- Blog
- Bios
- Boards
- Classifieds
- DIY
- Gallery
- Vendor Reviews
- Shop Weddingbee
Weddingbee 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
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.
| Visit our sister sites | eHarmony Online Dating |
eHarmony Advice Dating Advice |
Project Wedding Wedding Songs |
JustMommies Pregnancy Calendar |
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!
| Sun | Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 29 | 30 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
| 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 |
| 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 |
| 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 |
| 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 |
Latest Gallery Pics