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Mrs. Champagne, DC/Vail/Colorado Age and Occupation: 26, Eye Doctor Fiance's Age and Occupation: 27, Attorney Engagement Date: March 13, 2006 Wedding Date: February 2009 Blogging Since: July 30, 2008 Venue: Small church ceremony with mountain-view log cabin reception About Me: I'm a small town mountain girl with a city heart. Found my way to the east coast, and Mr. Champagne kept me here so we're planning a wedding from afar in my hometown Vail, Colorado. I'm secretly obsessed with reality TV, Wii games where I can shoot a gun, country music, and Caesar: Dog Whisperer. I also spend time pretending to golf, backseat driving, having one way conversations with our MinPin Maxwell, loving champagne, and wedding perfecting… I mean, planning. I use way too many repeated symbols and letters when I write, and I'll love Mr. Champagne endlessly…
About Mrs. Champagne

The morning of our wedding was so relaxing, I completely lost track of time. By the time I had finished showering and drying my hair, our photographer was waiting downstairs while the bridesmaids got ready. I heard a knock on our door, followed by a few squeals from the girls - Champ’s gift for me had arrived! I quickly grabbed my gift and card for him, and had my MOH head across the hall where he was getting ready.

Champ Wedding - The Gift Exchange :  wedding pictures pro pics recap Mygift

Finding a gift for a groom who has everything was tough, so I took an idea from my fellow bee Mrs. Tiramisu. Anne Holman is a designer on Etsy, and her vintage custom map cuff links were the perfect gift for Champ. What would I do without the inspiration from Weddingbee? Surrriously.

Champ Wedding - The Gift Exchange :  wedding pictures pro pics recap Cufflin08

I chose different maps for the cuff links with two of our most memorable locations: Naples, Florida (where we got engaged), and Ocean Park Maine (where we took a trip in college, and where I knew he was the “one”). Of course I would have loved a picture of him opening the cuff links, or even a picture of the actual cuff links, but…well… you know.

Champ Wedding - The Gift Exchange :  wedding pictures pro pics recap 1 1 Nap

Champ Wedding - The Gift Exchange :  wedding pictures pro pics recap 1 1 Oce

In fact, I’m pretty sure that when my MOH went to deliver Champ’s gift, the photographer thought he was one of the groomsmen and captured the wrong “moment”. Whoops.

Champ Wedding - The Gift Exchange :  wedding pictures pro pics recap Kcdeli

I may have mentioned this already, but I’m a crier—big.time.crier.

When Champ’s gift for me arrived, the tears were almost immediate. I’m not sure what crazy place my emotions come from, but even just holding the box he sent over made me cry.

Champ Wedding - The Gift Exchange :  wedding pictures pro pics recap Taking

I opened the box to see a beautiful jewelry box. I had mentioned to him a few months before our wedding that I was always afraid of losing my jewelry because I had no place to store it all. I guess he WAS listening!

Champ Wedding - The Gift Exchange :  wedding pictures pro pics recap Opening

Inside the jewelry box was the sweetest letter. Champ even printed our monogram on the top of it, and no doubt was proud of himself for finding it on our computer.

Champ Wedding - The Gift Exchange :  wedding pictures pro pics recap Meopen

Champ Wedding - The Gift Exchange :  wedding pictures pro pics recap Dantes

Reading his thoughts about our marriage gave me a completely fresh view on our relationship. This was the beginning of our commitment to each other.

Champ Wedding - The Gift Exchange :  wedding pictures pro pics recap Reading

Champ Wedding - The Gift Exchange :  wedding pictures pro pics recap Sandyr

It’s probably a good thing the gifting happened before my makeup, because I can guarantee you it would have required a do-over. One of my bridesmaids told me that she wanted to give me something that would remind me of home and where we were married. The Golden Bear is considered the symbol of the Vail Valley, and the jewelry store has been around since the town opened.

Champ Wedding - The Gift Exchange :  wedding pictures pro pics recap Golden

I opened her gift to find a golden bear necklace, and of course, once again…

Champ Wedding - The Gift Exchange :  wedding pictures pro pics recap Opening01

I cried. I gave a full-out ugly face cry.

Champ Wedding - The Gift Exchange :  wedding pictures pro pics recap Uglycr

Champ Wedding - The Gift Exchange :  wedding pictures pro pics recap Hugkri

I was also incredibly touched when the bridesmaids gave me a book with thoughts about our relationships. One of the bridesmaids asked each girl and mom to write down their favorite memory of us, and how we met. She filled the book with pictures of us, and stories about the moments we’ve shared.

Champ Wedding - The Gift Exchange :  wedding pictures pro pics recap Bmbook

It was such a sweet thing to do, and I’ll always have it to read.

Champ Wedding - The Gift Exchange :  wedding pictures pro pics recap Katere

Of course, I’ll have to read it with some champagne in hand, because that’s how it was read the day of the wedding. :)

Next up, I wipe away the tears and finally get ready for the big day!

Previously:
Perfect Day to get Hitched!
Antlers and a Sing-along
The Practice Run
Finally in Colorado
A Quick Trip to the County Jail

Tags: pictures, pro pics, recap |
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28 Responses to “Champ Wedding - The Gift Exchange”

1 2 

1.
thefuturemrsjewell
Member
thefuturemrsjewell (message)  1,829 posts, Buzzing bee

what wonderful gifts! i love the map cufflinks! and what a great gift from your girls… what a wonderful morning. can’t wait to see more pictures from the big day!

 
2.
Miss Gloss
Bee
Miss Gloss (message)  1,222 posts, Bumble bee

I may have sent a few links to one of my BM’s to ’secretly’ pass along to Mr. Gloss as a potential wedding gift and they were jewelery boxes :)
I think its a perfect wedding day gift.

 
3.
Miss Buttons
Bee
Miss Buttons (message)  5,056 posts, Bee Keeper

Oh wow, what a great guy, what a wonderful gift! :) He is a keeper for sure, and just reading what I could of that letter, I myself am tearing up…you aren’t the only sappy one around these parts! ;)

 
4.
bluebook
Member
bluebook (message)  206 posts, Helper bee

The gifts are awesome! And I love your hair in these pictures. I haven’t seen a picture of your married hair but I have a feeling I will be using it as inspiration for my hairdresser!

 
5.
Bee Icon
Bee
Mrs. Hot Cocoa (message)  2,098 posts, Buzzing bee

Sniffles. I love the gifts you chose for each other.

 
6.
Miss PixelArt
Member
Miss PixelArt (message)  10 posts, Newbee

Awesome idea! Gorgeous pics as well. Well done!

 
7.
Guest Icon
Guest
Kat

So sweet! You guys are adorable!

 
8.
D.Marie
Member
D.Marie (message)  2,484 posts, Buzzing bee

How sweet is the letter your husband wrote to you and the gifts from your bridesmaid. I love recaps…thanks for sharing Mrs. Champ!

 
9.
Bee Icon
Bee
Mrs. Perfume (message)  2,254 posts, Buzzing bee

The gifts are really nice! The letter your hubby wrote was amazing, Mrs. C! And your “ugly face cry” is actually really sincere and sweet.

 
10.
Bee Icon
Bee
Mrs. Quiche (message)  3,140 posts, Sugar bee

I am pretty much full on ugly crying over here, too! These are all soooo sweet. sigh. weddings are the best.

 
11.
kjpugs
Member
kjpugs (message)  1,751 posts, Buzzing bee

I too am a member of the ugly cryer club (although YOU LOOK CUTE- we are kicking you out of the club) and it’s so sweet to see such emotion from everyone!! Thanks for sharing this personal collection of pictures and memories!

 
12.
Bee Icon
Bee
Mrs. Taffy (message)  3,105 posts, Sugar bee

You have so many sweet and thoughtful people in your life! :) I would have been crying too!

 
13.
Vic004
Member
Vic004 (message)  804 posts, Busy bee

Such fantastic gifts to get on your wedding day, I love the cry face too!!

 
14.
MexicanGirl
Member
MexicanGirl (message)  724 posts, Busy bee

great gifts! i specially like the letter your husband send you, i think it’s so sweet! and thank God you didn’t have any make up on yet–but it’s not like you needed it, ’cause you’re gorgeous!!!!

 
15.
Miss Disney
Member
Miss Disney (message)  205 posts, Helper bee

I love those cufflinks!!!! They are so great! I love Etsy and will have to check out the designer…such great in the moment pics too!!!

 
16.
bellenga
Hostess
bellenga (message)  7,536 posts, Bumble Beekeeper

You are NOT an ugly crier!!! What a lovely book from the maids and gift from Mr. C! Btw, I bought T cufflinks from Sherry Truitt, also on Etsy, map cufflinks for Christmas. On his was the location of his family’s home (in the family for 8 generations) and the other cufflink the map was of where we met in Georgia.

Aren’t those cool?

 
17.
Miss Labrador
Bee
Miss Labrador (message)  1,822 posts, Buzzing bee

I’m hoping that Mr. Lab will pull out a sentimental pre-wedding gift. He’s just not big into that sort of thing, but seeing the way he gets during our friends’ wedding gives me hope!

 
18.
Bee Icon
Bee
Miss Bruschetta (message)  5,565 posts, Bee Keeper

Your husband deserves major props for creativity — note with monogram and IN jewelry box? Soooo sweet!

 
19.
ScarletJwl
Member
ScarletJwl (message)  246 posts, Helper bee

That is all so sweet! I really enjoyed the pictures through my teary eyes!

 
20.
MeredithN
Member
MeredithN (message)  110 posts, Blushing bee

what beautiful gifts!

I too am a SUPER-DUPER crier! (and I think your crumply crying face is actually quite pretty!) Do you actually have any advice on how to hold back the stream of tears??? I am so worried I will do nothing but cry all day and I just want to smile!!

 
1 2 

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Mrs. Champagne
Mrs. Champagne

Mrs. Champagne, DC/Vail/Colorado Age and Occupation: 26, Eye Doctor Fiance's Age and Occupation: 27, Attorney Engagement Date: March 13, 2006 Wedding Date: February 2009 Blogging Since: July 30, 2008 Venue: Small church ceremony with mountain-view log cabin reception About Me: I'm a small town mountain girl with a city heart. Found my way to the east coast, and Mr. Champagne kept me here so we're planning a wedding from afar in my hometown Vail, Colorado. I'm secretly obsessed with reality TV, Wii games where I can shoot a gun, country music, and Caesar: Dog Whisperer. I also spend time pretending to golf, backseat driving, having one way conversations with our MinPin Maxwell, loving champagne, and wedding perfecting… I mean, planning. I use way too many repeated symbols and letters when I write, and I'll love Mr. Champagne endlessly…

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