More Portraits...No seriously

 

Immediately following the ceremony we went down to the hotel's private dock to try to catch some sunset pics. We'd finished most of our portraits prior to the ceremony, and only wanted to delay heading in to celebrate with our friends a few minutes, but the light was really gorgeous so we all made our way down to the water.  Maneuvering down to the dock in heels was a bit more treacherous than expected, but we all made it without mishap (I had a terrifying flash of taking a digger into the water on the way down the narrow, rickety ramp) and caught some great moments.

 

 

 

Cheesy sunset kissing shot? Check! Time to head back up and join the cocktail hour!

Cuz these crazy kids can't wait to party...

Happy Belated Birthday, Hayles!

 

A few days behind schedule on this one, but hoping Miss Hayley Noelle Dunn's 7th birthday was as wonderfully sweet as she is!  Happy birthday to a silly, fun, smart, caring girl.

 

You always make me laugh, Hayley Dayley. 

I love you more than froyo and impromptu dance parties.

 

Can't wait to see you in NYC!!

Vow Vow Voom!!!

The number of people who told us they loved our vows was incredibly flattering (though I guess what else are they going to say?).  They were of course very special to us, but we loved that others found our quirky, personal promises endearing as well.  I love re-reading them and am so happy they were well-received. 

A few people have asked if I would post our vows, so for anyone who missed 'em or can't wait to relive 'em, here ya go!

Grant:  Will you please face each other and join hands?

Today is a mostly ordinary day. The sun rose, babies were born, people slept in and you two just happen to be getting married.  What’s extraordinary is this exchange of vows, the promises you will make to form a team, and stick together for the rest of your days, no matter how ordinary or weird, or really weird, they may get.

Meg, you are here to ask Dave to be your chief partner in crime and best friend for life.  Do you intend to give him your deepest friendship and love, not only when you are feeling bright and alive, but also when you are feeling down?  Not only when the Giants are winning, but also when you cannot find your keys?  

Meg:  I do.

Grant:  Will you rejoice with him in times of happiness and comfort him times of sorrow, through triumph and heartbreak?  Johnny Marr and Morrissey will never release another record together, will you comfort Dave as he gradually accepts that?

Meg:  I will.

Grant:  With that in mind, Meg will you please share with us your pledge to Dave?

Meg:   With my whole heart, I choose you, David Vincent, as my trusted copilot and co-captain of Team Cederquist.

You make my world infinitely bigger and cozier at the same time.

Today, I take you as my lawfully wedding husband. 

I vow that I will never abbreviate that to “hubs” or “hubby,” not even ironically.

I promise to try to be on time.

I promise to always thank you when you bring me coffee in the morning and set it on my bedside table, so it’s there when I get out of the shower.

And I promise to always make sure I’m not just hungry, before I yell at you.

Grant:  Dave, you likewise are here to ask Meg to be your lifelong confidant and cherished wife.  Do you intend to give her your deepest friendship and love. Will you dance poorly and high-five frequently, hold her hand during turbulence, and offer an informed opinion on accessorizing?

Dave:  I will.

Grant:  Do you promise to love and cherish her, in sickness and in health, for richer or for poorer, or even poorer  during party dress sales?

Dave:  I do.

Grant:  Will you please share with us your pledge to Meg?

Dave:  Megan you are my favorite.

I love that you dance in your pajamas. Every. Single. Day. I love that you create your own stationary. I love that you never forget a birthday. I love that you know that nothing can't be made better without a ribbon. I tolerate your affection for Trace Atkins. I accept your punctuality. I share your weakness for corn dogs.

Today I take you as my lawfully wedded wife. I promise to listen. I promise to bring snacks. I promise to walk counter clockwise around Disneyland. I promise to enjoy Marie Calendars. I promise to hate Ed Harris and Julia Roberts based on their roles in "Stepmom." I promise to learn the actual lyrics to songs.

I'm so excited that we're getting married, we have so much to do, so many friends to meet, so many cities to explore, so much food to instagram. And since you like to spend a week practice-packing before any travel, I suggest we get started, we have no time to lose.

I love you. Let's get married.

 

Ceremonious

We were planning for an outdoor wedding, which a few people shook their heads at upon learning it was to be held in the mountains in January. But we were lucky, and the weather cooperated, providing an absolutely gorgeous day! 

After portraits we retreated to the hotel room to hang out until go-time. We had a big picture window facing the pool area, which people had to walk right by to get to the ceremony site, so we had a terrific view of all the arrivals. 

 

 

It was amazing how many people turned up to wish us well. It still makes me tear up to think about it.

 

   

 

 

Our dear family friend (and former boss at the law firm where we met!) Greg Chavis provided the music for the arrival window and ceremony. He and I had spoken about instrumental versions of some of my favorite songs from a few beloved musicals and he came through brilliantly, weaving together themes from West Side Story, Fiddler on the Roof and Sound of Music.  We had also requested some jazz ala Bill Evans, and he put together a lovely mix.

Go time!

 

 

 

 

 

Dave's improve buddy, Grant, agreed to perform the wedding ceremony, something he had never done before and was more than a little nervous about.  It never occurred to us to be nervous; he's got great charisma and is used to being in front of a crowd.  Nerves popped up slightly, however, when he didn't turn up at the ceremony until just 20 minutes prior.  He really turned it on, though - I can say without any trace of bias that he was absolutely amazing, adlibbing and working the crow with his usual Southern charm.

 

 

This is one of my favorite shots:
At one point during the ceremony, the families were asked to chime in if they indeed welcomed this new member into their midst... and Dave's fam BLEW EVERYBODY OUT OF THE WATER with their enthusiasm.

 

A few people have asked about our vows, so I'll share those in another post.

 Woohoo, we did it!