Our Wedding Album

Like Mrs. Bee, we haven't ordered our wedding photo album yet. We were married almost 7 months ago and for the last few months our 1900+ photo proofs have been sitting our our sideboard waiting for me to prioritize them.


Daria and Andy Bishop provided us with our proof prints in these nice black archival photo boxes.


There are five of them FULL of lovely proofs. But how do I narrow down almost 2000 photos to 100 or so for our album? I keep thinking I'll tackle the task over the weekend.


And then the weekend comes and goes....


And here our proofs sit. (I have to admit I dusted them before I took these photos.)


We have started talking with our photographers about a lovely matted Queensbury album (photo sample from www.queensberry.com).

I am very excited to get the ball rolling. Because the album wasn't included in our package I think we've put it off a bit as it will be an expense we'll have to budget for now. I think a beautiful archival quality wedding album will be something our children and their children will cherish. I know I'm thrilled to have old photos of my family -- it gives me a real sense of history and belonging.

I'd love to here your thoughts. Were you quicker to get working on your wedding album if it was included in your photography package?

And a little poll...If you are already married have you made your wedding album yet?

Yes
or
No

We did it!

After we came down the isle as husband and wife we had an impromptu receiving line. We didn't plan a formal receiving line, but as our guests came out of the church they stopped to hug and congratulate us.


We had a few moments before everyone made it outside so we enjoyed some time together.


I **love love love** this photo. The sheer joy on both our faces tells you everything about how we felt!


I happily took notice of Mr. Onion's wedding ring on his hand now that it was official! I love that our photographer caught this behind the pillar on the church steps -- such a great perspective.


Meanwhile, one of my bridesmaids had an emotional moment. Apparently she was tearing up all the way down the isle after the ceremony.


And here another bridesmaid is comforting the crying one!


No tears from FIL Onion! He had this joyful smile on the entire day. What a wonderful energy and spirit he has. He was so happy for Mr. Onion -- as I've mentioned before, they have a wonderful relationship.

And now...bring on the love from the wedding party!








I love the editorial feel and textures of this photo -- the energy of everything as it's unfolding. From right to left...you can see Mr. Onion's brother giving him a great big hug, one bridesmaid waiting patiently to congratulate me looking right at the camera, our flower girl being a polite young lady waiting her turn too, another bridesmaid sharing a moment with me and the stunning light from the beautiful late afternoon sunshine.


In our wedding program we asked our guests to all gather together outside the church and wait for us to walk together to the restaurant. This also allowed us to take a group photo outside the church. Here we are gathering and getting ready for the group photo.




A few different takes on the group photo! I'm really happy to have all of our friends and family in one shot -- easier to do when you only have 45 people there!


After the group photo Mr. Onion and I took a moment on the church steps.


And while that was happening, some of our male guests headed up the church tower to ring the bell!! I had no idea they had done this until I saw this photo.

Up next...the group processional up the Church Street Marketplace.

Photos: Daria Bishop Photography
All flowers: Fresh Floral Design Studio
Location: First Congregational Church, Burlington, VT
My Dress: Romona Keveza from Mark Ingram's Bridal Atelier
My Shoes: Cynthia Rowley Trilogy
My Veil: Two tier elbow length from Rose's Bridal, NYC
Mr. Onion's suit: Alan David Custom
BM Dresses: Ann Taylor Celebrations Collection

Onto the the vows and more!

After our readings and lovely song came the rest of the ceremony. Our minister gave a declaration of intention about what marriage means, then she asked our family and friends for a pledge of support -- to support us and share with us...and to babysit someday! It got a laugh for sure. Then it was on to the vows.


First it was Mr. Onion's turn. He was so calm and eloquent (yes we read them from a paper our minister had for us -- we didn't want to add memorizing them to the mix of nerves).


Then it was my turn. Mr. Onion and I and read the same vows to each other and worked hard on making them our own. Remember when I said everyone cried except the bride...well that was true until the very end of the vows. When I got to "I give you my hand, my heart and my love from this day forward for as long as we both shall live," I got a little teary but it was really sweet.


Next up, the ring exchange. First Mr. Onion placed my ring on my finger.


Remember, my 2 3/4 size finger?!


And then it was Mr. Onion's turn. At this point I couldn't believe how fast the ceremony was going -- I was so happy to be there!


After the ring exchange we had another musical interlude. This time solo guitar by Brendan Burns that he learned just for us "Better Together," by Jack Johnson.


And our youngest attendee was keeping himself occupied during the song! I love that our photographer caught this moment.


Our minister was so open to our ideas for the ceremony. One of the personal touches we added was a hand ceremony which was a wonderful. I got to hold Mr. Onion's hands (nice to connect after looking at each other all that time) as she read.


I just loved this part of the ceremony -- here is the last phrase of the hand ceremony: "And lastly, these are the hands that even when wrinkled and aged, will still be reaching for yours, still giving you the same unspoken tenderness with just a touch.”


And finally, "You may now kiss the bride!"


Hooray! Look how happy we are!!


This was hilarious! The last part of the ceremony was an apache blessing. While our minister was trying to read there began a serious of fire engine sirens. She got through it -- then immediately there was another round so loud you could hardly hear her. What a great way to lighten the mood -- as you can see I was dying laughing.


And off we go to greet our friends and family outside the church.

Stay tuned for the hugs, smiles and walk up the Church Street Marketplace with all our guests!

Photos: Daria Bishop Photography
All flowers: Fresh Floral Design Studio
Location: First Congregational Church, Burlington, VT
My Dress: Romona Keveza from Mark Ingram's Bridal Atelier
My Veil: Two tier elbow length from Rose's Bridal, NYC
Mr. Onion's suit: Alan David Custom
BM Dresses: Ann Taylor Celebrations Collection

Our 1 year anniversary...

Ok, you're thinking, "Mrs. Onion...didn't you just get married?" Why yes I did -- just six months ago. So why am I talking about our 1 year anniversary already (other than I'm excited to eat our cake that has been safely in MIL Onion's freezer since September)? Yesterday I got an email from the manager at the Willard Street Inn where we stayed for the weekend of the wedding.



She was writing to tell me there was a picture of me and Mr. Onion in the Spring/Summer issue of Vermont Vows taken by our wonderful photographer, Daria Bishop. From what she described I think it was the picture above. Exciting, no?!

Anyway, I thought it would be romantic to spend our first wedding anniversary back in Burlington, VT at the inn so I asked how quickly she thought they'd be full. It turns out they only have 4 (of their total 14) rooms left six months in advance!! So I asked Mr. Onion what he thought when he got home and he said "book it!"




The room where we stayed for the weekend of our wedding was already booked, but an equally lovely room, the Nantucket, was free so we snapped it up!

One of the Inn's largest rooms features a gas fireplace with antique mosaic tile and original wood floors. The king-size carved mahogany four poster bed has a quilted bedspread, soft comforter and matching pillows. Blue & white wallpaper, light sconces, antique chest of drawers and stuffed armchair, plus three large windows give this spacious room its finishing touches. Large private tiled bathroom with both an antique bathtub and separate shower.

So all last night I was excited at the thought of going back to Vermont -- breakfast at the inn, lunch at Penny Cluse Cafe (a must if you've never been), dinner at Leunig's Bistro...sadly the restaurant where we hosted our reception has since closed, strolling down the Church Street Marketplace.... Oh boy, oh boy, oh boy! Now all I have to do is wait 6 more months :)

The Ceremony Continues

After I had my big walk down the isle our minister began by welcoming all our guests. After her introduction we had both of our mothers do a reading.


I love that I'm just grinning at Mr. Onion here. I was so excited.


Mr. Onion's mom read "Marriage Advice From 1886," by Jane Wells


Then my mom read "Tin Wedding Whistle," By Ogden Nash, which was a reading at my parents wedding and she was so excited to read it at ours. She got almost to the end but when she read, "Let none, not even you, disparage, such a valid reason for a marriage," she looked at me and got a little teary.


My girls look on as my mother reads "Tin Wedding Whistle."


My mother trying to pull it together after her reading. It was too early in the ceremony for me to cry, so I tried not to look at her or I would have.


Mrs. Onion tried to pay attention to our minister's homily, but all she can do is gaze at Mr. Onion.


Mr. Onion doing a much better job paying attention to our minister.


I love this photos -- Daria and Andy were always looking for the unique angle or look at the day.


Mr. Onion's mother and brother's girlfriend looking on.


After the homily a wonderful friend of ours, Nicole Zuraitis, sang a beautiful song with our guitarist, Brendan Burns -- "There is No Greater Love," by Isham Jones and Marty Symes.


See a video and see the lyrics in my post "There is No Greater Love." (Note: Nicole will have her jazz festival debut this summer at the Litchfield Jazz Festival in Connecticut on Saturday, August 2 -- I'm SO excited for her).


Mr. Onion looking at me sweetly while Nicole sings. This is also a nice shot of my hair through the veil if you click to enlarge.


More sweet glances from Mr. Onion, this time in black and white.


OK, how cute is our flower girl?? I love the little bow in her hair that her mom picked out and her Ann Taylor sash bow. Notice she is holding her tulip bouquet AND my bouquet. What a sweetie -- it was heavy!


A big grin at my mother, still during the song.

Up next...the vows, more music and the kiss!

Photos: Daria Bishop Photography
All flowers: Fresh Floral Design Studio
Location: First Congregational Church, Burlington, VT
My Dress: Romona Keveza from Mark Ingram's Bridal Atelier
My Veil: Two tier elbow length from Rose's Bridal, NYC
Mr. Onion's suit: Alan David Custom
BM Dresses: Ann Taylor Celebrations Collection