such stuff as dreams are made on: Apple-y Ever After: Cocktail Hour and Reception

Hmm, well that break was slightly longer than intended. Oops. My bad. Back to Candy Apple recaps!!

We'll start with a picture of wine. Because, well. Does it need explanation? I like my booze. I think wedding guests do too.

Remember when we did a wine-tasting at my aunt's house to pick the wine?? Yeah, didn't think so... But we did! And it was awesome.

{Photo Courtesy of McKenzie Powell Floral & Event Design}

One of my favorite parts of the cocktail hour/reception decor were these little floral arrangements that I asked McKenzie to create for our cocktail tables. I gave her some of my grandmother's old teacups, and she put together these sweet little florals. I loved how they turned out, and they made me smile each time I walked past them at the reception!

{Photo Courtesy of McKenzie Powell Floral & Event Design}

Okay, I seriously can't get enough of these little arrangements. Just darling!

Cocktail hour hors d'oeuvres - chicken satay, ahi tuna, and another passed app of which I seriously have no recollection and no photo. Whoops. Too busy to care; it was my wedding day!

Lots of delicious wine.

Oh, haaaay photobooth! People got right in on the action as soon as cocktail hour started, apparently.

I think people had a good time. I mean, they're smiling and socializing. That's a good sign, right?!

After we enjoyed some alone time and Auntie made me pretty again, Mr. CA and I decided to head on down to catch the tail-end of cocktail hour. We had a reception to host, after all!

This was actually one of my favorite memories of the day (oh hell, they're all my favorite. It was the best day ever, what can I say??). We hadn't really planned on doing a grand entrance (I sort of hate when everyone is staring at me), so I was going to just slink on down through the cocktail hour and make my way to our table. HA! Nice try, Candy Apple. We walked down this beautiful curved staircase and, of course, everyone immediately turned (I mean, really. Who could miss my massive marshmallow dress? Did I honestly think no one would notice the bride and groom??) and started clapping and cheering and drinking more wine. It was kind of fabulous. Then, as we got down the stairs and headed into the ballroom, they formed a tunnel for us to walk through. I freaking love our friends. So amazing.

I finally got to see all of the reception details in-place, and of course ooohed and ahhhed over the flowers.

We snapped some pictures with friends and family...

Looked at more arrangements... (Okay, I seriously can't stop posting pictures of the flowers. HELP!)

Our family and friends posed for the photographers...

And then we all made our way to our tables! With the serious and heavy and important marriage-y stuff completed, the real ~~booze-drinking~~ fun began!

Up first was my dad, who welcomed everyone to the reception. I was slightly nervous that he would tell embarrassing stories of me when I was little (like that time I was 4 years old and my dad found about 20 pears that I was hoarding under my covers, "to save in case I get hungry during the night." WTF??), and all the way up through the rehearsal he threatened that his speech would be nothing but embarrassing story after embarrassing story. Which wouldn't have been the end of the world. But I was slightly concerned. Of course, he actually gave a very sweet and touching speech.

"...Every father hopes that his daughter will some day find a man who is worthy enough for her. That isn't always easy. In J, I have seen a commitment to G that goes well beyond any physical attraction that may have brought the two of them together. J has demonstrated ample evidence in his thoughts and actions that he considers G to be the most important person in his life. This is something that has become rare these days. So, I must say I am a happy father today."

"G and J, your life together as wife and husband is just starting, and it will take many turns along the way. You'll have your glory days and you'll have your sad days. However, with each other, you have all you need. Cling to each other, communicate with each other, and make each other number one in your lives...

With these skills you will build a successful marriage."

I love you daddabongo! You are the best, and you will always be my number-one man (sorry, Mr. CA!).

He was so nervous. But he did great!

Yay! Cheers! And here is evidence that I was being good and staying hydrated.

More random pictures. Then we decided that we needed to go around to each table and thank everyone for coming to the wedding. Because, come on, our friends and family are amazing and we wanted to let them know we appreciated them being there!

Inevitably us "thanking every table" turned into "Mrs. and Mr. CA hugging each person individually at each table." My Auntie was not pleased because my hair took a beating with every hug. Oh well! Worth it.

She hugged me, maybe shed a tear or two, then tried to fix my hair.

See? Lots of hugs. I have photographic evidence.

So we went to a few tables while people were served/ate their salads, then we were ushered back for my mom's slide-show. Now, my family is a slide-show kind of family. I know that some people don't like slide-shows at weddings, but there was never really a question of whether we would have one at our wedding. It was happening. Period. Duh.

And my mom worked freaking hard on that slide-show! Seriously you guys, she took this on as her wedding mission, and she rocked it out. She sorted through a bajillion old family photos (seriously, I'm talking boxes and boxes and boxes), and (with some help from my cousin and aunt) scanned everything, chose the perfect songs, and pulled together a kick-ass slide-show.

I was a little worried that it would interrupt the flow of the evening, but it worked perfectly. I really wanted her to be able to say a little speech as well (can't let my dad get all the fun!), so she introduced the slide-show while everyone's entrees were served. Then, people could watch the slide-show while they ate. Or not. They could just eat. We didn't force anyone to watch, I promise.

Some of the photos were hilarious. And adorable. We were some cute little kids, let me tell you, and some very awkward teenagers. Unfortunately, I haven't figured out how to upload the file (so technologically illiterate), so you won't be able to watch it, but I assure you, it was awesome. And it was only about five minutes or thereabouts, so our guests didn't get bored. My mom had a great mix of photos of both of us from when we were born up through grade-school, high-school, college, and beyond. It was wonderful, and everyone told me how much they absolutely loved it.

After the slideshow, it was back to thanking/hugging.

And although we spent a lot of time hugging, thanking, laughing, and talking with friends and family, I am happy to report that I managed a few bites of salad and almost my entire portion of fish. Success!

My hair actually looks somewhat intact here. That is a lie. It was dying a slow and painful death.

I'm really not sure what is happening in this picture. But I kind of love it.

Did you hug every single person at your wedding? Because, hot-damn, I did!! Anyone else's parents/sister/brother/friend/etc make a slide-show for their reception?