• HOME
  • BLOG
  • ABOUT
  • SERVICES
  • CONTACT

Audrey JoAnn | Content and Copy Writer

Compelling Copy for Female Founders

OUR WEDDING STORY, PART 2

December 20, 2018

If you haven’t yet, check out the first part of our wedding story that includes details about my wedding anxieties (fun!), the rehearsal dinner, first look, interesting touches in our ceremony, and more.

The Reception

We served tacos, chips, salsa, queso, and a side salad, for those who might think Tex-Mex doesn’t cover every portion of the food pyramid, at our reception. Royal Fig Catering provided our meal, and they absolutely killed it. Everything was exceptional. (This review is based mainly on our pre-wedding tasting appointment, since I was on such an adrenaline high during the reception that I hardly remember eating.)

Our first dance was to “Touching Heaven” by Johnnyswim. Fun fact! I reached out to Johnnyswim’s manager to see if they would be available and willing to play at our wedding. Turns out they charge about $40K to play private events, and also get asked to play weddings all. the. time. That was a no-go.

So, instead, our band, The Royal Dukes, performed the song with my brother, Adam, on the keyboard. This was a super special moment because my brother is insanely talented with music, and I just love that he was a part of the day in this unique way.

Our cake was made by Sweet Treets Bakery—two layers were pumpkin spice with cream cheese frosting because DUH, the other two were vanilla almond. We also went with a lavender toss exit instead of sparklers, just for a touch of something different.

Things I’d Do Differently

While the day was pretty seamless overall, and I know I should say it was absolutely perfect, it wouldn’t be honest if I didn’t share the few small things I’d do differently. And the things that did matter most—our vows, spending time with our loved ones, etc.—were unbelievably incredible. Here are the things I’d change if I could go back.

Guest amount: Don’t get me wrong, we love and cherish every single person at our wedding, and we are entirely grateful for all of the support. Yet, even with a large rehearsal dinner, there still didn’t seem to be enough time to celebrate and talk with everyone. In fact, I’m pretty sure there are a handful of people I didn’t even get the chance to say hello to. While 140 guests seems like a good amount—not too big or small—it was still a lot for us, and I wish I’d had more time to visit with everyone.

Pasties: (Hey, uh, male family members? You might want to skip this one.) LET ME TELL YOU. If you are trying a new anything on the day of your wedding, beware. Especially if that new thing is an extra-strength adhesive that acts as a sort of tape-bra when you have severely sensitive skin. Let’s just say that when I removed my pasties at the end of the night, much of my skin was removed with them. Yep. Luckily, I’m a pretty good sport, and other than a couple days of discomfort as the wounds healed, John and I got a few good laughs out of it. And we affectionately called that area my “zomboobies” as it healed. Yes, we’re mature.

First dance singer: Okay, so our band was incredible, and they even foretold us to use our first dance song’s original track if we were worried their rendition wouldn’t match our expectations. The problem was just that I think the song was out of the singer’s range. No disrespect to him at all—it’s a pretty tough song to sing—but I realized later in the night how wonderful of a voice my brother’s girlfriend has when they got on stage to play a song together. Since Adam played the piano for our first dance, I wish I’d known his girlfriend was so talented and I would’ve asked her to sing it. Or I should’ve just shelled out the $40K for Johnnyswim themselves. Hindsight…

More pictures before the ceremony: This is something small, but after the ceremony, we were a bit tight on time to finish pictures and ended up missing the entire cocktail hour with our guests. Something I loved so much about our venue was the patio with a fire pit, and the weather that day was so beautiful that I wish we could have spent time out there with everyone at the cocktail hour.

My Favorite Parts of the Day

I can’t end on negatives, so I want to quickly commemorate some of my favorite parts of the day. John and I both agreed that the first look was the most emotional and exciting moment. We were tearful messes, but I felt assured from the tips of my hairs to the ends of my toes that this man is my forever person, and that is the most wonderful feeling.

I also loved dancing with our friends and family at the reception. Our band seemed to favor Bruno Mars songs, which I wasn’t mad at. It got everyone on the floor (including my grandpa in his wheelchair!). I LOVE to dance, and having all the people I love dancing with me to bumpin’ cover songs was amazing.

My mom’s welcome speech, my sister’s toast, and John’s brother’s toast were all INCREDIBLE in their own way. I was audibly laughing throughout all of them, and each one of them threw shade at John’s aggressively competitive card playing. I’m so glad we hired a videographer last minute to capture and remember these forever.

Our vows were a fun and lighthearted moment of the ceremony. While they included the traditional lines of taking one another in sickness and health, I couldn’t help but laugh out loud at the completely true and semi-embarrassing custom add-ins that my aunt worked in for us.

I also loved that much of the ceremony was not only about our present relationship, but about creating a lasting, forward-thinking kind of love. About fully accepting and cherishing and respecting each other now, in a year, and in 20 years. While I definitely embraced more traditional aspects of a wedding than I ever imagined I would, I still fully subscribe to the idea that the wedding is just the kick-off to the incredible life to come.

Vendors

Venue: The Addison Grove

Planner: Stephanie with Frills Consulting

Photographer: Gloria Goode Photography

Videographer: Lifehouse Films

Hair and Makeup Artists: Blush ‘n Bangs

Invitations: Minted

Programs and Signage: Etsy, Kismet Print Co.

Caterer: Royal Fig Catering

Baker: Sweet Treets Bakery

Florist: Westbank Flowers

Ceremony and Cocktail Hour Music: The Better Halves

Reception Music: The Royal Dukes

Bride’s Gown: Willowby by Watters

Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Lulus

Groom’s and Groomsmen’s Suits: Men’s Wearhouse

Share this:

  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window)

Leave a Comment in Life, Relationships

« NAPA + SONOMA TRAVEL GUIDE
OUR WEDDING STORY, PART 1 »

RELATED POSTS

  • CHEATED
  • 7 THINGS I’VE LEARNED FROM 7 MONTHS OF MARRIAGE
  • OUR WEDDING STORY, PART 1
  • Hello

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Welcome! I'm Audrey, and I adore connecting with female founders and telling their stories in a way that matters & lasts for years to come.

Search

Download my free guide! (Click below!)

Let’s keep in touch!

Catch me on social!

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

audskelton

The secret to describing your coaching service, pr The secret to describing your coaching service, product, offer, course, etc. online = talking about the amazing end result your thing will provide buyers. That’s it. 

Never ever ever *lead* with:

✖️You get 50 pages of content!
✖️ There’s over 10 hours of video instruction!
✖️ A free workbook comes with!
✖️ You’ll be added to my private FB group!
✖️ 12 modules waiting for you!
✖️ ... or anything regarding the FEATURES of your product/service. 

(And especially don’t list every single feature as the full caption, please for the love of Pete. 🥱) Think of those items as the fine print. Logical buyers maaaay be interested, but most people care way more about what your offer can change or improve for them. What specific result will it give them? What will it make them feel, help them achieve, allow them to excel at??

The logistical details can go at the bottom of your sales page—and honestly, just totally remove them from your social posts and CTAs.

Trust me... *I know how valuable those detail pieces feel and SEEM from your perspective as the creator* because it shows the hard work and effort you put into your offer. But talking about how much content is inside your product doesn’t mean ANYTHING unless people understand what that content can do for them. So always, aaaalways lead with that.

*steps off soapbox* 

Side note, this picture is from forever ago and is making me majorly ready to cut my hair again. 😂 Should I go for the mom chop?! ✂️
The absolute loves of my life. 🤎 Can’t wait t The absolute loves of my life. 🤎 Can’t wait to see what these two peas in a pod get into for years and years to come.
Our little buddy turned 3 months old yesterday and Our little buddy turned 3 months old yesterday and I can hardly believe it. These few months have simultaneously flown by and felt like a year. Wallace has grown so much and even though you always hear parents say stop growing so fast, I feel almost the opposite. I feel such pride with each new roll he develops, the strength his neck is gaining, and his belly that just keeps expanding. Is this weird?! Regardless, it’s been my greatest joy to watch him grow and his personality begin to emerge. The way he smiles and chuckles when we quack or say “WHOA!” The rapid-fire kicks he does when he has room to sprawl out. His love for walks and disdain for car rides. 🥴 It’s all so fun and special and new (for all of us!), and I wouldn’t trade a moment for anything in the world. 🤎
Jesus’s return is the most precious miracle of m Jesus’s return is the most precious miracle of miracles... but the fact that we’re all facing the camera and even (kind of) smiling in this SELF-TIMER pic is a pretty close second. 😆🥲 Happy Easter and sending you so much love and joy! 🤎
Everything is temporary. It’s been my mantra thr Everything is temporary. It’s been my mantra through the hardest and sweetest moments these past few months, and even more so as I ease back into work this week.

It’s all temporary. The good, the bad, the big emotions, the tenderest moments, the hard days, the beautiful days, the teeny socks, the endless emails, the nap strikes, the stacked deadline weeks, the sweet bonding of nursing.

None of it will be around forever, and even though I probably won’t have my schedule figured out for a long, long time, that doesn’t mean these days of just getting by and praying it all works out aren’t important.

They’ll be gritty, cobbled-together, and messy. But they’re mine. I get to craft these days however I want to, with the sweetest babe on my hip and my honey in our back office chasing his own dream, and that’s a beautiful thing.
Vacations hit different with a baby, that is for s Vacations hit different with a baby, that is for sure. 🤪 The days revolve around naps and feedings, and afternoons that we once would have spent taking 4-mile hikes or sitting on a patio at a brewery are now spent reading, playing cards, and listening to Kacey Musgraves and Tom Petty in our Airbnb while Wally snoozes. It’s not worse, but it’s a different pace than I’m used to and that’s okay. In fact, it’s probably more needed than I realize as I wrap up my maternity leave and get back to work in a couple days. Grateful for these slow days and sweet memories with my loves. Now... we just have to make the 4-hour drive home tomorrow with a dog and baby who both hate the car. 🤣 (PS... I’m sharing more thoughts about how I feel heading back to work in this week’s newsletter that goes out Friday—you can sign up to get emails from me with copywriting tips, business anecdotes, and some life updates too in the link in my bio! ☺️) #babysfirstvacation #laketahoe
flannels + chunky sweaters + squishy babies + gorg flannels + chunky sweaters + squishy babies + gorgeous views = my aesthetic forever and ever. 😍
When I was little, I said I wanted 4 kids, just li When I was little, I said I wanted 4 kids, just like my own family. I wanted a girl, boy and girl twins, and a boy. (‘Cause you can totally plan those things. 🥴)

Then, my parents got divorced and in my angsty teenager-ness, I was like, “Nope, nevermind. I’m good with no kids thanks!”

I didn’t want the pressure of raising someone and somehow damaging or disappointing them. And I was skeptical that a couple could stay together and happily raise a family.

When John and I started dating, he was so confident in us and our future. I’d never met a guy who a) pursued me so openly and consistently and b) made me feel valued in every area of my life. Career, relationship, family, health, faith.

When we went on our first camping trip about a year into dating, we were having one of those deep, wine-fueled campfire chats that seem extra important and lovely. I asked him how he knew he first loved me.

He was so good at always complimenting my drive and ambition, or how I looked regardless of whether I was dressed up or grungy after a workout. I figured it would be a combination of those sorts of things, but he surprised me when he said, “Because I know you’ll be a good mom.”

Uhhhh, what? I was like, “... But you know I’m not even sure I want to be a mom. How can you see that?”

He said in the way I so deeply care for others and myself. He had this unwavering belief that we could build a family, and he wanted this girl who spent a lot of years feeling broken to lead it alongside him.

I know this doesn’t sound very “progressive,” but his faith in me being a good mom healed a part of me in so many ways.

I always knew I was driven. I knew I could build a career and life I loved. But I didn’t believe I could build a family that lasted. Or at least, I was scared to think what might happen if I tried.

Wallace is absolutely the best thing that has ever happened to me. He made me the mom that John believed I could be more than five years ago.

I don’t know if you ever necessarily feel “good” at being a parent, because every day is filled with mistakes & learning curves, but I will say that it’s the most immediately natural I’ve felt in any role I’ve stepped into, ever.
Would it be too much to gallery wall an entire hou Would it be too much to gallery wall an entire house? Asking for a friend.

Newborn family photos by my talented, sweet friend @jilliangoulding. She is too good! 🤍
Load More... Follow @audswan on Instagram
THEME BY ECLAIR DESIGNS
loading Cancel
Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
Email check failed, please try again
Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.