The Reception: Part II

Photos by Steve Double

Photo by Michael Huey

Photo by Michael Huey

Photo by Michael Huey

Photo by Michael Huey

Photo by PJ

Toasts have always been my favorite part of weddings. Turns out toasts are not part of the Italian tradition– so the Italians were educated at this particular reception because we had toasts aplenty and the kind that reach inside your chest and give your heart a good squeeze such that you’re happily listening and the next thing you know you’re a puddle of emotion, gratitude, and overwhelmed love.

Photos by SantaFrancesca

The genius of my spiritual cohort RadiantJewel was sewn throughout this wedding. She reanimated my sister’s wedding dress, keeping Molina present even while she was in San Francisco with her days-old daughter. RadiantJewel dip-dyed the dress blue, built the ruffley orange underskirt, the bolero jacket, the choker, and the garter (complete with swim goggles). But she didn’t stop with my outfit or even with accessories for everyone in the bridal party. She also created the bouquets, boutineers, and table flowers. Her soothing presence on wise words were a comfort and guide to me throughout the planning and events.

Photo by Steve Double

Another unstoppable source of light is one Mrs.Goody. I might be slightly partial, but she made what I can confidently say is the best wedding cake I have ever had. EVER. And I’ve been to a lot of weddings. Besides the fact that the cake has orange polkadots (an idea I mentioned to her in passing, before Mystophur and I were even engaged, about my fantasy of a wedding cake. THESE are the kinds of people I want in my life: the kind who listen, take note, and ask why on earth wouldn’t your fantasy be possible?), a pumpkin-ginger cake with Canadian maple syrup butter cream frosting. Oh dear. Oh my. What a cake. What a woman.

Photo by Steve Double

Sometimes, especially in Italy, it’s hard to get a hold of people.
Sometimes, going through the effort is really, really worth it. Collaborators of ours had recommended this accordion player from Rome. By the end of the night we wanted to bring him home with us. When he wasn’t melting your heart with classic Italian folk songs, he was accentuating someone’s joke or photograph with such nuance and sensitivity it’s really hard to believe he doesn’t speak English.

And how rad that PapaWoo was inspired to join in. Ah, the international language of music.

Photo by SantaFrancesca

Video by KittyKat

Photos by KittyKat

Photos by Steve Double

Photo by Michael Huey

Photo by Michael Huey

Photo by Michael Huey

Photo by Michael Huey

Photo by PJ

Toasts have always been my favorite part of weddings. Turns out toasts are not part of the Italian tradition– so the Italians were educated at this particular reception because we had toasts aplenty and the kind that reach inside your chest and give your heart a good squeeze such that you’re happily listening and the next thing you know you’re a puddle of emotion, gratitude, and overwhelmed love.

Photos by SantaFrancesca

The genius of my spiritual cohort RadiantJewel was sewn throughout this wedding. She reanimated my sister’s wedding dress, keeping Molina present even while she was in San Francisco with her days-old daughter. RadiantJewel dip-dyed the dress blue, built the ruffley orange underskirt, the bolero jacket, the choker, and the garter (complete with swim goggles). But she didn’t stop with my outfit or even with accessories for everyone in the bridal party. She also created the bouquets, boutineers, and table flowers. Her soothing presence on wise words were a comfort and guide to me throughout the planning and events.

Photo by Steve Double

Another unstoppable source of light is one Mrs.Goody. I might be slightly partial, but she made what I can confidently say is the best wedding cake I have ever had. EVER. And I’ve been to a lot of weddings. Besides the fact that the cake has orange polkadots (an idea I mentioned to her in passing, before Mystophur and I were even engaged, about my fantasy of a wedding cake. THESE are the kinds of people I want in my life: the kind who listen, take note, and ask why on earth wouldn’t your fantasy be possible?), a pumpkin-ginger cake with Canadian maple syrup butter cream frosting. Oh dear. Oh my. What a cake. What a woman.

Photo by Steve Double

Sometimes, especially in Italy, it’s hard to get a hold of people.
Sometimes, going through the effort is really, really worth it. Collaborators of ours had recommended this accordion player from Rome. By the end of the night we wanted to bring him home with us. When he wasn’t melting your heart with classic Italian folk songs, he was accentuating someone’s joke or photograph with such nuance and sensitivity it’s really hard to believe he doesn’t speak English.

And how rad that PapaWoo was inspired to join in. Ah, the international language of music.

Photo by SantaFrancesca

Video by KittyKat

Photos by KittyKat