Christina and Will’s Wedding!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I am not sure there are enough exclamation points in that title!
As expected, Christina and Will’s wedding was completely amazing, and I was sad when it was all over. WHY DO FUN THINGS EVER HAVE TO END?!?!
Thankfully, we had three amazing days of fun in Kansas City with friends and family following the wedding (I’ll recap that later!), so I was distracted from feeling sad about the wedding being over until I got home late Wednesday night. And luckily, I get to see my family in a few weeks, so the fun will continue! Phew.
I can’t really put in to words how amazing the wedding was. When people would ask me about wedding details before we went, I would always say how crafty Christina is, how she’s such a great planner, and that I couldn’t wait to see how everything turned out. I knew the wedding would be completely put together and stunning, but I was still in AWE the entire day, for how well thought out and detailed everything was.
This isn’t even the finished photo – Dad is still setting up the dance floor! But you can see the gorgeous runners and decorations on the table. And it’s just such a neat space!
And since I can’t put everything in to words, I will try to use photos! Hardly any of these photos are mine. I didn’t use my phone most of the day, except to respond to texts and phone calls, and I loved not having that silly thing with me. So, thank you, Mom, for all the pics!
We all meet in Christina’s hotel suite Saturday morning to do our hair and makeup. I walked in and saw that she had these plastic jars set up for us to use to drink Mimosas!
As if we weren’t already spoiled enough! At the rehearsal dinner, she gave each of the bridesmaids a HUGE bag of goodies, including (among many other things) custom hangers (so cool) and robes to use as we got ready!
I had such a great time having my hair done (by Will’s boss’s wife Amy aka Steven’s best friend from childhood’s wife… ha ha, got it?) and chatting with everyone. We had about four hours to get ready before we had to go to the ceremony site for photos, and I just felt so chill and calm. It was really a treat to have that time to be with Christina, the bridesmaids, my mom, the flower girls and Amy. You don’t always get a chance to have much more than a passing conversation at a wedding, and it was nice to converse without many other distractions!
It was also exciting for me to get to feel useful, in doing things such as helping tie up the back of Christina’s dress, and running special errands for her.
The ceremony was at 4:00, and we got to the venue, TimberRidge Adventure Center, just before 2:00, so Christina and Will could do their first look photos, and we could take group shots. The ceremony was in an outdoor shelter, with a beautiful nature overlook. It was sunny and windy. Not too hot, and no RAIN!
Steven was in the wedding, too!
My dad drove Christina to the ceremony site (right to the aisle, basically!) in my mom’s 40s Chevy, opened the door for her, then walked her down the aisle. I thought that was the coolest thing ever!
(not a picture from that moment, but you get the idea)
Christina and Will had a guitarist for their ceremony, which I thought was so romantic. And their officiant was fantastic! I wish he could have come to the reception – I wanted to talk to him more! Both my mom and Will’s mom did readings, then Christina and Will exchanged vows.
My baby snister is married!
We hung around a bit after the ceremony for more photos (um, some with the professional photographers, and some goofy ones…),
then drove over to the reception venue, Thompson Barn, which I was dying to see! It’s an old barn* that was converted to a meeting space, which is so cool!
Now, I have to tell you a little story. When I got in to town on Thursday, I asked my snister if I could have a special song when I was introduced at the reception with the best man. She said no, but asked which song it would be. “Fancy,” of course! I asked her again on Friday just to be annoying, and she said no. So imagine my surprise when the best man and I are about to be announced, and the DJ says he has a special song to play and changes it from “SexyBack” to “Fancy”! I was laughing so hard! I love that my snister did that for me.
After Christina and Will entered, we soon got dinner (I was too nervous to eat), then it seemed like it was time for, gasp!, speeches!
Mine went okay! Special thanks to Rachel for proof-reading and the ideas for props!
Notice how our wine glasses are black on the bottom? Christina put chalkboard paint on them, so everyone could write on them and keep them as a favor! They also had an activity paper you could grab at the entrance that had a maze and a Christina and Will themed crossword!
The best man was being so funny, saying how nervous he was for his speech, but he nailed it. His/Will’s dad gave a great speech, too.
And the rest of the night was an awesome blur of dancing,
(Amy, the friend of mine who did my hair, was also at my wedding, and she was like “I know how you dance!” in reference to making sure my up do was secure. Ha ha.)
dessert bar (you better believe I was the first one in line),
photo booth (click to see larger),
s’mores bar,
and goofing around!
What a day! Christina and Will hosted an amazing event, and it made me so happy to see all of their loved ones there, celebrating them. I really enjoyed getting to know their friends and Will’s family (they are a hoot!) better.
And I am just so happy for them! We all love Will like a brother, and he and Christina are such a great fit! The two of them are always off of adventures together (they’re in Vail right now) and I really enjoying hearing about how their share their passion for life with one another.
I cannot wait to see the professional photographer’s photos! Christina just looked so dang glamorous – like a 30s movie star! Everyone just looked fantastic in their suits and dresses. I loved the color scheme Christina and Will came up with! Here is another sneak peek their photographer posted:
So, fair warning – even though this is hella long, there will probably be more posts/mentions. There were just so many other details I wanted to share, like Christina’s “Something old/new/borrowed/blue,” all the desserts and who made them, how her friends helped out, and so on. Oh, and let’s not forget Dexter, who I am sure provided much moral support during planning:
And one last thing. Before the wedding, many people told me they thought I couldn’t walk in high heels. And many people told me after the wedding they were surprised I was able to walk around in them. You guys! I know how to walk around in high heels! I just don’t want to do it cause it hurts! Ha ha!
*This space was really so neat – the barn was on the top level, which is where the tables and dance floor were set up, then the lower level was where they put the bar, photo booth, and food. I can’t wait to see if the professional photographer got some good photos of it all set up!
Themocracy
OMG, everything about this is just FABULOUS. Everyone and everything looks so beautiful! Kinda makes me wish I’d had a big wedding. Then I think of the $$$ and think, “Nah, I’m good.” lol
OOOOOOOOOO I just love all the pics. What a beautiful wedding. I loved all the little details. Thanks for sharing with us!
<3
Wow, what an amazing wedding!!! I’m often sad that I’m already married because I secretly would love to plan another wedding 🙂 Those robes are pretty cute, what a great idea. And I really dig your dresses. I would say you should let me borrow it … but I actually already own a very similar dress, just with long sleeves 🙂 And I think you should post your speech. Those signs are awesome.
Sounds like a fabulous time – I’m always so sad when really fun wedding weekends end. I bet your speech went great!
I have so many things to say about this post, so I’m going with a list:
1. You all look so freaking beautiful! I love the hairdo.
2. What are you doing with your finger in the picture of you getting your hair done? The claw? 😉
3. I thought you meant the Fancy song by Reba McIntyre, which would have been really weird…
4. The venues both look amazing! And the decorations are spot on. Can she come decorate my house?
5. Dexter!!!!
6. You rocked those heels. I never doubted your skills. Is it weird that I get comments at work when I’m NOT wearing heels? (I like the extra height!)
Thank you! 🙂
Ha ha ha. I am wondering what my claw hand is, too! I should ask my mom if she remembers. Apparently, it was making people laugh!
LOL! I had to look up that song, but I remember liking it 🙂 But yeah, that would’ve been weird. Maybe funny?
Christina has a bunch of cute decorations in her (rented) house. She is really excited to buy a house sometime in the near future and really go to town!
Coworkers always have to comment on something, right?! 😉 As long as they don’t think you eat healthy…
I have been patiently waiting for this post! Kim, it looks amazing and like a ton of fun! The details are great!!!!
Aww, thanks for wanting to read it!!! 🙂
What a beautiful wedding! I do love a good dessert bar, and it looks like this one includes a s’mores making station?! Genius! Also, those are stellar bridesmaids dresses. It looks like one you could ACTUALLY wear again!
Whoa, I’m glad I didn’t read this before my own wedding – I would feel like such a slacker of a bride! I can’t believe the extent of details and planning Christina put into everything, DAMN!
I really like the bridesmaid dresses! The color is pretty, and they don’t actually look like bridesmaid dresses (which is a good thing). I was actually just eyeing a similar dress for my BIL’s wedding.
Those plastic mason jars are totes cute, and what a smart idea to paint the wine glasses like that!
I hope you wouldn’t have! I remember following my photographer’s page before we got married and reading her gush over details of someone’s wedding… and I knew then that wasn’t something I was in to for my own wedding! We didn’t even have decorations 🙂
Ooo! I am excited to see what the dresses look like that you get for your BIL’s wedding! 🙂
Oh, well I have no regrets about our low-key wedding, just saying it’s really impressive how much thought and detail your sis put into hers! We didn’t have decorations either – that never even crossed my mind, lol.
I’ve got a giant wish list of dresses saved on ModCloth now, just trying to narrow it down (and, you know, waiting for a sale). But your dress reminded me a lot of this one: http://www.modcloth.com/shop/dresses/plenty-by-tracy-reese-moonlit-lagoon-dress
The lady coordinating the reception for us asked what kind of decorations we were bringing in and I was like… meh. So she put out flowers and candles for us. Ha ha.
I really like that one too! Especially the contrast of the two blues 🙂
I LOVE all these gorgeous photos! What a fantastic wedding! Looks like something straight out of a magazine 🙂
You and your snis looked stunning (I know I’ve said that a few times already). The bridesmaid dresses were beautiful!
Do you have a video of your MOH speech? I’d love to see how it fit in with your props 😉
This makes me almost wish we had a wedding ceremony vs city hall…. But oh the planning… Can’t imagine all the work your snis put into this!!
Thanks! 🙂
I have video but it’s in three parts… and one part is completely fuzzy. I haven’t watched it yet, but I don’t think it’s decent quality 🙁
To each their own! You guys did what was perfect for you! 🙂
*ahem* Some people just have multiple weddings 😉
Wow wow wow! Your sister was a beautiful bride and she had a gorgeous group of bridesmaids! It looks like it was a fantastic wedding – thanks for sharing!
What fun!!!! And everything (including the bride) is so beautiful! I don’t think I can tell you enough times how much I just LOVE your dress!
After Heather’s wedding, I had the same kind of sad–that I got to spend time with people I love and don’t see nearly often enough and we all had so much fun together. But I was also EXHAUSTED and HUGELY relieved that it was all done! LOL!
I want to see your MOH speech too!! (I found out the day before the wedding that I was giving Heather’s, but THANKFULLY someone else had written it–the person who fixed her up with her husband)
Thank you!
Did you get to stay around much after her wedding to hang? That really helped me… even though it was with other people and not my snis 😉
Ha! Why didn’t that person deliver it? Since they weren’t the MOH?
I think the video I have might be too low of quality 🙁 Maybe I could post the text… eh.
Wow! I love all the details and you and your sister look BEAUTIFUL! I also appreciate all the photo bombs in the pictures, your family rocks at those. And you seem to have taken over the dance floor. So fun!
The wedding pic’s look amazing. Everyone looks beautiful and I love the colors and the short dresses. Way more “fun” than long.
My son is getting married in September so wedding planning is the current topic of conversation. Short planning window – engaged in May – Married in Sept. Yikes!!!!
More fun than long… and more useful… long term! Ha! 🙂
Ooo! That is fun though!!! 🙂
I’ve been waiting for the wedding report, too! It was beautiful, and seems like the weather and everything cooperated.
I also thought you meant the other “Fancy” (the original by Bobby Gentry) and that a song about a mother forcing her daughter into prostitution was a strange choice for a wedding.
That blue is so pretty. What does Christina call it? Is it a robin’s egg blue?
I love your bridesmaid’s dress and the incorporation of matching statement jewelry. I was also a considerate bride and asked my bridesmaids what they thought was most flattering on them and went with dark green velvet knee-length sheath dresses.
Your Mom also looks pretty and radiant. I hope you got another shot of the pic of the two of you together WITHOUT the photo bomb! (Funny though it was).
I would love to hear more about the wedding. I was totally obsessed with planning my own wedding and all the details meant so much to me. 🙂
Aww, thanks for looking forward to it.
Ha! You are the second person who thought that was the song! LOL! No! Did you click on the link? 😉 Too funny 🙂
Hmm. Christina’s fave color is teal so she was going toward that theme, but that may be a more accurate color description 😉
Hee hee! We did get some sans photo bomb shots! But those made me laugh more!
I want to hear about YOUR wedding details! 🙂
looks like an amazing weekend, with all the fabulous little details. the dresses are amazing! the brides and the bridesmaids. perfection.
beautiful!
Love this post Snister!!!!! Your speech was not just “okay” it was PERFECT!!! I loved it! 🙂 I thought it was so funny and personal and Will and I both really enjoyed it. <3 Everything you said & did was very meaningful to us!!! You also were such a huge help all day, and it was so awesome having you here a couple days before to help and keep me de-stressed. 😉 You're the very best snister in the whole wide world, and I love you and appreciate absolutely everything you did to help make our wedding wonderful! <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 It did go by too fast though.. Miss you oodles! 🙁
Aww, thanks! I am happy you liked it! 🙂 🙂 🙂
I was so happy to help and that I could get there early to spend time with you. 🙂 LOVE YOU! I get to see you in a < dos weeks!!!!
PS Dad took that pic of us with Dexter, and you asked me about Fancy when I was in Chicago! You first mentioned it at the Planetarium! 🙂
Gosh! I got the story all wrong! What the eff is wrong with me? I wondered how you were able to make it happen so fast. Can I claim wedding brain?
What a beautiful and fun wedding! The color scheme is awesome, and I think the bridesmaid dresses were super cute. I’m really impressed by your sister’s craftiness, and her dedication to organizing all that wedding stuff. (Especially since I was the literal worst at it, hahahaha.) Also, I showed Harrison that photo of Steven photobombing. He was very amused.
I don’t think you were the literal worst… I have told you Steven planned ALL of ours, right? I just had to pick out my dress.
HA! I am happy he was amused!!!!
Where did she get her dress? I freaking love it!!!
I think she got it from this place in KCK called Belle Vogue. She actually got it for free cause she won money to that place at a bridal show! 🙂 http://www.bellevoguebridal.com/
Thank you!! It’s actually in Lenexa, KS, and yes I did win it!!!!! 🙂 The brand is Stella York, style 5757. http://www.essensedesigns.com/stella-york/dresses/detail/5757
Wow! I love all the details! Very, very pretty!
I may have to take notes and use a few of these ideas in my own wedding! haha.
Where are your bridesmaids dresses from? They are very cute! I am letting my bridesmaid choose their own from one collection, mostly because I couldn’t decide on one and I thought it would help if they could pick what is flattering for them as there are many different shapes!
You totally should! I am going to try to post more, eventually, like about the stuff my dad made (planters for the table and s’more bar).
They are from JCP! I am excited to see how yours look! I think that is fun when they all choose from a collection :)_
These pictures are great! Sounds like such a wonderful time…your sister looked GORGEOUS..and so did those bridesmaids- ow owww! Those dresses and the necklaces are so dang cute- what great taste! And a s’more bar?! LOVE!!!
Christina is beautiful AND talented 🙂 Will scored big time 🙂
I can totally tell in the photos that everyone is enjoying themselves and that’s the best part of a wedding. I bet everyone will be talking about this one for years to come.
Congrats, Will & Christina!
Thank you Erin!!
Ok, I cannot get over this post! First of all, both you and your sister look stunning! I simply love everything about this wedding, from the venue to the bridesmaids dresses to the little details in between! She’s so super creative! I’m so glad you had a wonderful time – it’s always so special when siblings get married! Congrats to Christina!
Aww, thank you! 🙂
Great photos! You can tell that everyone was enjoying themselves at the wedding. Thanks for sharing this special day for you and your family with all of us. I hope that made sense.
What a beautiful wedding and a beautiful day! Is there a video of this speech? I would love to see it!
The video didn’t turn out, but I put the text here 🙂 http://www.ilaxstudio.com/blog/2014/06/26/christina-and-wills-wedding-my-matron-of-honor-speech/