Our Indiana Reception

Since the wedding was in Pennsylvania, most of my family couldn't make it.  So, we also did a reception in Indiana.  I don't think I posted this on my blog, but this is the invitation that was sent out for that:

Well, not exactly.  I obviously blacked out some information so that you can't go stalk my parents!  :)

The reception went really well.  It was calm, which was exactly what we wanted.  My dad roasted a hog and we had salads and sides and such.  And my mom ordered some sheet cakes from a local bakery.  Everything was delicious.  And we got to see a lot of my family and friends from Indiana (and Philip got to meet most of them for the first time!).  There weren't really set times, so people just came and went throughout the day.  It was nice that way because we could spend a little time with people before they'd leave and then new people would come in and we'd spend time with them before they left.  And so on. 

I don't have a whole lot of photos from that day.  I think we mostly forgot about photography and just had fun.  But, here are some photos that we did manage to snag.

Mom set up some of the pics that she had taken of the ceremony and reception and displayed them here.  There are also some leftover vanilla favors up there.  And our photo frame card box.  :)

This cake was far less expensive than the wedding cake, but somehow they were able to decorate it better -- smooth, not half-assed, doesn't look like it was done in 5 minutes before the delivery... I'm not even a big fan of frosting flowers, but the cake is pretty.  :)

This one makes me laugh because it could have been awkward.  Philip and I are sitting at a table with my high school sweetheart's parents and grandparents.  ;)

It was an absolutely beautiful fall day.  :)

Yeah, great photo right?!  I mostly just wanted to show what I was wearing that day!

My dad and his brother playing horseshoes.  :)

Technically, this was after the reception had ended, but Philip is just too cute for me not to post this.  ;)

Those paper lanterns and string lights (along with the rest of the decor) got used again at the Indiana reception.  We wanted it to look as close to the Pennsylvania reception as possible.  Mom and Dad even bought a tent (they'll get plenty of use out of it for future parties!). 

And, there you have it.  There wasn't any drama.  It wasn't formal (or even semi-formal).  It wasn't over the top.  But, it was wonderful.  

The Things I Wouldn't Change...

If I had to do this whole thing over again, there are some things that I would definitely keep the same.  Most importantly, my spectacular groom (of course!).  But, about the less important things:  

1.  I would definitely use a friend as the celebrant/officiant.  Jon was absolutely perfect.  Yeah, there were a few misses in the ceremony, but I wouldn't have it any other way.  It meant so much more to us to have a good friend of ours "marry" us. 

2.  I would definitely have both parents walk me down the aisle.  It meant so much to me to have both of my parents beside me as I walked down the aisle.  It was beautiful and I loved it.  

3.  I would definitely do an iPod reception.  I know a lot of people would disagree with me, but our music went flawlessly.  We got to choose all of the music for our reception and it flowed exactly as I had hoped it would.  I'm glad we spent the money on a Bose Sounddock instead of on a DJ!

4.  I would definitely do a tent reception.  Our tent was absolutely beautiful.  With it all decorated, it was just perfect.  Of course, it definitely helped that the weather was pretty good.  

5.  I would definitely still write our own ceremony.  With using a friend for our officiant, we were able to do a ceremony exactly as we wanted.  It was lovingly written exactly for us.  And, I still think it was absolutely perfect.  

6.  I would keep the same attire for everyone.  I was really happy with how everyone looked.  I especially loved my dress, but I also loved the BM dresses, the groom (and groomsmen's) attire.

7.  I would definitely go with Baby's Breath.  I was a little worried about how the Baby's Breath would look in the end, but I was really pleased.  It was beautiful, unique, and really did go with the whole feel of our wedding.

8.  I would still have our dog Jack be a part of our wedding.  I know a lot of people think I'm crazy and I know that some people have had problems with animals being involved, but I absolutely loved having him there that day.  He was a peach and didn't cause any problems.  In fact, one of my favorite memories of the ceremony is when a baby started getting fussy and Jack gave a little "huff" (like a bark under his breath) as if to tell the baby to be quiet.  It was so stinkin' cute!

9.  I would still do vanilla favors.  They were a little bit of work (and a lot of time spent waiting), but they were so beautiful.  And I loved them!  They were absolutely worth it.

There are other things that I would and wouldn't have changed, but I think these are the big ones... and the ones that people asked about the most.  

Vendor Review: Hess Tent Rental

** Sorry, folks.  This one was supposed to have been published last week, but for some reason it didn't show up!  I just caught it tonight.  **

We used Hess Tent Rental in Lancaster, Pennsylvania for all of our rental needs: the tent, the tables, and the chairs.  

I could not have been more pleased with them.  The tent was beautiful.  I wasn't there, but apparently the set-up was really quick.  The tables and chairs were in perfect condition.  And, Mike Hess was really great to work with.  

Also, after a LOT of research, I found that Hess is also one of the most reasonable rental places in the area.  They have the cheapest tents (for the most part) in the Lancaster area and they also do other rental items besides tents (tables, chairs, lighting, portapotties, decor, etc.).  Their tables and chairs weren't the cheapest place I found, but it was worth a little extra to get a reasonable tent and have the tables and chairs coming from the same place.  

I definitely do not regret it.  The tent was gorgeous.  The chairs were perfection.  The tables were covered, of course, but they were in great condition.  Everything looked exactly as I hoped it would.  

I never had any problems with Hess Tent Rental.  They were a dream to work with.  So, I highly recommend them.  

I give Hess Tent Rental 5 out of 5 stars.  I can't think of any complaints.  You can use them without any worry.  :)

The Big Day Arrives!

I woke up bright and early the next day.  I had a ton of stuff left to get done.  I finished up with the paper lanterns, organized the favor table, and made a plan.  Then I went back inside to wake Philip up.  I needed someone to help me move tables!

We got the tables set up and finished up some other stuff.  Then, my mom and dad arrived to help.  We got the tablecloths put on the tables.  Then the burlap table runners that I made went on top.  Then we put out the centerpieces.  After that, we set the tables with the plates and forks.  After some creative planning, we figured out how to fold the napkins so that we could put in the I Spy photo scavenger hunt pages I made.  Then we put the vanilla sugar favors at each place setting and the tables were complete!  It took quite a while to get set up, but at least my dad went to get us all donuts.  :)

The homemade vanilla favors and the card box on the gift table. 

Our beautiful set-up.  :)

The table settings. 

Putting on the finishing touches.

The cake table just waiting for the cake!

Once the tent was all set up, I started working on the bouquets.  I bought a bunch of baby's breath from Sam's Club (it was delivered on Thursday).  Some of it was in the mason jars on the tables, some was for the pew cones, some was for the flower girl basket, and some was for the bouquets and boutonnieres.  Unfortunately, by the time I started putting the bouquets together, I didn't have much time left before it was time to start getting ready.  So, the I didn't get around to making the boutonnieres.  The boys were devastated of course (Me: I didn't have time to make the boutonnieres; Philip: What's a boutonniere?  LOL).  

One of the bouquets with our DIY photo box and some paper lanterns.

After everything was done, I was running a little behind.  Howie from Double H Photography had just arrived.  I left him with our rings to get some detail shots and went in to get a quick shower before he started taking our "getting ready" shots.  

Next up, the ladies get glamorous!

Photos courtesy of my mom and Philip's mom.

Miss something?  Catch up here:
We arrive in Pennsylvania

We begin setting up

We stock the bar (and skip a rehearsal)

We have dinner and play games at our "Rehearsal" Dinner

We eat R2D2 and open presents at our "Rehearsal" Dinner

We bask in the glow of our paper lantern triumph

I almost forgot!

When we got home from the Rehearsal Dinner, we stopped outside to see the tent.  Remember, we spent all day working on the darn paper lanterns.  We used led tealights to light them.  And, in that moment, I knew that all of the work we put in was absolutely worth it.  

Behold the fruits of our labor!

Isn't that glow just beautiful??  I love it!  I'm pretty proud of our fantastic work!  Next up, the finishing touches!

Photos courtesy of my mom.

Miss something?  Catch up here:
We arrive in Pennsylvania

We begin setting up

We stock the bar (and skip a rehearsal)

We have dinner and play games at our "Rehearsal" Dinner

We eat R2D2 and open presents at our "Rehearsal" Dinner

SIX!

Six months to go until our wedding day!  Holy cow!  Where does the time go??

I have a few more projects in the works.  I did a Dollar Tree run on Tuesday night after work.  I found some cool things and came up with some new project ideas.  I'll be blogging about them a little later.  :)  

I'm most excited about a basket I found at Dollar Tree.  It's so adorable.  I'm going to make a few changes and turn it into the flower girl basket (photos later!).  

We are thisclose to ordering the bridesmaid dresses.  As I said before, it's down to 2 dresses.  Once the decision is made, then we'll just have to get the measurements of the girls and put in the order.  I just wish the decision would get made!  

We got the tent reserved this week (along with the tables and chairs).  I think that was the last major vendor we had left to find.  We decided to go with Hess Tent Rental.  

My mom, my FMIL, Philip's aunt (our on-site lady!), and I have been emailing back and forth to nail down all the details to make sure we're not forgetting anything.  It's been very helpful.  

I think I may have changed my mind about the centerpieces.  I'm going to do a mock-up tonight and see what I like.  

The invitations are coming along.  I've got a few of the inserts completed.  I need to get some photos so that I can show you all.  :)

Anyway, with six months to go, I'm feeling really good about where we're at in the planning.  I'll blog about some of the projects I've got completed a little later today when I can get photos done!