Love At The Ranch

Mr. CB and I had our First Look.

Our wedding party braved the cold for photos.

We all lined up for the ceremony.

The wedding party walked (and performed hand shakes).

Papa CB walked Ms (soon to be Mrs.) CB down the aisle.

Our ceremony began with a song from Grandma Cowboy Boot.

And ended with a kiss.

**All images above by the ridiculously talented and awesome Tec Petaja, unless otherwise noted. Head to his blog for some serious eye candy.**

Love at The Ranch: Why I Say Yes to DOCs

I am interrupting my final wedding recap to talk about an issue that is really crucial when it comes to weddings: DOCs (day-of-coordinators). I, like many brides, thought I could go without. But as the weeks neared our wedding date and I started to visualize a timeline for the few days before the wedding, I couldn't figure out when I would have time to set up all of the our DIY projects in our reception barn pre-wedding.

I had two trains of thought: 1) a stressed out bride, racing the clock, delegating projects, and ultimately, barely taking a breath before walking down the aisle, or 2) going hiking with friends, enjoying our rehearsal dinner, waking up rested the morning of the wedding, and possibly having a chance to go for a run or do yoga in the hours leading up to the ceremony.

Needless to say, option 2 seemed much more appealing. Our wedding salesperson at Devil's Thumb Ranch had two recommendations for day-of-coordinators and one, she said, was fairly new to the business. Her name was Danielle Odil of Something Classic Events. We talked a few times for a few months before the wedding and, eventually, I caved. But not without combing through her set package and customizing it to my needs (including slicing the price tag to my budget). To see what I did to her package, head here.

On the day of, Danielle went above and beyond. The best example I can think of was her obliging to my last-minute request to get an off-road vehicle to take our photographer, Mr. CB, and me back on a trail to some old mining shacks. I'd seen them the day before and thought they'd make an awesome backdrop for images. Minutes later, Danielle showed up in a utility vehicle, rambling over log stumps and boulders to make sure we got what we needed.

While watching our wedding video recently, I watched as Danielle ran to make sure a door didn't slam as my dad and I made our way down the aisle. Prior to this, though, she set up the barn to make sure our DIY projects and decor looked perfect. During our cocktail hour, she came to me when we ran out of appetizers to see if we wanted to order more.

The transitions from first dance to father-daughter dance to swapping pie all went smoothly because of her. She also plated my dinner (so I didn't spill on my dress) and made sure I had a delicious beverage with my dinner.

She supplied the pens when we forgot our own for the guestbook. There were moments when I still felt like I needed to take care of things (like when the playlist was on its last song with time to spare), but every time I went up to Danielle to nudge her about something, it was already taken care of.

We only had her stay until 8 pm (once everyone had enough booze and food to feel like all was going smoothly regardless) but, in the end, I'm thrilled we had her at all. The level of stress that would have been there without her would have been through the roof. Thus, I urge all of you to book a DOC. It may sound frivolous, like a wedding-factory thing, or unnecessary but it did not make our wedding feel like it came off of a conveyer belt at all.

The only thing it did was act as insurance to make sure that we had the best time we could.

Are you booking a DOC?

Saturday, November 28, 2009

Love at The Ranch: The Ceremony (Part II)

We had considered the untraditional tradition I wrote about previously, with bottles of wine, love letters, and a box we would nail shut, but decided we'd rather do that privately than at the wedding. Instead, we decided to do a secular handfasting which I thought was a beautiful representation of the lifelong commitment we were making that day. Mrs. Cherry Pie's version of this tradition was so tear-jerking, we decided to use it as a guide for ours.

We took each others palms, one at a time. Our officiant said a few words about our hands and how they would be the same hands that would be there for the years to come.

Then, we moved our hands up to grab each others arms in order to be fasted.

One of my maid-of-honors came forward with the cords. The other maid-of-honor had the job of holding my bouquet, so I felt that this gave them equal duty. She placed one cord for every line our officiant read about our hands.

My favorite line was when our officiant talked about our hands as the hands that would hold each others children. Mr. CB gave me a knowing smile after that one, because he knows I want kids one day.

Finally, all of the cords were laid. My maid-of-honor tied them in a knot around our arms...

...until we were completely intertwined.

After the handfasting, my aunt Melani and our friend Justin Bobb, performed Patty Griffin's Heavenly Day for us.

I so wish we had a video clip of my aunt singing it, because she was unbelievable, but we won't until our video comes back.

This song had Mr. CB (and me!) close to tears.

The lyrics to that song felt entirely too appropriate for the day, especially with the rain clouds that were blowing in:

"O heavenly day, all the clouds blew away

Got no trouble today with anyone

The smile on your face I live only to see

It's enough for me, baby, it's enough for me...

...Tomorrow may rain with sorrow

Here's a little time we can borrow

Forget all our troubles in these moments so few...

...All we really have to do

Is have ourselves a heavenly day

Lay here and watch the trees sway

...Can't see no other way...

Heavenly day

No one at my shoulders bringing me fears

Got no clouds above me bringing me tears

Got nothing to tell you, got nothing much to say

Only I'm glad to be here with you

On this heavenly...day

All the trouble's gone away

Oh, for a while anyway, for a while anyway

Heavenly day"

Then we were pronounced husband and wife.

Photo by Amanda Wilson

I love how Mr. CB is smiling while kissing in the picture below. And our wedding party is also beaming for us. Or maybe they were beaming because the ceremony was finally over.

After our kiss, our officiant read our benediction, which I'd come across on the internet while writing our ceremony. It's my favorite part of the whole ceremony.

May your home be filled with laughter and the warm embrace of a summer's day

May you find peace and beauty,

Challenge and satisfaction,

Humor and insight,

Healing and renewal,

Love and wisdom.

May you always feel that what you have is enough.

We made our way down the aisle with massive smiles on our faces to the sounds of a very celebratory Irish tune.

Photo by Amanda Wilson

The one thing we might have rehearsed was the recessional because we weren't sure when to make that happy walk down the aisle. Our wedding party didn't follow us (as they were supposed to), but luckily, we were too blinded by happiness that we didn't realize any of this.

How did we get here?

Mr. CB and I road-tripped it to Colorado.

I spent a peaceful morning with my girls.
Followed by a rowdy bachelorette party.
Two days before the wedding, we fought.
Then, we made up.

On Saturday, Mr. CB recuperated while I hiked with friends.

We celebrated our rehearsal dinner.

Sunday Morning: The girls got ready.

Mr. CB and I had our First Look.

Our wedding party braved the cold for photos.

We all lined up for the ceremony.

The wedding party walked (and performed hand shakes).

Papa CB walked Ms (soon to be Mrs.) CB down the aisle.

Our ceremony began with a song from Grandma Cowboy Boot.

**All images above by the ridiculously talented and awesome Tec Petaja, unless otherwise noted. Head to his blog for some serious eye candy.**

Love at The Ranch: The Ceremony (Part I)

Inspired by Mrs. Cherry Pie, we also penned our own ceremony. We used a similar structure to hers, but infused our own words and added a couple of songs from our family members. Overall, the whole ceremony (songs and all) took about 30 minutes, which was perfect--just long enough to feel the transformation, harvest a few tears from our guests' eyes, and not feel like the center-of-attention for too long.

Our officiant, my uncle Howard, started with words of welcome to our guests.

Followed by a thank you to our family and friends for making the long trip to Tabernash, Colorado. Most everyone in the image above traveled around five to seven hours to be with us. We thanked our parents for their support.

Mama and Papa Cowboy Boot

My grandmother, Marni Nixon, then stood from her chair and sang Ave Maria for us. It sounded beautiful with the acoustics in the barn.

Lucky for all of us, one of my friends recorded her singing with her camera. The image isn't great but it's the sound that counts.

Yep, I cried some more as we listened to her.

After my grandmother's song, our officiant had a few more words for us.

Then we read our vows to each other. We decided to write our own vows which was harder to do than you might think. I heeded some good advice: simple is better. I couldn't memorize my vows so I read from a piece of paper. Halfway through reading them, I ripped the paper right through my sentence. It conjured up a few chuckles from me (I was embarrassed) and our guests.

Mr. CB didn't need paper. He had prepared his vows using a voice recorder and then just said them from the heart when the time came. They were so sincere and heartfelt and had everyone in tears.

Now the tears were really flowing. You can see them all the way down my chest. I don't even think I noticed they were actually falling at this moment, though.

Photo by Amanda Wilson

After our vows were complete, it was time to exchange rings. Our junior bridesmaid brought the rings up from her seat in the front row.

First, Mr. CB put the ring on my finger.

Photo by Amanda Wilson

Then I put his ring on his finger.

Next up: A ceremony tradition, a song from my aunt and friend, the kiss, and an all-too-happy recessional...

How did we get here?

Mr. CB and I road-tripped it to Colorado.

I spent a peaceful morning with my girls.
Followed by a rowdy bachelorette party.
Two days before the wedding, we fought.
Then, we made up.

On Saturday, Mr. CB recuperated while I hiked with friends.

We celebrated our rehearsal dinner.

Sunday Morning: The girls got ready.

Mr. CB and I had our First Look.

Our wedding party braved the cold for photos.

We all lined up for the ceremony.

The wedding party walked (and performed hand shakes).

Papa CB walked Ms (soon to be Mrs.) CB down the aisle.

**All images above by the ridiculously talented and awesome Tec Petaja, unless otherwise noted. Head to his blog for some serious eye candy.**

Sunday, November 22, 2009

Love at The Ranch: Father and The Bride

Our flower girl, Alma, was the band's cue. When they saw that little mop of red curls coming down the aisle in her pink cowboy boots, they knew it was time to switch songs. The song I chose to walk down the aisle to actually comes from a surf film called Shelter. No, it doesn't resemble the Beach Boys, nor is it rhythmic strumming like Jack Johnson (although, he was the cinematographer for the film). It's an instrumental piece by a musician and surfer named Jon Swift. Our band, Elephant Revival, learned the small tune for me and played it perfectly. Or at least, I think they played it perfectly. To be honest, it was hard to focus on anything as I came into that light-filled room filled with so many loved faces.

PS. I followed your advice, hive, and took the J. Crew belt off for the ceremony. But can you spot the cap sleeve that came with my dress (hint: my bouquet)?

To hear the song I chose to walk down the aisle to, press play, below. I love the crying of the violins. So dramatic. (I apologize for the lack of picture. I made this quickly in iMovie).

Photo by Tim Carr

The tears started to flow. I knew they would.

Photo by Tim Carr

I wasn't the only one crying. Mr. CB's dad shed a beautiful tear too.

And then, when I got close to Mr. CB, I just got really smiley again.

My dad gave me a hug and whispered something in my ear before he gave me away. He had mentioned, the day before, that he wanted to do this but when the time came, I, once again, couldn't focus on the sounds. I'll have to ask him to write that one down for me.

He hugged Mr. CB.

And then did something he thought of and wanted to include: put my hand in Mr. CB's. He gave me away.

For a moment, Mr. CB and I stood there chit chatting and staring into each other's eyes. I completely forgot to hand off my bouquet for a good two minutes.

Finally, I remembered and the ceremony began.

How did we get here?

Mr. CB and I road-tripped it to Colorado.

I spent a peaceful morning with my girls.
Followed by a rowdy bachelorette party.
Two days before the wedding, we fought.
Then, we made up.

On Saturday, Mr. CB recuperated while I hiked with friends.

We celebrated our rehearsal dinner.

Sunday Morning: The girls got ready.

Mr. CB and I had our First Look.