A year ago today.

Alex, I love you more than ever.

(Photo by Max Wanger)

A little love note.

Have you told bedtime stories lately? Pregnancy has made me super sleepy, and I've been conking out really early. So a little tradition has started, where Alex will put me to bed. After I brush my teeth, he'll say, “Ready for bed, baby?” and then come into the bedroom, lie down next to me (and my maternity pillow) and tell me funny stories about his childhood, early days in New York or old friends. I don't know how he comes up with them all (every single night!), but it's so cozy falling asleep listening to his deep voice and trying to stay awake to hear the ending. I love you, Alex.

(Photo by Max Wanger)

Wedding first look

Speaking of weddings, Max just sent over a few more of our wedding photos. I especially loved this photo of our first look. I remember how crazy nervous and excited I was for Alex to turn around! (See the rest of our first look here, if you'd like.) xo

Wedding: A final thank you

Finally, I'd love to write a final schmoopy post saying a few final thank-yous...

* We used Project Wedding to create our wedding website. They have pretty templates, and it was super easy and fun to set everything up. I'd highly recommend them.

* For wedding-party gifts, we gave our bridesmaids hoop earrings from Melissa Joy Manning (every girl got a slightly different shape). We gave our the groomsmen custom-made leather Billykirk card cases, which we had embossed with inside jokes, such as the date the Red Sox won the World Series. I gave my two maids-of-honor engraved necklaces from In God We Trust. And our lovely flower girl received heart sunglasses, a Where's Waldo book, and a glittery bouncy ball.

* We stayed at the sexy Standard hotel on our wedding night. (A funny scandal: Some hotel guests had been keeping their curtains open during intimate moments, giving passersby a peep show!)

* We did a honeymoon registry, which worked out really well for us. (We went to Italy and Greece.)

* Thank you so much to our parents, guests and, of course, all you wonderful readers for making the planning, weekend and recap so giddy and exciting. It was been an amazing pleasure to share everything with you!

* And, most of all, thank you to Max Wanger. Max managed to capture the day exactly how I saw it through my own eyes, which was a rare gift. He is a joy to work with, and I hope he continues to be our "life photographer." :)

If you'd like, see a few more wedding photos on Max Wanger's blog. Thank you again! xoxo

(Photo by Max Wanger)

Wedding: Picnic brunch

We couldn't bear to let our guests go quite yet, so for the Sunday morning after our wedding, we arranged a casual brunch in Battery Park's Rockefeller Park, which is right on the water, with old schooners sailing by. After a very rainy weekend (there was even mention of a hurricane!), we were thrilled to see the sun come out. My mom ordered delicious uttapas from Hampton Chutney (Indian pancakes with savory toppings), and we had a bubble machine, balloons, frisbees, bikes, hula hoops and lots of blankets. We loved lying around in the grass, hearing the post-game wrap, and watching the little dudes chase each other around. (Two babies even played footsie!)

Next up: The final post with final thank yous. xoxo

(My dress and Alex's shirt were both from Steven Alan. The giant pink balloons were a nod to our engagement photos by Max; you can find similar balloons here.)

(Photos by Max Wanger)

Wedding: Favors

We debated having wedding favors--were they a waste of money? would our guests end up throwing them away?--but then we remembered these awesome heart holographic glasses. When you wear them, all points of light (candles, headlights, street lamps) turn into hearts. They're really awesome, and we gave them to our guests so they could have a romantic walk (or cab ride) home through Manhattan. (P.S. I'd love to wear a pair on the Brooklyn Bridge sometime!)

Wedding: The Reception

Finally, the reception. First, our guests had cocktails and hors devours in the Reading Room, which was filled with leather club chairs and a giant fireplace--and the ceiling looked like it was straight out of Versailles! Alex was so enamored of the aesthetic that he now wants our apartment to look like a dimly lit social club.
Then we headed upstairs for dinner. We wanted to create a relaxed vibe (and keep the budget reasonable), so we served a Mediterranean buffet--including lamb kabobs, grilled vegetables, cheesy pasta with vodka sauce, and caprese salad--and we didn't do assigned seating. Miraculously, people all ended up sitting with their good friends, and the tables worked out perfectly. (Whew!) Alex and I fall into the small category of People Who Don't Like Cake, so we served homemade cookies for dessert, made by my mom and the fabulous Perl Girl Baking Co. (P.S. Can you spot the two fascinators in the photo above? So cute!)
During dinner, our friends and siblings gave toasts. Alex's friend Brad talked about their early days in New York (where they shared a miniature apartment with a stalker across the hall), Alex's sister Lesley wrote a beautiful poem, my sister Lucy spoke about love and imagination, and Alex's brother Scott gave a funny toast full of California slang (including the line, "Dude, you totally scored.") But the big twist of the evening came when my little brother Nick gave his entire toast in a pitch-perfect New Zealand accent. No joke! The crowd was on fire!
Next up was a slideshow by our beloved friend Jason. He put together baby photos, family snapshots...and embarrassing pictures of us in junior high. He had stalked our friends and relatives all summer to get anecdotes about our lives (e.g., Alex's imaginary friend, Steve), and he wrote a cheeky speech to go along with the photos. It was hilarious, touching and wonderful.
After dinner, we moved into the next room for dancing. Our good friend Maz was our DJ, and we played the Velvet Underground's "I'll Be Your Mirror" for our first dance. (Runners up were "I Don't Wanna" by Patsy Cline and "I Can't Help Falling in Love with You" by Elvis.) We had taken a fox trot class over the summer, but suddenly got nervous, and just danced like 7th graders. Luckily, the audience didn't seem to mind.
And then everyone danced the night away. The star of the show was our redheaded flower girl, Grace, who had so many cool moves! (Click on the photo to enlarge, if you'd like; she's ridiculously cute.)

Next up: The favors and the brunch, and that's it! Thank you so much for indulging me :) xoxo

(Photos by Max Wanger)

Wedding: Decor

Right after the ceremony, our guests headed downstairs for cocktails, while Alex and I slipped away for a quiet moment (and to lower our heart rates). Everything was set for the party...
We had framed our grandparents' fabulous wedding photos. (A mix of English ceremonies, Missouri weddings, and war brides! It was so cool to see all their different styles.)
We displayed them on a table next to English lavender plants.
For our British nautical theme, we decorated with ships-in-bottles and blue hydrangeas beautifully arranged by Abbey.
As a surprise gift for Alex, I asked Brooklyn designer Shabd Simon-Alexander to design a custom handkerchief. Together, we chose a goofy snapshot of Alex and me racing on the beach, and she embroidered it on a vintage handkerchief. (See her other rad handkerchiefs here.) It was hilarious and beautiful, and Alex loved it. Thank you, Shabd!
Finally, jewelry designer Blanca Monros Gomez handmade our rings in her Brooklyn studio. My ring has the engraving, "All my love," and Alex's ring says, "All my life." (My maternal grandparents had these words engraved on their rings, too.) We are in love with them, and are thrilled to wear them for the rest of our lives. Thank you, Blanca! xoxo

(Special thanks to our wonderful friend Donna, who helped with our wedding planning, logistics, coordination and just keeping our heads on straight.)

(Photos by Max Wanger)

Wedding: The Ceremony, Part Three

Here's the final post about our ceremony! It was the most intense and exciting half hour of our lives--indescribable. You feel so present, like you've been dropped into your body. I couldn't take my eyes off Alex, and he was squeezing my hands the whole time.After we exchanged our vows and rings, Hamish said a few beautiful closing words, but I have to admit, it was pretty much unbearable to wait to kiss Alex. I could hardly contain myself. I felt like I was jumping out of my skin. Finally, Hamish said, "With the power invested in me by the City of New York, it is with great pleasure that I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss each other." And we did.Our recessional song was "Be My Baby" by the Ronettes (which we hadn't realized was in Dirty Dancing, hilarious; Alex had loved it in Mean Streets). I was blubbering as we walked back down the aisle, but was still smiling through the tears. Alex, I loved marrying you!

Next up: Dinner and dancing. Thank you for reading our wedding story and for your incredibly sweet comments...Just a few posts left! xoxo

(My hair was by the wonderful Heather Packer from Cutler Salon, and my make-up was by Kevin James Bennett from Makeup Forever, who is hilarious and super-talented.)

(Photos by Max Wanger)

Wedding: The Ceremony, Part Two

My uncle Hamish officiated our ceremony. (My mom had managed to get him ordained over email!) In his thick English accent, Hamish kicked off the ceremony by saying, "It seems a bit rich, with a voice like this, to welcome you all to New York!" His service was beautiful--both funny and moving.We had spent all summer choosing our readings (it was surprisingly tough!), and in the end, we found four poems we absolutely loved. First, our friend Kenan read “Our Union” by Hafiz. This poem breaks my heart, and Kenan read it achingly beautifully and slowly:

Our union is like this: You feel cold, so I reach for a blanket to cover our shivering feet.
A hunger comes into your body, so I run to my garden and start digging potatoes.
You asked for a few words of comfort and guidance, and I quickly kneel by your side offering you a whole book as a gift.
You ache with loneliness one night so much you weep, and I say here is a rope, tie it around me, I will be your companion for life.

Then, our good friend Penny read two poems:

From "First Poems," Rainer Maria Rilke
Understand, I'll slip quietly
Away from the noisy crowd
When I see the pale
Stars rising, blooming over the oaks
I'll pursue solitary pathways
Through the pale twilit meadows,
With only this one dream:
You come too.

The Dream Keeper, by Langston Hughes
Bring me all of your dreams,
You dreamer,
Bring me all your
Heart melodies
That I may wrap them
In a blue cloud-cloth
Away from the too-rough fingers
Of the world.

Finally, for a bit of comic relief, our friend Nora read “I'll Be There For You” by Louise Cuddon:

I'll be there, my darling, through thick and through thin
When your mind's in a mess and your head's in a spin
When your plane's been delayed, and you've missed the last train.
When life is just threatening to drive you insane
When your thrilling whodunit has lost its last page
When somebody tells you, you're looking your age
When your coffee's too cool, and your wine is too warm
When the forecast said, “Fine,” but you're out in a storm
When your quick break hotel, turns into a slum
And your holiday photos show only your thumb
When you park for five minutes in a resident's bay

And return to discover you've been towed away
When the jeans that you bought in hope or in haste
Just stick on your hips and don't reach round your waist
When the food you most like brings you out in red rashes
When as soon as you boot up the bloody thing crashes
So my darling, my sweetheart, my dear...
When you break a rule, when you act the fool
When you've got the flu, when you're in a stew
When you're last in the queue, don't feel blue
'cause I'm telling you, I'll be there.

xoxo

(Photos by Max Wanger)

Wedding: The Ceremony, Part One

Now, for the best part: the ceremony! Here, Alex and his lovely mother Joyce are getting ready to walk down the aisle. Alex was all nerves, and told me afterwards that he didn't remember a thing about walking down the aisle. Not a thing! Alex was filled with both jitters and excitement. He kept saying, "It's a potent brew, it's a potent brew."
Meanwhile, my dad and I were one floor up. Suddenly, at the very last minute, just moments before walking down the aisle, I realized that I'd left my bouquet on a table upstairs. My dad -- in true 007 style -- raced up the stairs, two at a time, went into the bridal suite, found the bouquet, and ran back down....
...Then, completely calm and unfazed, he took my arm and gracefully led me down the aisle. It made me think of all the times my dad has helped me and been my hero during my childhood and adult life, and it made me tear up (again).
At this moment, my uncle, who officiated our ceremony, had just asked, "Who gives this woman to marry this man?" And my dad answered, "She comes of her own accord, with the full support of her mother and me." I loved how feminist and independent that sounded, while still honoring tradition and family. (It was my mom's idea.) Although it did, as you can see, make me laugh a little in the moment. And I love Alex's expression here!!!
Then I kissed my dad and took Alexei's hands.
One of my favorite parts of the ceremony was when we took a moment to thank our mothers for all that they've done for us and gave each of them a pink English rose. My mom started crying, which was so sweet...
...and Alex's mom looked so happy!

Next up: The readings...

(My dad's English morning suit from Baldwin. Rose petals from Flyboy Naturals)

(Photos by Max Wanger)

Wedding: Program

We were lucky enough to nab the super talented Anna Bond of Rifle Design for our programs. She was wonderful to work with, and we adored her hand-painted illustration of a ship on the waves. She even drew my dress exactly like it was, as well as Alex's beard and glasses! At the bottom, we included a romantic quote from one of our favorite novels, The History of Love. A program was put on each guest's chair (and, later, on our fridge).

Click the photo to enlarge, if you'd like. xo

Update: Anne, a reader, asked if Alex had seen this program before the wedding (and therefore my dress style), and yes! He did! Oops! We laughed about it when it happened, because I had been so careful to keep my wedding dress a secret from him...and then I just handed him a drawing of it. :)

(Program by Anna Bond; photo by Max Wanger)

Wedding: The Down Town Association

Now I'd love to show you the venue. We wanted our wedding to have a British feel, so we were thrilled to discover the Down Town Association, a beautiful historic building in downtown Manhattan. A private social club founded in 1859, they recently began hosting weddings (lucky for us). We had the run of the entire four-story building all day, and, with the ship paintings, bookshelves, taxidermy and fireplaces, we felt like we were tying the knot in an old English manor. (Even the bathrooms were gorgeous.)

To top it off, the staff was amazing. My mom told me that as she walked around all evening, every waiter and bartender would say to her, "Congratulations on the beautiful wedding of your lovely daughter." How sweet is that?

Tomorrow, I'll share photos of the ceremony, I can't wait! xoxo

(Photos of the DTA by Max Wanger)

Wedding: First look

Now onto the first look! Alex and I decided to see each other before our ceremony, so that we could take some photos beforehand. So our photographer Max kindly arranged a "first look," where Alex stood with his back to the door, and I came downstairs to see him. As soon as I peeked in the doorway, and saw my sweet, sweet husband-to-be all dressed up and waiting for me, I became overwhelmed with emotion and got choked up. I knew he must be nervous (my heart was pounding!), and he looked so sweet and charming that my heart just broke. Then Max told Alex he could turn around, and we saw each other for the first time, dressed in our wedding attire. It was so romantic and intimate, and the perfect way to start the wedding festivities together. xo

(My bouquet was arranged by the fabulous Abbey, who is such a talent; it was a simple bunch of delphiniums tied with pink ribbons. My dress and shoes were from J. Crew. Alex's shirt was from Lord Willy's; his pink-and-white tie was from the amazing FieldGuided on etsy; she even mailed us fabric swatches to make sure the pink was just right.)

(Photos by Max Wanger)