Weddingbee Blog

PBear and I went to a wedding for a college friend of mine in August and had an absolutely great time. This is the first and probably only wedding we’re going to as an engaged couple, and it was nice to see how someone else’s decisions came together, especially when you have some idea of what you’d like and to see how that compares.

Wasn’t their venue gorgeous?

This was a couple who had gotten engaged about nine months after us, and still beat us to the altar by another nine months (oh the joys of having an insanely long engagement).

It was so nice to see a couple so much in love, and I’m so happy to see this friend finally find someone that he’s so well suited for—even though in a million years, I wouldn’t have guessed he’d beat us to the altar.

The wedding was at a vineyard. The wedding ceremony was lovely and was outside by the gazebo. During the middle of the ceremony, a hummingbird wandered by and it really completed the atmosphere. The words were fairly standard vows, and it made me laugh when Mr. PBear thought it was too long. (He’s going to be in for a treat when he realizes ours is going to be longer than that by a long shot).

Her MOH was carrying this adorable little dog. He was so well behaved!

The reception was also really lovely. The space was absolutely gorgeous, and very cozy, and the food was also really good. I took a lot of pictures of the food, and my friends just rolled their eyes at me. What? It’s research.

I got bit so many times taking this picture, I was recovering from it weeks later.

A couple things that we learned:

1.) Shortish receptions are OK. We’re not looking to do a long reception, and the 5:00 PM ceremony to a 9:30 end seems to be an appropriate length for the type of ceremony/reception we’re expecting to do. (Though it is amazing how much work goes into a four-and-a-half-hour event.)

2.) Entertainment is key. While food is our main event, we might try to provide an activity or two so people don’t get too bored. I still love the photo booth, but I guess we’ll have to see.

3.) Awkward… I am probably one of the most socially awkward people alive. I just don’t really know how to do the small talk, chit-chatting to random strangers thing. (No seriously, there is one pro picture of me at Mr. PBear’s brother’s wedding…and I’m on my phone…) That’s OK when you are just a guest at a wedding, but I’m not sure how great of an idea that is when you’re the ones getting married.

4.) The first dance is a nice moment. Keep it short and slow, and practice first. I’d like to do a first dance (I totally admit it’s a photo-op), but Mr. PBear and I are very self-conscious about, oh, 60 people watching us move back and forth, doing the awkward middle-school sway. I think I might try to convince PBear to go for some dance lessons with me.

5.) Remember what matters. Ultimately what makes a great wedding is the amount of love and happiness there. Though this couple were only engaged for six months, they managed to put together a lovely and wonderful wedding. Some days I need to remember that it really doesn’t matter if our bridesmaids’ dresses aren’t the right shade of blue, or if I don’t have gorgeous decorations like they do on Style Me Pretty—the only things that people are going to remember is the love you shared. The other details aren’t that important and are secondary to you getting married.

Did anyone else go to a wedding in the midst of wedding planning? Did you see things differently? Did it give you a different perspective about what to have at your wedding?