Dash of Les is Married!!!!
Hey friends. I've got some big news for you today. After a year and a half engagement, my best friend and I are MARRIED!!!! Our much anticipated wedding came and went...just as fast as everyone said it would too!
With an outside ceremony in Sarasota, Florida at the beautiful Marie Selby Gardens, Chris and I had the time of our lives. Everything went impeccably smooth too. My florist carried out my southern sunflower and lace vision like magic; our officiant was heartfelt and eloquent; the band was just as fun as I remembered (they played at my brother's wedding a year ago); my photographer lived up to his family's world renowned name; and the caterer left a lasting impression with many of my guests.
I walked down the aisle arm in arm with my proud dad while one of my bridesmaids played the violin with style and grace. Chris and I said "I do" under a 100-year-old banyan tree adorned with a chandelier, flowing white linens, and a couple of picture-perfect sunflower bouquets. He looked handsome as ever in his grey suit, which couldn't have fit him better. And while I was clearly nervous (or so some of my friends say) as I walked down the aisle; the second Chris and I latched hands, I was as cool as a cucumber. No doubts, no regrets.
I must mention, our kiss...THE kiss, left nothing to the imagination. It caught me off guard for a few seconds but I wouldn't have it any other way. And after that kiss, which deserved a standing ovation, came our fun recessional, with The Beach Boys' Good Vibrations playing as we smiled, laughed, and posed for a million and one photos.
Our reception took place at Marie Selby's Christine Payne Mansion, a gorgeous white colonial style two-story house with dark green shutters, front and back porches complete with rocking chairs, and a view of Sarasota Bay. During cocktail hour, my 90 some guests sipped on wine and ate from the cheese and charcuterie table, which was created from 2 old whiskey barrels and a door from my brother's 1920's Seminole Heights home. Passed hors d'oeuvres were prosciutto-wrapped melon and tortellini skewers with a red pepper dipping sauce.
The reception began with each one of our bridal party members being announced with a song we chose especially for them. From N'SYNC's "Bye, Bye, Bye;" to The Beatles' "Day Tripper;" to Metallica's "Enter Sandman," we definitely encouraged some laughs from our friends. Our first dance was to The Holly's "The Air That You Breathe" and while we didn't even practice once, we nailed that slow dance...until about two minutes into it when House of Pain's "Jump Around" came on and our bridal party danced with us and celebrated our most special day.
Dinner was a sit-down affair with an Italian buffet consisting of a stuffed Chicken Marsala, Cod Puttanesca, a pasta station, California-style caprese salad, and lemon-parmesan roasted green beans. Oh, and did I mention full bar? Yeah, that was a hit...as they usually are.
We danced, we laughed, and we posed for photographs all night long. We also paced ourselves with that ahem, full bar...so that we could enjoy and remember every moment. Everything was absolutely flawless, just as I knew it would be. I can honestly say, as clique as it may sound; it was the best day of my life.
