Our wedding featured on the Green Bride Guide!

I haven't written in ages.  I could tell you some of the reasons why, but that's a topic for a different post.

For the moment, I want to share with those not on Facebook (and in a central place for information related to me, Dave, and our Big Day) that we made the Green Bride Guide!

Our wonderful photographer Brett Szemple's partner wrote about the GBG post here.

The article is here.  Note that you have to click through the ten slides/pages to see everything.

I also discovered that through the GBG our cookies were picked up as a wedding favor idea here.  While cookies might not be that original, I absolutely adore the Message in a Cookie cutters from Williams and Sonoma.  In addition to our wedding, I've used them for a baby shower, a work party, and a birthday.  I also highly recommend my preferred lemon cookie recipe, available in our wedding recipes.

I have to say, making the Green Bride Guide is a big deal to me.  I love their mission and I got many great ideas looking through the real weddings.  It makes me really happy to think that another woman planning her wedding might take inspiration from any of our "green" ideas.  If anyone does, I will update you and share that:

• I did sell my wedding dress through an amazing consignment shop called Blue Sky Bridal
• I was very honored to have my cousin wear my veil on her wedding day
• We're still using and enjoying many of our DIY elements.  Thanks to all our amazing friends and family for helping make my crazy dreams a reality!

Two years later, I'm really looking forward to the upcoming weddings of two of my bridesmaids and best friends.  They are both so stylish and creative, I have no doubt that both will be fun, beautiful events. :)

Our first anniversary, a little late

I'm warning you now: this is the one and only photo we took of our first anniversary celebration.  Oops.  So I'll try to be brief.

Dave and I wanted to do something special to celebrate our first year of marriage, but I failed at getting my act together and planning.  I had this grand idea that we'd talk Dana and Blake (who were married on August 20th, 4 years before us) into going halfsies with us on a hot air balloon ride.  I knew they wanted to in the past, and they start in Snohomish and often drift towards Woodinville (our two wedding locations) - perfect, right?  So we're hoping maybe that's how we'll celebrate for anniversary #2 (#6 for them!).

Instead we went the Priceline route and got a hotel room downtown for the night.  In the early afternoon we took the bus downtown, checked in, and went to Pike Place Market.  I promptly convinced Dave that it is perfectly acceptable to eat ice cream for lunch when it's your anniversary.  We continued down to the waterfront, and worked our way back up to the Seattle Central Library, since Dave had never been (What?!?!).

Afterwards we headed to our room to clean up, and discovered the bottle of wine and box of chocolates pictured above.  My mom saw Dave's Facebook status and called our hotel to have them send us an anniversary treat (Thanks, Mom and Len!).  We enjoyed lounging with wine and chocolate, and walked down to the Pink Door at the Market for a delicious dinner.  It was wonderful to just spend the evening relaxing, and looking out our 24th floor room window on the city.

The next morning we slept in, which was heavenly.  Then we went to a French bakery (again in the Market) for pain au chocolat, a croissant, and Americanos.  That breakfast was a major highlight for me, but I think Dave is happiest about the new head scratcher we found at Urban Outfitters on the way home.

It was wonderful to take a moment to pause and honor our marriage.  There aren't words to express how blessed I am to be married to a man like Dave, so I'll just say thank you - thank you, Dave, for choosing lil' ol' me.

Anniversary photo series - part 6 (the end, I promise)

Today is the day, our actual one year anniversary!  I'll tell you more about how we spent it soon, but for now, here are a few more photos from our "Take 2" shoot - 364 days ago.

Bridezilla!

All photos by Brett Szemple, Our Wedding Photographer

Anniversary photo series - part 5

A few more nice photos from family and friends...

Cathy, her mom Verna, and niece/granddaughter Jessie

About to walk down the aisle

I'm glad my niece and nephew had fun. :)

My family - Cathy's side.  Aren't they adorable and hilarious?

I love this view looking into the barn.

Thanks to Barbara, Fred, Jim, Jo, and everyone else who sent us their photos!

Anniversary photo series - part 4

Reception...

 

My cousin and her (now) husband.  They were engaged just before our wedding.

HAHAHA.  Love you, Matthew!

All photos by Brett Szemple, Our Wedding Photographer

Anniversary photo series - part 3

Again, I'm just in awe of my friends.  I know Dana had to be uncomfortable and exhausted, but she was focused on being there for me, and I love her for it.  Brianne was there every second that I needed her, fixing my veil, bustle, lipstick, you name it (p.s. happy birthday, b!).  Kendra would check things with me, doing everything she could to make sure my day was just how I wanted it to be.  And I can't even begin to name the things Danielle, Debe, Karla, Lisa, and everyone else did...

I know I'm biased, but my niece is the cutest EVER.

Ah, my love-hate relationship with my bouquet...loved how it looked, hated how heavy it was.  Lessons for future brides. :)

Thank you to our family and friends for their wonderful photos, including this one.

'Nough said.

All photos (unless noted) by Brett Szemple, Our Wedding Photographer.