Since guests were already burning off energy by dancing, it was high time to refuel with some delicious cake.
Our cake was pretty much exactly as I had imagined, so long ago. Mr. Guinea Pig and I had wanted a simple, round cake that looked more like an actual cake than a piece of art that you’d be afraid to eat. We were really excited (okay, I was really excited) to cut into the cake so we could eat a piece, because we knew it would be delicious. Just look at all that buttercream awesomeness!
The cake was brought out to the center of the dance floor so we could cut it – I think it’s funny that in this photo you can see so many other people taking photos as well.
Turns out we should have practiced cutting cake together, because we kind of sucked at it! At least we managed to get a piece out, even if it did end up in shambles. Which meant we went for fingers instead of forks…
Success! We managed to get a piece into each others mouths simultaneously, and there was no smearing of frosting on each other’s faces. And I was right, the cake tasted amazing. Vanilla cake with lemon curd and fresh raspberry jam, topped with vanilla buttercream. So good that I ate two pieces that night 
Next, we did our father/daughter and mother/son dances. We did things in this order so that we could break up all the traditional dances that everyone just sits and watches, and it was a good way to encourage folks to get out on the dance floor each time to join us at the end!
First up was my dad and me, dancing to Have I Told You Lately, sung by Rod Stewart.
When I had originally been thinking about what song my dad and I could dance to, I had put together a list of upbeat, semi-cheery songs that had meaning but wouldn’t make me cry (which I think we’ve established I had done enough of by this point). So I sent the list to my dad and he surprised me by sending back a note that said “How about this song by Rod Stewart?” Eep! I thought it was a great choice, but I was worried it’d make me cry. I’m happy to report that I managed to keep it together and we were all smiles the whole dance, mostly because we were laughing at each other!
Once we had stepped off the floor, Mr. Guinea Pig guided his mom out to dance to Bob Dylan’s Forever Young (shortened, since it’s a 5 minute long song!).
Mr. GP’s mom was really nervous about dancing in front of everyone, but they pulled it off marvelously. When I asked Mr. GP if he had any advice about the mother/son dance, he said “Listen to your mom when she says no dips, but twirl her once even if she says doesn’t want to”. 
With renewed energy from the delicious cake (I know I keep repeating the fact that it was delicious, but seriously. It was amazing), everyone hopped back out onto the dance floor. I was pretty excited to see throughout the day that people had used items we’d spent so much time collecting and putting together for them (the sunglasses basket, the bathroom baskets, etc). So I loved seeing this photo in our gallery:
From our flip flop basket! In the background, you can see that another person is also wearing flip flops. These were by far the thing most people (women) thanked me for having, and by the end of the night all 25 pairs had been snatched up and put to good use for all the dancing.
Even Mr. GP’s Aunt L, who recently celebrated more than 10 years of a successful lung transplant, got out and rocked it on the dance floor!
As you can see, there were lots of excellent dance moves and poses to be seen. Plus I love the photo of Mr. GP’s sisters and cousin: they were only a small fraction of the red heads at the wedding!
Last but not least, one of the best/funniest photos of the night: Mr. GP’s aunt and cousin dancing with Mr. GP’s grandfather from his chair!
I guess what I’m trying to say is, we had fun. And there’s more to come! Up next: I throw flowers at my friends.
Did you decide on a cake for looks, or taste? How’d you choose songs to dance with your parents?
*** All photos in this post copyright Amy Deputy Photography ***
Miss something in the Guinea Pig recaps? Far Beyond Forever:
Looks like a fun dance party! I really hope that some of our guest make use of the flip flop basket like yours did.
I LOVE how the cake and your dress coordinate perfectly!!!
That does sound like a delicious cake, and that is so cute how well it matches your dress.
@Mrs. Trail Mix, LittlestBirds: What’s funny is that we totally did not plan it that way because I never thought about how I’d be wearing a blue sash when we cut the cake, but I guess it does match well! Ha! Accidental matchiness.
How fun does your reception look! I love the picture of grandpa dancing in his chair. 
such a beautiful cake, gpig, it’s so smooth it hardly looks like buttercream! and i love that your flip flops got lots of use!
Mmm that cake looks great! I love that shot of Mr. GP’s grandpa. clearly it was an awesome party.
That cake is lovely! I love the picture of the aunt and cousin dancing with the grandfather from his seat! Such a sweet and thoughtful thing of them to do!
Wow that’s some smooooooth buttercream! And i LOVE that last picture 
Your cake looks delish! And I love how it matches your dress. Ours matched my dress too (but it was intentional).
that is one towering, beautiful cake! and looks like everyone had a great time dancing!
Ohhhh my gosh…I want a piece of your cake, STAT! It looks heavenly. I am LOVING the photo of Mr. GP’s grandpa dancing in his chair!!! Haha!
[...] you remember in my last post, even Mr. Guinea Pig’s grandfather was dancing from his chair! And as the evening got later, the [...]
Mrs. Guinea Pig, Baltimore, MD Age and Occupation: 26, PhD student Fiance's Age and Occupation: 26, Operations Director at a non-profit Engagement Date: December 25, 2008 Wedding Date: May 2010 Venue: The Chesapeake Bay Beach Club About Me: I'm a tomboy science nerd whose girly side has made a startling appearance thanks to wedding planning! I love to bake, knit and sew but I also ride a motorcycle (that Mr. Guinea Pig wouldn't touch with a 10 foot pole). We live with our three crazy cats and love to read, travel, watch movies, and do home improvement projects together! My parents/family are Canadian but I'm definitely American, although I've lived in 5 different countries, 6 different states, and speak Russian fluently. Mr. GP and I met online (did I mention I'm a scientist?) and had a whirlwind romance - now we can't wait to get married & celebrate with all our friends and family in a blue and yellow waterfront affair!
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