Friday, August 7, 2009

Show us your life Friday: Reception and Honeymoon!!!

WARNING:  Photo-heavy post.  As much as I tried to keep this short, I just...you know, couldn't.  Today's "Show us your life Friday" post is the wedding reception and honeymoon - two very big things to lump into one post, if you ask me!!!  But, I tried my best and attempted to breeze over things when necessary.  I apologize for the copious amounts of photos.  

We had a slight break between our ceremony and reception, allowing us to take photographs in between and then arrive at the reception in time for cocktail hour.  This was especially important to me because I wanted this relaxed time to mingle with our guests - without feeling pressured to travel from table to table during dinner.  It was wonderful!  We had some passed appetizers, beer and wine, and hot spiked apple cider - perfect for a chilly November evening.  Here is a great shot of our guests enjoying cocktails!  

We showed up, wandered around chatting with people, sucked down some spiked cider, and cut the cake, which was displayed upstairs for everyone to see during cocktails.  The cake was small but beautiful, and it was certainly the best wedding cake I had ever had!  Not that I'm biased, or anything...but really.  It was a spice cake with caramel buttercream filling and cream cheese icing.  YUM!!!




Our guests headed downstairs to the dining room as our band played some classics from the '50s and '60s.  
Meanwhile, upstairs, we practiced our dip.
It didn't go so well during our actual dance.  Oh well!  :)
Our first dance, to "Our Love is Here to Stay"
I love this photo of us listening to some of the great toasts we heard that evening.  That's one of my closest friends, Jon, over there to the left.
Hey look, it's Lisa!  She was clearly enjoying herself.
...and wrapping up the reception photos, here is a dance floor shot.  Those are my wonderful college friends hamming it up for the camera.  Love you boys!
And...the HONEYMOON!  We went to Costa Rica, and stayed at the most amazing resort ever - Gaia.  Highly recommended.  Here is Matt the first morning after we woke up...working on his first of many pots of strong Costa Rican coffee!
Here we are at the BEACH!
Look, a sloth!  At Manuel Antonio National Park.
MONKEY!!!
Yes yes, I know.  Cheesy.
Here we are, looking a little weird and tired and sunkissed, at dinner one night.  Look, I have long hair!  Weird, right?!
I can't remember if this is right before or right after we went zip-lining in the rain forest.  An absolute must!  It was a total blast, even though I was scared to death most of the time.
One of many afternoon mojitos in the pool...yummy!!!
The hotel had the most amazing infinity pools.  Seriously.  We hung out in the pool pretty much every day and sipped mojitos.  It was paradise.
Goodbye, Costa Rica!

17 comments:

Heather (Live.Love.Laugh.) said...

Looks like such a fun reception. Love your cake.
I have always wanted to go to Costa Rica, the pics look gorgeous.

katie said...

so lovely! I want to go to Costa Rica!!

Lucky in Love said...

Oh my gosh..I love everything about this post!!

Look at your long hair!!!

Katie @ Loves of Life said...

your wedding dress is so slic and gorgeous!

xo
k

Lucy Marie said...

So beautiful! I love the cake, your dress, the photos -- all of it!

Abbie said...

I'll have to look into that resort! Great pics!

Piper Jacquelyn said...

I love your pictures! You look beautiful & your dress is gorgeous! I also love the pic of your initials in the sand - nice touch!

Anonymous said...

You reception looked fantastic! The band must have been so much fun. And the cake, well I love all cake! Ha! Have a great weekend.

Cristina said...

I have said this before, and I will say it again: your dress is freaking fab-u-lous! Costa Rica looks gorgeous, it's on my list of places to visit!

Pretty Personal Gifts said...

What great pictures! You were a beautiful bride!!!

Naturally Caffeinated Family said...

beautiful pics and so much fun! you look gorgeous and love your dress=)!

Crazy Shenanigans-JMO said...

You're wedding pictures are always so great!

Perfectly Imperfect said...

Your wedding looks like a blast!!! And I LOVE your hair!!! It's gorgeous!

Elizabeth said...

Everything about your wedding was so classic. I love it! We seriously thought about Costa Rica and your pictures make it look fabulous.

Wearing Mascara said...

Your dress is so gorgeous!!!!!

Taryn said...

Oh my- I love you long hair!

you did a dip in your dance? how fun. I would have liked to do that.

Atlanta Attractions said...

Costa Rica is great