Built for Two: Remembering my Father

As you may recall, I lost my father in 2005 and I was looking for a way to make sure he was present on my wedding day.  Well, he was there in more ways than one.

All photos by Ashley Daniell Photography 

First up, a toast!  My brother had the idea to do a shot of Jameson Irish Whiskey with the groomsmen before the ceremony.  This was very much a nod to my dad (only more appropriate would have been a Heineken toast) and although I wasn't there to see it myself, I understand my brother said some wonderful things.

I am so glad my brother had this opportunity to honor our father and share this moment with the guys.

Afterward there were hugs all around and the guys headed into the church for the ceremony.

Mr. B with his son

Next up was an idea that came to me at some point in the week before the wedding.  My father was a Marine and when he passed away we had a military service, complete with a flag presentation.  Throughout the wedding planning process I struggled with how to include my brother.  He wasn't a groomsman, walking me down the aisle didn't seem right, and I couldn't think of any other way to make him a part of the bridal party.  I think it was the Tuesday or Wednesday before the wedding that it hit me - I decided to have my brother walk my father's flag down the aisle right before I walked down.  I chose for the string duet to play "When Irish Eyes Are Smiling," the perfect song for my father.

I've never heard of anyone doing this but I think it was the perfect way to not only include my brother but also have my father there in a very real way.  My brother handed the flag to Reverend Hendry, who placed it on the altar.

With everyone (and everything) in its place, it was time for me to make my entrance.

Miss a recap? Get caught up here!

• We got to Savannah and hosted a haunted pub crawl.
• We spent the day getting our nails done and playing golf.
• We rehearsed the ceremony.
• Our rehearsal dinner was delicious and fun.
• I woke up early and made some bad TV decisions.
• I give the girls their gifts.
• The guys get ready.
• I become a bride.
• We see each other for the first time.
• We take pictures around Savannah.
• The bridal party joins us for pictures. 
• The bridal party processes. 

Built for Two: We Process

The trolley dropped us off at Trinity United Methodist, where the guys hung out downstairs and the girls got freshened up upstairs.  When it was time to get the ceremony started, the groomsmen and Mr. B lined up at the altar and the girls went around the side of the building to come in the front door.

Our program was designed by our day-of coordinator, Adrianne Kautz.  She also designed our table names and the seating chart and we could not have been happier with the way everything turned out!

Although the church has a gorgeous organ, we decided to use a string duet, Two Strings are Better Than One.  They were wonderful!

The mothers came in to "Air" and the bridal party processed to "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring," both by Bach. 

Junior Bridesmaid / Stepdaughter A was a little nervous to walk down the aisle so my sister-in-law walked with her.

I love this picture of Flower Girl Pad getting ready for her big moment.  The church did not allow us to scatter petals, so she simply carried a mini calla lily bouquet.

 

Funny story:  For whatever reason, the procession seemed to take forever to start.  It was staring to get to me and I turned to Bridesmaid Nole and said, "Whatever you have to do to get us in that church, do it!"  I am not a patient person and I didn't understand why we were waiting around.  Pad turned to me in her adorable five-year-old voice and said, "There is a thing called patience and you need to know about it!"  Well.  I just got told, didn't I?  Shortly after that we were on track and running smoothly.

And with that, it was almost time for my grand entrance.  But first, a special tribute.

Miss a recap? Get caught up here!

• We got to Savannah and hosted a haunted pub crawl.
• We spent the day getting our nails done and playing golf.
• We rehearsed the ceremony.
• Our rehearsal dinner was delicious and fun.
• I woke up early and made some bad TV decisions.
• I give the girls their gifts.
• The guys get ready.
• I become a bride.
• We see each other for the first time.
• We take pictures around Savannah. 
• The bridal party joins us for pictures.

Built for Two: Back with the Bridal Party

After we spent a bit of time taking pictures as a couple, the rest of the bridal party came to meet us.  With ten bridesmaids, seven groomsmen, a junior bridesmaid, and a flower girl, we took up a lot of space.

Unless noted, all photos by Ashley Daniell Ptotography

Everyone, minus Flower Girl Pad:

Me with the bridesmaids:

With the four pregnant bridesmaids, all of whom have now had their babies:

With Stepdaughter A:

With Flower Girl Pie:

All the guys:

Mr. B with his son, Stepson M:

Mr. B with both kids:

Everyone together:

After we were done wandering around downtown we hopped in the trolley and headed to the church - it was time to get married!

Photo by Best Man Rep

Up next, we make it official!

Miss a recap? Get caught up here!

• We got to Savannah and hosted a haunted pub crawl.
• We spent the day getting our nails done and playing golf.
• We rehearsed the ceremony.
• Our rehearsal dinner was delicious and fun.
• I woke up early and made some bad TV decisions.
• I give the girls their gifts.
• The guys get ready.
• I become a bride.
• We see each other for the first time. 
• We take pictures around Savannah.

Built for Two: First Round of Portraits

Once we were reunited and all caught up on the day, Mr. B and I followed Ashley to take some  couples portraits.  We were so fortunate that the weather was perfect - it was around 70 degrees and sunny.

Unless noted, all photos by Ashley Daniell Photography

We must have kissed on command a thousand times that day.

We took a lot of pictures in this area and then realized we had some extra time to kill.  What is a couple in Savannah to do when they have a few extra minutes?  Stop by their favorite brewery, of course!

You may remember from my first post as a Mrs. that Mr. B and I popped into Moon River Brewing to share a pint of our favorite beer, Swamp Fox.  This is how it went down when we got to the crowded bar:

Mr. B: A Swamp Fox, please.
Bartender: A small box?
Mr. B: Yes, a Swamp Fox to go. (to-go drinks are a thing in Savannah!)
Bartender: Sure thing! (leaves bar area and heads for kitchen)

Mrs. Bicycle: Umm, honey.  I think he thought you wanted a small box.
Mr. B: Why would he think that? 
(Bartender returns with a small to-go box)

Eventually we got it sorted out and our Swamp Fox was on the house - being in fancy outfits had its advantages!  This may may no sense to anyone else, but this is probably our favorite memory from the day.  Well, it is at least the memory we think of the most.  Any time we hear someone say "small box" or we ask for one ourselves, we say, "Small box?  Swamp Fox?"

Don't mind us, just a bride and a groom in a bar in the middle of the afternoon, laughing until our cheeks hurt.

While we were wandering around Savannah the bridesmaids joined the groomsmen downstairs and the celebration got underway.  Champagne for the ladies, bourbon for the boys. 

Photo by Best Man Rep

Up next, the bridal party meets up with us for some fun around town.

Miss a recap? Get caught up here!

• We got to Savannah and hosted a haunted pub crawl.
• We spent the day getting our nails done and playing golf.
• We rehearsed the ceremony.
• Our rehearsal dinner was delicious and fun.
• I woke up early and made some bad TV decisions.
• I give the girls their gifts.
• The guys get ready.
• I become a bride. 
• We see each other for the first time.

Built for Two: Reunited and it Feels So Good

Throughout our 14-month engagement we went back and forth about whether or not to do a first look.  We decided about a month out that we would, partially for logistics and partially for peace.  I spent the entire wedding day waiting to see Mr. B and I don't think I could have handled waiting an additional few hours, so to say I am happy we did a first look would be an understatement.

Our photographer left my room and headed down to the lobby where the guys were waiting.  Best Man Rep caught this photo of Ashley asking, "Are you ready for your first look?"

Unless noted, all photos by Ashley Daniell Photography

Photo by Best Man Rep

Mr. B headed to a little park across the street from the hotel and I came down the elevator when the coast was clear.  Entering the world as a bride was nerve-racking but this is what I saw when the elevator doors opened in the lobby:

Nerves - calmed.  I walked into the absolutely gorgeous day to meet up with my groom.  We didn't plan any elaborate first look, just the usual tap on the shoulder to get the job done.

It was so nice to be reunited with my groom!  Two things to note, though.  You can probably see in the last picture before I reach him that I appear to be looking at his shoulder.  The second shooter had him standing by some trees which were surrounded by pine straw.

The pine straw was slippery and Mr. B went down, getting his jacket a little dirty.  Of course that was the first thing I noticed as I approached him.  Poor guy!  The second thing I noticed (after a hug and a kiss and oooh-ing and ahh-ing, of course) was the fact that he put his bow tie on upside-down.

Oops.  He decided to keep it that way and when he asked if I wanted him to change it, we both decided that it would be a fun detail that it was upside-down.  I don't think anyone noticed and it became sort of an inside joke. 

After our reunion we were headed out to wander the streets of Savannah!

Miss a recap? Get caught up here!

• We got to Savannah and hosted a haunted pub crawl.
• We spent the day getting our nails done and playing golf.
• We rehearsed the ceremony.
• Our rehearsal dinner was delicious and fun.
• I woke up early and made some bad TV decisions.
• I give the girls their gifts.
• The guys get ready. 
• I become a bride.