The Day Before.....

I've been debating about doing this post for a good week now, I finally came to the conclusion that if only to have my thoughts documented it would be worth it. So only a year and a half later, I present our reception!!!

We decided to go the more "modern" route and have our reception the day before our wedding. I will agree there are cons to having it the night before, but after it's all said and done I would definitely recommend doing it this way! My favorite thing about doing it the night before is that you get the majority of the stress and exhaustion over with before your actual wedding day. You have all day to get ready for the reception (if it's a night reception). Another positive is that your wedding day can be 100% focused on the temple, which I LOVED! It also means that you only have your closest friends and family around the day of- making it less formal and more fun. The negative things about having it the day before- you'll always get those really awkward comments at the reception about how it's weird that you're not really married. It's also a little different at the end of the reception because there's no sending off the happy married couple, it's just kinda... over. For me at least, the pros completely out-weighed the cons.

We had our reception at the beautiful Bungalow in Pleasant Grove. I have always loved it because of it's old-summer-French-cottage feel, definitely right up my alley. I really wanted to have my wedding line outside in their garden area, but the week of the reception was rainy. I had basically resolved myself to being fine with having only an indoor reception, but someone upstairs likes me because the day of my reception ended up being beautiful. It did get a little chipper later that night, but nothing a sweater couldn't fix.

Morgan (my lil sis), Laura, and Kaity (Ryan's nieces) were my little princesses.

Ryan and I met back the summer after 8th grade when his mom moved two houses down from my family. That summer Ryan and I had a little summer "fling" (if you could even call it that) during which time I was probably bored-line obsessed with him. Luckily, I was also great at keeping a journal that summer. So I have a whole book full of ridiculous. I thought it would be fun to write up a few excerpts from my journal about Ryan for guests to read. It was a hit! Almost everyone who came through the line mentioned how much they loved reading them. It definitely was a good serving of humble pie for me to let all those people read how ridiculous of a teenager I was! Ryan loved every comment though, so it was totally worth it.

 


The food ended up amazing! Ryan and I never actually saw the food... but as you can see the Bungalow does a wonderful job! They did save a little basket-full for us to take so I can vouch for it being delicious.

One of my favorite things about the Bungalow is their dishware! They totally use the old/heavy/metal medieval goblets and plates. How fun is that? My brother-in-law Zach and brother Stewart seemed to love them almost as much as I did.

Zach & Stew

Jill & Angie

Craig, Emily, & Angie

We took a million family photos before the reception that I think turned out amazing! I love the whole "Secret Garden" look going on with the grounds. So pretty, especially for October in Utah.

We were so blessed to have so many friends and family come. We had an amazing turn out, there was never a break in the wedding line which = exhaustion but lots and lots of love.

We LOVE the Pierces!!!

Can't forget the pictures with the bridesmaids! I kind of kick myself for not having them come early to the reception to take pictures. I would have loved to have more pictures with them in their dresses with fun poses. But we had to pause the line to even take these ones so we didn't have a ton of time- plus it was dark. Despite my lack of planning, I still had the best bridesmaids ever!

Funny story about the whole cake eating part.... See I've always been very opposed to the groom shoving cake all over the bride. I mean, the last thing I want on my special day is frosting in my hair and cake-stains on my dress. So before hand I asked Ryan if he'd be a gem and just nicely place the piece of cake in my mouth. He was sweet and promised he'd be nice... now comes the part where you call me a hypocrite. Ryan never mentioned to me that he had the same feelings so I figured he was fair game. Luckily he was a good-sport about me getting a little cake on his face.

We ended the night with a dance. It was so much fun. You are always taking a risk in Utah when you have a dance at your wedding, for some reason people here aren't very used to shakin their booty. I was shocked though how many people were dancing and having a great time. It made for a perfect end to a wonderful night.

Thanks for everyone who made this such a special night. It's one I'll never forget.