Let's Fall in Love: Zero to Sixty-Five

When it comes to wedding receptions, there really is no right or wrong way to celebrate.  One reason I love them so much is the chance to see which traditions the couple choose to stick to, which they adapt, and which they cut entirely.  We chose to keep to tradition at almost every turn, but that still didn't mean we wanted to do every little thing just like everyone else.  While I love the idea behind the bouquet toss (and have even caught one in my career as a professional wedding guest), I wasn't sure it was something I wanted to do at my own wedding.  Instead of singling out the un-marrieds, I decided to take the opportunity to pay homage to the already-marrieds instead. I collected a list of songs from the wedding party (their First Dance songs), along with some of the love songs that had special meaning to Kenny and I.  It was the perfect soundtrack for an Anniversary Dance.

The DJ invited all of the married couples to the dance floor. 

The first song they played was one I had chosen from my parents' repertoire - Chicago's Color My World.

After a few moments, the DJ asked that anyone married for less than a day leave the dancefloor, so Kenny and I made our way to the perimeter to watch.

After a few more moment, the DJ sent off those married less than a year ... then less than five ... then ten. On a day that was all about beginning our marriage, it was really nice to take a moment and recognize the others in our lives.

 

As Kenny and I watched from the side, the crowd on the floor slowly dwindled to just a few couples. Forty years? Fifty? Who would it be?

Pretty soon it was down to my godparents and our close family friends.  But in the end, there was one special couple who won out.

Kenny's grandparents, happily married (and still dancing!) for over sixty-five years.

It was a fitting end to our Anniversary Dance, and I gladly handed my bouquet to Grandma Virginia.

From 0 to 65 ... something to strive for.

In case you missed it ...*

I bought a dress and completely changed it.  We had a marathon final week of engagement.  I giggled my way through our rehearsal.  Kenny got grilled at our rehearsal dinner.  The groomsmen ran amok in downtown Springfield. The girls got gorgeous.  We exchanged mushy wedding-day gifts.  The guys got fancy and then got dancy.  I became a Bride.  There was a first First Look. I shared my Somethings.  The boys made the most of trolley-time. And did their thing on the Capital grounds. The girls took photos at the hotel. Everyone arrived at the church. We walked down the aisle. We declared our intentions and my cousin preached. We exchanged our vows. Our hands were blessed. Kenny put a ring on it and kissed his bride. We were pronounced Mr and Mrs! We left the church in a blizzard of confetti, and took a "just-married" trolley ride. We made it legal. We took pictures with our families, followed by wedding party portraits. I hit a low point and poured over reception details. We received our guests. The wedding party was introduced. My Dad checked his toast off of his to-do list. Our Best Man and Maid of Honor shared toasts as well. The we cut our cake and had our First Dance. We shared a dance with our parents.

*Links updated!