Under the Harvest Moon: The Ceremony

When I left off, we'd just made it up to the altar.  Our priest then welcomed everybody and proceeded to pay our flower girls and ring bearer for doing such a wonderful job.

Photo by Uncle Chris

Some flower girls...

ended up with more than the $1 they were paid by the priest, while some might have been swindled for flower petals during the ceremony.  Tricksy flower girls.

Then he made sure Granny got her purse back, someone held it for her at the back of the church for her walk down the aisle and he wanted to make sure she got it back.

Photo by Aunt Annie

Our ceremony was fairly standard, I found this website helpful in choosing.  My Aunt read Tobit 8:5-7.  Mr. Moonbeam's cousin read Corinthians 12:31-13:8.  For the Gospel we chose, John 15:9-12

During the ceremony, our priest had Sista MB and BIL MB tell our guests what they thought our greatest strengths were.

Sista MB getting her instructions. Photo by Uncle Chris

And I let her know (via a sneaky face) that it better be good. Photo by Aunt Annie.

Sista MB told our guests that my independence was my greatest quality (I was super pleased to know that's what she thinks).  Our priest (a longtime family friend) commented that independence is great, but that I shouldn't really let it edge over to stubbornness like Momma MB had.  This led to a pretty good laugh from the guests (Momma MB was probably laughing the hardest).

Photo by Aunt Annie

BIL MB was caught off guard, but pulled it together and told our guests about Mr. MB's caring attitude towards others (I'd have to agree with this).

Then it was time for the actual marriage part (we did the traditional vows for this ceremony) and for me to cry.

Photo by Aunt Annie

We exchanged rings

Photo by Aunt Annie

and a kiss.

Then our cousins brought up the Eucharist.

Photo by Uncle Chris

At this point it was time to remember our loved ones, lost.  We had our grandmothers light candles of remembrance for our grandfathers who had passed.  This was especially important to us because Mr. MB's step-grandfather had passed only a few months before.

Photo by Aunt Annie

Afterward our uncles acted as Eucharistic Ministers for communion (the great part of a full Catholic mass is that there are so many ways to get family involved).

Photo by Uncle Chris

Then my favorite part of mass, the Sign of Peace, who doesn't love a few hugs from your new family.

Photo by Uncle Chris

After the ceremony, we were announced as 'Travis and Eileen, husband and wife' (thanks for finding a nice way to avoid the Mr. and Mrs. shared last name that I didn't take).

Photo by Uncle Chris

We walked down the aisle,

Aunt Annie snapped this picture from the balcony.

Photo by Aunt Annie

And we waited outside to greet our guests.

Some people were asking me during the planning stages what would happen at a Catholic ceremony if you were already legally married.  I wasn't terribly worried about what was going to happen, I just wanted to be married by our family's favorite priest.  But, for those who want to know, our priest chose to reword some parts of the ceremony, they were subtle and I didn't realize it until well into the ceremony, but he said things like 'recommit to each other', 'kiss for old times sake' instead of kiss the bride.

All photos taken by John and Whitney Canales and edited by me unless otherwise noted.

Miss Anything?

Walking Down the Aisle

Getting Ready

The Last Night

Rehearsal Dinner

Some last minute projects

Sorry for the delay

Under the Harvest Moon: Something Involving an Aisle

So, we were running 30 minutes late (sorry guests), but the time had finally arrived.  All the guests were seated, our guitarist was playing and it was time for the processional.

Grandma Moonbeam started it off with an escort from my cousin.

Up next were Daddy Moonbeam's parents.

Followed by Mr. Moonbeam's Granny, escorted by BIL Moonbeam.

And Mr. Moonbeam's Nana and Papaw.

Then Mr. Moonbeam's parents made their way.

Next, Momma Moonbeam made her way down, escorted by Brother MB.

London 'maid and Groomsman Greg started off the bridal party. 

 Followed by Seattle 'maid and her entourage, Groomsmen John and DW.

 Brother Moonbeam made another appearance, this time escorting Cuz 'maid.

 Our traveling troupe of adorableness came next.  (I never posted about it, but they're carrying wire and wicker baskets with sheer, iridescent ribbon knotted to the top wire)

 Then, Sista Moonbeam headed down the aisle.

Now, it was time for Daddy Moonbeam and I to head down, one last picture outside.

Picture taken by Aunt Annie.

 And, we're off.

 Still going, but Mr. Moonbeam's in my sights now.

 The hand off.

Just a couple of steps to get to the altar (please no tripping).

And, we've arrived.  Up next the ceremony.

All photos taken by John and Whitney Canales and edited by me unless otherwise noted.

Miss Anything?

Getting Ready

The Last Night

Rehearsal Dinner

Some last minute projects

Sorry for the delay

Under the Harvest Moon: Getting Ready

I woke up way too early the morning of our wedding day.  No one was up and since our reception venue was steps away from the cottage I was staying in with my bridesmaid's I headed over to see it again.  Linda and her helpers had put most of the flowers in the venue refrigerator, so I checked out the centerpieces.  The tables and linens were being put up, but what I was most excited about was the fact that it was glorious and sunny.  It was a welcome change from the buckets of rain from the night before.

So, my ladies and I headed out to a huge breakfast at a local diner, everything really is bigger in Texas.  Then we went back to the cottage, checked out what was going on at the venue and did a little setting up.  Lots of family members were there lending helping hands, thanks again everyone.  Then Seattle 'maid tore me away from setting up and forced me to go and shower and start getting ready.  I showered, submitted some job applications (I was still unemployed at the time) and started to feel bridal.

I had great friends and family around

I had Cuz 'maid do my makeup, she may be younger, but she is far superior than me in her knowledge of makeup, hair and other things that some ladies know about.  She's a whiz at all the girly stuff and helped all the bridesmaids and myself out.  Thanks Megan!

I consulted with some friends before the wedding and came up with this makeup cocktail.

Smashbox Photo Finish Primer (light)

Dior Airflash Spray Foundation (color 300)

Bare Minerals Bronzer

Maybelline Superstay Gloss (color 105)

Maybelline the Colossal Volum' Express Mascara

Whatever eyeshadow my cousin had on hand and that was it. I had my first facial a few days before the wedding, so my skin was feelin' good and in keeping with my standard style the makeup was pretty simple and clean.

For hair, I might have put some texture putty in my hair or not, don't remember.  But, to get the birdcage veil in there I took the advice of my old neighbor (a makeup artist and hair stylist).

Tease a tuft of hair for the veil comb to go into, spray it with hairspray and tease again, spray one more time and stick the veil comb in.  Then lay the veil where you want it, and hairspray it into shape.  It came out once when someone got a piece of it in the middle of a hug, but I stuck it back in and it stayed in place all  night.

After the prettification, we headed over to the church.

When we got there the rectory was buzzing.  Corsages and bouts were being handed out.  Flower girls were dressed (in Momma Moonbeam couture) and ready to go.

My cousin helped me behead some roses, so that those sweet little ladies could have some petals to throw around.

Grandma Moonbeam did a final pressing of my dress.

Photo by Aunt Annie

And my ladies were on hand to help me get into it!

Photo by Aunt Annie

The guys didn't get together to get dressed, but they were all at the church on time (unlike me) and ready to go.

A quick shot of Brother and Sister Moonbeam.  Brother Moonbeam even shaved without me asking him to!

Photo by Aunt Annie

And back to me... and my dress.  In all it's French-seamed-by-Momma-Moonbeam loveliness.

The requisite army of people to put the thing on without messing up hair and makeup.

Attaching the family heirloom lace train, it's removable so other ladies in my family can use it.  But I get to keep it, sorry first daughter's right.

Aunt Eileen putting on the heirloom necklace that I borrowed from Daddy Moonbeam's side of the family.

Then London 'maid helped me with my garter.

It started out innocently enough... and then giggles, lots of them.

A few pictures of me and my ladies.

Check out the flowers!  So bright and happy.

Taking a second with Momma Moonbeam.

Then it was a short walk to the church doors, where my littlest cousin met up with me.

And here is a gratuitous shot of my train and full skirt.

We had a few minutes outside as everyone started making their way inside, and pretty soon it was all gonna go down.

But since I had a few minutes to kill.

Aunt Annie took a couple of shots of my flowers, complete with embroidered handkerchief from Mr. Moonbeam's family.

And me.

All photos taken by John and Whitney Canales and edited by me unless otherwise noted.

Miss Anything?

The Last Night

Rehearsal Dinner

Some last minute projects

Sorry for the delay