Fit, Fun, and Fabulous

Walk the Line: Ending Things Right

Really Rachel E. — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 19:20:35 +0000

As the reception came to a close, I wanted to make sure the bridal party knew how to get back to the guest house in the dark, so I hopped onto a golf cart full of people and headed towards the house. I’m not sure if I had grand plans to return to the reception tent to say goodbye to people or what (I was slightly inebriated at the time), but I just carted out of there and never returned. So, for all the guests who I just left there without saying goodbye, my sincerest apologies!

We brought the two kegs we had supplied for the reception back to the house, and several people got to work attempting to float them before the evening was over. They were unsuccessful. I’d label most our 140 guests as pretty heavy drinkers (especially during a celebratory occasion) but with the margarita machine and full bar, we probably could have just ordered one keg instead of two.

Everyone tried their best, but the next day there were still two kegs with beer inside!

The evening ended in the best way possible, back at the relaxing guest house by the pool with our best friends and closest family. I couldn’t have asked for a better way to end the day.

All photos personal

And with that, our wedding day came to a close. The following day we slowly roused, cleaned up the house, and packed everything into cars. The weekend was surreal, and at first I had a hard time recalling any of the memories while we rejuvenated in Jamaica. I think my body and mind just needed a break from it all for a week. Once we returned from our trip, the memories came floating back and I’m happy to have them to cherish forever.

Photo by Joy Neville Photography

I’ve got a few more posts up my sleeves to share with ya’ll that we haven’t had a chance to chat about yet, so stay tuned for those.

Need to catch up on the High Wire Wedding?

Walk the Line: Photo Booth Fun

Really Rachel E. — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 21:40:50 +0000

We had a photo booth set up in the tent for guests to enjoy. We supplied some of our own props, and our awesome photographer team brought some as well.

My great aunt and our photographer, Joy

Usher Matt, Bridesmaid Sara, and Groomsmen Russ

Bridesmaid Rivae showing off her tanning malfunction and her disgruntled boyfriend, Billy.

Our flower girl/diva Ava

Even our officiant joined in the photo booth fun.

My groom and I

My fabulous bridesmaids enjoyed themselves at the photo booth!

I’m glad everyone got into it.

My silly dad and I

Bridesmaid Sara and Groomsman Russ

My awesome co-workers

Mr. HW’s long-time high school friends

My awesome in-laws

Groomsman Jerrad and Bridesmaid Lisa

Thank you, good-night!

The party was supposed to wind down at this point. We needed to clean up and the bridal party needed to get back to the guest house for the night…

All photos by Joy Neville Photography

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Walk the Line: Party Rockers in the House Tonight

Really Rachel E. — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 15:00:00 +0000

With the majority of the reception “to-do’s” behind us, it was time to get the party started!

There was LOTS of two steppin’.

And a little bit of line dancing.

Mr. HW and I made sure to spend a little time at each table visiting with our guests and thanking them for coming.

Guests were definitely feeling the love. I just adore the picture below! She caught the bouquet…so maybe there will be wedding bells for these two soon!

More love!

Cousin love: Mother-son love:Love for only one night :

Bride and groom love:

Mr. HW was adamant about including the traditional Jewish Hora dance!

Our photographers knew how to get people to smile! They partied on the dance floor all night long.

Isn’t she stunning?!

After a few songs, it was time to throw the bouquet and the garter!

Mr. HW liked the surprise Dallas Cowboys garter I got for him! Let’s not bring up the Cowboys season this year. Phew. Rough.

After the garter toss there was lots more dancing and merriment.

By this point in the evening, my FIL was over the tuxedo thing. In fact, he was over it about 5 minutes after the ceremony ended.

Occasionally, guests needed a smoke break.

As time went on, things started to get a little silly.

This a picture of me, my parents, and my MIL’s leg. I have no idea why we felt the need to expose this part of ourselves all at the same time.

He’s drinking a glass of whiskey. A GLASS.

Uncle D may or may not have taken a nap in the grass shortly after this.

Yes, this is my BIL doing a keg stand.

Our ring bearer spent the whole night on the dance floor showing off his mastery of dance.

When people needed a break from the dance floor, we had a little photo booth action going on in the corner…

All photos by Joy Neville Photography

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Walk the Line: Traditional Reception Activities that Got in the Way of Partying

Really Rachel E. — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 18:16:53 +0000

Our guests began helping themselves to drinks and finding a seat for the reception.

We decided not to do assigned seating. Instead, we put signs on just a couple of tables to reserve seats for the bridal party and some VIP family members (like my grandmother). If you are considering foregoing assigned seating, you can rest easy! We had absolutely no issues. There were more than enough seats for everyone, which helped avoid problems. Assigned seats are not really common in our circles, so most everyone knew how to make it work.

Guests definitely enjoyed our margaritas!

Once we finished our post-ceremony pictures, we lined up for our entrance!

Mr. HW and I were really ready to party. We just wanted to let loose, dance, and celebrate! We wound up changing the timeline and doing all of our “required” reception stuff (first dance, parent dances, cake cutting) immediately once the reception started so we could just get it over with. I’m glad that we participated in those traditions, but we were just ready to get through them as quickly as possible.

After the bridal party was announced, we immediately had our first dance to George Strait’s Carried Away.

It was wonderful to dance our first dance as husband and wife, but I’ve got to be honest, hive, it was kind of awkward. We didn’t prepare any kind of dance “moves” and so we just swayed there all by ourselves. It was hard to get in the moment and enjoy it. I’m glad we did it, but we were ready to move on.

After our mildly awkward first dance, I danced with my daddy to Paul Simon’s Father and Daughter.

Mr. High Wire took a spin with his mom to the Beatles’ In My Life.

After the dances were over, we immediately moved on to the cake cutting. (Again, we were extremely anxious to get the party started!)

Alright, now it is time to party! Phew, thank goodness.

All photos by Joy Neville Photography

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Real Bee Budgets: The High Wire’s Texas Garden Wedding

Really Rachel E. — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 19:13:00 +0000

I thought I would squeeze in a budget post now that we have made our way through a good chunk of my recaps (tear!).

There were four groups that contributed to paying for our wedding. Mr. HW and I, my parents, my grandmother, and Mr. HW’s parents. Originally, I had assumed that each of those four parties would contribute about 1/4 of the total cost. However, my HW’s parents wound up contributing the most, hands down.

When we first started planning, I guessed that our wedding would cost somewhere around $15,000. I was wrong. I’ve had a hard time deciding whether or not to share this post because I’m a little embarrassed, but hopefully some others can relate to the lack of sticking to a budget.

So here’s the breakdown:

Date: September 24, 2011
City, State: Weatherford, Texas
# of Guests: 140

Wedding Day Costs

Ceremony Site Fees: $4,950 + $1,000 refundable security deposit (not included in final total)

Included: Ceremony at Rose Pavillion, reception at West Tent, tables, chairs, white linens, set-up, tear-down of those things (we were responsible for set-up/tear-down of everything else), alcohol service fee, venue coordinator on-site, 5 hour event time

Reception Site Fees: Ceremony/Reception were at the same venue, and included in figure above

Food/Drink: $3,774.36

Included: Dinner buffet, bartenders, serving staff, glassware, cutting/serving of wedding cake, tips

Alcohol: $650

Bridal Gown and Alterations: $324 for the gown, $290 alterations (hem, bustle, taken in, added straps)

Bridal Accessories: $15 veil (not worn), $100 shoes, $60 sash, $70 jewelry

Groom’s Attire: FREE! Deal offered with four groomsmen’s rentals

Stationery/Postage: $672.07 + $80 thank you gift for graphic designer

Included: Save-the-Dates, invitation suite, programs, stationery, thank you cards, logo, unlimited communication and drafts with graphic designer, printing costs, additional craft supplies (ex. golf pencils, wooden sticks), and postage

Photography: $2,850

Included an engagement session, wedding day coverage, photo booth, printing rights, travel fee, and three photographers (one owned the company, one was her assistant for the day, and one ran the photo booth)

Ceremony Music: $728.75

Included in DJ contract: 5 hours, ceremony microphones, speakers, music library, reception set-up, lighting, music, and MC services

Flowers: $1,167.00

Included: Bridal bouquet, groom boutonniere, toss bouquet, 2 junior bridesmaid bouquets, 4 bridesmaid bouquets, 4 groomsmen boutonnieres, 2 mother’s corsages, 2 father boutonnieres, 3 grandmother pin-on’s, 3 grandfather boutonnieres, a minister boutonniere, 2 usher boutonnieres, 2 flower girl baskets with rose petals, 1 ring bearer boutonniere, 2 floral pieces for the Huppah, 20 table centerpieces with 2 sizes of mason jars with flowers

I spy a little bee in the photo above!

Rentals: $140 for delivery and set-up of linens

Cakes: $770.00 for wedding cake and groom’s cake, cake stands, and delivery

Favors: Candy bar, free. It was provided by the venue.

Included candy, jars, scoops, and to-go containers

Officiant: $450

Included: Rehearsal attendance, officiate at ceremony, mailed marriage certificate to city

Wedding Coordinator: $750

Included: Personal consultations leading up to the wedding, prepared wedding day time-line and checklist, confirmed all vendor services and set-up time of arrivals, unlimited e-mails and phone calls, rehearsal coordination, wedding day coordination

Hair: $160 for hair trial, wedding day styling on-site, travel fee

Make-up: $100 on make-up at M.A.C. (I did my own make-up on wedding day.)

Wedding Party Gifts: $750

Included: Monogrammed pocket knives for groomsmen, fathers, and ring bearer, monogrammed robes for bridesmaids, matching dolls for flower girls, sweater for junior bridesmaid, hardcover book for junior bridesmaid, individual personalized small gifts for each bridesmaid, mothers, my aunt, and my grandmother

Accomodations: $1,600, $350 deposit. I have included $300 of the $350 deposit in grand total because we caused some damage to the pool.

Included: 3 night’s stay at The Retreat at Clark Gardens for bride, groom, bridal party, Mr. HW’s parents, and two cousins, set-up and tear down of rehearsal dinner table and chairs

Transportation: Free. We used family members’ and Clark Gardens golf cart to move between guest house and venue.

Huppah: Free to us. It was handmade by FFIL. There were small amount of supplies purchased by in-laws (flower pots, concrete, shellac, fake moss). I’m not sure of the cost on those.

Ketubbah: $285 Ketubah, $66 for matting, $130 framing after the wedding

Miscellaneous: $180 in personal services (hair color, nails, waxing the week of the wedding), $500 decorative elements collected during engagement, $71 marriage license

WEDDING DAY TOTAL: $21,983.18

TOTAL COST PER PERSON: $157.02

All Inclusive Costs
Wedding Bands: $1,450

All photos above by Joy Neville Photography

Food and drink for everyone staying at guest house all weekend: $400

Rehearsal Dinner: $200

Honeymoon: ~$3,000 (Gift from Mr. HW’s parents) One week all-inclusive trip to Couples Negril in Negril, Jamaica.

Personal Photo

ALL INCLUSIVE TOTAL: $5050

GRAND TOTAL: $27,033.18

Oh, only almost double when our original “budget” was. This was only possible because we had multiple people contributing and an extremely generous pair of in-laws that must love me a whole lot. Our wedding day was absolutely perfect to me (and Mr. HW was happy too!). My in-laws went way above and beyond, especially considering that the groom’s family traditionally isn’t responsible for paying for the wedding.

Did your wedding cost surprise you? Or were you adamant about sticking to a specific budget?

Walk the Line: Sights at the Reception

Really Rachel E. — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 18:15:09 +0000

Detail posts are always my most favorite part of recaps, and I hope you enjoy the little details at our wedding.

Immediately after the ceremony, Mr. High Wire and I enjoyed a little private photo shoot in the gardens. At the same time, the guests were directed over to our reception tent to enjoy a cold drink.

I found these wonderful chalkboard signs for a really cheap price at a local flea market. Trying to do these DIY would have cost more.

Our reception tent served as a welcome respite from the heat of the day, but once the sun went down, the tent was the perfect temperature all night.

The chandeliers in the tent used to be large brass light fixtures that I didn’t care for. Luckily, the chandeliers were updated and replaced the day before our wedding. I like these much better!

The guys worked tirelessly to hang these paper lanterns all over the tent. I loved how they came out! Here’s another good lantern/chandelier shot from a little later in the evening.

My sweet mother-in-law prepared a few extra beverages for everyone to enjoy in these adorable pitchers.

I found a few vintage signs at that same flea market and had them placed around the tent where they belonged.

And we made sure there were was lots of choices in terms of alcoholic beverages.

Beer

Frozen margaritas

And bar tenders to mix drinks on the open bar all night long.

There was also lots of yummy food!

The frame that held our menu was another flea market find. I think I paid $1 for it.

Blue Mesa’s food was outstanding! They even packed us up all the leftovers and sent it home with us after the wedding.

Throughout the planning process, I picked up little odds and ends for the kids table as well as the rest of the reception tables.

I found these adorable bee salt and pepper shakers and knew they had to make an appearance at the wedding: Weddingbee shout out!

It was so nice to see all the knick knacks that I had collected on display at the wedding. Each table was a little different.

For our desserts, we had wedding cake, a groom’s cake, and the venue supplied a candy buffet.

The candy buffet also served as our favors for the evening. There were small boxes that guests could load up their candy in to take home.

I also collected wedding photos of family members that we put on display at the entrance to the reception tent.

This is one of my most favorite pictures of the whole night. It was so amazing to have all of my loved ones under one tent!

All photos by Joy Neville Photography.

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Weddingbee Meetup in Dallas! Tuesday, December 27th, 6:30 PM

Really Rachel E. — Mon, 26 Dec 2011 16:48:37 +0000

Howdy Dallas Bees! We have a Meetup planned for Tuesday evening at Times Ten Cellars in Dallas.

Everyone is welcome (new to the boards, old to the boards, not yet married, already married)! Here are the details:

Tuesday, December 27

6:30 p.m.

Times Ten Cellars

6324 Prospect Avenue, Dallas

http://timestencellars.com/home_dallas.html

Please RSVP by commenting on this post or on this thread.

I can’t wait to see some friendly faces and meet some new ones. I hope you will join us!

Walk the Line: Our Wedding Ceremony

Really Rachel E. — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 16:01:52 +0000

After we finished our bridal party photos and cooled off inside for a few minutes, it was time to head over to the ceremony site. Luckily, we were staying on a guest house on the venue property all weekend, so we only had a short drive over from the house to the Rose Pavilion. In nicer weather, we would have just walked, but since it was so warm, we decided to take air conditioned vehicles.

Our day-of coordinator, Shelley, had done a wonderful job making sure all of the decorations were placed perfectly.

This plate was a gift from one of the hostesses at my bridal shower. I absolutely love it.

Our DIY programs were ready for the taking by our guests. I think they enjoyed them!

Our Jewish wedding canopy was ready. The posts came from trees on Mr. HW’s parent’s land and the cloth that was draped over the top belonged to my great-great-grandmother.

Yet again, I was totally over-the-moon happy with the floral arrangements.

The guests were getting seated.

And the bridal party spent a little time in the conference room on the property near our ceremony site. Again, it was so hot outside, we needed the A/C to keep our make-up from melting off! I’m so glad our guests had those program fans to keep them cool.

We headed back outside once the time started getting closer.

Then we began to get in our places for the ceremony!

My dad walked my mom down the aisle at the beginning of the processional.

Mr. HW and our officiant

We had each groomsmen escort a bridesmaid both down the aisle and back up at the end.

Our junior bridesmaid was nursing a broken ankle!

Our ring bearer did a perfect job of escorting our wonderful flower girls down the aisle. The little girls were so precious!

Once the rest of the bridal party had gone down the aisle, I had to wait for my dad to trek back to pick me up so we could walk together. I was completely alone for about a minute or two, soaking everything in. It was totally surreal.

And then it was time to head down the aisle with my dad!

I’m so glad my dad was there to walk with me. I was feeling extra emotional, so I gave him an unplanned hug before he went to join my mom at their seats.

And then we had our very brief ceremony! Mr. HW and I were not interested in having anything long or drawn out for our ceremony. We wanted it to be meaningful, but quick and to-the-point. And it was! I think the whole ceremony was about 5 minutes long.

I’m really thankful for that, because due to the random extreme heat wave that day, my poor groom was sweating profusely in his restrictive tuxedo. That explains why his facial expressions during most of our ceremony looked like this:

He was a good sport. But, poor guy!

Before we knew it, it was time to exchange rings.

And Mr. HW did the Jewish tradition of stepping on the glass.

Yay!

Zombie bride:

We’re married!

And then we flew down the aisle.

Immediately after the ceremony, we enjoyed a little photo shoot in all of our newly married bliss. But first, Mr. HW lost the jacket.

We joined our bridal party again and made sure to take care of some legal business:

Signing the marriage license

At this time, we had hoped to have our extended families join us for a few formal photos. Due to some kind of miscommunication, they weren’t notified and were already enjoying themselves at the reception before we had returned from our little couple’s photo shoot. So we snapped a few more with our bridal party and parents.

Once my dress was bustled up, I was ready to party. Mr. HW was equally as antsy. He was ready to celebrate!

All photos by Joy Neville Photography.

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Walk the Line: Bridal Party Photos

Really Rachel E. — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 17:08:56 +0000

After our first look, the bridal party joined us for some photos!

My poor bridesmaid Rivae had a little trouble with a spray tan the night before the wedding, so we fist pumped to make light of it.

Our flowers for the day had arrived! I was blown away at how good the flowers looked. They were way above and beyond my wildest dreams. I was so happy with them!

MOH Marcee kindly helped me place the little Bee charms for the occasion.

Can you spot the bee?

They smelled great too

Flower Girl Callie sported another flower from the day.

Every single guy in our bridal party (except one) are current or former football players and avid fans of college and professional football teams. It was only natural that the subsequent photos happened.

We finished our photos with lots of time to spare before the ceremony. It was 97 degrees that day, so we decided to take refuge inside the house until it was time to head over to the ceremony site.

It was finally time to get married!

All photos by Joy Neville Photography.

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Walk the Line: Our First Look

Really Rachel E. — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 15:36:00 +0000

The dress was on and it was time to go meet Mr. HW for our first look of the day! We found a really interesting little pathway around the side of the house and decided to meet there. I came down the steps from the east wing of the house.

Personal Photo

And Mr. HW started down from the west wing.

It was so incredibly exciting!

No, those are not my real eyelashes – tips on how to apply falsies here!

Personal Photo

Time to turn around, groom!

Personal Photo

And then I cried in his arms.

I also admired his snazzy tuxedo.

We kissed a lot.

And looked longingly into each other’s eyes. Haha, doesn’t get more lovey-dovey than this, huh?

Oh, right. There are still photographers snapping away! About 15-20 members of our family were standing by watching as well. None of that really bothered me. I’d love to be able to watch a First Look happen with another couple, so I can totally get on-board with having a little audience there.

I was SO happy to be with him again after spending the day apart. So much of the day felt so surreal, and seeing him really helped ground me and give me peace.

The area next to the guest house looked like an enchanted forest, so we hopped into the shrub to take some more pictures there.

If you are considering a first look, I have nothing but positive things to say about it. It allowed us to have a semi-private few minutes together to connect during the day. Since we were able to take all of our couples/bridal party pictures before the ceremony, it freed up time after the ceremony to enjoy the reception for a longer period of time. I am SO happy we decided to do a First Look.

How did your first look go? Was it private or did people watch?

All photos by Joy Neville Photography unless otherwise noted.

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