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Mrs. Lovebug, Tucson Age and Occupation in 06: 31, Writer Fiance's Age and Occupation: 27, Professional Game Show Contestant Engagement Date: February 18, 2007 Wedding Date: April 19, 2008 Venue: Historic Inn About Me: Likes: blogging, wikis, semi-colons, cuddling, fragrant flowers, syntax, and spooning. Dislikes: typos, dangling modifiers, flypaper, citronella candles, and run-ons. If I had my druthers, I'd exchange simple vows in a candlelit library. But I lost my druthers long ago...anyone seen them?
About Mrs. Lovebug

…While Mr. Lovebug and I were exchanging vows, Chaucer the bling bearer was being a patient (if pant-y) little gentleman right around the corner:

He’s not normally hyper or destructive, but we had no idea how he’d behave on his big day, in a strange environment. Would he be nervous and whiny? Pull on his leash and chase butterflies? Well, our puppy did us so proud. He was calm, friendly, obedient - and oh so handsome in his “power tie” collar and ring pouch:

When the moment came, Melissa called out, “Will the ring bearer please step forward?” Chaucer and his human buddy came padding down the aisle, right to Mr. LB:

Of course, the smiles on everyone’s faces made us feel quite the proud mama and papa. Chaucer is such a sweet and gentle dog - you can see it in his mopey puppy face and his awkward puppy gait. It was pretty redonk. :)

We’d expected it to be adorable and funny, but it was also surprisingly emotional for us, too. It felt like (get ready to scoff) a family moment. Like, Wow. This is our little family right here. And here we go, starting our lives together! Mr. Lovebug said afterward that he’d almost lost it when he unclipped the pouch and took out the rings:

Since we’d originally met some, um, resistance to the proposal of including Chaucer, it was very gratifying that it went so well. For those of you considering including a pet in your wedding, consider this a ringing endorsement of the idea.

I absolutely loved the way Melissa suggested we perform the ring exchange. She had each of us place the rings halfway down one another’s finger with words of offering. Then we pulled our rings on the rest of the way ourselves, saying words of acceptance:

I never would have thought of doing it that way, but for me, personally, it was very meaningful. Making verbal and physical gestures of receipt forces you to really think about what you’re doing: you’re ready to give love, of course. But are you also truly ready to accept it? For someone with self-esteem issues, anyway, it was a powerful thing. After all, one meaning of “accept” is “believe.”

I snuck a not-so-subtle peek at my new bling…

…and Mr. LB finally got a ring of his own:

Of course, (I’d like to think) it wouldn’t be genuine Lovebug if there weren’t a few laughs in there somewhere:

Everyone will tell you how much they enjoyed your ceremony; when you see your guests looking like this, you can actually believe it. :)

The girlfriend who’d made my something blue read Love, by Roy Croft with such grace and emotion, it was as if she’d written it herself:

(This expression says, “Can you believe how lucky we are in our friends?”)

(And this one says, “I am so going to work that open bar tonight.”)

Melissa read the closing blessing (a beautiful, nonreligious benediction), which she had written herself, while we soaked up the last few moments of the ceremony :

For our pronouncement and first kiss, I had hatched this crazy idea of inviting everyone to join in, if they so chose, and kiss their own spouses, S.O.s, etc. I partly wanted to take the spotlight off us for that moment, and partly thought it would make a super cute photo op.

Well, despite the fact that we’d explained it the programs, my grand plan went over like a lead balloon. LOL. What can I say? You win some, you lose some. Everyone just kind of laughed and watched us, anyway:

(I love how Melissa’s smile peeks through between us.)

Our recessional was “Holiday Road”, by Lindsay Buckingham (the theme from “Vacation”). You can jam out to it right here if ya want. We made a fast getaway sans rice, bubbles, petals, or any other projectiles:

And before we knew it, we were the Lovebugs! It went so quickly, it really did. The great thing was, we had no idea we’d enjoy it even half as much as we did. And what about our “non-traditional” approach to things? No veil, no bridal party, no one to walk me down the aisle? Answer: no regrets. Everything felt like it was exactly how it was supposed to be.

Next up, cocktail hour! Meaning, more photos of the Lovebugs than are really necessary. No really. It’s sick.

All photos by Chris Richards.

33 Responses to “One Lucky Day, Con’t: A Boy, A Girl, A Puppy”

1.
linzerella says:

How beautiful your photos are! So happy for you and Mr. LB - you can really see the love shine through in these pics - and can’t wait to see more!!

2.
GreenApple says:

Gosh, that was gorgeous and I too was considering having one of my best friends read “Love” at my ceremony! Love your dress!

3.
mamamiya says:

you guys are so cute! Your dress looks stunning on you!

4.
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Miss Tiramisu says:

I thought I was going to get through these tear-free but then your dog came around the corner. Damn. The way you two look at him is fah-reaking adorable.

5.
wuerin says:

love it! would you mind sharing the wording you used for the ring exchange? I love your ministers note about “offering” and “acceptance” and would love to hear what you all said.

I’m so enjoying your wedding play by play!

6.
Kris says:

I absolutely love everything about your wedding!! It was absolutely lovely. It is actually helping me to get in the “wedding mood” for my own wedding, which is NEXT WEEK!!

7.
nina nina says:

Your ceremony was perfect. Thanks for sharing.

8.
October2008bride says:

Stunning pictures. Beautiful writing. I look forward to reading your posts! Congratulations again on such a picture perfect day!

Looking forward to the reception pics!

9.
beanchar says:

I know exactly what you mean about “family” with regard to the pets. I brought two dogs and a cat to the relationship, but Mr beanchar, bless his little allergic heart, made us a family.

And cue the throat lump…. d@mn you, Lovebug and your magic powers of schmoopy emotion summoning! ;)

10.
lou says:

So beautiful, so emotional … and you’re right, you can just tell it’s how it was supposed to be.

And you wont hear me scoffing about the family … the first thing I thought when I saw that picture was “aww, they look like a family already”. So there!

If it makes you feel any better, here’s two of my favourite thoughts on family…

“There’s more than one kind of family”

“Is two people a family?”
“Isn’t that how every family starts?”

$5 to anyone who can guess what great philosophical source those came from :D

11.
GorgesViola says:

Mrs. Lovebug, I adore that idea for the ring exchange… please share more!! BTW, is the dude touching Mr.LB’s shoulder the same one who’s looking at Chaucer walking back? He seems SO happy to be there. :-)

12.
Jessica says:

Your ceremony is so unique; I really feel like I know exactly who you and Mr. Lovebug are. I only hope everyone at my own ceremony will feel the same way.
I also want to have our dog be our ring bearer, he really is a part of our family too! After the dog walked down the aisle, did he remain there with you or did he get walked back away from guests?

13.
Jenny says:

Ya know, I look at wedding photos all day every day and none of them have ever really affected me until I saw yours. Seriously your photos are the first that have EVER made me tear up. Your dog is ridiculously cute. And so is Mr Lovebug. I died laughing at the picture of him with goofy eyes and tongue sticking out. I cant wait to see more!

14.
AliCherri1 says:

I LOVE Melissa’s take on the rings! I’m totally going to use that!
Could you post what she said?

15.
cari says:

you looked so gorgeous and your puppy is so adorable! awesome ceremony and pictures. you can really see the love in your eyes as well as mr. lovebugs! :)

show me more…please!

16.
brendalynn says:

its not sick! We love it! More! More!

I don’t think we’re anywhere near the end yet, but… I’m just starting to wonder… er, fear… what will we do when we run out of Lovebug recap photos? will there be reruns?

I love how you found that your ceremony became so important–that’s really inspirational for me as a bride. It seems like so much anymore, we focus on the party aspects of the wedding–and the ceremony is/can be so important, especially if you make it personal & pertinent…

17.
Kelly says:

Awwww, that is so sweet! The puppy looks adorable, and your ceremony was awesome — so personal and meaningful. I am so happy that we are finally getting to see the pictures!!

18.
Peonies and Polaroids says:

Oh your puppy is gorgeous! I want one. I wish our bunnies could be involved in the wedding, but the venue is outdoors and has dogs so I’d be too scared.

Would you mind posting the wording of your ring exchange? I’d love to hear it as it’s a lovely idea!

19.
tea says:

my cheeks hurt from smiling while reading your post. it’s just…so wonderful!

20.
Linda says:

more photos!! I love your descriptions, and despite the wind, your hair is beautifully wind swept!

21.
LeahB says:

Yes, I sit here and giggle and tear up as I look through your photos and read through the details. Love. It. All. We each brought a kitty to our “family.” But they’re not really the responsible types. I mean, come on, they’re cats!

22.
Taylor says:

I love your wedding!! I have been reading all of your posts and hate having to wait for a new one… I second the request for the ring exchange wording- I love that idea! btw- you have to be the cutest bride ever, and the wind in your hair makes you even more beautiful!

23.
Linda says:

I love that you guys used Holiday Road as your recessional. That’s wonderful. I love that song!

24.
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Mrs. Tulip says:

Hooray for canine ring bearers! (”Family”, awwwwww….)

Love following your photos and descriptions — it’s heartwarming to see the joy, laughter, and love on everyone’s faces.

25.
melodicsighs1 says:

aww, so adorable.
keep the photos comin’!
i am loving all the amazinly beautiful pics form your amazingly beautiful day!

you’re such an inspiration, honestly. i am going to drive myself crazy trying to get as many details and personal touches as you. :)

26.
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Miss Penguin says:

Girl you look just as great going as you do coming! I LOVE seeing you in your dress from the back! WORK IT!

27.
Joyful2 says:

I adore your dog. FI would never let me have one that big.

Every time I see a picture of you in your dress, it reminds me of how as a little girl I pictured the heroine in The Ordinary Princess on her wedding day, so happy and in love. If you haven’t read the book, read it! I promise you’ll love it.

28.
Amy says:

You should be so proud of this ceremony. It was truly beautiful!

I REALLY hope our doggie can be there for our big day. What did you do with Chaucer after his ring bearing duties were over?

29.
Guilty Secret says:

Good for you going the non-traditional route. I am so glad it worked out so well for you! :)

30.
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Mrs. Lovebug says:

Wuerin & others who asked for the ring exchange dialogue - absolutely; will post it this week.

Jessica & Amy - the friend who “manned” Chaucer for the ceremony took care of both getting him there and then taking him back home afterward. We would have loved to keep him around all night, but he still has a strict 9pm bedtime. ;)

Thanks loads and loads to everyone for the feedback and such sweet comments/compliments. I’m delighted you’re enjoying, and I’ll do my best to keep it entertaining!

31.
voszko says:

Thanks in advance for posting the ring exchange. It sounds wonderfully original. I can’t wait to read it.

32.
Kyleigh says:

I love your picture posts. I always get all teary eyed because i can just feel the emotion and happiness oozing from both of you. Very few weddings get my tears going, especially over the internet, but yours has definitely succeeded. :)

33.
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Miss Candy Corn says:

PUPPAH!! Your photos are gorgeous and so is your bling bearer :)


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Mrs. Lovebug Mrs. Lovebug, Tucson Age and Occupation in 06: 31, Writer Fiance's Age and Occupation: 27, Professional Game Show Contestant Engagement Date: February 18, 2007 Wedding Date: April 19, 2008 Venue: Historic Inn About Me: Likes: blogging, wikis, semi-colons, cuddling, fragrant flowers, syntax, and spooning. Dislikes: typos, dangling modifiers, flypaper, citronella candles, and run-ons. If I had my druthers, I'd exchange simple vows in a candlelit library. But I lost my druthers long ago...anyone seen them?