Love at The Ranch: Down the Aisle We Go

Nerves were at their peak in the reception barn as we waited for guests to fill our ceremony site. As I previously mentioned, we did not have a rehearsal, so this was the first time things were really starting to feel real. We were really doing this. I was calm and excited all at the same time, waiting at the back of the line with my dad.

Our ceremony site:

Our guests took their seats and prepared for the ceremony to start. The music began. Our band, Elephant Revival, played Pachelbel's Canon in D for the wedding party's entrance. When I was a little girl there was only one thing I ever imagined for my wedding. It wasn't my dress, my cake, or my flowers. The one thing I knew I wanted? Strings to play our ceremony. There's something about them that makes my skin tingle.

This isn't our band, below, but to get a feel for our ceremony, you can hit play as our wedding party walks down the aisle.

First, Mr. CB and our officiant, my uncle, came down the aisle. Since we hadn't rehearsed, our DOC made sure she "released" us down the aisle in a timely but not-too-fast manner.

I love this picture of Mr. CB walking past all of our friends and family. He looks so contemplative and content.

Next came my brother, Tim, and Mr. CB's sister Sarah.

Followed by Mr. CB's college buddy Ryan and my best friend from studying abroad, Jess.

In the days prior to the wedding, Mr. CB had concocted up a plan with our wedding party. They each had to have a choreographed handshake once they made it up the aisle. I heard talk about this going on and thought it was really fun but was bummed I wouldn't see it happen. From where I was waiting in the reception barn to walk down the aisle, I could hear the laughter from our guests after each couple made it to the front of the room. This is one reason I can't wait to see our wedding video, currently being edited by my cinematographer brother.

Jess and Ryan

Photo by Amanda Wilson

Next up came Mr. CB's childhood friend Matt and my best friend from college, Anne-Cecile.

And their handshake.

Now that my bridesmaids had made it up to the front, it was my two MOHs turn. First up, Mr. CB's roommate from when Mr. CB and I first met, Rich, and my best friend from childhood, Jen.

No one caught their handshake on camera. Finally, Mr. CB's best man Jeremy (who, yes, is chewing gum down the aisle!! Our officiant busted him once he made it to the front!) and my other MOH and best friend from childhood, Alexandra.

This is my favorite handshake photo.

After our the bridesmaids and groomsmen made their entrance, our junior bridesmaid, Mr. CB's niece, Ariyahna, carried our rings. Recognize the pillow? It was made by the crafty Mrs. Crab Cake. She gave our flower girl, my cousin Alma, a little guidance to get her going, as well. Notice Cowboy Boot Cuz's cowboy boots!

Photo by Amanda Wilson

I love how kids in weddings always manage to make everyone smile. I mean look at the expressions on everyone's faces.

The girls were all in their places.

The guys, in theirs too.

And Mr. CB awaited my arrival.

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.

And the guys got ready.

Mr. CB and I had our First Look.

Budget Breakdown: Bouquets and Bouts.

Potraits of the bride and groom.

Our wedding party braved the cold for photos.

We all lined up for the ceremony.

**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 Guys' Turn

As the girls were getting their hair and make-up did at the Ranch Creek cabin, the boys were in the cabin next door known as the Red Quill. Albeit, they started a couple of hours after we did. In both cabins, groomsmen and bridesmaids were opening up our gifts and our homemade cards featuring the horse that Mr. CB drew. I had it turned into a stamp somewhere along the way.

The guys tied their ties. That's Mr. CB in the foreground.

The groomsmen received ties from Brooks Brothers as part of their gifts. We bought them at the outlet during a sale for around $33 per tie. They are normally $75 a piece.

As an artist, Mr. CB was extremely concerned with the appearance of his knot. Love him!

Groomsman Rich made sure his vest was properly fitted.

Of the six guys, Mr. CB was the only one wearing a vest. Since he was wearing the same color tie, I was really glad we decided on this because it made him stand out as the groom. The only other difference was that Mr. CB's suit was black while the groomsmen wore heather grey. It was really hard to see the difference because the grey was so dark. They all wore the Aldridge Suit from J. Crew which we also scored for just under $300 per suit by waiting for sales. Tip: if you're going to buy a wool suit, wait until the beginning of summer when the stores are all about linen and other light fabrics. The wool will be on sale. The guys wore their own white shirts, and black leather belts and shoes.

The guys were almost ready. They chilled out in the Red Quill cabin (notice the PBR in our friend Justin's hand). Awesome.

But wait? Right about then, I received a text from Mr. CB: "Where is your brother?"

Woops! Someone forgot to tell him to go to the Red Quill cabin at 11 AM to get ready with the guys. This was about 45 minutes before he needed to be ready for pictures. Luckily, it takes guys about 2.5 seconds to get ready.

And then, finally, they were all ready.

How did we get here?

First, Mr. CB and I road-tripped it to Boulder, CO.

Then, I spent a peaceful morning with my bridesmaids and maids-of-honor.
Followed by a rowdy bachelorette party that night.
The next morning, two days before the wedding, we fought.
Then, we made up.

On Saturday, Mr. CB recuperated from his bachelor party while I hiked with friends.

Until evening, when we celebrated our rehearsal dinner.

Sunday Morning: The girls got ready.

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