Weddingbee Blog

I know I said I’d talk about the day after, but this one’s worth addressing, as Mrs. Cola did after her own nuptials.

A few friends said at least three things go wrong, be them huge things or tiny things, and some wondered what mine were. Once-brides usually have rosy, teary memories of the big day and those leading up to it. Things that go very wrong (or even “wrong”) might then not seem worth the effort of remembering. But for anyone worried about your average set of uh-ohs, here’s how it shook out for us.

Only tears of happiness allowed.

Pics by Ashley Forrette and Gem Photo unless otherwise noted.

• Some cupcakes were removed from the display — and hopefully at least enjoyed — during dinner and before the cake-cutting. I think this is partially because they were in a tempting spot near the buffet. Chef/Bridesmaid JB thought ahead and saved more than a dozen just for us. If you can swing it, I definitely recommend some set-asides for later. No seeming holes in the display during our cake-cutting or photos. And much of the topper cheesecake — the parts we didn’t scarf, that is — is in our freezer. Verdict: No. Though, not gonna lie, Bridezilla might have cried if the for-cutting cake got fiddled with.

Buffet’s off to the left, not far from this table.

• I mentioned my unruly birdcage veil in this early recaps post. The veil did get a bit wily, especially outdoors in a wind-prone part of town, but I suppose I did, too. Plus, I insisted on wearing it the whole day and night because I loved it so much. Verdict: If I completely overthink it, maybe. But, no.

• My dress was difficult to unwrinkle entirely, though we got a good bit of them smoothed out beforehand. This might be due to its material, it being a sample, or to it being a trumpet-shape dress that hugged my pear-iest parts and wrinkled once I moved. Who knows. Verdict: No. Wrinkles add character in people and dresses. That’s my story and I’m sticking to it!

• The printed-way-early programs listed our older nephew as ring bearer, but he didn’t end up traveling to the wedding from Texas. He’d still be our first choice, so we consider him honorary ring bearer, instead. Verdict: No.
• The first-dance fakeout was pretty funny. Verdict: No.

Good luck fairies return!

• We didn’t want to break a table down for extra dance space, which was a seeming necessity before the final guest count came in. But a three-bridesmaid table volunteered on their own and it worked out really well. Verdict: No. In fact, how nice! And thanks!
• I didn’t have a bourbon cocktail, a videographer, a chorus of cherubs, or gold leaf on each guest plate. My perfect day was not perfect! Verdict: No. I look forward to so many more “perfect” days.
• This isn’t something that went wrong, but I know many are concerned about the sweetheart table isolating you from your guests. Not to worry, as people are not shy about coming up to say hello!

Guest pic. We’re not wearing our rings because they’re being photographed

I suppose the sweetheart table looks lonely now, but the bouquet brightened that right up. Can you gather how awesome I found that bouquet?

• We didn’t try that hard with our Friday rehearsal dinner. I mentioned it a bit in an early recap. This is mostly due to people-moving logistics, timing, and desire. As such, it wasn’t a very intimate gathering. Verdict: Eh. Ideally, we would have had it somewhere else and tried a little harder to make it more special, but the contributing factors would still be relevant. Speaking of people-moving, the effort of two uncles, two cousins, and front-desk hotel staff could not get a wheelchair cab for my parents. Even after more than an hour of trying before the dinner rush. I’m still a bit steamed over how, apparently, there aren’t enough of these in the city at any given time. Cab companies: Either have enough of these in service or stop advertising their availability, because it’s seemingly easier to catch a white whale.

With the so-so, the excellent. We did get margaritas, generously purchased with dinner by my in-laws, friends, love, and these photos. Bridesmaid AM made the feather bouquet especially for rehearsal.

My friend Suzanne (who took this pic) said she thought our officiant cried when we gave him his present (the bottle of port he’s holding). This is me pushing him out the door to catch his train home.

I know some weddings have gone way wrong-er by comparison, and I’m impressed by how strong people have been in spite of it. When your time comes, I hope you find it in you to let the chips fall where they may, whether your wrongs were large or small.

The Tacos speak. Take it from us and don’t pet the sweaty things.

OK, now let’s talk about a boring ol’ married couple on their first full day of forever.

Catch up on the supreme journey:

• After the party is the after party.
• Little things from a big day.
• Po-po-po-poker face po-po-poker face.
• Journey should have been at my wedding.
• DIET STARTS MONDAY.
• Wedding peeps make like Gaga and Just Dance.
• The formal-group-portraits thing
• The nice, naughty, and cardboard among us enjoy the photo booth.
• Introduction to the Snot Wall during toasts. Then we commemorate our real love with “Real Love.”
• Led Zeppelin and The Beatles kick off a rockin’ buffet dinner hour.
• Cocktail hour, just-us time with the photographers, and life-size cutouts, you say?
• Ceremony: “comedy hour,” not falling, and a snub-nosed flower girl.
• First look, bridal-party wanders around Civic Center.
• Official start of recaps, as we get ready for showtime with sandwiches and mimosas.
• Best of the Phone Cameras, some of the first pics we actually saw.
• Early lessons learned, two weeks into Mrs.