done and playing golf. 
• Next we rehearse.

Built For Two: We Rehearse!

We decided to have some friends meet in my hotel room for a little champagne toast before we headed to the rehearsal, which ended up being a really nice way to see everyone and get the evening started.  We walked from the hotel to Trinity United Methodist for our rehearsal, which started at 5:30 PM.  We arrived at the church and my photographer, Ashley Daniell Photography, just so happened to be there, checking out the space for the next day!  She has been the photographer for two of my bridesmaids so we took an "Ashley with her brides" picture before heading inside.

Photo by Bridesmaid Runner

Reverend Enoch Hendry led most of the rehearsal, although our Day of Coordinator was there to help as well.

At some point the back door of the church opened and I turned to see what was going on.  It was then that it hit me - all those people were there for us.  I couldn't believe it and when I expressed my shock to Mr. B he gently reminded me that they were there because they love us and we invited them.  Still, I just couldn't process that people were in a church in Savannah at 5:30 on a Friday evening because of us.  The emotions were overwhelming but I managed to keep it together and quickly dry the tears that formed. 

Our rehearsal was pretty casual and drama-free (yay!).  We ran through everything twice and we did not have any concerns for the next day.

We decided to have our Best Man and Maid of Honor stand with us, while the rest of the wedding party sat in the first row of pews.  With ten bridesmaids and seven groomsmen, it was just too many people to stand at the front.

My favorite picture from the rehearsal is the one below - Mr. B was clearly excited to seal the deal.

With the rehearsal complete, it was time to head to the rehearsal dinner and welcome reception.

Was anyone else overwhelmed by the fact people actually showed up to their wedding? 

All photos by Groomsman Rep unless otherwise noted.

Miss a recap?  Get caught up here!

• First, we got to Savannah and hosted a haunted pub crawl.
• Then we spent the day getting our nails done and playing golf. 

Built for Two: Gifts, Gabbing, and Golf

Mr. B and I woke up early the Friday before the wedding, as we tend to do when we are traveling.  We went to breakfast at a local favorite, Goose Feathers, and then went back to the hotel to get ready for the day. We had about an hour to kill before we were scheduled to meet our friends for our respective activities - manicures and pedicures for the girls and golf for the guys. 

I don't know who suggested it but we decided to exchange our wedding presents that morning, in the quiet of our hotel room, before everything got crazy.  Mr. B gave me my first ever pair of diamond studs.  I gave him (well, I gave our new family) a brick on the Gator Walk, which is the walkway that leads to The Swamp, the stadium where the Florida Gators play football.  As you can see, it reads, "THE BICYCLE FAMILY / OCTOBER 26, 2013."  Below is a replica copy of the brick that we have displayed in our home.

Personal Photo

We met up with our friends in the lobby around 11 AM.  The guys were headed across the river for 18 holes at the Westin Savannah Harbor Golf Resort & Spa, which is apparently a very nice course if you're into that sort of thing.  It is also where my photographer (from Tallahassee) got married about eight years earlier.  Small world!  The girls and I made the short walk to the Savannah Day Spa for manicures, pedicures, and champagne.  If you remember, I got a gel manicure at my usual salon in Tallahassee before I left for Savannah so that I knew I could trust the salon and like the outcome.  I very much enjoyed getting a pedicure that Friday with my best friends and getting the chance to catch up with those who live far away. 

The guys had a fun afternoon on the course and the weather was absolutely perfect.  We spent hours (maybe 4? 5?) at the salon getting our nails done and drinking copious amounts of champagne.  It was so much fun having everyone roll into town and get the weekend going.  In addition to my bridesmaids, I also invited the friend who was singing at our ceremony as well as the girlfriend of Mr. B's brother.  I am so happy I invited them - I really wanted to make sure everyone felt included and special. 

My sister and I eventually headed back to the hotel to take showers, order room service, and get ready for the rehearsal. 

Stay tuned, the rehearsal is next (and I have pictures of that!).

Miss a post?  Catch up here!
First, we got to Savannah and hosted a haunted pub crawl.

Built For Two: Let's Roll!

Remember me?  If you don't, get caught up here:

• A friendship took a turn for the romantic and Mr. B and I got engaged on our way to Punta Cana.
• I decided on a theme, colors, and bridesmaid dresses.
• I debated how to walk down the aisle, considering my father wouldn't be with me.
• For all the other details, check me out here!

 Now that you're all caught up, let's get this show on the road!  We were leaving for Savannah on the Thursday before the wedding and since I had to work on Wednesday, I decided to take Tuesday off to get everything done that needed to be finalized.  I got a gel manicure at my favorite place in Tallahassee (with plans to get a pedicure with my friends in Savannah), I got a facial, I boxed up all the candles and table names.  I got everything done and Wednesday at work was pretty much torture.  After work I headed out to the barn to ride for the last time as a single woman and then Mr. B and I met for dinner at the place where it all began, Momo's. 

Personal photo / The Bicycles at Momo's (not that night)

Thursday morning, we packed up our rental SUV with everything we needed for the wedding.  Somehow it all fit! 

Personal photo

You may notice the case of champagne in the lower left corner.  Buying 10 bottles of champagne and 4 bottles of red wine at Trader Joe's at 10 AM on a Tuesday got me some weird looks but I couldn't not have libations for the weekend's festivities!  Yes, throughout the weekend we did manage to finish everything (and then some).

The 4.5 hour drive to Savannah was uneventful but exciting - we were driving to our wedding!!  When we finally got to our home base for the weekend, The Andaz Savannah, there was a slight mix-up with our rooms but they brought us a glass of wine and I managed to stay calm.  We eventually got settled in, met my sister in her room for a drink, and then headed out for the night's festivities - dinner and a haunted pub crawl!  We joined a group of friends at Moon River Brewing Company for dinner before heading to what was supposed to be a private group haunted pub crawl, but which ended up being just the regularly scheduled pub crawl - no biggie!  Mr. B and I had been on this tour a few times before so I don't know if it was that we already knew the stories or if our guide wasn't particularly entertaining, but none of us were as into it as we expected.

Our enthusiasm grew exponentially when we got to 17 Hundred 90 and ran into Mr. B's dad, stepmother, brother, and brother's girlfriend.  Our group decided to leave the tour at that point and we ended up closing the bar at 17 Hundred 90 down.  It was so much fun, probably even more so because we weren't expecting it.  The night had the outcome we wanted - our friends from different areas of our lives got to know each other, setting the stage for a fun weekend. 

Up next:  The girls get pampered while the guys hit the links.  (We also manage to fit in a rehearsal.)