As our guests moved from the cocktail hour on Pippin Hill’s patio back into the granary for dinner, my bridesmaids and I went up to the bridal loft for my dress change.
I wrote about having a second dress just after our wedding. At my first fitting with the Jorge Manuel gown I won, my seamstress made it sound like she was going to dismantle the gown to alter it and preserve the fabric flowers on the bodice. Worried about the outcome, I bought a sample dress at a deep discount to have as a backup. When I saw Jorge a few weeks before the wedding, he said that he liked it when brides change dresses and I decided to use both gowns.
Amsale’s Kennedy gown
Along with the dress change, I decided to change shoes. My ceremony shoes were simple, and I thought it’d be fun to wear some more sparkly shoes for the reception.
The picture below shows the bustle in it’s best form. My seamstress told me that were was an extra tie to get that little sweep train tucked away after our first dance. My bridesmaids did their best getting it tied, but it looked a bit wonky. Oh well. For the most part, we were dancing after that so it didn’t really matter.
Mr. Mink had no idea there was a second dress. To be honest, I think he was a little relieved. He has told me that he preferred my Jorge Manuel gown, but was glad he didn’t have to dance with it since it was a bit poufy.
I’ve surprised myself with how little I’ve talked about music as a bee blogger. Mr. Mink and I met at a concert. We travel to shows or festivals, and many of our friends do the same.
The music for our entrance was set very early in our planning. We knew we wanted to start the reception with Phish’s “Tweezer Reprise,” a song we love that often gets us (and the crowds at Phish shows) amped up. The guys at Phish.net call it “the thrilling exclamation point at the end of a raging, set-long sentence.”
Our favorite version of “Tweezer Reprise” actually has a train wreck in the middle of it. Phish played the song twice. The energy is great, but the start of the second “lap” is a bit messy. We wanted the beginning of the first song merged with the end of the second. I thought I was asking a lot of DJ Derek Tobler, but he fit the two together beautifully, even though the two versions are at slightly different tempos.
We told the kids to dance and be funny…one of our nephews ran straight to his seat, but the others made it to the dance floor. I don’t think our flower girl quite understood what this part was all about. After all, we were just in this same space an hour prior for the ceremony.
Our bridesmaids and groomsmen walked in while the song was still building up. I think DJ Best Man (Mr. Mink’s radio co-host) was most excited about this song selection. We often go to shows with Dr. Bridesmaid and GM Blue (in the middle below), and we’re bummed we don’t have a picture catching them dancing on the way out.
This part was a total blur to me. We walked in and everyone jumped up around us. In the picture below, I can see a friend who is an image consultant and fashion blogger talking to someone else at her table and I’m 99% sure she realized I had changed dresses.
We decided to go straight into the first-dance song. The weddings I’ve been to back home had dancing right away, and an announcement was made to send people back to their tables for salads and dinner. Here in Virginia, every wedding we’ve attended has started with dinner, with the first dance coming a bit late in the night. The dance floor always seemed off limits until the couple had their first dance.
Happily, Derek is from a place where first dances “start” the reception and was happy to have a short dance set before dinner.
Our first-dance song was another one that needed a little editing. Someone told us to keep the first dance to two minutes or less, and Derek edited another long Phish song down to a tight 2:15.
If you don’t know the lyrics, the refrain “come waste your time with me” might seem really strange, but we see it as a sweet song (we clearly like the more optimistic interpretations of it).
Part of me wanted to run and jump into Mr. Mink’s arms for the big crescendo of the song. Yeah, that didn’t happen. Something about having over 100 sets of eyes on you can make you a big chicken and a tad self-conscious.
Our little bridal party joined in the dancing at the end of the song.
It was short, sweet, and simple. No choreography, no big surprises, just us and one of our favorite songs.
I couldn’t believe how quickly this evening was going. I wanted to slow the clocks down. Before we knew it, it was time for dinner and some toasts.
All images by Elisa B Photography
Did you miss a Merry Mink recap?
Ahh! “Waste”! I love it. I’m not a big Phish fan, but I have a couple of live recordings of Dave Matthews doing it– sadly, none of them are good enough to use for a dance. I think it’s a sweet song– not like you’re “wasting your time” with someone at all… Good move.
@Merelymere: I have a few shows in which Dave sings it. I have to look and see if they sang it together during that little Dave & Friends tour. That was a great little tour…
Both of your dresses are just lovely, your reception dress looks perfect for dancing the night away!
I love both of your dresses. you look beautiful in both!
@Mrs. Candy Apple: Aw, thanks so much! I loved both, but this one was for dancing!
@rachel: I love it when the Phans come out on Weddingbee! We’re everywhere!
@Mrs. Pony: Thanks so much, Pony!
@Almost Mrs.P: I honestly like everything Amsale does, across all three lines. She makes everyone look amazing!
@Miss Gray Wolf: I remember not being sure about it at first, but after the first show I went to (Providence), I think my group of friends decided to get to as many shows as possible. I think we saw Providence, Dayton, and Bonnaroo. Such a great year, though I’m obviously glad that Trey is back where he belongs now. 
@Miss Panda: Thank you so much, Panda!
@Miss Gray Wolf: Just remember we saw them at Vegoose and in Boston, too! That little group got around!
I love the dancing pictures, you two look so cute.
I LOOOOVE that Amsale dress! Your first dance pictures are amazing.
Dave & Friends was a great tour. Saw that show at MSG and we were so buzzed after that show. Wasn’t sure what to expect seeing Dave without the rest of the band but it was great!
@Mrs. Toadstool: Aw, thanks!
@Mrs. Treasure: I felt a little nervous about sharing them since we didn’t have dance lessons or do anything unexpected!
@courtoni: I had been seeing full band DMB for a while and I think the Dave & Friends tour is what got me to branch off a little more. I always liked TAB, but got seriously into Phish after that.
The picture of Mr. Mink kissing your forehead and your open mouth smile/laugh gave me tears. I think it is just so perfect.
Dress change… yessss. I really wanted to wear the heck out of my dress as long as possible, but I absolutely love and am jealous of brides with two dresses. I love changes like this!
That is one particular wonderful article. I am at the moment looking for adjustable piano bench for our own home and this is unquestionably a big help!
Mrs. Mink, Charlottesville, Virginia Age and Occupation: 34, College Administrator Fiance's Age and Occupation: 40, Craft Beer Consultant Engagement Date: November 26, 2010 Wedding Date: June 2012 Venue: Pippin Hill Farm & Vineyards About Me: I left a pre-war brownstone in Boston six years ago to live in a funky, Southern city where Thomas Jefferson, Dave Matthews, and urban chicken keepers enjoy equal social standing. I still love my Patriots and Red Sox, but have fallen in love with Virginia. I work in education and specialize in integrating technology into my work to improve the student experience. I’m a diehard blogger, animal lover, jamband follower, and DIYer. I paint to relax and have transferred by energy from home projects to wedding projects in recent months. When Mr. Mink and I started talking about marriage, we knew our wedding would be outdoors, that my golden retriever would be part of the day, and that the music would be fantastic. We’ve taken a few risks during our planning process and we’ve been enjoying the process immensely!
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