Wedding Blog
We arrived at the winery and finished getting ready in our bridal suite. And by bridal suite, I mean the storage room at the winery with two full-length mirrors on the ground. Klassy.
Mr. Penguin and I opted to see each other before the ceremony. Lots of people ask us whether or not we liked seeing each other before the ceremony.
I can’t say we liked it nor disliked it. It definitely eased our nerves, since we basically hung out together for 3 hours or so before the ceremony, but I do think that it stripped the emotion of the ceremony a bit. That may or may not have been a good thing, as I didn’t turn into a blubbering mess of tears during the ceremony, which I’m absolutely positive I would have had we not seen each other beforehand. I also enjoyed the multitude of pictures Sarah was able to capture beforehand of us and our families, and I think that made it all very worth it! But I do wonder what it really feels like to see your soon-to-be husband for the first time as you’re walking down the aisle. Sarah suggested we take “first look” pictures, in which I crept up behind Mr. Penguin and tapped him on the shoulder.
I took the “creeping” thing very seriously!
Creep creep! Shh! Don’t tell him I’m coming!
Oh, hello, fancy seeing you here!
Sniff…your nose smells nice!
We snapped a few shots in front of the winery door, but the winery was still open so we didn’t get to shut the door. All the guests at the winery were super gracious while we took our pictures!
Then, the formal shots. Sarah and Jonilyn snapped some pics of the bridesmaids and I, and then told us to pretend like we were talking about something funny. I think they were really impressed by our ability to burst out into spontaneous fake-hilarious conversation!
Isn’t standing in four-inch heels for hours on end just an utter crack-up? My painful corns are absolutely side-splitting!
Look how tall Mr. Penguin’s brother is standing next to my mom! Mr. Peng married into a family of Hobbits.
Our flower girl Emma held her pomander up like this for a good portion of the day. It was adorable!
Gratuitous Billie shot. So vicious with those pigtails.
One last shot as MISS Penguin before the ceremony!
Soon, we march…
Will you take pictures before the ceremony or after? Why?
Relive the day of the Penguins…
1. Morning, Sunshine! | 2. Ready, Men?
All photos by Sarah K. Chen Photography
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Share this post: Penguin Recap: Formalities
We took pics before of just the girls and maybe just the guys (not sure because we didn’t get the pro pics back yet and I actually didn’t think to ask my husband about it!) and that saved some time after the ceremony, but we did end up spending a ton of time after the ceremony on pro pics! I mean a ton of time…like we were an hour late for the reception!! I really liked it that we didn’t see each other though until I was walking up the aisle. It was definitely worth it to have him be so stunned that all he could say over and over again was, “you look so beautiful!” He couldn’t stop smiling through the whole ceremony and since he held himself together, I didn’t cry either. For us, it was the right decision to wait to see each other, but it was really hard to miss so much of the reception because of pictures!
These photos are so gorgeous, but I *love* that last one of you. You look so radiant and happy and beautiful 
I love the bridesmaid dresses! Who are they by again?
i love the one of your flower girl and billie! so cute!
@Jenny: Bill Levkoff style #455. We bought them online for a nice little savings. Comes in a TON of colors and you can mix and match the dress/band color.
http://houseofbrides.com/product.php?productid=18851&cat=0&page=1
HTH!
You look so Beautiful. The captions are great. And the pigtails on little fluffy: priceless
I’m so glad you’re back!!!
We’re seeing each other beforehand. I’ve gone back and forth and back again, but our ceremony starts at 6, and we have to be out of our venue by 11:30, so I just didn’t want to spend any more time than we had to missing out on the party time.
LOOOOOOOOVE the nose sniffing picture with the tree in the background!!!! B-E-A-UTIFUL!
you look absolutely beautiful!!!
omg pengy, that creeping picture is the BEST! you guys are so so cute together!!!!
Your photos are lovely!
We are taking ours before the ceremony, which isn’t until 7pm, because we didn’t want any break between ceremony and reception.
beautiful!
We had an evening wedding & were only allowed in the church for 2 hours before the ceremony, but we still made it work.
Before - pics of groom with his gm, groom solos
- pics of bride with bms, bride solos
After - pics of whole group
- pics of bride and groom together
We did not see each other before hand, and I’m very glad we didn’t. I have some great reaction shots, and I still didn’t cry. (thank goodness). That was one thing I was so hapy for - we spoke our vows clearly & could be heard by all.
Now, our guests on the other hand… there were quite a few tears in the audience.
Becky
Here’s my reaction to your photos and captions: aw, so precious. corns, muhahahaha. snort snort snort. ooh, gorgeous. hobbit, hahahaha. aw.
Mrs. Penguin - I LOVE your veil, it is SO beautiful! Can I ask you what type of style it is? It is the “waterfall” type of veil?
Pengy, sorry that was me earlier and not Jellyby the shih tzu. Though she loves your photos as well. All except for the ones of Billie, which she snarls at in jealousy.
@Lilhawkeye2: You know, I have no idea! I was so lucky to be able to borrow it from Mr. Penguin’s step sister. She got married a couple years ago and she offered to let me borrow it and I was really excited! I practically chose my dress style to accomodate the veil, because its so gorgeous. Its cathedral length, but its cut so that if you see the bride straight on, it almost looks like a fingertip veil…I guess the official descriptor is a Cascade Cut Cathedral Length ribbon edge veil. I think she got it from Saks Fifth Avenue.
Your photos are so beautiful - and like the pps, that last one of you is GORGEOUS!
We’re not seeing each other beforehand - our ceremony is at 3 - and our cocktail reception is at 5:30; so I’m hoping we can do photos in 2 hours…I really want to have that first look be walking down the aisle so we’ll have to make it work!
Stunning photos. Hilarious captions!
Can’t wait for the next installment!
Thanks Mrs. Penguin!
I love the pic of your doggie, does she have an under bite or was she really trying to look tough. The hobbit comment was great.
I am absolutely in love with your bridesmaids’ dresses! Every time I see them, I love them a little more. I tried searching your archives, but I couldn’t find an entry on it… Where did you get them? And what color/style are they?
Thanks!
@Courtney: Hi Courtney! Theyre Bill Levkoff #455, we bought them here
http://houseofbrides.com/product.php?productid=18851&cat=0&page=1
and had a great experience. Very affordable, IMO! $130, free shipping!
Wow what an awesome price!!!!!!!!! And I absolutely love the color, great pick Mrs Pengy!
@jennred782: Her underbite, funny enough, is ALWAYS that bad. I have no idea how she even can eat with that mouth!
@Mrs. Jasmine: You know whats TOTALLY weird (and funny that you even commented on it?) I saw that picture and thought…”This one reminds me of Miss Jasmine!” When I picture you in my head, I think this is how you smile. Also, yes, I picture you in my head, and I’m creepy.
Beautiful! The one of you two in the doorway is lovely! Just lovely.
The winery I work at makes brides get ready in some tiny storage room as well. I don’t think that brides realize exactly what they are booking sometimes The rest of the property seems to be worth it though. Your fam is so cute and little!
@Miss Avocado: I def. knew ahead of time that that was where I was to get ready. They let us know many times
In relation to your flower girl holding her flower pomander, at my cousin’s wedding last weekend opted for heaving it over her shoulder as if it was a huge duffel bag or something! It was actually quite hilarious.
During the exchanging of the rings she even made it up to inbetween the bride and groom, wanting to visit! I thought it was hilarious, though I don’t know what my cousin and his now wife will think when they see the video 
[...] Relive the day of the Penguins… 1. Morning, Sunshine! | 2. Ready, Men? | 3. Formalities [...]
That last pic of you is beautiful! You look so happy and relaxed
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Mrs. Penguin, Northern California
Age and Occupation: 27, Weddingbee Editor in Chief
Fiance's Age and Occupation: 30, Doctor of Physical Therapy
Engagement Date: January 29, 2007
Wedding Date: June 7, 2008
Blogging Since: September 14, 2007
Venue: Winery in the Gold Country
About Me: I love the Spice Girls, dogs with underbites, bean burritos, making messes, high fives, avoiding showers, crossword puzzles, blogs, weddings, and blogs about weddings!
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