Mrs. Pencils, Washington DC/Frederick, MDAge and Occupation: 24, Program Director, Education Non ProfitFiance's Age and Occupation: 24, Administrative Assistant, Ocean Conservation Non ProfitEngagement Date: July 26, 2008Wedding Date: May 2010Venue: Morningside InnAbout Me: I'm a nerdy Northwestern girl who always knew she was meant to live in the East, harboring a deep love of ice cream, underwear, Diet Coke with a splash of Coca-Cola, pashminas, scrapbooking, stationery, wall calendars and books written for preteens. I think every day should include good thin crust pizza, chocolate, an obscure historical monument, lots of laughter, a dash of wedding planning and, of course, amazing Mr. Pencils! I'm loving the adventure of planning a Maryland wedding and Rocky Mountain reception, and most of all, I just love love!
There’s this debate about the rituals of wedding receptions. A debate I had no idea existed until I ventured into the online wedding community. The pros and cons of bouquet tosses, garter tosses and other customs are beyond me; I just know that they ended being some of the most ridiculous, hilarious, wonderful moments of our reception. Just look:
Mrs. Pencils, Washington DC/Frederick, MDAge and Occupation: 24, Program Director, Education Non ProfitFiance's Age and Occupation: 24, Administrative Assistant, Ocean Conservation Non ProfitEngagement Date: July 26, 2008Wedding Date: May 2010Venue: Morningside InnAbout Me: I'm a nerdy Northwestern girl who always knew she was meant to live in the East, harboring a deep love of ice cream, underwear, Diet Coke with a splash of Coca-Cola, pashminas, scrapbooking, stationery, wall calendars and books written for preteens. I think every day should include good thin crust pizza, chocolate, an obscure historical monument, lots of laughter, a dash of wedding planning and, of course, amazing Mr. Pencils! I'm loving the adventure of planning a Maryland wedding and Rocky Mountain reception, and most of all, I just love love!
If our guests weren’t enjoying the dance floor, chocolate fountain, or each other’s company, we tried to get them to visit the fake photobooth that our friend and photographer Alicia Griffin had agreed to operate.
We constructed the booth out of PVC pipe—a basic set up with feet and a simple crossbar. Mr. Pencils took on the task of creating the backdrop and he was incredibly proud of his design utilizing our ribbon. I loved it’s abstract feel and the photos we got back!
Mrs. Pencils, Washington DC/Frederick, MDAge and Occupation: 24, Program Director, Education Non ProfitFiance's Age and Occupation: 24, Administrative Assistant, Ocean Conservation Non ProfitEngagement Date: July 26, 2008Wedding Date: May 2010Venue: Morningside InnAbout Me: I'm a nerdy Northwestern girl who always knew she was meant to live in the East, harboring a deep love of ice cream, underwear, Diet Coke with a splash of Coca-Cola, pashminas, scrapbooking, stationery, wall calendars and books written for preteens. I think every day should include good thin crust pizza, chocolate, an obscure historical monument, lots of laughter, a dash of wedding planning and, of course, amazing Mr. Pencils! I'm loving the adventure of planning a Maryland wedding and Rocky Mountain reception, and most of all, I just love love!
After the first dances were over, we asked our DJ to welcome everyone to the dance floor (quite literally, ask everyone to get up and join us!) as he played Black Eyed Peas’ “I’ve Gotta Feeling”. It was awesome because so many of our guests DID join us!
I hope it’s clear that I’m “singing” “TONIGHT’S GOING TO BE A GOOD, GOOD NIGHT!” Read more…
Mrs. Pencils, Washington DC/Frederick, MDAge and Occupation: 24, Program Director, Education Non ProfitFiance's Age and Occupation: 24, Administrative Assistant, Ocean Conservation Non ProfitEngagement Date: July 26, 2008Wedding Date: May 2010Venue: Morningside InnAbout Me: I'm a nerdy Northwestern girl who always knew she was meant to live in the East, harboring a deep love of ice cream, underwear, Diet Coke with a splash of Coca-Cola, pashminas, scrapbooking, stationery, wall calendars and books written for preteens. I think every day should include good thin crust pizza, chocolate, an obscure historical monument, lots of laughter, a dash of wedding planning and, of course, amazing Mr. Pencils! I'm loving the adventure of planning a Maryland wedding and Rocky Mountain reception, and most of all, I just love love!
During dinner, Mr. Pencils and I ate as quickly as possible (but we DID eat—our coordinator Heather had saved us some food from the cocktail hour and I DEVOURED the dumplings and mini quiches AND she brought us something from all of the buffet stations too—SO much food!) and then we got up to greet as many guests as we could.
This is the part of the night where I began to feel rushed and feel the missing twenty minutes from the ceremony going long. We didn’t get to speak with any of our family (luckily, we had at the rehearsal dinner) or to three tables that held the majority of our friends not in the bridal party. I felt incredible remorse about this and dwelled on it the entire morning after our wedding, until Mr. P told me that our family and friends love us and understand—and he was right. Though I wish I could have had more time with everyone, it’s a fast five hours from ceremony to reception to end.
Mrs. Pencils, Washington DC/Frederick, MDAge and Occupation: 24, Program Director, Education Non ProfitFiance's Age and Occupation: 24, Administrative Assistant, Ocean Conservation Non ProfitEngagement Date: July 26, 2008Wedding Date: May 2010Venue: Morningside InnAbout Me: I'm a nerdy Northwestern girl who always knew she was meant to live in the East, harboring a deep love of ice cream, underwear, Diet Coke with a splash of Coca-Cola, pashminas, scrapbooking, stationery, wall calendars and books written for preteens. I think every day should include good thin crust pizza, chocolate, an obscure historical monument, lots of laughter, a dash of wedding planning and, of course, amazing Mr. Pencils! I'm loving the adventure of planning a Maryland wedding and Rocky Mountain reception, and most of all, I just love love!
We couldn’t hide out with our photographers forever. After a wonderful forty or so minutes outside, it was time to rejoin our guests after the cocktail hour for dinner. Our family and bridal party waited outside for their announcement to the party…
Mrs. Pencils, Washington DC/Frederick, MDAge and Occupation: 24, Program Director, Education Non ProfitFiance's Age and Occupation: 24, Administrative Assistant, Ocean Conservation Non ProfitEngagement Date: July 26, 2008Wedding Date: May 2010Venue: Morningside InnAbout Me: I'm a nerdy Northwestern girl who always knew she was meant to live in the East, harboring a deep love of ice cream, underwear, Diet Coke with a splash of Coca-Cola, pashminas, scrapbooking, stationery, wall calendars and books written for preteens. I think every day should include good thin crust pizza, chocolate, an obscure historical monument, lots of laughter, a dash of wedding planning and, of course, amazing Mr. Pencils! I'm loving the adventure of planning a Maryland wedding and Rocky Mountain reception, and most of all, I just love love!
FAIR WARNING: This post contains many, MANY photos.
After Mr. Pencils and I shared champagne with our nearest and dearest, we ventured out into the sweeping hills for a bit of alone time (that our wonderful photographers just happened to capture on film).
Mrs. Pencils, Washington DC/Frederick, MDAge and Occupation: 24, Program Director, Education Non ProfitFiance's Age and Occupation: 24, Administrative Assistant, Ocean Conservation Non ProfitEngagement Date: July 26, 2008Wedding Date: May 2010Venue: Morningside InnAbout Me: I'm a nerdy Northwestern girl who always knew she was meant to live in the East, harboring a deep love of ice cream, underwear, Diet Coke with a splash of Coca-Cola, pashminas, scrapbooking, stationery, wall calendars and books written for preteens. I think every day should include good thin crust pizza, chocolate, an obscure historical monument, lots of laughter, a dash of wedding planning and, of course, amazing Mr. Pencils! I'm loving the adventure of planning a Maryland wedding and Rocky Mountain reception, and most of all, I just love love!
After we had composed ourselves from our vows and my Uncle Mark’s ring presentation, we had to exchange rings. We stood patiently, waiting for the final two caps on the ceremony.
Mrs. Pencils, Washington DC/Frederick, MDAge and Occupation: 24, Program Director, Education Non ProfitFiance's Age and Occupation: 24, Administrative Assistant, Ocean Conservation Non ProfitEngagement Date: July 26, 2008Wedding Date: May 2010Venue: Morningside InnAbout Me: I'm a nerdy Northwestern girl who always knew she was meant to live in the East, harboring a deep love of ice cream, underwear, Diet Coke with a splash of Coca-Cola, pashminas, scrapbooking, stationery, wall calendars and books written for preteens. I think every day should include good thin crust pizza, chocolate, an obscure historical monument, lots of laughter, a dash of wedding planning and, of course, amazing Mr. Pencils! I'm loving the adventure of planning a Maryland wedding and Rocky Mountain reception, and most of all, I just love love!
My most-anticipated moment of the ceremony had arrived—our vows! After the readers, the marriage address, and the sand ceremony, we poured our hearts out to each other in words.
Mr. Pencils’ and I had sat down one Saturday night and penned our vows together. We wanted them to be similar but not the same; different but in kind. We decided to keep the same structure for the first three “stanzas” and repeat the same words, vows, to each other in the last “stanza”.
Mrs. Pencils, Washington DC/Frederick, MDAge and Occupation: 24, Program Director, Education Non ProfitFiance's Age and Occupation: 24, Administrative Assistant, Ocean Conservation Non ProfitEngagement Date: July 26, 2008Wedding Date: May 2010Venue: Morningside InnAbout Me: I'm a nerdy Northwestern girl who always knew she was meant to live in the East, harboring a deep love of ice cream, underwear, Diet Coke with a splash of Coca-Cola, pashminas, scrapbooking, stationery, wall calendars and books written for preteens. I think every day should include good thin crust pizza, chocolate, an obscure historical monument, lots of laughter, a dash of wedding planning and, of course, amazing Mr. Pencils! I'm loving the adventure of planning a Maryland wedding and Rocky Mountain reception, and most of all, I just love love!
Mr. Pencils and I were so ready to get married. After hearing the amazing words our readers had said to us, it was time to declare our commitment to each other. Of course, the ceremony had been quite heavy up to this point—there had been lots of tears and seriousness. I had to show our family and friends our quirky, fun side. So….
Reverend-Uncle John read his Charge to the Couple, reminding us that we made a choice by choosing to be married today, and that our marriage will “reflect the effort [we] put into nurturing this relationship.” He then asked us if we understood and accepted the responsibility and promised to do our “very best each day to create a loving, healthy and happy marriage?” While Mr. P’s quick response was “I do,” I took a moment…
and pondered this commitment I was about to undertake…
Mrs. Pencils, Washington DC/Frederick, MDAge and Occupation: 24, Program Director, Education Non ProfitFiance's Age and Occupation: 24, Administrative Assistant, Ocean Conservation Non ProfitEngagement Date: July 26, 2008Wedding Date: May 2010Venue: Morningside InnAbout Me: I'm a nerdy Northwestern girl who always knew she was meant to live in the East, harboring a deep love of ice cream, underwear, Diet Coke with a splash of Coca-Cola, pashminas, scrapbooking, stationery, wall calendars and books written for preteens. I think every day should include good thin crust pizza, chocolate, an obscure historical monument, lots of laughter, a dash of wedding planning and, of course, amazing Mr. Pencils! I'm loving the adventure of planning a Maryland wedding and Rocky Mountain reception, and most of all, I just love love!
I had made it down the aisle, hugged my father and nuzzled my husband-to-be. Reverend-Uncle John began the ceremony by welcoming everyone and thanking them for their presence in Mr. P’s and my lives.
We also paused for a moment of love and laughter as John spoke words of remembrance about Mr. P’s father, who passed away when he was 14. He mentioned that his father would have loved me and also would have loved celebrating with the food and drink at the wedding. We were later told that during this short remembrance, a mockingbird landed right behind John at the altar. As soon as the moment of remembrance was over, the bird flew away. Coincidence most likely, but coupled with the fact that as I stood at the steps about the walk down the aisle, a pair of geese (who mate for life) flew overhead, it seemed that nature was throwing out its love and support of our marriage.
We started the ceremony off with the readings. We gave Kara and Claire free rein to compose whatever they chose, with or without the help of other authors. What they both gave us was better than I ever could have imagined.
Mrs. Pencils, Washington DC/Frederick, MDAge and Occupation: 24, Program Director, Education Non ProfitFiance's Age and Occupation: 24, Administrative Assistant, Ocean Conservation Non ProfitEngagement Date: July 26, 2008Wedding Date: May 2010Venue: Morningside InnAbout Me: I'm a nerdy Northwestern girl who always knew she was meant to live in the East, harboring a deep love of ice cream, underwear, Diet Coke with a splash of Coca-Cola, pashminas, scrapbooking, stationery, wall calendars and books written for preteens. I think every day should include good thin crust pizza, chocolate, an obscure historical monument, lots of laughter, a dash of wedding planning and, of course, amazing Mr. Pencils! I'm loving the adventure of planning a Maryland wedding and Rocky Mountain reception, and most of all, I just love love!
My beautiful friends and Mr. P’s handsome men had made it down the aisle. After all of the prepping and our happy first look, it was time for my dearest Daddy to escort me down the aisle. I couldn’t help but wonder— would Mr. P cry? How would this all go?
The strains of Canon in D by Pachelbel filled the area, and I looked at Papa Pencils, took a deep breath, and we stepped out. We had practiced stepping out on the same foot the day before and I tried to keep us in sync as we reached the stairs.
I looked out at our guests and all I felt was utter joy—such incredibly happiness to be so surrounded by love and looking down at this guy.
Mrs. Pencils, Washington DC/Frederick, MDAge and Occupation: 24, Program Director, Education Non ProfitFiance's Age and Occupation: 24, Administrative Assistant, Ocean Conservation Non ProfitEngagement Date: July 26, 2008Wedding Date: May 2010Venue: Morningside InnAbout Me: I'm a nerdy Northwestern girl who always knew she was meant to live in the East, harboring a deep love of ice cream, underwear, Diet Coke with a splash of Coca-Cola, pashminas, scrapbooking, stationery, wall calendars and books written for preteens. I think every day should include good thin crust pizza, chocolate, an obscure historical monument, lots of laughter, a dash of wedding planning and, of course, amazing Mr. Pencils! I'm loving the adventure of planning a Maryland wedding and Rocky Mountain reception, and most of all, I just love love!
The moment had come. Through all of the planning, vendor-searching, wedding frenzy, the moment I had most looked forward to was our actual wedding ceremony. This small part of the whole day was THE most significant, meaningful part of the whole experience and I couldn’t wait for it to begin.
After our portraits, my girls and I waited inside the brides’ room, anticipating the moment we’d walk down the aisle. We watched, incognito, as guests arrived and were seated. I love this sneaky shot my photog snagged. I really have the most gorgeous friends.
The sun was setting just as the ceremony began. It lowered the 90 degree temps to something more bearable and made it much more comfortable for our family and friends.
Mrs. Pencils, Washington DC/Frederick, MDAge and Occupation: 24, Program Director, Education Non ProfitFiance's Age and Occupation: 24, Administrative Assistant, Ocean Conservation Non ProfitEngagement Date: July 26, 2008Wedding Date: May 2010Venue: Morningside InnAbout Me: I'm a nerdy Northwestern girl who always knew she was meant to live in the East, harboring a deep love of ice cream, underwear, Diet Coke with a splash of Coca-Cola, pashminas, scrapbooking, stationery, wall calendars and books written for preteens. I think every day should include good thin crust pizza, chocolate, an obscure historical monument, lots of laughter, a dash of wedding planning and, of course, amazing Mr. Pencils! I'm loving the adventure of planning a Maryland wedding and Rocky Mountain reception, and most of all, I just love love!
Mrs. Pencils, Washington DC/Frederick, MDAge and Occupation: 24, Program Director, Education Non ProfitFiance's Age and Occupation: 24, Administrative Assistant, Ocean Conservation Non ProfitEngagement Date: July 26, 2008Wedding Date: May 2010Venue: Morningside InnAbout Me: I'm a nerdy Northwestern girl who always knew she was meant to live in the East, harboring a deep love of ice cream, underwear, Diet Coke with a splash of Coca-Cola, pashminas, scrapbooking, stationery, wall calendars and books written for preteens. I think every day should include good thin crust pizza, chocolate, an obscure historical monument, lots of laughter, a dash of wedding planning and, of course, amazing Mr. Pencils! I'm loving the adventure of planning a Maryland wedding and Rocky Mountain reception, and most of all, I just love love!
I so vividly recall the moment that I first saw Mr. Pencils on our wedding day. It was not in the planned first look - no, I cheated. I watched him as he walked to where our photographers stood, waiting to call me out when he was in place.
I hid in the brides’ room and watched him walk and as my bridesmaids chastised me for looking, all I could think and say was:
“He looks perfect.”
And he did. I was overcome with my love and my luck as I watched him pace, waiting to see me. Finally, I couldn’t stand it a second longer and I joined him. I think I didn’t wait for my photographers’ instructions, and I don’t think this original location is exactly what either had envisioned. But it was perfect, because I was seeing him.
Mrs. Pencils, Washington DC/Frederick, MDAge and Occupation: 24, Program Director, Education Non ProfitFiance's Age and Occupation: 24, Administrative Assistant, Ocean Conservation Non ProfitEngagement Date: July 26, 2008Wedding Date: May 2010Venue: Morningside InnAbout Me: I'm a nerdy Northwestern girl who always knew she was meant to live in the East, harboring a deep love of ice cream, underwear, Diet Coke with a splash of Coca-Cola, pashminas, scrapbooking, stationery, wall calendars and books written for preteens. I think every day should include good thin crust pizza, chocolate, an obscure historical monument, lots of laughter, a dash of wedding planning and, of course, amazing Mr. Pencils! I'm loving the adventure of planning a Maryland wedding and Rocky Mountain reception, and most of all, I just love love!
My wedding jewelry and my “somethings” were some of my favorite parts of my wedding attire.
I spent a lot of time choosing a wedding fragrance. Then Chanel came out with the new Chance - “Eau Tendre” and I knew I had to have it. It was delicious. I put that on first.
Mrs. Pencils, Washington DC/Frederick, MDAge and Occupation: 24, Program Director, Education Non ProfitFiance's Age and Occupation: 24, Administrative Assistant, Ocean Conservation Non ProfitEngagement Date: July 26, 2008Wedding Date: May 2010Venue: Morningside InnAbout Me: I'm a nerdy Northwestern girl who always knew she was meant to live in the East, harboring a deep love of ice cream, underwear, Diet Coke with a splash of Coca-Cola, pashminas, scrapbooking, stationery, wall calendars and books written for preteens. I think every day should include good thin crust pizza, chocolate, an obscure historical monument, lots of laughter, a dash of wedding planning and, of course, amazing Mr. Pencils! I'm loving the adventure of planning a Maryland wedding and Rocky Mountain reception, and most of all, I just love love!
Unique Wedding Favors
