Wedding Recap 3: THE RECEPTION!

The wedding reception was one of the best parts of the night, but I'll be brief, because I think it requires photos and I don't have my professional ones yet. Also, we had an open bar and everyone was pretty sloshed by the end, so not many photos were taken by guests :o)

The grand entrance led us right into our first dance, which was to Come Rain or Come Shine by Ray Charles. Josh and I debated and debated what to have for our first dance (I wanted Songbird by Eva Cassidy, he wanted Patience by Guns N Roses, which is, admittedly, one of "our songs" lol), but as soon as we heard Ray, whom we both LOVE, and this song, we knew it was the one.

The dance was nice because it was one of the only chances I had to just. be. with Josh. We talked about how wonderful the wedding was. How beautiful I looked. How handsome he looked. How he worried about stepping on my dress. How we couldn't BELIEVE we were married and how giddy we felt. How hungry he was and how thirsty I was. How much we loved each other.

Then, I did a welcome speech (I cried. Again.) and told everyone how much we love them and to THANK THEM for waiting until 8:30 to eat dinner... then... we feasted!

Our menu was a spinach salad with goat cheese, candied walnuts, strawberries and white balsamic vinaigrette for a starter, followed by an intermezzo of sorbet with a cranberry coulis, then the Angus steak with a Bearnaise sauce, garlic mashed potatoes and asparagus. No, we didn't offer options (beyond the vegetarian option), because we love steak, and nobody had an issue with it. In fact, the groomsmen asked if they could take other people's leftovers home! :o)

Then it was time for DANCING. I danced to "Wild World" by Cat Stevens with my dad, then Josh danced to "What a Wonderful World" by Louis Armstrong with his mom. Then... we all danced. And danced. And danced.

Then, suddenly, it was time for speeches. My dad started it off with a welcome speech and said, "Jenna's always been my little girl, coming with me to all the sports events, football, basketball, soccer... and since she's met you, Josh, she has blossomed. We are so happy to have you join our family. And everyone here, we are all family now, and I'm so happy that we are". Plus a million other things that made us cry.

 Jeremy followed and he was the perfect one to do so, because he is so random and funny. He talked about how much he liked me, how I knew about sports and how hard I work. Then he talked about how much he loves us and hopes that God will bless us in our marriage.

My sister went next and made us all cry again. This is her speech, as I remember it.

"Having known Jenna all her life, I consider myself a Jenna expert. We spent a lot of time together growing up, playing Barbies, hunting for rocks in the yard, going on family reunions together. So when I was first thinking of my speech, I thought of making a 'Guide to Living with Jenna' for Josh. It would have things like, Always have at least two inspirational sports movies in the house. If she's grumpy, give her French fries. But then I realized that Josh is a Jenna expert, too. He doesn't need to have a list, because he already knows how to make her happy."

Oh. My. God. I cried SO HARD. It was a wonderful speech. She's getting married next year, and the whole time I was thinking, "How can I top this!?" lol

Thomas followed and again, was the perfect one to follow it up and close it out because he is our best friend and is also super hilarious. He talked about how we never fight, so if our only fights are over forgetting an item at the grocery store, we'll be okay. He also took credit for the entire wedding because he introduced us.  :o) And said that wherever we are, he'll be there in the guest room with his dog. :o)

All of this was followed by more dancing, cutting the cake (which was SO DELICIOUS!), and then doing my bouquet presentation to my parents, who celebrated their 30th anniversary this summer, and whose wedding I blatantly stole (toasting glasses, my mom's veil, their cake cutters...). Then we played their first dance song "Always on my Mind" by Willie Nelson. :o)

Followed by MORE DANCING and more drinking.

Then, at the end of the night, we all made our way out to our rooms (to change for the pool or go out to the clubs, etc.), and Josh and I were the last ones to leave. I remember looking around at the room... feeling like I could burst with happiness, and feeling SO ready to start married life together (and get out of my super tight dress!).

It was the perfect, perfect day.

Photos soon :o)