My husband and I had a very unconventional wedding and reception. Today is not our wedding anniversary, but it IS the anniversary of our wedding reception. We got to celebrate our marriage for an entire week!
Daniel and I got married at The Grand Canyon Deer Farm on June 24, 2000. It was a small wedding with my brother as the best man, his sister as my maid of honor, and his parents and grandparents as guests. Our foster son was included in the wedding as well. My parents were planning to attend, but their car broke down on the way and they couldn't make it on time. Daniel and I said our vows under a beautiful pine tree with the deer eating my bouquet. It was awesome! After the ceremony, which lasted all of about 15 minutes, we fed the deer, walked around the park for a bit, then had lunch at a little place in Flagstaff called "Granny's Closet." They had the BEST salad bar with shrimp cocktail at no extra charge.
A week later, on July 1, we had a wedding reception in the back yard of Daniel's parents' house. There were a good 60-75 people there. We danced, visited with friends and family, and ate a buffet dinner and cake.
What did we do during the week between the two? Well, that was our "honeymoon." We did a stay-cation long before that was even a word, and we had a blast! For my bridal shower I had asked for gift certificates for all sorts of entertainment we usually wouldn't pay for. Each day of the week we did something different. One day we had lunch out, one day we caught a movie, and one day we went to Out of Africa Wildlife park. It was the most enjoyable week, and we got to sleep in our own beds each night.
The Monday following our reception Daniel headed back to work. I think we were both ready for life to get back to a normal routine by then, but the memories lived on. I wouldn't change a thing about our wedding and reception, except for my parents joining us. The great news is that my parents are a part of our marriage, which is more important than attending the actual event. They are a source of support as well as being a role model to Daniel and I when the going gets tough.
I feel lucky to have two special days to celebrate and a fantastic week in between to remember. We could have taken a grand vacation, but that just wasn't our style. When I was young I always said I was going to get married in jeans and a t-shirt, in a park, and have a picnic lunch. I guess we came pretty close!
12 comments:
Love your wedding. I can't believe that people spend thousands and thousands of dollars on a wedding and spend the lead up stressed beyond belief.
Hubby and I (18 years this December) got married in gardens under a rose bower designed by my mother - with hubby's parents, my parents, his best friend and my best friend as witnesses. My son was our ringbearer.
We had wedding cake with strawberries and cream (I don't like wedding cake) and a picnic dinner. I made my dress and it was the best wedding ever.
In contrast my best friend had a mega wedding four months later that cost a fortune and stressed her from start to finish. I know which wedding I preferred yet we're both still with our respective partners.
Each to their own I guess, but I love the sound of yours.
Thanks Fi. I love our wedding, too. It's really the marriage the counts, anyway. I've been to some weddings that were $60,000 (*gasp, *choke) and the couples were divorced a year or two later. That makes me so sad. Couples should definitely not be stressed planning and going through with their weddings. It should be an enjoyable day of celebration.
I was just talking to hubby yesterday about someone I had read that got married in shorts; I thought what a great idea rather than spend a lot of money on a dress, tux, etc. Your and Daniel's wedding sounds neat and I love your idea of gifts for your bridal shower! How cute! I must remember that down the line if I'm planning someone's wedding shower, very clever and unique!!
betty
Happy Anniversary!! Sounds like a beautiful ceremony...
Happy belated Anniversary! Love that you got your staycation in and were able to relax and enjoy both your wedding and reception!
Our wedding reception was 39 years ago. We only had a long weekend for our honeymoon and everyone was mad because we spoiled a cottage weekend. I am looking for ideas to celebrate our 40th next year. Do you have any?
Thank you Heather. We really love the staycations. I'm planning a couple days over Winter Break this year, and I'm super excited for a few things I've wanted to do but we just don't usually have the time and money. One thing is visiting the Ostrich Ranch. I can't wait!
retired,
Where did you go during the long weekend? Is it a place you can go back to again? That would be a neat anniversary celebration. It all depends on what you are into. If you like music- find a concert in the park. If you like art- visit an art museum or go to a place like "As You Wish Pottery" if you have them near you. It's all about bringing your interests together with creativity. At least to me it is. Happy 40th a little early. That is such an inspiration!
What a unique wedding! Sounds awesome. I hope the deer enjoyed your bouquet. :)
Very sweet story. Just goes to show you don't need all the hooplah to have something real.
This is how everyone should feel about their wedding. A wonderful memory to carry with them through the years. It's sad that so many people do put so much $$ into their wedding that later on they end up saying things like "We really went overboard" or "we'll never be able to pay this off" or something negative like that.
A wedding is not to be confused with an event through which you try to top everyone else's through extravagance, but an event to commemorate the union of two people, of two families and the friends of the happy couple.
So glad to hear that your wedding was what you always wanted and your fond memories of it are inspiring.
This is how everyone should feel about their wedding. A wonderful memory to carry with them through the years. It's sad that so many people do put so much $$ into their wedding that later on they end up saying things like "We really went overboard" or "we'll never be able to pay this off" or something negative like that.
A wedding is not to be confused with an event through which you try to top everyone else's through extravagance, but an event to commemorate the union of two people, of two families and the friends of the happy couple.
So glad to hear that your wedding was what you always wanted and your fond memories of it are inspiring.
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