Mrs. Champagne, DC/Vail/ColoradoAge and Occupation: 26, Eye DoctorFiance's Age and Occupation: 27, AttorneyEngagement Date: March 13, 2006Wedding Date: February 2009Blogging Since: July 30, 2008Venue: Small church ceremony with mountain-view log cabin receptionAbout Me: I'm a small town mountain girl with a city heart. Found my way to the east coast, and Mr. Champagne kept me here so we're planning a wedding from afar in my hometown Vail, Colorado. I'm secretly obsessed with reality TV, Wii games where I can shoot a gun, country music, and Caesar: Dog Whisperer. I also spend time pretending to golf, backseat driving, having one way conversations with our MinPin Maxwell, loving champagne, and wedding perfecting… I mean, planning. I use way too many repeated symbols and letters when I write, and I'll love Mr. Champagne endlessly…
It’s hard to believe that almost two years ago I married my best friend and I still have yet to finish my recaps! Looking back through my posts has been such a wonderful reminder of what a seriously supportive community Weddingbee was and has been for me. If I hadn’t met Miss (now Mrs.) Tiramisu, I may not have stumbled across Weddingbee, and the details of our wedding wouldn’t have been the same. Still, when picking my all time favorite post, it’s not a DIY or tutorial but rather two posts that remind me of the overwhelming emotion I experienced after our wedding and how lucky we were to be married in the beautiful mountains of my hometown in Colorado.
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Hi Hive!! Oh how I’ve missed you! We’re back from Mexico and happily married! The adjustment from the snowy mountains of Colorado to the hot beaches in the Riviera Maya was intense, but we’re loving EVERY MINUTE of the married life. We actually decided early on that when we returned from our honeymoon we would take a few days off before going back to work, and I can’t tell you how special these days have been. There’s something about watching movies on the couch in your pajamas with your husband that’s so much better than watching them with your fiance!
Mrs. Champagne, DC/Vail/ColoradoAge and Occupation: 26, Eye DoctorFiance's Age and Occupation: 27, AttorneyEngagement Date: March 13, 2006Wedding Date: February 2009Blogging Since: July 30, 2008Venue: Small church ceremony with mountain-view log cabin receptionAbout Me: I'm a small town mountain girl with a city heart. Found my way to the east coast, and Mr. Champagne kept me here so we're planning a wedding from afar in my hometown Vail, Colorado. I'm secretly obsessed with reality TV, Wii games where I can shoot a gun, country music, and Caesar: Dog Whisperer. I also spend time pretending to golf, backseat driving, having one way conversations with our MinPin Maxwell, loving champagne, and wedding perfecting… I mean, planning. I use way too many repeated symbols and letters when I write, and I'll love Mr. Champagne endlessly…
When it came time to organize the “detail” photos from our wedding, I realized that things may be a bit out of order here, so just work with me. Recaps are tough to organize! I shared with you our day-after photos with my talented cousin (and bridesmaid) MB of Design MB Fotografie. She captured some gorgeous shots of my bouquet, so I figured I would continue with some of the ceremony and personal details.
As I mentioned probably a thousand times, I was in love with my bouquet! Read more…
Mrs. Champagne, DC/Vail/ColoradoAge and Occupation: 26, Eye DoctorFiance's Age and Occupation: 27, AttorneyEngagement Date: March 13, 2006Wedding Date: February 2009Blogging Since: July 30, 2008Venue: Small church ceremony with mountain-view log cabin receptionAbout Me: I'm a small town mountain girl with a city heart. Found my way to the east coast, and Mr. Champagne kept me here so we're planning a wedding from afar in my hometown Vail, Colorado. I'm secretly obsessed with reality TV, Wii games where I can shoot a gun, country music, and Caesar: Dog Whisperer. I also spend time pretending to golf, backseat driving, having one way conversations with our MinPin Maxwell, loving champagne, and wedding perfecting… I mean, planning. I use way too many repeated symbols and letters when I write, and I'll love Mr. Champagne endlessly…
Alright, so you’ve seen the non-snowy portraits with Abby Jiu, but they were clearly missing one important element—Champ! The day after our wedding insane celebration, we somehow composed ourselves enough to take showers, recoup, and smile for the camera. I’m semi certain we were running on post-wedding steam and we may or may not have actually been awake, but my cousin (who was also a bridesmaid) was ready to take our photos! All photos by my beautiful cousin MB of Design MB Fotografie. Read more…
Mrs. Champagne, DC/Vail/ColoradoAge and Occupation: 26, Eye DoctorFiance's Age and Occupation: 27, AttorneyEngagement Date: March 13, 2006Wedding Date: February 2009Blogging Since: July 30, 2008Venue: Small church ceremony with mountain-view log cabin receptionAbout Me: I'm a small town mountain girl with a city heart. Found my way to the east coast, and Mr. Champagne kept me here so we're planning a wedding from afar in my hometown Vail, Colorado. I'm secretly obsessed with reality TV, Wii games where I can shoot a gun, country music, and Caesar: Dog Whisperer. I also spend time pretending to golf, backseat driving, having one way conversations with our MinPin Maxwell, loving champagne, and wedding perfecting… I mean, planning. I use way too many repeated symbols and letters when I write, and I'll love Mr. Champagne endlessly…
I know what you’re thinking… wait a second Champagne, wasn’t your wedding in the snowy mountains of Colorado? It was, indeed but I thought a bridal session without snow might be fun! Plus, I figured I’d get back into my recaps with a series of two different portrait sessions—our original day-after photo session with my cousin (and bridesmaid) Marybeth of Design MB Fotographie, and my second session with DC area photographer Abby Jiu. Read more…
Mrs. Champagne, DC/Vail/ColoradoAge and Occupation: 26, Eye DoctorFiance's Age and Occupation: 27, AttorneyEngagement Date: March 13, 2006Wedding Date: February 2009Blogging Since: July 30, 2008Venue: Small church ceremony with mountain-view log cabin receptionAbout Me: I'm a small town mountain girl with a city heart. Found my way to the east coast, and Mr. Champagne kept me here so we're planning a wedding from afar in my hometown Vail, Colorado. I'm secretly obsessed with reality TV, Wii games where I can shoot a gun, country music, and Caesar: Dog Whisperer. I also spend time pretending to golf, backseat driving, having one way conversations with our MinPin Maxwell, loving champagne, and wedding perfecting… I mean, planning. I use way too many repeated symbols and letters when I write, and I'll love Mr. Champagne endlessly…
After the ceremony, a few photos, and signing our marriage license, it was time to head into Vail Village to take some photos. We hopped out of the limo near a local hotel and walked into the Village.
You may already know this, but Vail is considered a “walking town”. There are no cars allowed on the streets, and it’s primarily shops and restaurants for visitors to see. Read more…
Mrs. Champagne, DC/Vail/ColoradoAge and Occupation: 26, Eye DoctorFiance's Age and Occupation: 27, AttorneyEngagement Date: March 13, 2006Wedding Date: February 2009Blogging Since: July 30, 2008Venue: Small church ceremony with mountain-view log cabin receptionAbout Me: I'm a small town mountain girl with a city heart. Found my way to the east coast, and Mr. Champagne kept me here so we're planning a wedding from afar in my hometown Vail, Colorado. I'm secretly obsessed with reality TV, Wii games where I can shoot a gun, country music, and Caesar: Dog Whisperer. I also spend time pretending to golf, backseat driving, having one way conversations with our MinPin Maxwell, loving champagne, and wedding perfecting… I mean, planning. I use way too many repeated symbols and letters when I write, and I'll love Mr. Champagne endlessly…
So after the ceremony, we headed downstairs in the Chapel for a quick moment together. I felt a huge relief knowing that all we had left to do was.. well, celebrate! I’m all about the party. We both giggled at our rings, and gave a quick smooch before our wedding party joined us.
Mrs. Champagne, DC/Vail/ColoradoAge and Occupation: 26, Eye DoctorFiance's Age and Occupation: 27, AttorneyEngagement Date: March 13, 2006Wedding Date: February 2009Blogging Since: July 30, 2008Venue: Small church ceremony with mountain-view log cabin receptionAbout Me: I'm a small town mountain girl with a city heart. Found my way to the east coast, and Mr. Champagne kept me here so we're planning a wedding from afar in my hometown Vail, Colorado. I'm secretly obsessed with reality TV, Wii games where I can shoot a gun, country music, and Caesar: Dog Whisperer. I also spend time pretending to golf, backseat driving, having one way conversations with our MinPin Maxwell, loving champagne, and wedding perfecting… I mean, planning. I use way too many repeated symbols and letters when I write, and I'll love Mr. Champagne endlessly…
Before I go into the details of our ceremony, I should warn you that our photographer didn’t do any post processing, and pretty much refused to edit the images because well, apparently he thinks he’s better than that. Sooo, I’ve tried my best to do what I could with these photos (and yes, I know there’s a ton of black/white and the color is off in a bunch of them), so please please excuse my beginner-at-best editing. This is why I work with eyeballs for a living instead of behind the camera. Anyhoo… here we go.
The bridesmaids were in place, and my music started. We hired a violinist, who I actually used to play with in a local orchestra. The wedding party walked to an instrumental version of our 1st dance song, “Broken Road” by Rascal Flatts and my song was Canon in D. Pretty basic, but I love the simplicity of a single violin and piano.
Mrs. Champagne, DC/Vail/ColoradoAge and Occupation: 26, Eye DoctorFiance's Age and Occupation: 27, AttorneyEngagement Date: March 13, 2006Wedding Date: February 2009Blogging Since: July 30, 2008Venue: Small church ceremony with mountain-view log cabin receptionAbout Me: I'm a small town mountain girl with a city heart. Found my way to the east coast, and Mr. Champagne kept me here so we're planning a wedding from afar in my hometown Vail, Colorado. I'm secretly obsessed with reality TV, Wii games where I can shoot a gun, country music, and Caesar: Dog Whisperer. I also spend time pretending to golf, backseat driving, having one way conversations with our MinPin Maxwell, loving champagne, and wedding perfecting… I mean, planning. I use way too many repeated symbols and letters when I write, and I'll love Mr. Champagne endlessly…
I’m not sure if we actually made it right on time like I promised myself we would, but regardless, we were finally at the Church and ready to roll.
I was ushered downstairs to see my dad and to put on my veil. My dad and I have such a close relationship, and while I’m not your typical Daddy’s girl, we have a bond that has kept our relationship strong through some tough times. My Dad is also adopted, and as I was growing up I always felt like he and I were somehow “soul mates”. My brother is my parents’ biological child, so while we were all pretty close-knit, my dad and I had that special connection. Read more…
Mrs. Champagne, DC/Vail/ColoradoAge and Occupation: 26, Eye DoctorFiance's Age and Occupation: 27, AttorneyEngagement Date: March 13, 2006Wedding Date: February 2009Blogging Since: July 30, 2008Venue: Small church ceremony with mountain-view log cabin receptionAbout Me: I'm a small town mountain girl with a city heart. Found my way to the east coast, and Mr. Champagne kept me here so we're planning a wedding from afar in my hometown Vail, Colorado. I'm secretly obsessed with reality TV, Wii games where I can shoot a gun, country music, and Caesar: Dog Whisperer. I also spend time pretending to golf, backseat driving, having one way conversations with our MinPin Maxwell, loving champagne, and wedding perfecting… I mean, planning. I use way too many repeated symbols and letters when I write, and I'll love Mr. Champagne endlessly…
With the dress on, flowers in hand, and friends and family surrounding me it was finally time to get to the church! This part completely flew by, and I wish I remembered it better. My mom and I walked to the elevator and I couldn’t help but think that just a half hour earlier, Champ had walked right past the room where we were getting ready, and he had already experienced the ride to the church. I couldn’t wait to see him.
Mrs. Champagne, DC/Vail/ColoradoAge and Occupation: 26, Eye DoctorFiance's Age and Occupation: 27, AttorneyEngagement Date: March 13, 2006Wedding Date: February 2009Blogging Since: July 30, 2008Venue: Small church ceremony with mountain-view log cabin receptionAbout Me: I'm a small town mountain girl with a city heart. Found my way to the east coast, and Mr. Champagne kept me here so we're planning a wedding from afar in my hometown Vail, Colorado. I'm secretly obsessed with reality TV, Wii games where I can shoot a gun, country music, and Caesar: Dog Whisperer. I also spend time pretending to golf, backseat driving, having one way conversations with our MinPin Maxwell, loving champagne, and wedding perfecting… I mean, planning. I use way too many repeated symbols and letters when I write, and I'll love Mr. Champagne endlessly…
While the guys took portraits in the parking lot, we were hustling to be on time. Champ always teases me about the fact that I am always, without a question, 15 minutes late to everything. We even joked about changing the ceremony time so I wouldn’t be late, but I was determined to show him I could be on time for once. My mom grabbed my dress and we took what could be the most awkward series of photos from the day.
Our first mistake occurred before we would even think about it. Read more…
Mrs. Champagne, DC/Vail/ColoradoAge and Occupation: 26, Eye DoctorFiance's Age and Occupation: 27, AttorneyEngagement Date: March 13, 2006Wedding Date: February 2009Blogging Since: July 30, 2008Venue: Small church ceremony with mountain-view log cabin receptionAbout Me: I'm a small town mountain girl with a city heart. Found my way to the east coast, and Mr. Champagne kept me here so we're planning a wedding from afar in my hometown Vail, Colorado. I'm secretly obsessed with reality TV, Wii games where I can shoot a gun, country music, and Caesar: Dog Whisperer. I also spend time pretending to golf, backseat driving, having one way conversations with our MinPin Maxwell, loving champagne, and wedding perfecting… I mean, planning. I use way too many repeated symbols and letters when I write, and I'll love Mr. Champagne endlessly…
Ever wonder what goes through the mind of the groom the morning of the wedding? I do, and I’m so glad Champ’s friends captured his morning the day of our wedding. While I was running around with my maid of honor, jump starting her car again and again, Champ took a casual stroll through Vail Village.
Mrs. Champagne, DC/Vail/ColoradoAge and Occupation: 26, Eye DoctorFiance's Age and Occupation: 27, AttorneyEngagement Date: March 13, 2006Wedding Date: February 2009Blogging Since: July 30, 2008Venue: Small church ceremony with mountain-view log cabin receptionAbout Me: I'm a small town mountain girl with a city heart. Found my way to the east coast, and Mr. Champagne kept me here so we're planning a wedding from afar in my hometown Vail, Colorado. I'm secretly obsessed with reality TV, Wii games where I can shoot a gun, country music, and Caesar: Dog Whisperer. I also spend time pretending to golf, backseat driving, having one way conversations with our MinPin Maxwell, loving champagne, and wedding perfecting… I mean, planning. I use way too many repeated symbols and letters when I write, and I'll love Mr. Champagne endlessly…
Whew, it’s been a while, hive! My apologies for the delay in recaps, but I’ve been a little out of commission lately. You see, I haven’t really been able to type pain-free. A while back, I tripped on a computer cord at work and ended up with this:
(Excuse the sausage fingers- I couldn’t even get my wedding ring off, they were so swollen!)
Don’t believe me? Ask the guests of the D’orsay wedding who witnessed the “cast robot”. Read more…
Mrs. Champagne, DC/Vail/ColoradoAge and Occupation: 26, Eye DoctorFiance's Age and Occupation: 27, AttorneyEngagement Date: March 13, 2006Wedding Date: February 2009Blogging Since: July 30, 2008Venue: Small church ceremony with mountain-view log cabin receptionAbout Me: I'm a small town mountain girl with a city heart. Found my way to the east coast, and Mr. Champagne kept me here so we're planning a wedding from afar in my hometown Vail, Colorado. I'm secretly obsessed with reality TV, Wii games where I can shoot a gun, country music, and Caesar: Dog Whisperer. I also spend time pretending to golf, backseat driving, having one way conversations with our MinPin Maxwell, loving champagne, and wedding perfecting… I mean, planning. I use way too many repeated symbols and letters when I write, and I'll love Mr. Champagne endlessly…
The morning of our wedding was so relaxing, I completely lost track of time. By the time I had finished showering and drying my hair, our photographer was waiting downstairs while the bridesmaids got ready. I heard a knock on our door, followed by a few squeals from the girls - Champ’s gift for me had arrived! I quickly grabbed my gift and card for him, and had my MOH head across the hall where he was getting ready.
Finding a gift for a groom who has everything was tough, so I took an idea from my fellow bee Mrs. Tiramisu. Anne Holman is a designer on Etsy, and her vintage custom map cuff links were the perfect gift for Champ. What would I do without the inspiration from Weddingbee? Surrriously. Read more…
Mrs. Champagne, DC/Vail/ColoradoAge and Occupation: 26, Eye DoctorFiance's Age and Occupation: 27, AttorneyEngagement Date: March 13, 2006Wedding Date: February 2009Blogging Since: July 30, 2008Venue: Small church ceremony with mountain-view log cabin receptionAbout Me: I'm a small town mountain girl with a city heart. Found my way to the east coast, and Mr. Champagne kept me here so we're planning a wedding from afar in my hometown Vail, Colorado. I'm secretly obsessed with reality TV, Wii games where I can shoot a gun, country music, and Caesar: Dog Whisperer. I also spend time pretending to golf, backseat driving, having one way conversations with our MinPin Maxwell, loving champagne, and wedding perfecting… I mean, planning. I use way too many repeated symbols and letters when I write, and I'll love Mr. Champagne endlessly…
After our night of fun singing around the piano with family and friends, Champ and I separated and my maid of honor and I stayed in the hotel room where we would get ready the day of the wedding. Champ and I actually live in the DC area, so our trip to Vail was great because I also got to visit my maid of honor and some of my closest friends who I don’t see often. There’s something about the connection of childhood friends that can’t be beat. My MOH knows me well, and she knew I wanted to start and end the day with a huge smile on my face. We woke up to a chilly February morning and noticed some HUGE icicles outside our hotel room. Being the five year olds that we are, we of course knocked all of them down. Read more…
Mrs. Champagne, DC/Vail/ColoradoAge and Occupation: 26, Eye DoctorFiance's Age and Occupation: 27, AttorneyEngagement Date: March 13, 2006Wedding Date: February 2009Blogging Since: July 30, 2008Venue: Small church ceremony with mountain-view log cabin receptionAbout Me: I'm a small town mountain girl with a city heart. Found my way to the east coast, and Mr. Champagne kept me here so we're planning a wedding from afar in my hometown Vail, Colorado. I'm secretly obsessed with reality TV, Wii games where I can shoot a gun, country music, and Caesar: Dog Whisperer. I also spend time pretending to golf, backseat driving, having one way conversations with our MinPin Maxwell, loving champagne, and wedding perfecting… I mean, planning. I use way too many repeated symbols and letters when I write, and I'll love Mr. Champagne endlessly…
Hi hive! My apologies for the delay in recaps—life happened and time passed so quickly! I’ll get right back into it where I left off: our rehearsal dinner. Now I know it’s summer and the middle of July, but just picture the mountains of Colorado and a light snowfall. Got it? Okay, now picture the trees lit up with Christmas lights and warm winter jackets. The night of our rehearsal was perfect, and if any of you are familiar with Colorado weather, you know it’s rather unpredictable. I had worried about the possibility of a huge snowstorm that would prevent our guests (and many of our vendors!) from reaching Vail, but the light snow the night of our rehearsal put my mind at ease—we would NOT be snowed in!
We rehearsed at the Vail Chapel and walked literally right across the street to a local restaurant for dinner. It’s located within one of Vail’s oldest and most unique Bavarian style hotels. The are a few restaurants within this hotel, but the restaurant we chose has the true Western, feel complete with antler chandeliers, and we wanted guests to experience something with Colorado style.
Mrs. Champagne, DC/Vail/ColoradoAge and Occupation: 26, Eye DoctorFiance's Age and Occupation: 27, AttorneyEngagement Date: March 13, 2006Wedding Date: February 2009Blogging Since: July 30, 2008Venue: Small church ceremony with mountain-view log cabin receptionAbout Me: I'm a small town mountain girl with a city heart. Found my way to the east coast, and Mr. Champagne kept me here so we're planning a wedding from afar in my hometown Vail, Colorado. I'm secretly obsessed with reality TV, Wii games where I can shoot a gun, country music, and Caesar: Dog Whisperer. I also spend time pretending to golf, backseat driving, having one way conversations with our MinPin Maxwell, loving champagne, and wedding perfecting… I mean, planning. I use way too many repeated symbols and letters when I write, and I'll love Mr. Champagne endlessly…
