Dear Sis,

A year ago today, Josh and I said, “I do.” Now that the stress of planning and creating a D.I.Y. wedding are over, I feel I can document the experience.

Stationary

Save-the-Dates

Wedding Invitations

 

I used this to get started:

Vicky and Things: D.I.Y. Wedding Invitation Tutorial.

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Apparel

The Dress

The first dress I tried on and liked… but “like” wasn’t enough:)

The second dress I more than liked, but still felt like something was missing.

The dress I said yes too!

Bridal Party

For the bridesmaids, we chose option A, used satin with an organza overlay, and accented the dress with more satin.

 Our junior bridesmaid had a simpler dress. We used the McCalls pattern below, option C. The dress was a visual inversion of the bridesmaid dress, featuring satin with organza accent.

Jamie knitted lovely shrugs to complete the regal purple and gold look.

The pattern is from: Finish-Free Knits by Kristen Tendyke 

 Last but not least, our Ring Bearer had a satin vest with organza overlay and a satin tie.

We used pattern option C and E.

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Venue

Old Economy Village

The Feast Hall was a beautiful ceremony space.

 For the reception, the garden was not only lovely, but big enough to accommodate our guests, food, and lawn games.

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The Shower

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The Ceremony

Programs

Carmin, Josh, and I worked together to write our own ceremony.

I’ve never heard any vows like ours at another wedding, but they suit us:)

Vows

Procession

to Canon in D, Johann Pachelbel

Bride’s Mothers Parents

Bride’s Father’s Parents

Bride’s Adoptive Father’s Parents

Groom’s Mother’s Mother

Mother of the Bride

Groom’s Parents

Officiant – Adoptive Father of the Bride

Groom

Bridesmaid & Groomsman – Sister & Brother-in-Law of Groom

Junior Bridesmaid – Cousin of Bride

Ring Bearer – Nephew of Groom

Maid of Honor – Sister of Bride

Bride and Father of the Bride

Carmin’s Opening Address

This marriage is more than a commonwealth’s recognition of a financial union. It is the formation of an entity which may choose to produce children.  Brandy Middle Name Last Name and Joshua Middle Name Last Name have created a contract. It is their best knowledge of what each of them should do in order to be able to peaceably coexist forever. They applied months of effort to the words and still express uncertainty. None of us know the future. Therefore, I am certain that, over time, they will expand upon their initial agreement. But Brandy and Josh have slowly marched in front of as many people that were willing to come in order to make public their contract. So that every word may be strengthened. And to cause these words to be engraved permanently upon their hearts. We thank G-d in attempt to cause the entity which is to be made, breath life forever.

Declaration of Intent & Exchange of Vows

Josh	Brandy
Will you marry me Brandy, I love you. I will strive make you happy. You are the perfect woman to create a family with. Will you marry me?
	Yes, I will Yes Josh, I will marry you. I will take your name, and I will be good to you.  I like the person you help me to be.
I will always remain faithful to you. I will remove myself from temptation. Your comfort and happiness will motivate me.
	I will find security in my trust in you.  I will not consider any other man. I will choose to see the good in you.
I will forgive your mistakes. I will support you when you need me.
	I will appreciate all that you provide. I will budget wisely for our family. I will perform family tasks with love and joy.
I will work, motivated to support our family I will bring home all I earn. I will praise your productivity.
	I will voice my concerns. I will follow our agreements. I will set a good example for our family, and cooperate with you to resolve conflict.
I will listen to you as my partner. I will follow the agreements I made with you. I will compromise with you in the ongoing effort to live together.
	I will prioritize and organize our family’s needs. I will labor to keep our family healthy and happy.
I will keep our family safe and associated with good people. I will ensure family needs have the proper environment and resources required.
	I will help you teach our children.   I will create our family routine, and make time for fun, as well as chores.
I will be a good role model for our children.   I will build our family by the example my parents have made.
And together we will teach our children how to raise children.

 Unity Ceremony

Today marks the blending of families.  

As individual vessels of sand are poured into one, 

the granules and their characteristics unite.

Please welcome Josh’s Grandmother, Ms. Patricia Last Name, to the piano.

Ring Ceremony

The rings please.

May these rings remind you of the promises made today.

Josh, do you take Brandy to be your wife?  

Do you accept her?

Do you vow to love her,

and care for her?

Do you promise to be a faithful and loving companion,

for as long as you both shall live?  

I do.

Place the ring on Brandy’s finger and repeat after me.

I, Joshua Middle Name Last Name, 

I, Joshua Middle Name Last Name, 

take you, Brandy Middle Name 

take you, Brandy Middle Name 

to by my wife.  

to by my wife.  

I will love you,

I will love you,

respect and cherish you, 

respect and cherish you, 

all the days of my life.

all the days of my life.

. . . . .

Brandy, do you take Josh to be your husband?  

Do you accept him?

Do you vow to love him,

and care for him?

Do you promise to be a faithful and loving companion,

for as long as you both shall live?  

I do.

Place the ring on Josh’s finger and repeat after me.

I, Brandy Middle Name, 

I, Brandy Middle Name, 

take you, Joshua Middle Name Last Name 

take you, Joshua Middle Name Last Name

to by my husband.  

to by my husband.  

I will love you,

I will love you,

respect and cherish you, 

respect and cherish you, 

all the days of my life.

all the days of my life.

Pronouncement & Presentation

You are now man and wife.  You may kiss the bride.

It is my great pleasure to present to you, Mister and Misses Joshua Middle Name Last Name.  

Recessional

to Ode to Joy, Ludwig van Beethoven

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The Reception

Receiving Line

A great way to make sure you personally thank and speak to each and every guest!!!

Fun

Badminton

Croquet

Giant Jenga

Guest Book

Kur-Plunk

Giant Pick-up-Sticks

Popcorn

String Trio

Food

Cookies

Jam Filled Almond Linzer Cookies

Cream together 1 c unsalted butter and 1/2 c brown sugar. Beat in 1 egg and 1 t vanilla. Stir in 1/4 t cinnamon, 1/2 t each baking power and salt, 2/3 c almond meal, and 2 1/2 c flour. Chill dough.

Preheat oven to 350. Roll dough to 1/8-inch thick. Cut bases and tops with a liner cutter. Bake 10 minutes. Cool.

Fill with jam and dust with powdered sugar, just before serving.

Source Recipe: RealSimple: Raspberry-Almond Linzer Cookies

Glazed Almond Shortbread

Cream together 1 c unsalted butter and 3/4 c sugar. Beat in 1 egg and 2 t vanilla extract. Combine 2 c flour, 1/2 t baking power, and 1/4 t salt. Stir into beaten mixture.

Shape dough into a log, wrap in waxed paper and plastic, and chill dough.

Preheat oven to 375. Slice log into 1/4-inch thicknesses. Bake 8 minutes. Cool on wire racks.

Icing: Combine 2/3 c powdered sugar, 1 1/2 t each almond extract and milk. Smooth over cookies with a spoon. Stand until set. Makes 3-4 dozen.

Source Recipe: The Novice Chef: Almond Meltaway Cookies

Baklava

Blueberry Oatmeal Cookies

Preheat oven to 375. Line baking sheets with parchment.

Cream together 1 3/4 c brown sugar and 1/2 c each unsalted butter and shortening. Beat in 1 egg, 1/3 c milk, and 2 t vanilla. 

Combine 1 1/2 c flour, 1/2 c graham flour, 1 t each baking soda and cinnamon, 1/2 t salt, and 1/4 t nutmeg. Stir into creamed mixture 1/2 c at a time. 

Fold in 4 c old fashion oats and 1 c fresh blueberries. Drop spoonfuls on prepared baking sheets. Bake 10-12 minutes. Cool 1 minute on sheets before removing to wire racks.

Source Recipe: Cozy Country Living: Blueberry Cobbler Oatmeal Cookies

Chocolate Chip Cookies

Chocolate Covered Oreos, Twizzlers, & Pretzel Rods

Cranberry Coconut Citrus Cookies

Cranberry Macadamia White Chocolate Chip Cookies

Honey Cookies

Preheat oven to 350. Melt together 1 c each honey, shortening, and sugar. 

Beat together 2 eggs, 1 t each baking soda, ginger, and vanilla. Stir in melted mixture and 4 c flour, 1/2 c at a time.

Drop onto baking sheets. Bake 12 – 15 minutes.

Source Recipe: All Recipes: Old German Honey Cookies

Italian Wedding Sandwich Cookies

Preheat oven to 375.

Beat together 2 c flour, 1 c soft butter, and 1/3 c heavy cream.

Roll dough to 1/8-inch thick on a floured surface. Cut 5 dozen rounds. Prick with a fork twice to vent each cookie. Bake on sheets 7-8 minutes. Cool on wire racks.

For Filling, Beat together 3/4 c powdered sugar, 1/4 c butter, 1 t vanilla and optional food color. Spread over one cookie and top with another to create a sandwich. Makes 30 cookies.

Source Recipe: Velvet Strawberries: Italian Wedding Cookies

Jam Pinwheels

Layered Cranberry Orange Pecan Shortbread

Cream together 1 c each unsalted butter and sugar. Beat in 1 egg, 2 T milk, and 1 t vanilla. Stir in 1 1/2 t baking powder and 3 c flour.

Divide dough into thirds. Work 2 t orange zest into one portion. Work 2/3 c dry cranberries, 1/4 c crushed pecans, and 10 drops red food color into remaining two portions.

Press half cranberry portion into a parchment lined loaf pan. Then, press in orange portion and remaining cranberry portion. Chill.

Preheat oven to 375. Cut loaf in half lengthwise and slice dough into 1/4-inch thicknesses. Place on baking sheets. Bake 8-10 minutes. Cool on wire racks.

Source Recipe: Taste of Home: Cran-Orange Icebox Cookies

Lemon Coolers

Cream together 1 c powdered sugar and 2/3 c each unsalted butter and sugar. Beat in 2 eggs, one at a time, 1 t vanilla and 1/2 t lemon extract. Stir in 1/4 t salt, 2 t lemon zest, 1 T baking powder, 2 T lemon juice, and 3 c cake flour. Chill.

Preheat oven to 325. Shape cookies into 1-inch balls. Bake 16 – 18 minutes. Cool slightly. Toss in a mixture of 1 c powdered sugar and 2 t lemon zest. Finish cooling on wire racks.

Source Recipe: Uncommon Designs: Lemon Cooler Cookies

Macaroon Kisses

Mexican Wedding Cookies

Mint Oreo Truffles

Sand Dollar Cookies

Prepare Cinnamon Almond Snowflake dough. Roll out as directed and cut rounds. When completed with decorating step that involves brushing cookies with beaten egg white and dusting with cinnamon sugar, press 5 sliced almond in the shape of a star in the center of each cookie. Bake as directed. Makes 6 dozen.

Paleo Cut-Out Cookies with Citrus Icing

Beat together 1/2 c butter, 1/4 c honey, and 1 egg. Stir in 1 t baking soda and 3/4 – 1 c coconut flour. 

Preheat oven to 350. Roll dough to 1/4-inch thick on parchment. Cut out. Bake 8 minutes. Cool on wire racks.

Make a glaze with powdered sugar and lemon juice. Spoon over cookies as royal icing. Stand until set. Makes 1 dozen.

Source Recipe: Small Wonders: Coconut Flour Butter Cookies

Paleo Madelines

Peach Shortbread

Peanut Butter Butterscotch Bars

Perfect Sugar Cookies

Cream together 1 1/2 c sugar and 1 c unsalted butter. Beat in 1 egg and 1 t vanilla.

Combine 2 3/4 c flour, 1 t baking soda, and 1/2 t baking powder. Stir dry ingredients into creamed mixture 1/2 c at a time. Add 2 – 4 T buttermilk, to reach consistency. 

Preheat oven to 375. Shape dough into 1-inch balls, arrange on baking sheets, and sprinkle with colored sugar. Bake 10 minutes. Cool 2 minutes on sheets before removing to wire racks.

Source Recipe: Food Network: Chewy Sugar Cookies

Rocky Road Bark

Line a square pan with parchment. 

Melt 16 oz quality chocolate and stir until smooth. Remove from heat and cool slightly. Stir in 1 c each coarsely crushed walnuts and mini marshmallows.

Spread into prepared pan. Stand until set. Cut into pieces. Store airtight. Makes 1 pound.

Source Recipe: Brown Eyed Baker: Rocky Road Chocolate Bark

Sandwich Buffet

Barbecue Chicken

Meatball Hoagies

Sloppy Joes

Beverages

Cake

Favors

Jamie and I binged through over 100 jars of jam in one weekend! Dressing it up with labels and toppers took almost as long as the canning.

Love,

b