We all headed to the front porch of the beautiful hotel.
(We are still eagerly anticipating the images of everyone on the porch.)
Mind you this isn't a third of the people that ended up in this picture.
Brad and I were privilaged to have a few private moments together immediately following the ceremony and in those precious moments I was able to finally relax with my husband. While we were standing on that porch, our family and friends beginning to surround us, I looked out over the sea of people and felt tears of happiness as I saw all who had come. Having a destination wedding makes it very difficult for so many people to attend and I love everyone of those faces I saw out in the crowd. Everyone looked so amazing as the rain that had held off through the ceremony began to make its presence known.
After the final group shot was taken we began the bridal party shots on the porch and there were several that I loved and wished I had more to show.
After some pictures to be revealed later, Brad and I returned to the garden to be introduced to the crowd. First the bridal party went.
There was a huge crowd waiting for us and the first order of business was cutting the scrumptious cake that I LOVED!!! Have I mention that this cake was the only thing getting me through the planning process some days? It was that good!
He was so nice here....
And here....
And then he did it....
8 years of warnings I should have listened and been prepared.
I got him back, there is supposed to be a picture of said retaliation, but you'll have to take his cake face as evidence of my success....
We both were getting sugar off our face the rest of the night. My bangs were also screwed the rest of the night because the frosting got all in them. I was keeping my eyes shut the whole time praying frosting did not end up in my eye and killing me the rest of the day.
After the wonderful cake shove, we sat down for dinner.
The cherry braised pork, Lake Superior Whitefish, and the grilled portabella mushroom were amazing! There were pictures of the food taken, but I can't find them right now.
Following the salad course and before the main course were the speeches.
(I think, the timeline is a tad fuzzy there).
Chris, Brad's best man, gave a very touching speech about how genuine a guy Brad is and I could not agree more. Chris did an amazing job and I am so glad that he was there to stand up for Brad. If only I had a picture of the handsome guy giving his speech!
Erin, my beautiful maid of honor, was up next and spoke to everyone when she uttered the words we heard frequently after the announcement of our engagement. "It's about damn time!"
"... you are now a household appliance..." She spoke of how I talked about how different Brad was to me and her thinking oh lord another boy. She had us all laughing.
After these speeches, Brad gave his welcome speech. Brad is not generally a man that shows deep emotion. Brad was moved to tears seeing all of the family and friends surrouding us. He was humbled by the love around us. I am not going to lie I felt the same way throughout the day. Even now I am humbled by everyone that was there. We love you all bunches!
While people were eating, Brad and I got up and walked around to the tables. Brad's father then gave a very sweet and touching speech welcoming me to the Dryer family.
There was more eating and then Brad and I got to have our first dance.
We danced to our favorite song "Bad Things" by Jace Everett aka the theme to True Blood. Two of ur favorite ladies literally came running when they heard the music.
Immediately following our first dance, I got to dance with my daddy to our song, "My Girl"
Yes, it is done a lot, but I have been dancing on my father's toes to that song since I can remember. I am very proud of my daddy for not blubbering cause lord knows we both fought it often through the day.
While we were dancing, Brad was leading my aunts in a sideline dance.
Followng my dance with my dad, Brad danced with his mom. Brad and I spent HOURS trying to find the perfect song for him and his mom to dance to for this. Brad is extremely picky for stuff like this and I am glad because the song was perfect. Brad even made his mother burst into tears when he told her how much he had been looking forward to the moment. Here is my favorite picture of the two of them.
How adorable are they?
Here are a couple more from their dance.
After these important dances it was time to party!!!
Everyone was having a great time, but one thing that I loved throughout the day, all the family photo ops! So many of the families gathered their members to commemorate the dressing up and the being together. Including two attempts at doing the two large family pics again by the bay!
The Dryer's
The Sullivan's have a hard time gatherng their members sometimes.
The Mason family
The Lois and Pat Sullivan family
The Tim and Kathy Sullivans
There were some great shots of my bridesmaids and the groomsmen.
How cute is this one?
There are so many moments that I know were captured but haven't seen yet and I cannot wait to see them! I love going through these pictures finding the ones that tell the story of our day.
What wedding would be complete without the bouquet and garter toss? We didn't have many singles over the age of 18 in our crowd so most of the crowd was under age; hence, not many pictures.
After the tosses we said our goodbyes and several of us piled into my father's truck (where are the pics Jenny and Adrienne? lol) and headed to the breakwater where there is a lighthouse and rocks as the sun was slipping low in the sky. We only caught a couple that were not the pro's pics because a dog distracted the camera crew following us.
I love this man and I am so happy I get to spend the rest of my life with him. Our wedding day was filled with love and laughter. I hope that each day is filled with more of the same, even the hard days so we appreciate the hard moments.
P.S. Congrats to the newly engaged couples!
Kevin and Marissa will tie the knot sometime soon!
Laura and Erin will tie the knot next August!
We can't wait!
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