The Kangaroos!

photo by Matson Photo Service, from the Library of Congress

Happy wedding day to Kinzie Kangaroo and her partner Donnie! I'm so excited to be attending their wedding today and assisting with both the photos and day-of coordination. I'm so happy that Kinzie has become a good friend. This wedding is going to be awesome!*




*How could it not be? There's going to be a video of their cats.

My New Blog

So if you've been checking this space, you might be wondering what is going on. Where did I go? Am I ok? Is this just another case of the post-wedding blog dump?


Well I've started a new blog that is in a completely new direction. I wanted to write about fashion and fashion history, art, museums, and design. It felt weird to write about those things in this space, plus I wanted to write about those things under my real name. No more semi-anonymous blogging. 


If you'd like to follow along with this new project, please come on over to The Hourglass Files. I'm really excited about the possibilities for the new space and challenging myself. All of my readers here have meant so much to me, and it would mean a lot to get your feedback on the new blog.


As for this space, I'm not sure what's going to happen. I'm not sure if I have more that I want to say that would fit here or not. It could be that I do, but this blog might just languish. Since I'm blogging under my real name on the new blog, I might end up taking this blog down since there are some personal things on here. I haven't totally made up my mind.


Lastly, I want to say thank you again for all of your support on here. I cannot put into words how much your feedback, advice, and conversations have meant to me during the past few years. And I hope my writing is of interest to you on the new blog. If it is, please don't hesitate to let me know what you think!

Summing Up the Wedding

What else is there left to say about the wedding? I'm sure I could drag it on for eons, but I think I'm ready to wrap things up. 


Engagement sucked. Flat out it was a horrible period of my life. I fought with my parents a lot about religion, plunged deep into depression, and felt anxious all the time about money and whether or not we'd be able to pull off our plans. 


But honestly, the wedding was worth it. Well maybe not the depression. But I think we needed the long amount of time for my parents to come to terms with my new religion. If we had had the wedding sooner, I'm not sure they would have come around in time.


Things fell into place in one way or another. A good portion of things coming together was because of this blog and the community of friends I made online. I'm not sure how I would have made it through without you guys. Like I've mentioned, Ellie sent a good luck horseshoe, Robin let me borrow her pearl necklace, Cindy stage managed my wedding, and the rest of you supported and encouraged me when I needed it.


The wedding was amazing. The day of it really did feel perfect. It felt surreal that it came together the way it did. Low humidity and a break from the blazing heat? I still can't get over that fact. The house party we crashed, the bunny and beagle we saw, the unexpected fireworks — they could only be described as magic. 


If anyone is really interested in the specifics of the day — how we did ceremony amplification, what our budget breakdown was, where are venues were located, etc. — please do not hesitate to email me. Like I said, there is still a lot I could talk about, but it's time to move on on this blog. But I want to help anyone out there reading, so please do not feel shy about contacting me. I will tell you almost anything you want to know!


And so I'll close by saying thank you. You guys have been so important throughout my wedding planning and engagement phase. I hope you've enjoyed these recaps as much as I've enjoyed sharing them with you. And now on to other exciting things and a new stage of life!

The Craftiest Broad

I would be amiss not to talk about one of the most important people of the day, Cindy Savage of Crafty Broads. I can only talk about the things I know this lady did — I'm sure there were fires she put out that I don't even know about.


We hired Cindy for a few small duties right as she was getting into her stage managing biz, and she ended up day of coordinating most of the day. She was on hand to meet the chair delivery men and show them how and where to set them up. I can only assume she probably had to shoo a few random people out of the courtyard when guests started arriving. She lined us up and cued our entrances. The second after our formal family portraits were over, she got on her hands and knees to help me change out of my high-heeled shoes and into my flats.  She also stayed until the chair guys came back to pick up the chairs. 


Then she hightailed it over to the reception to run interference between the wait staff and us. When the pizzas were slow to come out, Cindy was on top of them trying to get more to come out quicker. She set up our wedding wish station as a substitute for a guest book, and she moved hightop tables around to create dance floor space. 


Cindy's wife Julia came with her, and I was happy that near the end she took off her managing hat and enjoyed a little of the reception with Julia, especially since this was just days before their anniversary. 


If anyone is looking for someone to help plan or day of coordinate a wedding (or some other event), I fully recommend Cindy. I know she was instrument in the magic of the day. 

photos by Justin Runquist and Craig Watson

Please do not repost any of our wedding pictures without our written permission.

Dancing on the Roof

Soon the dance floor filled up. Mr. Beagle and I made our own playlist on his computer, which was plugged in near the bar. A friend of ours manned it when we needed anything adjusted (he also did the sound at our ceremony). 

The first half of the music was great. I was really proud of the flow and how it got almost everyone out on the dance floor. 

My grandfather and I took a spin around the dance floor to a polka. 

Somehow the ribbon wands I made for the ceremony exit made their way to the reception. I totally didn't plan for this. It was unexpected and completely hilarious that our guests brought them with them, and naturally they became part of the dancing. 

I took the center of the dance floor to Britney's "Till the World Ends." My friends and family will tell you how much I love dancing and being the center of attention on the dance floor. This was a good moment. 

Instead of cake, we had an ice cream sundae bar. There were brownies for Mr. Beagle, vanilla, strawberry, and chocolate ice cream, and lots of toppings. 

We did a first scoop and spoon fed the sundae to each other instead of cutting the cake. I was worried about getting chocolate on my dress — we didn't even realize how close of a call it was until we got the pictures back and saw it dripping down the side of the bowl. 

But no chocolate touched the dress and it was a cute moment. 

Moments later fireworks started going off nearby. Crazy because we were totally not expecting them, even though it was July 3. The city of Chicago no longer does July 3 fireworks, and these weren't coming from the lakefront. They must have been some nearby neighborhood — they were much bigger than just some backyard thing. 

Unfortunately after the ice cream and the fireworks, the mood mellowed and the dance floor cleared a bit. By the end it was just me and my closest girl friends. 

Looking back I think the music for the second half of the party could have been improved. Right after the wedding this bummed me out, but it's great how time lessens those regrets. Now I realize it was what it was. And it was a great time regardless of how many people were dancing. 

By 11 p.m. I was wiped out. I was glad that we only booked the venue for four hours. I'm sure our friends and family could have kept going, but I know myself, and I wouldn't have wanted to leave early and miss anything even though I was tired. So it was good the party ended when it did. And I was happy to hear lots of people went out in Chicago afterward.

photos by Justin Runquist and Craig Watson

Please do not repost any of our wedding pictures without our written permission.

Up on the Roof

The magic didn't stop after the ceremony. Mr. Beagle and I arrived at our reception on a rooftop to our friends and family milling around, drinking, and having fun. We jumped right in without a formal announcement.

For dinner we had caesar salad, pasta, and an assortment of gourmet pizzas. No, this was not traditional wedding food. It was so much better. I have to say it was delicious. I scarfed down a bunch of pieces — one of the benefits of being the bride is line jumping to the front.

The only problem was the food's timing. I have to admit, this was probably the biggest bummer of the whole day (which I think means it was a pretty successful wedding). The kitchen only prepared 3 pizzas at a time with a huge wait between rounds. Honestly, I got a little cranky at this point. I was worried about our guests and their hungry bellies. But eventually everyone got fed good food, so I hope no one was too grumpy.

My dad, my best woman, Lois Lane, and Mr. Beagle's best man, his brother, gave toasts. They were full of love, funny, and deeply touching. Lois Lane said that watching our relationship during its long distance phase is what gave her hope that her long distance relationship could work. Does it get much better than that?

Mr. Beagle and I opened the dance floor with our first dance to Howie Day's "Collide." It's our song, so it felt fitting.

Then my dad and I shook things up by dancing to "It's Only Rock 'n' Roll (But I Like It)" by the Rolling Stones. 

And Mr. Beagle took to the floor with his mom to Bob Seger's "Like a Rock." 

The first half of the reception was a fun, but I couldn't wait to get everyone on the dance floor.

photos by Justin Runquist and Craig Watson

Please do not repost any of our wedding pictures without our written permission.

A Bunny Beagle Ceremony

I am so excited to share our ceremony because it was so meaningful to us. We found an Episcopalian priest, Rev. Julianne, who we connected with to lead it. 

We used the New Zealand Prayer Book (copyright the Anglican Church in Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia) for the base of our ceremony. We added a few parts such as our marriage equality statement and community vows and made some other small changes in the order of things. 

Mr. Beagle and I wrote our vows together so that they would be specific to each of us but symmetrical in tone and phrasing.

So without further ado, our ceremony:

New Zealand Episcopal Prayer Book* — Marriage Liturgy Third Form

Introduction

The priest may greet the people.

The priest says to the congregation

We have gathered to celebrate the marriage of Bunny and Beagle. Marriage is the promise of hope between two people who love each other, who trust that love, and who wish to share the future together.

It enables two separate people to share their desires, longings, dreams, and memories and to help each other through their uncertainties. It provides the encouragement to risk more and thus to gain more. In marriage, husband and wife belong together, providing mutual support and stability.

Here in the presence of God we recognize and affirm their relationship as they begin their married life in the community. 

Bunny and Beagle believe that marriage is a universal human right.  We look forward to the day when all of their friends will be free to marry.

Welcome

The priest says to the couple

Beagle and Bunny, we welcome you. 

We are glad to join with you

in the celebration of your marriage, 

to witness your vows, to pray with you,

and to wish you joy in your life together.

The priest and people say together

God of love,

we thank you 

for the gift of marriage

and for the joys it brings.

Bless us as we share

in this wedding.

We thank you for the love

which has brought Bunny and Beagle

to each other

and for their desire

to share that love

for the rest of their lives.

Amen.

The Ministry of the Word

First reading: Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up the other; but woe to one who is alone and falls and does not have another to help. Again, if two lie together, they keep warm; but how can one keep warm alone? And though one might prevail against another, two will withstand one. A threefold cord is not quickly broken.

Second reading: Excerpts from the Irrational Season, by Madeline L'Engle 

But ultimately there comes a moment when a decision must be made. Ultimately two people who love each other must ask themselves how much they hope for as their love grows and deepens, and how much risk they are willing to take. It is indeed a fearful gamble. Because it is the nature of love to create, a marriage itself is something which has to be created, so that, together we become a new creature.

To marry is the biggest risk in human relations that a person can take. If we commit ourselves to one person for life this is not, as many people think, a rejection of freedom; rather it demands the courage to move into all the risks of freedom, and the risk of love which is permanent; into that love which is not possession, but participation. It takes a lifetime to learn another person. When love is not possession, but participation, then it is part of that co-creation which is our human calling, and which implies such risk that it is often rejected.

Gospel: Mark 4:21-25

He said to them, ‘Is a lamp brought in to be put under the bushel basket, or under the bed, and not on the lampstand? For there is nothing hidden, except to be disclosed; nor is anything secret, except to come to light. Let anyone with ears to hear listen!’ And he said to them, ‘Pay attention to what you hear; the measure you give will be the measure you get, and still more will be given you. For to those who have, more will be given; and from those who have nothing, even what they have will be taken away.’

The Declarations

The priest asks the groom

Beagle, do you love and trust Bunny and want to be her husband?

The groom answers

Yes, I do.

The priest asks the groom

Will you stand by her no matter what happens, respecting her as a person, understanding her needs and enjoying her love until death parts you?

The groom answers

Yes, I will.

The priest asks the bride

Bunny, do you love and trust Beagle and want to be his wife?

The bride answers

Yes, I do.

The priest asks the bride

Will you stand by him no matter what happens, respecting him as a person, understanding his needs and enjoying his love until death parts you?

The bride answers

Yes, I will.

Affirmation

The priest asks the parents

Are you willing to strengthen this marriage by upholding both Bunny and Beagle with your love and concern?

The parents reply

We are.

May you find a rich and full life together.

The priest may ask the whole congregation

Will you, their friends and family, do all in your power to support this couple now, and in the years ahead?

The people reply

We will. 

We, as friends and family, vow to be guardians of this marriage. In happiness and in sadness, we will protect the commitment Beagle and Bunny make to one another today. We will guide them as individuals and as partners. We will counsel them in togetherness, love and respect.

The Marriage

The Vows

Bride’s vows

I take you, Beagle, as you are, to share my love and my life. I commit myself to our partnership in marriage, in the presence of our friends and family.

I promise to encourage your dreams and support your goals

because your success is important to me.

I promise to celebrate your joys and shoulder your challenges

because we are stronger together than apart.

I promise to provide fun, laughter, and affection

in order to create a home full of comfort and love. 

I promise to do the laundry before you run out of clothes

because I know it's your least favorite chore.

I promise to share my adventures and my passions

because you are my favorite companion.

I promise to grow with you as a friend and lover

until we are parted by death.

Groom’s vows

I take you, Bunny, as you are, to share my love and my life. I commit myself to our partnership in marriage, in the presence of our friends and family.

I promise to encourage your dreams and support your goals

because your success is important to me.

I promise to celebrate your joys and shoulder your challenges

because we are stronger together than apart.

I promise to provide fun, laughter, and affection

in order to create a home full of comfort and love. 

I promise to do the dishes before you run out of forks

because I know it's your least favorite chore.

I promise to share my adventures and my passions

because you are my favorite companion.

I promise to grow with you as a friend and lover

until we are parted by death.

The Ring

The priest receives the rings and says

Let these rings say to all that your commitment is deep and life-long.

Groom places the ring on bride’s finger, holds it there and says

This ring is a token of my faithfulness and love,

and a symbol that all I have I share with you.

Bride places the ring on groom’s finger, holds it there and says

This ring is a token of my faithfulness and love,

and a symbol that all I have I share with you.

God’s Guidance

The priest says to the couple

Bunny and Beagle, you have committed yourselves to one another in love, joy, and tenderness. Become one. Fulfill your promises. And may God’s grace be with you forever.

Amen.

The Prayers

The priest and congregation say the following

Loving Spirit,

grant to Beagle and Bunny,

that in giving and forgiving

they may receive from each other lasting joy.

Bind them together with cords that cannot be broken.

Bind them together with love.

Grant that they may always take delight in each other, 

and each remain the other’s heart’s desire.

Bind them together with cords that cannot be broken.

Bind them together with love.

May they reach such trust and confidence in each other

as shall keep them from unnecessary distress.

May they find courage to meet

the heartaches, disappointments and agonies life can bring.

Be their rock, their fortress,

for they put their trust in you.

Help them to look beyond their own family

and their own concerns

to see the world, suffering and struggling,

the world you have given us to share with one another.

Open their eyes and their hearts.

Give them grace to accept that they are mortal,

to face the possibility of death

and the separation it must bring.

Jesus, you are resurrection, you are life.

The Blessing

The Marriage Blessing

The priest says

All praise and blessing to you, God of love,

creator of the universe, maker of man and woman in your likeness,

source of blessing for married life.

All praise to you for you have created courtship and marriage, 

joy and gladness, feasting and laughter, pleasure and delight.

May your blessing come in full upon Bunny and Beagle.

May they know your presence in their joys and in their sorrows.

May they reach old age in the company of friends

and come at last to your eternal kingdom.

Amen.

The Pronouncement

The priest says to the congregation

We have witnessed the promises made by Beagle and Bunny, and now recognize them as husband and wife.

Priest says to the couple

Bunny and Beagle, you may now seal your marriage with a kiss.

Priest says to the congregation

Ladies and gentlemen, it is with great pleasure that I present to you, for the first time as husband and wife: Beagle and Bunny.

The Dismissal

The priest says to the congregation

Go now in peace and love.

Amen.

Couple, followed by wedding party, recesses.

photos by Justin Runquist and Craig Watson

Please do not repost any of our wedding pictures without our written permission.