The unexpected favorites

Some of my favorite pictures from our wedding are the ones taken by friends, and not our hired photographer. Maybe I am overly sentimental, but there is just something about the ones taken by the people who know us best that capture the candor of the evening.

When we were on our honeymoon, Eric and I would get really excited when we got facebook photo updates on our phones. We hadn't received our professional photos yet of course, and we were aching to relive our wedding as much as we could.

People told us it would fly by: from the time the ceremony begins, to the reception....it really felt like maybe 3 minutes long. You think I exaggerate (married people, back me up!!), but I have truly never experienced such a time-warping phenomenon.

Right before my bridesmaids left me alone with my dad to walk down the aisle, my married sister grabbed my arm and said, "Just make sure you soak it all in. It's going to fly by, and it's going to be hard to focus on what the pastor is saying. But think about his words while you are standing there, and take mental notes of Eric's face when you are standing next to him. Notice the details."

I am so grateful for her advice. I have read somewhere that your memory is most vivid when your emotions were high, and that is definitely true. I made a point to elminate all of my surroundings when Eric said his vows to me. I wanted to remember his face, the way he made his promise to me, forever. And I will.

From the time the doors flung open and I gripped my dad's arm, meeting Eric's eyes at the end of the aisle, to the moment we faced the audience and soaked in the awkward pause between the pronouncment of our union and the music...it is all cemented in my memory.

We took these two in the car right before we headed to the reception. It was just soaking in that we were husband and wife.

Becky (in the picture) is a dear friend and coworker. I don't know who took this one, but she gets the credit for owning the camera.

My sister,Sally, took this one, as well as the photo in my last post. Our first dance was "Ask Me Why" by the Beatles.

Credit to friend Kim for this one.

Eric's stepmom took this one of my dad and me dancing to "You are my sunshine" by Johnny Cash.

 Emily captured this moment! Eric got down on his knees and sang to me with open arms during one song.

Emily also captured this moment: Eric and I thanking our pastor for doing such a fabulous job (and flying down from DC for the occasion....)

Again, Emily (on the far right).

And again, Emily! My mom telling us which layer of the cake to cut...

There are more favorites. But I will not overwhelm you.