Weddingbee Blog

After our newlywed portraits and family portraits had been completed, it was time to schmooze. I turned to our make-shift bar to get the party started right when I came to a startling discovery.

“WHERE’S THE WINE?!?!”

My one bridezilla moment was when I realized no one had put out the wine. These people were trying to kill me!

My dad grabbed the wine that was chilling in buckets inside. We started out with one bottle of red and white at each table, and the guests could help themselves to hard alcohol, soft drinks, juice, and beer over by the food stations.

Meanwhile, the catering staff was passing out appetizers.

We had cheese and Japanese eggplant crostini, sausage rolls, and a cheese platter. While people were eating and drinking, we had them make wishes for us on the back of their place cards. Guests could place them on our tanabata cherry blossom tree at their leisure.

After the wedding, it was nice to sit down and read our friends’ well wishes. We placed all the name tags and cards in an album, although I’m trying to think of how I can more prominently display them, because the messages really warm my heart.

While guests were drinking, getting to know their table mates, and writing us wishes, Mr. G and I were schmoozing away. We walked from table to table talking to all the guests, some of whom we hadn’t seen since we had arrived in America just 30 days prior to the wedding after 3 years abroad. The backyard was abuzz with activity.

Something people don’t tell you about your duties as a bride is that people want to have a drink with you. And there are like, a million glasses on the table, so it makes it really easy for people to pour you a drink.

“Oh honey, it’s so good to see you, sit down and have a glass of wine. Let’s talk about your wedding!”

“You just look exhausted! Here, have a drink, we need to catch up!”

So I went around to each party and drank. And drank. And drank. (And you don’t get to eat, either!)

I also noticed no one was using the fauxtobooth in the corner and encouraged guests to take photos. All that wine really helped to take the initiative to put on some props and get goofy.

Notice: wine glasses in both Mr. G’s and my hands. Where did they keep coming from?!?!

People really got into the fauxtobooth, but I really wanted to take advantage of the intimacy of the yard and get some cool shots from the second story window. The photographer called to everyone to gather in the center of the yard for a group shot.

It was nearing 6 o’clock, and despite the late ceremony start, we were on schedule. Our cocktail hour was drawing to a close and dinner was to be served. The sun was beginning to set.

Someone had turned on the night lights and the tables were being set for salad to be served. By that time, I had enough to drink that all the stresses of the missing guests, late start, ceremony stumbles, and timing of things didn’t even matter. You could find me mumbling to Mr. G, “I don’t… I don’t even… *hic* care how things get done anymore! Things will get done how they get done, ya know?”

All images by L.A. based wedding photographer Tam T. Nguyen.

Missed something?

• First, we prepped the yard.
• Then, the girls got ready.
• After that, our ceremony got off to a rough start.
• I gave you a glimpse of our wedding day.
• We took some time out to be alone with family.