In the Moment: Walking Down the Aisle Part 2

Once cubes and his parents walked down the aisle, time finally started moving quickly.

Monica walks while Brian waits

While I was standing in line, I realized that I'd forgotten my handkerchief. Luckily my dad had an extra one ready to lend me.

Brian walks while Amy waits and I search for a replacement handkerchief.

Amy, Diva of Honor

I didn't get to sneak a peek of Amy walking down the aisle as the doors to the hall were closed so that I could make my grand entrance. Just like our Burning Man ceremony, I just wanted to walk down the aisle. This time it was Brittani rather than Brian who held me back.

Finally it was time for us to walk down the aisle. The doors opened and I glimpsed cubes across the hall.

Me, My Dad Paul, My Mom Niki

As I walked down the aisle, I didn't notice anything but cubes.

Me, My Dad Paul, My Mom Niki

My Mom Niki, My Dad Paul, Me

Next up, our ceremony.

If you've just joined us for the recaps and want to catch up, here's what we've done so far.

• Highlighted my dress and how it almost didn't happen.
• cubes and I took our turn in the spotlight for our portraits.
• The bridespeople get herded for photos.
• Socks captured!
• The groomspeople get herded for photos.
• The wedding party struck a pose.
• I get veiled.
• The best man and Diva of Honor signed our marriage license.
• In turn, our witnesses, cubes and I, and our rabbi signed our ketubah.
• Family congratulated us while we waited for ceremony time.
• Then the chuppah was readied.
• The Rabbi and the chuppah proceeded down the aisle.
• Our grandmothers, cubes' attendants, and cubes walked down the aisle.

Credits: All photographs unless noted otherwise were taken by Jessica Palopoli. Bride's dress: Vintage I.Magnin, reconstructed by Miss Velvet Cream. Bride's hat and veil: Estar Hats.  Bride's and Girls' makeup by Guille of The Lobby Salon. Bride's and Girls' hair styled by Catherine Walters. Bride's hair color and cut by John Skinner and Louise Frost of CODE Salon, respectively. Groom's hair by Cindy Lopez of Azure Salon. Groom's suit: Vintage Gucci from Sui Generis, reconstructed by Miss Velvet Cream. Girls' dresses: Adrianna Papell from Nordstrom and Macy*s. Girls' necklaces: GemKitty. Boys' ties: The Limited. Boys' shirts: Proper Cloth.

In the Moment: Walking Down the Aisle

First down the aisle were our grandmothers. They're both very dear and special so we wanted to honor them by having them included in the processional. Our usher (and Official Tweeter) Roland took his job very seriously. My gram remarked afterwards that he was a total gentleman and his manners perfect.

 

My Gram Marie, Roland, and cubes' Nan Diane

Once our grandmothers were seated it was time for the Groom's Party to walk down the aisle. Brittani, our wedding coordinator (blue jacket), looks on to see that everything goes smoothly with Kerry. our onsite manager, ensuring bar and catering noise is kept to a minimum while Steve and Helen chat.

As soon as I was upstairs waiting outside Freja Hall, it was all Brittani could do to keep me from being seen too soon. I kept wanting to peak around and see everyone walking down the aisle. Steve leads off the party with a smile.

Helen's next down the aisle. 

Followed by cubes's brother and best man, Todd.

And then it's cubes turn. (If you look carefully you can see Monica peaking in from the hall.)

cubes's Mom Robin, cubes, cubes's Dad Alan

We'll start the week off by continuing the recaps with the girls Walking Down the Aisle.

If you've just joined us for the recaps and want to catch up, here's what we've done so far.

• Highlighted my dress and how it almost didn't happen.
• cubes and I took our turn in the spotlight for our portraits.
• The bridespeople get herded for photos.
• Socks captured!
• The groomspeople get herded for photos.
• The wedding party struck a pose.
• I get veiled.
• The best man and Diva of Honor signed our marriage license.
• In turn, our witnesses, cubes and I, and our rabbi signed our ketubah.
• Family congratulated us while we waited for ceremony time.
• Then the chuppah was readied.
• The Rabbi and the chuppah proceeded down the aisle.

Credits: All photographs unless noted otherwise were taken by Jessica Palopoli. Bride's dress: Vintage I.Magnin, reconstructed by Miss Velvet Cream. Bride's hat and veil: Estar Hats.  Bride's and Girls' makeup by Guille of The Lobby Salon. Bride's and Girls' hair styled by Catherine Walters. Bride's hair color and cut by John Skinner and Louise Frost of CODE Salon, respectively. Groom's hair by Cindy Lopez of Azure Salon. Groom's suit: Vintage Gucci from Sui Generis, reconstructed by Miss Velvet Cream. Girls' dresses: Adrianna Papell from Nordstrom and Macy*s. Girls' necklaces: GemKitty. Boys' ties: The Limited. Boys' shirts: Proper Cloth.

In the Moment: Beginning the Processional

In our last recap, our chuppah holders were getting it ready. Holding our chuppah were close friends, Hilary and Andy, and family, cubes' sister Jamie and sister-in-law Arwa. I, however, in that post neglected to share its significance. In short, a chuppah or marriage canopy represents our first home. We used a tallit prayer shawl that our Rabbi lent, another Something Borrowed. The chuppah is open on all sides to represent hospitality. It is held by friends and/or family. Their closeness signifies that love and support is never far from the couple.

And here they go down the aisle.

Up next, another break! We're off on our mini-moon so we'll be giving you a snapshot of what we'll be up to. Curious as to how we planned our mini-moon and why we waited a month? Here are the details:

• First we decided our must haves.
• Then we agreed to be flexible on dates to lower costs and expand our options.
• With dates in mind, we created a short list of restaurants we wanted to eat in.
• We researched available adventures.
• Then two months out, we manned the Internet and phones to secure dinner reservations.

In the meantime, enjoy Mooflyfoof's guests posts - did you see her gorgeous succulent bouquet this morning? No? Go there now and give her lots of love via comments! She's another "real" bride and fellow practical bride. As we were both October brides, we shared many a laugh and tear. If you remember, she joined us at Promises and Pearls and on our registry event adventures at Crate and Barrel (and as well as at Macy's).

We'll finish the week off by continuing the recaps with the boys Walking Down the Aisle (it's already written and staged. I accidentally skipped over this post in my haste to get us to the ceremony.).

If you've just joined us for the recaps and want to catch up, here's what we've done so far.

• Highlighted my dress and how it almost didn't happen.
• cubes and I took our turn in the spotlight for our portraits.
• The bridespeople get herded for photos.
• Socks captured!
• The groomspeople get herded for photos.
• The wedding party struck a pose.
• I get veiled.
• The best man and Diva of Honor signed our marriage license.
• In turn, our witnesses, cubes and I, and our rabbi signed our ketubah.
• Family congratulated us while we waited for ceremony time.
• Then the chuppah was readied.

Credits: All photographs unless noted otherwise were taken by Jessica Palopoli. 

Update: Music for Our Ceremony Chosen

We've known for a while that we wanted "I've Got a Feeling" by The Black Eyed Peas in our ceremony music.

What we were struggling with was the music for our processional. Two songs typically used in non-denominational and Christian weddings - Wagner's "Lohengrin" and Mendelssohn's "Midsummer Night's Dream"- aren't really appropriate for Jewish weddings. Not that we wanted to use them.

So the search has been on-going.

And we've just found the music. It's "I've Got a Feeling" by The Beatles.

What do you think? Did you have a hard time choosing the music for your ceremony?

My Sharp Dressed Man

This past weekend I got to see cubes as a Groom. There's no superstition about a bride seeing her groom before the wedding, so I got to accompany cubes to his fitting with Miss Velvet Cream. In a rare (yes I know it's happening more frequently but roll with me here) moment of bridal forgetfulness, I left my iPhone at home. Ever the quick thinker I borrowed cubes' iPhone (you know what they say - the best camera is the one you have with you) and captured the moment. You'll have to wait for his post about Dressing the Groom as the photos are still locked up safely in his phone.

But in the meantime, let me tell you, cubes is my "Sharp Dressed Man." And if you weren't fortunate enough to grow up with ZZ Top, I've provided the video.

Think the guys should walk in to this? Or is it too cheesy?