Viking Tea Party

The Least Worn Garter in Wedding History

I assumed it was fate when Matt brought this particular issue of Simply Knitting with him when he came to visit last February because by the time he left we were engaged and it just happened to have a pattern for a knitted wedding cake by Alan Dart as well as a sweet little garter. 

I couldn't really see any reason to knit a wedding cake but I had to make the garter.  It was a fairly simple pattern but when it came to wearing it on the big day I found that simply tying it together really didn't work out so well.  I guess I should have given it a trial run.  It had fallen nearly all the way down my leg by the time I came downstairs to take photos so I slipped it off and tucked it in Matt's pocket where it stayed for a very long time.  I had completely forgotten about it when we decided to ship his wedding suit with the rest of my things on a slow boat so it stayed there in his pocket until I unpacked that particular box a week or two ago.   Since I wasn't totally keen on posting a photo of my naked thighs as I slipped it on, no matter how wonderful the photo was (sorry, Lisa), I decided to wait to write about it when I could take a proper, non-half-naked photo. 

So, finally, the wedding posts are complete.  :)

The Wedding: The Ceremony

A few minutes before the ceremony, Ginny and I topped off our champagne glasses and retired to the living room so that the guests wouldn't see us.  I did feel a little flutter of nervousness, a little stage fright, while waiting and it was probably the longest ten minutes of my life.  Eventually, my brother, Andy, came in and told us that every one was there and seated.

Showtime.

 

Photo by Richard Stanley (my father-in-law)

Our officiant, Neil, was fantastic.  We finally met with him a few days before the ceremony and were instantly put at ease.  He was exactly what we were looking for.  Due to the fact that there was only one line he legally had to say, we had free reign with the ceremony, too.  We used a lot of traditional pieces but we also wrote our own vows and added a blessing that I had found in one of the many wedding books I'd looked through a million times.  

Before the wedding he and his wife presented us with a nice copy of the ceremony along with the meaning behind the red oak we were going to be married under which was a very nice touch. 

We came out from the front of the house to "Feels Like Home" by Randy Newman....

 

 

Photos by Punch Pink

By the way, that's totally a Vera Bradley tie my dad is rocking right there.  

 

Photos by Punch Pink

We had a backdrop of ribbons tied in the tree - another detail I loved.

Photo by Punch Pink

We had discussed during rehearsal when I should take my bouquet back from Ginny.  I decided to go ahead and take it before the kiss and promised I would have it in my left hand when the big moment came.  But did I?  Nope.  Right up in front of our faces it went.  After the kiss I actually looked at Lisa who was photographing us from the aisle and mouthed, "Sorry."  We did it again and she got another photo but I actually prefer this one - I like that the kiss was our moment and no one could see.

   

Photo by Dad

Believe it or not, even though Mom and I spent a lot of time putting the birdseed packets together, I completely forgot about it and was surprised when we were pelted - up close, no less - as we walked back up the aisle to "All I Want Is You" by Barry Louis Polisar from the Juno soundtrack.

Photo by Mary Back (my great-aunt)

After the ceremony Matt and I took a walk around the block to have a few moments alone to take it all in.  Neil and his wife, Deann, passed by as they were leaving and called us Mr. and Mrs. Stanley for the first time.  Deann also told us that a pair of mourning doves sat nearby throughout the ceremony and that this signifies good luck. 

A little bit of luck is a nice thing to have when starting out as husband and wife.  Luck and love - and we'll never run short on love.

The Wedding: Pre-Ceremony

A few of my favorite photos with comments...

photo by me

Mom and Dad have always had the stars and stripes flying out front but, a few days before the wedding, Dad added the British flag as well.  His toast - which was wonderful - touched on the fact that not only was this wedding a union of two people and two families but also two countries and this pair of flags represented that beautifully.  As far as I know, they have no intention of taking it down - I really wonder what the neighbors think!

 

photo by Punch Pink  

The wedding party - Matt's brother, Giles, myself, Matt and Ginny. 

Not only did Ginny (along with Lisa a.k.a. Punch Pink, my photographer) bring me a Madame Peanutbutterfly from Boston Stoker (where we knit on Sunday nights) but she also did a beautiful job with my make up.  Note the champagne glass....

photo by Punch Pink

These are a few of my favorite posed shots, all by Punch Pink, that were taken before the ceremony.  She did a fantastic job and I can't wait to see how she does with her next wedding.  ;)

I loved my bouquet.  I used Simply Floral in Kettering (Ohio) which is co-owned by my friend, Tori, whom I've known since I worked at the Fraze Pavilion (an outdoor theater) in college.  I didn't have many fresh flowers - boutonnieres, corsages, our two bouquets and an arrangement for our table - but they were all beautiful.  All of the parents' flowers were a lighter shade of orange to set them apart and the mother's corsages with the addition of tiny white wax flowers were my favorite. 

Tori tied an acorn charm made by lillyella to my bouquet.  I also wore one around my neck on a chain I borrowed from Mom.

photo by me

Seeing as how there are several photos in this post already and I haven't even gotten to the ceremony yet, I think I'll divvy the day up in to different posts.  I just have so many favorite photos and favorite things.  Of course, seeing as how it was my wedding day, I guess that makes complete sense!