First Wedding Anniversary

Yep, Brian and I were married just over a year ago – where did the past year go?! A year ago, we were here:

Amazing.

For our first anniversary, we decided to go back to High Hampton.

One of the things we loved most about High Hampton is that it is a place we could go back to year after year, even bringing our (non-dog) kids one day.

We brought Chambers with us and he LOVED it there, even getting in the water despite the 30 degree temps.

High Hampton is such a peaceful place with lots to do (as long as you like hiking, eating great food, listening to talented guitarists, and snuggling up with a good book!).

We did lots of hiking, both at High Hampton and at a few nearby waterfalls.

Above is the view of High Hampton from Rock Mountain and below, a Chambers and I at the top (thankfully I don’t look as winded as I actually was!).

Brian and I went to nearby Rainbow Falls and, since it was on the other side of the mountain, it still had some beautiful fall foliage.

On our last day, we drove over to Silver Falls, which is a huge bank for your buck (super short hike and you can get right up close to the falls).

(yes Brian’s eyes are closed…)

And no trip to High Hampton would be complete without a visit to Fred and Ed.  Chambers remains unsure about donkeys.

And, of course, we ate a slice of our wedding cake and, I have to say, it was surprisingly good.  The frosting was still amazingly peanut butter-y.

Perhaps it was because it was so well wrapped…

Hope the past year has been as good to you as it has been to Brian and I! Thank you SO MUCH to Caroline and all the wonderful people at High Hampton for making our anniversary so special – you have such a unique gift for making a person (or couple, in this case) feel like part of your amazing family.  Brian and I look forward to many anniversaries spent at lovely High Hampton.

{all pictures by me}

Wedding Wednesday Q&A

So, now that my wedding’s Wedding Wednesdays are over, I wanted to reach out to you guys to see if there was anything I missed.  Did you see a picture and wonder what the heck was going on?  Do you have a burning question about one of my vendors?  Do you want to know more about the bridal party’s attire?  Do you want to know what my something old, something new, something borrowed something blue?  Ask away!  I’m happy to answer any questions about my wedding and will plan to do so in a future post.

Here are the links to my previous wedding posts in case you want to relive them all over again… sigh…

Bride Getting Ready

Groom Getting Ready

First Look

Bridesmaids

The Calm Before the Ceremony

The Ceremony – Part 1 and Part 2

Post-Ceremony Glee

Reception Details

Toasts

Best Man Toast

Cake Cutting

First Dance

Wedding Favors

Engagement Shoot

The Proposal

High Hampton and Visiting High Hampton

Vendors I – Photography

Vendors II – Baker

Vendors III – Stationer

Vendors IV – Musicians and The Generals

Vendors V – Officiant

Vendors VI – Florist

Can’t wait to hear from you guys!  xo

Wedding Wednesday – The Album

Wow, I can’t believe this is the last post about my wedding… I guess it’s about time since the wedding was almost eight (!) months ago, but the time really just flew by.

I have loved reliving every moment here on the blog, and I plan to continue to share pretty wedding things as I find them (yes, I still read wedding blogs… what can I say, I’m addicted to the joy that comes with all things wedding!).  I’m also planning to share other things going on in my life (like the amazing patio furniture my husband MADE), so stay tuned for more possibly grown up things in the future (read: post-June).

Anyway!  Back to my wedding!  So, the final piece of my wedding pie (mmm…) is the album.  When I was in the planning stage I saw lots of options, but they all seemed to be SUPER expensive.  At the time I just couldn’t commit to spending $1,000 plus on something I felt I didn’t need right away.  I figured I would just wait until I had saved enough and buy it post-wedding.

Then I found out about Blurb – amazing.  It’s a website for anyone that wants to make any kind of book, but it seems like most people that use it are making photography-heavy books.  Intriguing, right?  So, I downloaded the software (it’s free, another big plus) and figured I’d just play around.

Well, I ended up making the wedding album of my dreams on Blurb.  And I paid less than $100 for it.  And it looks GOOD (if I do say so myself!).  Check it out and let me know what you think:

Brian and Natalie by High Hampton Inn Cashiers, NC | Make Your Own Book

The cool thing about Blurb is that you can make your own page layouts or use the ones they already have set up (there are tons).

You can pick the type of cover you want – a hardcover with either a dust jacket or an image printed right on it (we opted for the dust jacket because I wasn’t sure how much would get cut off and Brian’s head is very close to the top of the image on our cover… nobody wants a headless groom).

I didn’t have any expectations about what my wedding album would be like, so I love the way this turned out… but I could see someone that flipped through their parents album on a daily basis growing up wanting a more traditional album.  What do you think?

P.S. – For all those related to Brian and I, Santa has already told me that he is considering these for Christmas gifts, so don’t go stealing the Jolly Man’s thunder, please…

{All of the images above are screen captures from my album and are all by the amazing Angela Stott}

Wedding Cuteness

Still in the midst of June-related craziness, but couldn’t resist sharing this precious and totally unique hair accessory I saw on Etsy’s The Storque blog today.

Super cute, right?  And you could do it with mother-of-pearl buttons for a more neutral, but still unique, look.

What do you think?  Any other fun hair accessory ideas out there?

{source}

Wedding Wednesday – First Dance

I think I may have mentioned this when I told you guys about the Generals, but the closest thing Brian and I have to a song is Ben Harper’s Forever, which is beautiful, but just too darn slow for a first dance.

So, what did we end up dancing to during our first dance? Ray LaMontagne’s Hold You In My Arms.   Here’s a link to Ray singin’ it, if you aren’t familiar with it.

And why did we pick this song?  Because Brian liked to “sing” it to Chambers when he was a puppy and did not want to be held (usually because he was sleeping).  Brian would reach over and pick up the darling, sleeping puppy, and when Chambers would inevitably grumble, Brian would belt out “I wanna hold yooooou in my aaaaaarms!”

Kind of understandable, given how cute a sleeping puppy is… nearly impossible to resist the snuggle urge.  But somehow dancing to this song just felt right – like us – even if it did start out as Brian being goofy…

The best part of this whole tale is that when Brian’s brother asked me why we chose that song and I told him the story he said, “Only you know that about Brian… that is something I could never see him doing.”

And now we all know that about Brian… bet he’s super happy about that!  Sorry, dude…

Any special first dance stories out there?  How did you (or will you!) pick your first dance song?  Was/Is there an obvious one out there or did you stumble upon one like I did?

{All wedding pictures by Angela Stott, sleeping puppy picture by me}

Escort Card Idea

I love looking at the beautiful photography of The Schultzes, especially since Cheyenne used to work at my alma mater, Davidson, before jumping in to photography full time.  They always have beautiful images to get lost in and have the occasional too cute for words video on their site as well (um, this one still makes me grin from ear to ear).

While catching up on their recent posts, I came across these escort cards from a recent wedding they shot.

To find their seats, guests had to do some simple math… Brian would have LOVED this (though I’m not sure he would have been as kind with his mathematical operation choices as Neera and Dave were – differential equations, anyone?).

Fabulous, right?

{photos from The Schultzes blog}

Wedding Wednesday – Cake Cutting

So, I’m only sharing these pictures with you because they are hilariously awkward.  I mean, I’m glad we have them to remember that we got to eat an amazing mini chocolate and peanut butter cake (thank you Polka Dot Bakeshop!) on our wedding day and that Brian was nice enough not to smush it in my face… but seriously, does anyone look cute in these kinds of pictures?

Ok, that one’s not too bad – we’re smiling and happy about the cake that is to come…

But this one and the next one?  Lordy…

Oh, but wait… the next one takes the cake (haha) – kissing with cake in your mouth in front of all your loved ones.  Doesn’t get much better than that…

So awkward and wonderful… Right?

Do you think these are worth it for posterity’s sake?  I think so… They still make me giggle a little bit remembering how goofy we felt kissing with cake in our mouths…

{photos by the outstanding Angela Stott}

Wedding Wednesday – Best Man Toast

As promised, here is Justin’s fabulous toast from our wedding.  As you may recall, it was written as a letter from Brian to Justin about what he should say in his toast… The best part is that right before he stood up to talk, he told Brian and I to “just go along” with whatever he said – that’s when we knew this was going to be good.

[helpful reading tip: the non-italicized part is the letter, the italicized sentences are Justin's comments]

Justin,

I don’t want to write your speech, but here’s what I think you should say. First of all, try to be gracious and thank everyone for coming.

Mention that Natalie is a beautiful bride. Natalie, you look truly stunning

Obviously, you don’t have to comment on my appearance, because that would be weird, and let’s face it, I always look good! There was an exclamation point at the end of that sentence. Hopefully he was joking . . .

Try to throw in a few good stories, like the time Natalie was the beer pong champ at the McClave’s, or maybe just mention how long Natalie has stuck by my side over the years despite the fact I’m always on the road and that I’ve never had a real job. Natalie, you deserve a medal!

As far as topics not to mention (PAUSE! then look up at Brian and step away) . . .

Don’t refer to the window incident at Davidson.  Dad is still mad about that. And no stories about the bachelor party, although if you want to mention how I mentally destroyed Peiffer on the golf course, or how Case had to apologize to everyone, for partying, feel free to do so. Also, for the love of God, whatever you do, don’t mention the time when . . . .

(pause)

Maybe I should skip that part

Anyway, even though you’re really bad at relationships and aren’t even remotely close to getting married, I will remember your speech and will get revenge if necessary. Don’t forget that. Thanks B, I won’t . . .

And if you can be subtle about it, try to mention my blog – I could use the hits.

Brian

Great toast, right?  Thanks, Justin…

Wedding Wednesday – Toasts

After the cocktail hour, everyone went inside and ate the amazing meal that the chefs at High Hampton prepared (seriously, one of the best meals I’ve ever had!).  After dinner, my dad led off the toasts:

His toast was touching and sweet, as was that of my lovely Maid of Honor, Meredith:

See how we are so touched by their thoughtful and loving words?

But because it’s us, we couldn’t get married without someone poking a little fun… My grandfather started out telling a sweet story from my childhood about learning how to fish (it involves me thinking cleaning a fish required soap and water…), but ended with a zinger at my expense (having to do with a certain tattoo I have on my back…).  It was fabulous.

Brian’s brother and Best Man, Justin, had the guests all falling out of their chairs with his “letter from Brian” – don’t worry, I’ve asked Justin to send it along so I can share it with you…That will be in a future post.

The toasts were all amazing, even if there were some laughs at our expense – I think being able to laugh at yourself (and with your partner!) can only lead to a happier, more functional marriage!

Toasts were such a special part of our wedding celebration – who spoke at your wedding or who are you hoping will speak at yours??

{photos by the most wonderful Angela Stott}

Wedding Wednesday – Reception Details

After the ceremony and impromptu receiving line, everyone headed to High Hampton’s pavilion for the cocktail hour and reception.  Our cocktail hour consisted of – wait for it – cocktails and more singing from the too-cute-for-words Generals.  While all this was going on, Angela snuck into our reception site and captured some of the amazing decor, which was done by the extremely talented Stacey of The Bloom Room (see here for my pre-wedding write up).

In planning how we wanted the reception to look, I knew I didn’t want round tables because of the way the pavilion was laid out.  I don’t really know why, but I just don’t like the look of a rectangular room full of rounds… I was actually at my best friend’s wedding this past weekend and she had rounds and it totally worked because they were spread out in this large multi-level outdoor space and the rounds blended in better than squares or rectangles would have… Anyway, I didn’t want rounds and Stacey came up with a fabulous table design that included a very large head table (I think it was three 8′ rectangular tables long and two wide!).  I loved the final look of the room.

So I must mention that my amazing and patient mother made all the table runners for the reception – each and everyone – to fit the various sized tables we had.  She picked out the fabric (they are all navy, but have different, subtle designs) and sewed them all by hand.  Now I have them and can use them in our home each day as a reminder of my lovely mother and the day I married Brian… HOw great, right?

The other thing I new I didn’t want was large centerpieces – I wanted people to be able to talk to each other and see each other!  Stacey put together the most perfect tablescapes I’ve ever seen…

They included lots of white flowers, berries, and even some veggies – so cool right!  Do you see the little artichoke in the above picture?!  Amazing…

I also wanted lots of soft lighting, which Stacey achieved with tons of candles in different types of holders.

Stacey also used lots of different types of jars and vases to hold the flowers, which made the tablescapes so eclectic and fun.

Another veggie flower – so cute, right?!  The last piece of the tables was actually homemade – part of my bridesmaid sweatshop: the table numbers.  The weeks before my wedding, I asked my very talented local bridesmaids help me with these and my MOH is one step away from Monet status – she painted ALL of these.  They were little books that we put out with pens and people wrote little notes in throughout the evening.

What do you guys think of the reception design?  I feel so lucky to have worked with Stacey on this – she really was amazing and executed exactly what I wanted in my heart of hearts.  Thank you, Stacey!!

{All photos by the stupendous Angela Stott}