Weddingbee boards

So, the reception. It was amazing. I did a DIY photobooth that was hilarious. HILARIOUS. I highly recommend. I got props at the dollar store and bought the $60 software for my computer. It was way easier than I thought. I also put digital copies on our website for people afterward (no one noticed. LOL), and also did a photo/video sharing site (Shutterfly Share) that only my bro and mom uploaded pics to. I had it listed on the photobooth directions and on the seating cards, but everyone kind of ignored it after the wedding. C’est la vie. At least I got the pics for myself. ;)

So…last minute/a few weeks prior items:

- Decided to do some photos on all the tables of pics of us, so I got little frames at the dollar store and we printed up some candids and our engagement shots. I am so glad we did this. Lots of people took them with them when they left (what we wanted) and it made our - bland, but beautiful - centerpieces much more personal.

- Decided to do favors (truffles from Sees candy) – we put the boxes together ourselves. My mom bought! :)

- Decided to do a toss dollar bill bouquet with everyone eligible (quite a few guests did it). My SIL and mom had made it for me with 20 $1 bills I provided, but my mom said one of the bills was too smooshy, so she replaced it with a $20 bill. LOL. My friend (the determined blond in the front) caught it and gave the $20 to my Junior BM niece because, in my niece’s words, “I’m cute”. I also think my friend was pretty drunk if the progression of her photobooth pics are anything to go by. LOL.

We only planned to do a first dance (shortened to 2 min) and no other special dances b/c of DW’s family (we weren’t sure her parents would show, but they did). However, my dad requested a slow song at some point, and grabbed me after a fast song I’d been dancing to, and we ended up doing an impromptu father/daughter dance. I teared up again. The really nice thing: DW’s brother danced with her during it too. On the next song (also slow), we switched it up, and I danced with my brother, and DW danced with my dad. It was great. :)

I kept stepping on my dress during the whole reception! It was annoying. I think my crinoline ripped at some point. LOL.

Our DJ played a little bit too much 80s (we asked for a mix of 80s and current/popular), but it all worked out - our guests seemed to really like dancing to the 80s – and we all did the Electric Slide. :P We were also supposed to do the Cupid Shuffle, but I think because it was a shorter reception (3 hours), there wasn’t really time for 2 group dances. People started clearing out about 30 min. before our time at the venue ended, which was totally fine since I was worried about us having to kick people out or having an awkward ending. We also had a few off-the-wall songs (swing and whatnot) and a few couples really got into that, so it was super fun.

Reception Music:

Wedding Party intro: Bittersweet Symphony (instrumental), The Verve

Newlywed intro: Gayaneh-Suite - Dawn, Ayeshe's Dance (this was the song at the Bellagio fountain show that was playing when DW proposed)

First Dance: Wonderwall, Ryan Adams

Cake Cutting: Ice Cream, Sarah McLachlan

Bouquet Toss: Let’s Get It Started, Black Eyed Peas

Impromptu Father/Daughter (Brother/Sister) dance: I’ll Be, Edwin McCain

Overall, it was so much fun. The day went by so quick (as everyone mentions). What a trip!