Weddingbee

After our first dance, we were served our first course and the toasts began. For a very small wedding we had a number of people speak. All three of our groomsmen (Mr. Onion’s brother, father and best friend) spoke as did two of my bridesmaids and my brother. But these are the things that make a celebration special. No one took too long and it was great for our guests to hear a little bit about us that they might not have known.

This is one of my favorite photos of the evening — we are both so happy and are toasting with my bridesmaid who gave two toasts — one quick and unplanned reading of our apache blessing that wasn’t able to be heard due to fire engine sirens, and then her real toast later in the evening.

I love this photo of our family and friends raising their glasses to us. On the left is a dear family friend who has known me for 12 years with his youngest son, and next to him is my mom. She looks so touched (and she is pretty sarcastic, so for her to be moved, it takes a lot)!

Our photographers caught us at the end of the bar (yes, the bride and groom sat at the end of a bar) in a sweet moment during a toast.

Mr. Onion’s father gave a very short but very heartfelt and well spoken toast — he is not comfortable with public speaking and he was quite nervous, so for him to get up and do this was really meaningful to us both.

Friends clapping during a toast.

My best friend (since we were 5 years old), knows me better than almost anyone. She told a story to illustrate the kind of friend I am. It was so personal and she made everyone understand our friendship. She actually went to high school with Mr. Onion so she knew us both separately and together — she basically said we were both so much better together!

Mr. Onion’s father clapping for the toast.

And a sweet moment after her toast for both of us.

The second bridesmaid gave her second toast which was about the first day she met Mr. Onion (2+ years before we started dating Mr. Onion helped me move out of my first NYC apartment and my bridesmaid came to help) and how her friendship with both of us has grown over the years. She is very animated and very articulate — it was great.

But then it was Mr. Onion’s brother’s turn…and seriously, this was the BEST wedding toast I’ve ever heard. He began by reading an email I had sent him…or at least that is what he led all our guests (and me for almost two minutes) to believe. It was a made-up letter and it just got funnier. He had notes, but so much of it seemed to just flow that it will never be recreated. I wished our videographer had still been there, but it was PRICELESS.

Mr. Onion and I laughing at said toast.

My brother DYING it was so funny…see what I mean?

Taking a little bow in our direction.

And finally surviving without being killed by the bride!

Note pictured were Mr. Onion’s best friend’s toast — which was the story of the night we first kissed after consuming many glasses of wine at his house and my brother’s toast — which was a quick tale of his childhood friendship with Mr. Onion’s (lots of connections with our group of loved ones) and how happy he was for us both.

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