Weddingbee Blog

So, we’re post-pie-cutting, post-first dance, and onto the real dancing.

I would like to take this opportunity to remind you that we got married early in the morning; by the time it was dancing time, it was probably noon, maybe 1PM. It was early afternoon. This is no pop-song rocking out dancing. No, folks, this is crunchy granola type Contradancing.

Here is a video of contradancing with our awesome band playing.

We started with something simple, and, yes, everyone was required to join us.

We chose contradancing because it’s easy to catch on to, it’s something everyone can participate in regardless of skill level, and you switch partners a lot, so all our favorite people could get to know each other some more and no one would feel left out. It was so. much. fun.

Our fabulous caller kept things moving right along. We started with a simple circle dance. Okay, maybe some people think, “Wedding, all the guests standing in a circle = sappy.” But add some good fiddle music and instead of just sappy, you get sappy and awesome, with a good beat, to boot! And after a good circle dance, even people who were like, “What’s contradancing?” are saying, “Oh, wow, I am really good at this!”

The explanation at work: we will hold hands, walk in circles in one direction, and then the other (I told you it was simple!). What I love here, you guys, LOVE, is seeing my friends holding hands and later full-out dancing with my family, or Fancee’s family dancing with my friends and family… it’s just a whole blend of music, laughter, and all the people we love really spending some quality time together. This dancing really does not allow for segregation.

Every time I see this photo, I think: Exactly.

We’re getting advanced here: moving out of the circle and into the line dancing! Yes, that is my mother holding hands with my bridesman.

And this is one of our photographers carrying me down the line! You’ll notice that at this stage of the wedding, I have reached a new set of undress: I still have the vest, but I’ve lost the pretty shoes and my pants were rolled up, and I was really, really happy. Um, the happy part is definitely not new.

I like to think that my brother is really preparing to take Fancee’s best friend for an awesome dance move here.

And he is for sure rocking out with my mom here.

And, man, I love these next two pictures. Yes yes yes.

I think shortly after this, we decided to take a break. Maybe people went to eat pies? Well, after all that mingling, dancing with other people, hugging and hellos and showing off our rings, we found each other back over by the band, and the two of us had our own private moment, and the band played just for us.

In so many of these posts, the photos just bring up so much emotion, I feel at a loss for words. I’ll give it a shot, though. Here is what the dancing was for me: a chance to really express all of the joy of the day, to let it burst forth. To swing around in circles and clap my hands with all the people who came to our wedding to embrace us. To truly, actually physically, connect with the people of our community and then to return to my wife. To see the people we love really loving our wedding. And then to find peace and quiet with my wife in the midst of all of that.

That day, and after every post I write, I understand more and more why people say it’s the best day of your life. I’m looking forward to many more amazing days, and I’m not willing to bank on that one being the best. But you guys? I’m really pretty sure it’ll be in the top five.

Before this, we:

• Had a chaotic evening before the wedding and an early morning rehearsal.
• Got ready together, got ready some more separately, and then had a first look.
• Watched our family and friends process in and met each other in front of all of our guests.
• Listened as our minister welcomed our guests and some of our best friends gave some lovely readings.
• Watched our rings traveled among our guests while more poems were read.
• Said our big words and were blessed by the universe.
• Breathed a sigh of relief as our rings returned, not only unscathed, but also blessed, and we exchanged them and heard another reading. Oh yeah, and then we danced up the aisle.
• Were for serious married! We took off in a canoe and returned for family pictures.
• Took pretty and seriously fun pictures with our bridal brigade!
• Ran off into the woods together and snuggled.
• Listened to some of our closest family say the most heartwarming things about how wonderful we are (thanks, family!).
• Ate food and declared even more of our wedding The Best Part.
• Had a magical first dance to some hauntingly beautiful music.
• Ate delicious piiiiiiiiiiiiiies (the level of deliciousness corresponds to the number of “i”s in “pies”).