Weddingbee Blog

After a whirlwind photo session with our wedding party, hand-in-hand Mr. Tartlet and I stepped inside the sun-drenched Conservatory to soak in the transformation that had taken place over the last few hours. The Parsonage truly outdid themselves to design centerpieces that were both airy and lush, and in concert with Twofoot Creative perfected the tablescapes.

{Photo by Aruna B. Photography}

We were briefly reunited with our officiant, Reverend Brian Tuttle, whose genuine warmth and heart always transfused us with a sense of security. Words of assurance and well wishes were exchanged, and then we were spirited along through numerous pairs of welcoming arms before rejoining the bridal party in our suite where we collected our thoughts and quietly anticipated the next big step in our lives. At a quarter to six, we journeyed back down to the Conservatory—and a blow was delivered to our carefully planned timeline.

The room was conspicuously empty. Although 20 of our 60 expected guests were lined up in the hallway awaiting the processional, almost a third of the remaining 40 people were absent. A few reconnaissance missions proved that the empty seats belonged to our friends traveling from Ann Arbor, and that traffic was especially congested on that route: a trip that normally takes an hour took some people three to make earlier in the day. I stood in the middle of the hallway with a forlorn expression, struggling with the decision: either we continue as planned so as not to keep the present guests waiting, or we delay for an indefinite amount of time with the hope that our friends would arrive posthaste. After consulting with Mr. Tartlet, we firmly decided on the latter. Our day-of-coordinator and guardian angel, Ana Skidmore, thoughtfully led us into the library to hide my presence from incoming guests before gliding off to adjust the timeline with vendors and the catering staff.

Cool and collected on the outside, anxious on the inside as we waited

Our choice to wait paid off, as our missing friends arrived shortly after six o’clock. Ana expeditiously guided them to their seats and within minutes the processional had begun to the tune of “Glasgow’s Love Theme” from the Love Actually soundtrack.

Reverend Tuttle led the way, followed by Mr. Tartlet, Best Man Alex, and GM Michael.

Mr. Tartlet’s grandparents made their entrances…

…and shortly thereafter our parents strode down the aisle.

Mr. Tartlet’s parents on the left; Mama Tartlet being escorted by Brother Tartlet on the right

Once our grandparents and parents had been seated, my cousin pulled our ring bearer and flower girl down the aisle in the red wagon that my mom had painstakingly decorated earlier that morning:

Our DJ, Mary Ann of Mary Ann Productions, seamlessly transitioned into “Portuguese Love Theme” (also from the Love Actually soundtrack) for the bridal party’s entrance.

Tanya floated down the aisle first…

…followed by Laura…

…and finally my sister and Matron of Honor, Heidi:

Although I never aired our struggles here, we went back and forth for months on the pervasive iPod vs. DJ decision. In the end, we entrusted our ceremony and reception to Mary Ann, whose bright personality instantaneously clicked with mine. There was a very specific point in the song when I wanted to step into the room (1:57 in the video above), and Mary Ann worked her magic to flawlessly give me the entrance of my dreams. As I heard the strings begin to swell in volume, I tightened my grip on my father’s hand and said in a steady voice: this is it. Together, we stepped through the doors and began our journey towards my future husband.

Hardly 10 minutes had passed since I had seen Mr. Tartlet, but when our eyes met across the room the same overwhelming joy that had come over me at our first look again rocked me to the core.

The music faded away, and my mother stood up to join us before Reverend Tuttle began:

“Who offers this woman in marriage?”

My parents response, carefully worded and approved by both and well practiced (the week prior they carried a piece of paper in their pockets with the line on it), was long in coming. Only when I heard my mom’s voice shaking did I realize they were struggling to regain their composure before delivering the line.

“She offers herself in marriage, and we give her our blessings.”

After a firm handshake…

…and hugs all around…

My parents placed my hands in those of Mr. Tartlet’s with an emphatic squeeze.

For the next little while I’m going to step aside and let our ceremony do the talking. In the month prior to our wedding, Reverend Tuttle dedicated his time and talents to creating a service that had significant personal meaning, and was perfectly tailored to us as a couple. We cherished the process and the final result, and I’ve been looking forward to sharing the experience with all of you!

{Welcome}

Welcome to beautiful Rochester Hills, and the Royal Park Hotel. Holly and Peter would like to thank you all for being here with them today, and for supporting them through everything that it has taken to make this day a reality. They know that your taking the time and making this long journey took considerable effort for many of you and they wanted you all to know the deep appreciation and gratitude that they feel in their hearts for this. Your presence here is a vital part in this celebration. All of the time, and conversations, that you have had with Holly and Peter even before they met have helped to make them who they needed to be to first find themselves and then each other. You have shared in their best and their worst days, and you are an irreplaceable part of their yesterdays, their today and all of their tomorrows. For all of you are among the greatest gifts that life has given them. All of you are those they can call Family and Friend.

Did circumstances out of your control threaten to throw a wrench in your wedding timeline? Up next: our ceremony continues with a promise, a message on love and marriage, and our declarations of intent.

• Sweet Beginnings: Papa-Paparazzi
• Sweet Beginnings: You Have Stolen My Heart
• Sweet Beginnings: Get Ready ’Cause Here I Come
• Sweet Beginnings: This Gift
• Sweet Beginnings: Good Mornin’ To You
• Sweet Beginnings: Welcome to Michigan
• Sweet Beginnings: Practice Makes Perfect
• Sweet Beginnings: Lets Get It Started!