Wedding Highlights Video!

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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.

Wordless Wednesday: MORE Day After Photos !

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Day After Photoshoot: Up on a Fire Escape

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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!

{Studio Juno photography}

Day After Photoshoot: Downtown Georgetown

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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.

(Wedding Recap) Dance the Night Away

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….

and LOVED the photo booth, which we turned into our guest book!

The photo booth props turned into an opportunity to have more fun…

  and you KNOW where you can find me when the Electric Slide hits…

My last present to Mike -
my rendition of (Mike’s least favorite band) Journey’s Don’t Stop Believing.
 Because honestly, who doesn’t love Journey?!
(This took some creative scheeming and planning with the band)
((and we majorly butchered this song))
(((because all my friends sang along and embarrassed my new Hubby)))
It was awesome to the max.
…and during the after party I went to the ER due to heat exhaustion & low blood sugar.
(apparently you’re supposed to actually eat at your wedding? and for the record, I stopped drinking halfway through the reception)
((I wish I was kidding to the max))
The first time Mike referred to me as his wife, in public,
was at GW Hospital.
There’s a story for your grandkids!
THE END.

(Wedding Recap) The Dollar Dance!

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.

My brother-in-law actually knows how to polka and totally whisked me around the dance floor!
My cousin is also amazing.
(so is my whooshing dress in this pic!)
My girl friends, in on the fun!
My dad, rocking the accordion again, with my aunt & uncle.
Because he’s also amah-zing.
And of course my niece enjoyed the fun dancing too!

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!)

(Wedding Recap) The Hora!

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!

I showed off my roger-rabbit skillz.  for realz.

The guys and girls created their own circles.

 Mike flung me around in circles
And then came THE CHAIRS.
My word, the chairs.
The scary chairs, lifted up and down, all over the place.
Feeling like you’re going to fall.
The chairs.
Scary and exhilarating.
(mostly scary)
Once back on the ground, my dad broke out the accordion!!!!
 
Look at him rocking out!
So awesome.
He’s one talented Dad.

Speaking of talented, Mike & danced for each other

This goes down as one of my favorite moments in my life.
Seriously, the best Hora ever!
{Photo amahzingness: Studio Juno}

(Wedding Recap) Father/Daughter & Mother/Son Dances

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.

I’ll be your candle on the water
This flame inside of me will grow
Keep holding on you’ll make it
Here’s my hand so take it

Look for me reaching out to show
As sure as rivers flow
I’ll never let you go

I’ll never let you go

Mike and his mom danced to Barbra Streisand’s If I Could.
If I could
I would try to shield your innocence from time
but the part of life I gave you isn’t mine
I’ve watched you grow
so I could let you go
but I know that I can never cry your tears
but I would
If I could
yes I would
I love that Mike’s Grandparents began to dance and are in the back of this shot! So sweet!
What were your father/daughter or mother/son dance songs?


{pictures courtesy Studio Juno}

(Wedding Recap) Yichud & Our First Dance!

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. 

We chose the Beatles, I Will
I absolutely love this shot!
(Also, do you see the little glimmer of white in the background that is my niece, the flower girl? adorbs.)

{all photos by Studio Juno}

(Weddign Recap) The Ceremony!

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.

 This is it.
My wedding!
Our wedding.

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. 

I’m honestly so excited right here.

During the Nissuin the rabbi recited seven blessings over us, love, friendship, and completeness amongst them.  
We shared our own vows here.  And let me tell you, I thought we had this one covered, but…
Well, using a stock “fill in the blank” with sentence starters, we both had the same 8 statements to make.  I added a little bit to mine and so did Mike.  We had our bridesmaid and close friend, Kathryn, read them both to ensure we were on the same wavelength and literal length.  Kat encouraged me to add a little more, but it didn’t feel natural.  
After I read my half page and felt pretty proud of myself.  Then seeing Mike pull out two pages just about made me gasp out loud.  He wrote and read the most heartfelt words.  I give him a lot of strife for not being “mushy.”  Not anymore!
(And so much for trying to be on the same page – I guess you can’t put a limit on love!)

Our rabbi read our ketuba and hand it to me.  I “own” it now. It’s mine, all mine!
Finally, after the second cup of wine, hot veil was lifted off my face.  
The last thing left to do: break the glass!
The breaking of the glass can be a reminder of the fragility of life and also an affirmation that in times of happiness there should be a touch of seriousness.  It signifies that we are still mourning over the destruction of the Holy Temple of Jerusalem.  It also serves as a reminder of the sanctity of marriage.  A broken glass cannot be mended. 
We shouted “Mazel Tov!” (good luck!)

and kissed!

We were married!
Husband & Wife.
beautiful.

{all photos taken by Studio Juno photography}

(Wedding Recap) Kettuba signing & The Bedeken!

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!

(Wedding Recap) Exchanging Gifts

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).

 
 Oh, and kick our heels up, apprently.
The first thing I gave Mike were his cufflinks & personalized handkerchief. In the hotel room where he got ready, I left these gifts on display for him to find.  
The handkerchief reads, “I am my beloved’s and my beloved is mine” in Hebrew.
The cufflinks have our wedding date on the back-side.

 A year before our wedding date, I framed the article about our engagement at the zoo.  I then stored the finished product in my trunk for a long while, then wised up and hid it at a fellow-teacher’s house.  I was beyond excited to give him this gift after having it so long!
I think he liked it (and I do too!!).
(We still need to hang it in our house…)
Mike added on to my Pandora bracelet with a wedding cake charm! It’s so sweet and cute and makes me smile every time I look at it. One of those “aww” moments.
I love it!
But then Mike shared something with me he worked on for over a year.  When he first launched into the explanation, my excitement and shock looked like this:
Then this:

and this too:

because he turned my blog into a book!
But because he wanted to get every last post included, right up to the wedding, he told me we would actually create it together.  And we did. It came in the mail recently and I LOVE it.
Best. gift. ever.
Oh, and this is my favorite wedding picture. ever.
so romantic.
so fabulous.
{all fab photos by Studio Juno}