I Heart Faces: Family Fun

I knew this was the perfect shot for the "Family Fun" at I Heart Faces. I had this session a couple of months ago and I just love this family. During our session they asked if they could do a "crazy face" photo - why would I even say no to this?

Wedding Recap: Reception

Today marks our 3 year anniversary! Hard to believe that three years have passed and I really believe that this year will be the best! I could not ask for a more supportive husband - cheers to many more!

I am going to continue to wedding recap this time with some photos from the reception. We did the whole bridal party introduction which went well, then announcing Mr. and Mrs. Canon...

See that look on my face? 

Right as we were getting introduced Brad stepped on my dress and veil - we forgot to bustle both - oops! Everyone joked that I was already starting to yell at him HA! Needless to say our intro pics look horrid, but this one makes me laugh!

Time to party!

After our introductions we opened the dance floor, then cleared it for my parents to show their sweet moves to J. Lo's "Let's Get Loud"

We took a few to mingle with guests before the blessing and the food opened up

I worked with these girls at Walt Disney - such a great group!

Overhead shot of the whole room before food started - - we call these the "Where's Waldo" shots

We had our first dance as husband and wife. We danced to Michael Buble's "Everything" which was perfect for us!

 This is my favorite photo from our first dance

I danced with my dad. We danced to Loudon Wainwright III's "Daughter." It is the song playing during the credits of "Knocked Up." The first time I heard it I made hubs rewind it, then I googled the lyrics. Seriously could not have been a more perfect choice.

Next up, Brad danced with his mom. They danced to a portion of Leeann Womack's "I Hope You Dance." This is another favorite photo, love it!

Aren't hubs' parents adorable?

Brad also had to lead the conga. This was his last step in becoming an official "Adopted Cuban"

We had the blessing, and the eating began!

We had a salad bar

Build your own pasta station - with shrimp or chicken. It was nice because people could have the type of sauce, meat, etc.. that they wanted and it was cooked there for them

Veggie Skewers, Spinach, 2 beef tenderloin carving stations, roasted potatoes, and I think bread

We wanted to tie in the baseball theme a bit more so for appetizers we had sliders and hot dogs, along with a cheese and fruit station with crab cakes. We also had area that had popcorn, bags of peanuts, and bags of cracker jacks that people could take home with them

While people ate Brad and I were able to take some time out by the field for some photos

This photo I just had printed on a large canvas for our home

Brad was then sworn in as an "Official Cuban"

A lot of our family friends are "Adopted Cubans" 

It is a tradition in our family that you can become an "Honorary Cuban." In order to do so one has to eat homemade black beans and rice, my dad's famous Cuban Pork, eat the Cuban Bread, drink a very strong cup of Cuban Coffee, learn to carry on multiple conversations at once - all at a higher decibel than normal, and lead the Conga line.

Once completed the original Cubans sign a declaration and present it to the recipient, and he is "sworn in." Hence the picture of Brad's hand on the can of Cafe Bustelo.  This was presented at our reception and the framed declaration is now hanging in our house.

More on the reception tomorrow - and CAKE!

Wedding Recap: Ceremony

Our ceremony started at 2:30 and lasted around 45 minutes. We did not have a full church ceremony but we did have readings and hubs' Aunt sang. 

Back story on this church: We had no church. The church I am a member of is in my home town. Most Catholic churches you have to be a member of for at least 6 months prior to getting married there. I had always seen this church when going to baseball games but we never realized that it was a Catholic church. I looked online and fell in love with it - it was gorgeous, and could not have been located any better? I mean hotel, church, and reception all right next to each other - perfect! I called them and they told me that they did not book weddings until 6 months prior to the year. So we got married January 10, 2009 so we could not book until July 1 of 2008. OK, we will wait. 

{throw wrench}

They only have 1 wedding a day there, only on Saturday, not past 2:00. OK I guess we will work with that.

{throw wrench again} 

Oh and just to let you know, brides line up outside to book this church..WHAT! So we got there are 6AM on July 30th to wait outside for 8AM and there were SIX people there already. A bride and her mom SLEPT OUTSIDE. Thankfully no one before me wanted my date so we got the church!

Seeeeeee...I told you!

 

Once that stressful event was over we knew everything would work out.

Ok back to the ceremony - everything was perfect.

People showed up!

Apparently my dad was not nervous - say hi to my BFF Ang!

My Aunt, Godmother, Dad, and sis - having fun while I am locked in that room nervous as hell

Do I look nervous? Don't worry I had a breakdown and would not let my sister leave me. I asked her if I looked pretty, and almost had the ugly cry.

I told them not to leave me...but they had to get down the aisle!

I am biting the inside of my lip making my cousin tell me jokes.

I would also like to mention that my dad shook someone hand as we were walking down the aisle! That's my dad though - has to greet everyone! lol

This is also 2 of my favorite photos - after the ceremony

We took some formals...

This is my priest from my families church and he is a great family friend, so happy he was able to marry us. 

After formals we headed across the street

This is on the cover of our album - I love you can see the church behind us

Time to party!

Rcception recap to follow!

Hope everyone is having a fab weekend - I am in NOLA!