Weddingbee Blog

I love toasts at weddings. They’re so heartfelt, personal, and oftentimes hilarious. If you know the bride or groom, you get to reminisce with the toaster. If you aren’t as close with the bride or groom, you get to learn something new about them. And if you are the bride or groom, you end up feeling like the most loved and blessed couple ever. That, or highly embarrassed.

But I knew I was safe on the embarrassing front. Not because MOH Bunting didn’t have any ammo, mind you—she had plenty. But because we’ve known each other since second grade, and she knew that one day, when she gets married, I would have the opportunity to be in her position of power, haha.

That, and she really loves me. So while her toast had several funny memories, it was above all heartfelt and touching and made me go “awwwwwwww.” She is so beautiful.

Her kind and beautiful words made Best Man Bunting weep with the pressure to follow up with his toast.

But he was prepared, and began in earnest.

“To Mrs. Bunting…the beautiful, wonderful, and talented Mrs. Bunting. I remember one of the first times you came over to our house, you saw me polishing off a gallon of vanilla ice cream. I bet you weren’t thinking to yourself that day, ‘That stunning young man is going to be my future brother-in-law.’

“But I would like to take this moment to say: you’re an amazing person, Mrs. Bunting. You’re always there for your friends and your family. I have only known you to help, not hurt. Since you and Mr. Bunting have been together, I always knew in the back of my head that you two were perfect for each other. And hey, if Mr. Bunting and I haven’t driven you crazy, then you must possess some special power that no mortal woman does.

“You know I always wanted a sister, but I was stuck with Mr. Bunting (no offense). But hey, I don’t know who wears the pants in the relationship, so you never know. I always wanted a sister, and now I have one. And there is nobody in the entire world who I would rather call my sister than you.”

Mr. Bunting was not let off the hook so easily.

“I’d like to tell a story about a little boy who climbed on top of the roof of a two-story apartment building. Now the details as to WHY he was climbing are beyond my memory. But I do remember that there was no chance in talking him out of doing whatever dumb thing he was thinking about doing. And to my utter surprise, he jumped off the roof, landed in a garbage can full of leaves, which then proceeded to fall over, roll, and hit a fence. Luckily the boy inside was fine. You’re probably thinking that there can’t possibly be any moral to this story, but I’m going to try my best to come up with something.”

We all thoroughly enjoyed this story, though Mr. Bunting could only wonder if this was really happening.

“Mr. Bunting, EVERYONE knew that you and Mrs. Bunting were going to get married. We all saw it coming for a long time now. But what I also see here is your final leap into the real world, just as I thought jumping off our roof was your final leap. But this time, your decision is more well planned, and instead of a garbage can full of leaves, you have Mrs. Bunting to help catch you.”

Then Best Man Bunting chokingly acknowledged their father, who had passed away three years ago. Within seconds, there wasn’t a dry eye in the place.

“Dad would be proud, and I know for a fact that he wouldn’t have wanted anyone else to be his daughter-in-law. I’m sure he would have a million cheesy one-liners to say about this joyous occasion…”

But he couldn’t end on a sad note, so he had one last joke for us.

“But I’ll just leave you with my own piece of advice: no matter what happens, always remember to hold her hand…otherwise she’ll go shopping.”

Daddy Bunting had one more brief toast for us , which he followed with a sweet prayer.

And like that, the reception was well underway!

*Marked photos are copyright Bryan and Mae Photography. Unmarked photos are personal or guest photos.

Follow the adventure:

• We had a fluffing party and rehearsed.
• I woke up and got ready with my girls.
• I step into the prettiest white dress I’ll ever wear.
• Mr. Bunting recounts getting ready at the Man Cave.
• Wishin’ and prayin’ and hopin’ and thinkin’ for perfect weather.
• I received the most important Post-it note. Ever.
• We race toward one another for our first look.
• Mushy-lovey photos ensued shortly after.
• We strutted our stuff as one big happy Bunting Bunch.
• Our guests started to arrive: welcome to our wedding.
• I went into hiding… and panicked.
• Our wedding party assembled on time, but the bride was missing.
• I arrive fashionably late in a horse-drawn carriage.
• We listen to a reading and turn to wave at our guests.
• We exchange our vows, which inspire both tears and laughter.
• Mr. Bunting slips on my wedding band, and I his.
• Collected sand and earth offer a twist for our Foundation Ceremony.
• Mr. Bunting just can’t wait any longer to kiss his bride!
• Our horse-drawn carriage takes us for a private stroll.
• Cookies were had by all, and they were as delicious as they were beautiful.
• Spontaneity hits and we throw all our poms into the air. Oh, and at each other.
• Our reception hall is filled to the brim with details, details, and more details!
• Our party marches in to the tune of Star Wars.