Key West: Wedding Day!

10.21.14

Ahh, the wedding! This post is a little delayed due to a trip to Roc for Mel Weekend. I wish I had more pictures to share in this post but I was far too busy dancing to take pictures. I cannot WAIT to see what the photographer captured of the crazy dance floor.

We spent the afternoon lounging around the house getting our hair and makeup done. I wasn't all that picky about the hair situation as long as it was off my neck and shoulders in the 90+ degree weather. (Key West never cools down at night, by the way. It was brutal.) 

We arrived at the Hemingway House at 5:30 to take a few pictures with Jon before the ceremony. People started to arrive and found seats. The guests especially loved the cold lemonade and water at the entrance. Let me reiterate how hot it was that day! The venue was beautiful and intimate. 

By the time everyone was ready to go, we began walking down the aisle at about 6:15. Mom was escorted in my Jon and Dad. Before I knew it, Allie and I were signaled to walk! Heels and the uneven brick were a recipe for disaster. Luckily, nothing disastrous happened.

I was holding back tears the entire time walking in.. and doing a very poor job at that. The family walked in to the ceremony to The Beatle's "In My Life." That picture is deceiving. Just seeing my brother at the alter was so sweet! After we took our seats, Danielle arrived at the balcony of the house and was escorted in by her dad and stepdad. She walked into Alison Krauss's "When You Say Nothing At All" and it was very sweet. Every little detail was absolutely beautiful. There was not a dry eye in the house (or in the garden next to the house). 

The ceremony was perfect... flawlessly blending two religions and two families. Danielle's mom was the Matron-of-Honor and my Dad was the Best Man. My favorite part might have been when Uncle Richie (Danielle's family friend) opened with "Thank God FSU won today and thank GOD Danielle is marrying Army." Amen to that!

I wish I personally had more pictures of the ceremony but I left that up to everyone else attending. 

After the ceremony, we waited for our turn for the big family portrait. Most importantly, I was waiting patiently to be dismissed so I can get a cocktail!

Another sister pic!

I took my "little" cousins, Jack and Dane, to the dining area so they could sign the guestbook. Jon and Danielle had a ginormous wooden "Q" for the guests to sign. Snaps for that cute idea!

Our family friend snapped this pic of the 4 of us before we were announced into the reception. 

 

Danielle and her stepmom, Flavia, were visionaries with the vintage decor. No detail was left unnoticed. I even loved the place cards! 

I snapped a candid of the sweetheart table. Jon is checking out his new bling... too cute. Every table had a bottle of Querciabella, our family's favorite wine (for good reason). 

I couldn't wait to get my booty out on the dance floor! I taught Dad a thing or two about breaking it down. Shout out to Jon's McQuaid and Villanova friends and Danielle's FSU friends for keeping up with me out there. I clearly was too preoccupied dancing all night because I missed out on the chocolate-covered Oreos... iknowright?!?

After the reception ended, we all headed out to Duval Street to continue the celebration. This was the only picture captured from Irish Kevin's... *slow clap* to Jenn and Meter for taking one hell of a selfie with me. 

The whole celebration was an absolute blast. Congratulations to Jon and Danielle! Can't wait to see you both in a few weeks!