One Girl's Journey to Live Like a Queen
You might remember we debated hiring a videographer.
But if we didn’t, then you’d miss out on the awesome details of our wedding, me sighing dreamily during my husband’s vows, our first dance as we muddled through it, us on chairs for the Horah, and even some Rogge-Rabbit dancing action.
Need a pick me up and to smile all dopey-like?
Then there’s this (only 4.30 min long!):
which I love, love, love!
Also? I love my sister’s speech and am so glad he opened with it.
And then our photographer said she always wanted to do a shoot on a fire escape.
So we asked a random building to do just that.
On a random Wednesday afternoon, the staff happily obliged.
By the way, I hate heights.
These pictures were so worth the adventure!
Forgive my brevity, I’m only using 9 fingers to type thanks to a silly bread knife injury & trip to Urgent Care on Halloween night.
Right.
After returning from our honeymoon, we met up with our fav photog, Leah of Studio Juno. We intended to finish our hour (honestly 3 hour long) session with a Trash the Dress romp.
First up: Georgetown cityscape shots
I love these shots!
Bee Tee Dubs, lovely locks sculpted by David Beck & exquisite make-up crafted by Andrea, both of Salon Rouge.
The remainder of the night passed in a blur of music, dancing, and fun. In fact, I took a little break to cool off. All that dancing in a dress made out of the “best” (translation heaviest) fabric in 80 bazillion layers, can really tire out a girl!
[Note to designers: make detachable wedding dresses that turn into short, cute, dancing dresses for the reception. One dress, two ways.]
The guests danced on….
Immediately after the Hora we moved into another fun family tradition: the dollar dance (older post on the Polish history of the dollar dance). It was completely exhausting going from the 25 minute hora to a 15 minute polka, and simultaneously fun.
See, you pay a dollar to dance with the bride.
And then we use that money for the honeymoon (or to start the couple’s life — same diff).
My mom and sister collected the money for me while the dancers lined up and waited their turns.
This great tradition really captured my Polish side & allowed me some individual time with friends and relatives. (I especially loved when cousin Steve brought me a glass of water!)
During the post-wedding-feedback stage, several people told me the Hora stood out as their favorite part of our wedding. Comments varied from, “I’ve never seen a group of people so excited!” to “Twenty-five minutes of straight dancing without stopping was incredible.” Our band rocked it out and kept the party going, for what seemed like a great forever.
[Sidenote: around this point the bustle in my dress began failing & falling. I stepped on the hem and got frustrated and started hated my dress. Oh, the heat, too. The temperature under 6 layers of fabric grew unbearable.]
But that did not stop me from dancing!
The guys and girls created their own circles.
Speaking of talented, Mike & danced for each other
I cried more dancing with my father than any other time during the wedding. (Sorry husband). Even though my dad and I only practiced once, about 5 minutes before we took the floor, he managed to swing, twirl and promenade me all over that dance floor. That man can lead (he and my mom ballroom dance <– cute!). During the dance he whispered complements to me, telling me how beautiful I looked, how amazing everything came together, and how lucky he was. Cue the waterworks. We shared a great Father’s Day moment right there.
You might recall the emails exchanged between he and I, where I wondered if he could guess my favorite Disney movie song? and BAM without prompting, he knew what our song would be:
Candle on the Water, by Helen Reedy, from Pete’s Dragon.
After the wedding ceremony it is customary, in Judaism, for the bride and groom to have time to themselves (yichud). They are escorted to the “yichud room” and left alone. We used this time to scarf down food & say “wow” about a million times. Back in the day, this time together made the marriage official — if ya’ know what I mean.
These moments of seclusion signify the couple’s new status of living together as husband and wife.
Once we had enough to eat and drink I texted our wedding planner, eager to move on to the next moment! We hoped to mingle with our guests, but had to use the time instead for family photos. Honestly, this became my least favorite part. We spent time prior to the ceremony taking some family shots, but didn’t finish. At this point I simply wanted to dance and celebrate with my friends. I love my family but that flash bulb drove me crazy…. (and of course, I was in every picture).
Once the necessary family portraits finish the cocktail hour time sadly passed. Next up: Our First Dance!
Mike & I long debated over which song to use for this moment. I wanted something timeless, that might play in the grocery store one day and make us remember back to that day. He wanted something lively and fun. We finally decided on one song, and then promptly changed it 3 days later to our final decision.
{all photos by Studio Juno}
Finally the time came to walk down the aisle, exchange vows & rings, and officially become husband & wife!
From my spot out of sight in the balcony, I got a good look at the crowd gathering:
The chuppah translates to mean “covering” or “protection” and symbolizes the new home of the married couple. It represents our desire for our home to be under the protection of God. The marriage ceremony in Jewish faith cannot take place without a covering and four poles.
I remember standing at the top of the stairs, sneaking a peak and waving at friends who noticed me. I listened to Wachet Auf lead our bridal party to their positions. I heard the laughter and “awws,” telling me my niece successfully made her flower girl debut.
I popped my head phones in and half listened to the chorus of Lady Gaga’s Just Dance, to get me amp’d. Truth be told: I needed no help; my nerves turned over themselves, tears welled up in my eyes. I heard the first chords of Pachelbel’s Canon softly hit the air, just as I learned to play it on the piano around age 10.
Mike began his way to the chuppah with his mom and dad on either side.
When I successfully memorized Pachelbel’s Canon way back when, I knew it would guide me to my groom in the future. And here I was.
The music filled the air as I saw our wedding planner motion for me to start down the stairs. Surprisingly, instead of don’t fall don’t fall don’t fall I thought This is it.
My dad waited for me at the bottom, with the biggest smile on his face. He whispered to me how gorgeous I looked. Blinking back tears, beyond my veil I saw so many familiar faces, all in one place, all smiling back at me. So much love. Amazing.
As I approached Mike, I saw, with out any doubt, the happiest expression to ever grace his face. I wanted to kiss him right then and there! (I also love his brother’s face in the background)
Then I began the Seven Circles around my groom. The seven circles represent my bond to him, just as the Teffelin straps are wrapped around a man’s arm. Also the number seven nods towards the complexity of the creation of the world, just as marriage reenacts the creative process. Interestingly, some couples share the seven circles, taking turns rotating around each other. We went traditional and I tried not to get too dizzy and fall down as I went around him seven times. For those of you wondering, the rabbi counted for me.
In Jewish faith there are actually two parts to the marriage ceremony: Kiddushin (Betrothal) and Nisuin (Nuptials). “Both parts are introduced with the benediction over wine, the traditional symbol of joy and abundance. The bride and groom each take a sip of the wine for each.” {taken from The Jewish Wedding Guide}
During the Kiddushin we exchanged rings, by placing them on each other’s right index finger. Apparently, long ago one used their right index finger to make a mark or signature.
First Mike and some buddies (witnesses) signed the kettuba (marriage contract). From what I understand, since I was not there, shots were taken, high fives were given, and a general boy-good-time was had, amidst the seriousness.
The bedeken, in short, is the veiling ceremony. There are many reasons behind why this tradition exists, and I enjoy this one the most: In the Hebrew Bible, Jacob was fooled into marrying Leah who was completely veiled before and during the ceremony, instead of his intended bride Rachel. Jewish grooms today carry out this tradition to symbolically acknowledge that the bride is indeed one’s beloved.
Mike came upstairs to the library (bridal ready room) with the kettuba & his boys literally cheering him on!
I then signed our kettuba. Even though our contract was signed we were not yet officially bound to each other. That takes place under the chuppah.
Isn’t it beautiful? I’m so in love with our kettuba. Naomi Broudo of Etsy made it for us. Side-note: shipping something from Canada can take awhile and even get lost in customs. Always leave extra time!
Then our Rabbi said some official stuff & prayers (very technical, I know), and Mike placed my veil over me.
While blessing us, our Rabbi asked family and friends who were there to think of a special moment they shared with the two of us. We had yet to even begin the marriage ceremony and tears were flowing already!
Mike kissed me one last time.
Everyone else headed downstairs.
I remained at the top of the stairs, ready to walk down the aisle!
Eep!
After the bridal party shots, we headed back to The Carnegie Institution to cool down, take some family portraits, exchange gifts and sign the ketubah (Jewish marriage contract).
and this too:
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