Wedding photos: the ceremony

Time for some more wedding photos!  Today's photos are of the ceremony.  

By the way...

If at any point, you start to feel symptoms of WO Syndrome (Wedding Overload Syndrome), feel free to skip right on by.  I will understand. :-)  Otherwise, thanks for indulging me!

Jason's mom was escorted down the aisle by our usher, Alex.  Alex is my cousin, and I have so many great memories of playing together as children.  We don't get to see each other as often anymore, so it was truly special that he could be a part of the wedding.

Next down the aisle was my mom, escorted by Marcus (another cousin and younger brother of Alex).  Doesn't my mom look beautiful? 

Then it was time for Jason and his groomsmen to make their grand entrance.

Best man Adam.  

Groomsman Travis.

Groomsman (and Jason's younger brother) Ross.

My dad kept watch from the doorway of the room where I was waiting.  

Next up, the bridesmaids.  Here's Nikki, Jason's younger sister.  Throughout the time Jason and I have been together, Nikki and I have become close and I am so excited to have her as my new sister!

My best friend, Mira.  Stunning, isn't she?  We've known each other since freshman year of high school, and have been best friends since, despite the physical distance.  (She lives in Denver).

My little sister, Ilse.  There was never any question that Ilse would be my maid of honor.  (We're so close that we can have entire conversations with just our facial expressions, and still understand what the other is saying perfectly.)  

And finally...here I am.  I was so excited to see Jason that I sort of forgot about everyone else in the room and just focused on his face as I walked down the aisle.

Here's Jason watching me walk down the aisle.  I couldn't wait to get down that aisle to marry this man.

But I tried to walk slooooowly, just like we'd practiced.

Finally there.  I hugged my dad (and I'm pretty sure I teared up at this point).

As the ceremony began, I tried to listen to what our officiant, Robin, was saying, but my heart was pounding pretty hard!

The view from the back of the ceremony hall.

We had two readings.  The first was this poem by e.e. cummings, read by my mom's cousin (and my godmother), Laura.

The second was this excerpt from Union by Robert Fulghum, read by Jason's good family friend, Anne.

We decided to write our own vows and keep them secret from each other, so that we would hear them for the first time during the ceremony.

If I wasn't crying before, I definitely was now.

Before I knew it, it was time to exchange rings.  Here's Adam handing the rings to the officiant.

It wasn't until we exchanged rings that it really hit me.  We're getting married right now.  It's actually happening.

And then, just as soon as it had begun, it was over.  I remember hearing the officiant say, "You may now kiss," and then suddenly realizing: we're married.

Hooray!

This is one of my favorite photos of the day.  We'd just left the hall and we were all alone for a few seconds as we waited for our wedding party to exit the hall behind us.  

And then, there they were!  Everyone was smiling and laughing.  It was the most joyful feeling.

More smiles.

With our officiant.

All our guests gathered just outside the hall to applaud and wave handmade streamers.  

The streamers were one of my mom's several DIY wedding projects!

Jason held my bouquet while the photographer snapped some portrait-style shots.

I told him it was one of his husbandly duties, now that we were officially married!

Up next: some portraits and the reception, part I.

All photos courtesy of Roman Grinev Photography.

Vegan stuffed tomatoes

If, like me, you haven't tired of this season's glorious farmers' market tomatoes (and how could such a thing be possible?), here's another tomato-centric recipe that makes prime use of this brilliant little fruit.  You might call this particular recipe an exercise in culinary improvisation; its incredibly inspired origins went something like "What do we have in the fridge that's about to go bad if unused?"  (Glamorous, huh?)  The answer?  Zucchini, carrots, scallions, cilantro and a batch of leftover brown rice begging to be used for something other than one of my default rice bowl variations.

When one finds oneself, fortuitously, in possession of fresh tomatoes, rice, and a medley of fragrant vegetables, the only logical conclusion is and will always be: stuffed tomatoes.  (Mendel's Law of Stuffed Tomatoes, 1866.*)  Seriously though, this is a delicious and healthy way to use the odds and ends hanging out in your kitchen.  And, like any good summer recipe, it's super easy to boot.
 
I veganized this recipe by using Vegenaise and Daiya cheddar-style cheese alternative.  (A quick note on Daiya. I try to avoid dairy "replacement" products because, when you get down to it, they're not whole or natural foods and oftentimes aren't yummy enough to bother with anyway.  However, I've found Daiya to be a vast improvement over most of the the tastes-like-a-cheese-flavored-dirty-sock alternatives I've tried.  Plus, it actually melts.) 

Vegan Stuffed Tomatoes
4 ripe tomatoes (any medium to large variety will do)
2 cups brown rice, cooked (it's ok if you have more rice mixture than can fit inside the tomatoes...you can eat the leftover rice mixture atop mixed greens for tomorrow's lunch.)
1 cup carrot, grated
1 cup zucchini, grated
Garlic, minced
1 scallion, diced
2 tbsp. cilantro, diced (you could use almost any herb here...basil, for example, would work just as well)
1-2 tbsp. Vegenaise (or mayonnaise for non-vegans of course)
1/2 cup cheddar-style Daiya (again, non-vegans can sub any kind of real cheese here) plus a bit more to sprinkle on top
Sea salt and freshly cracked black pepper to taste

Turn on the broiler or preheat oven to 400 degrees.  Use a small paring knife to hollow out your tomatoes.  The easiest way to do this is to cut a circle in the top of the tomato, angling your knife toward the center of the fruit.  From there, you'll be able to scrape out the innards pretty easily.  (Pretty violent imagery for a vegan recipe, isn't it?)  Set tomatoes upright on an oven-safe pan.  If you have trouble getting them to stay upright, try using a muffin tin to hold them in place.  In a large bowl, combine the rest of your ingredients and stir well.  Spoon rice mixture into the tomatoes, pressing it down into the tomato with your spoon as needed.  Sprinkle a bit of Daiya on top of each tomato, and pop into the oven for about 8 minutes.  These cook quickly, so keep an eye on them.  It could be more or less than 8 minutes depending on the particulars of your oven.

Et voila, you've got a healthy and clean summer feast in minutes.  I ate mine with a side of organic black beans (topped with a little more Daiya) and some fresh watercress.

Question for you: Do you have a favorite "stuffed" recipe?  Stuffed peppers, stuffed mushrooms, etc.?  


*This is a complete fabrication on my part.  But it should be true, shouldn't it?

Wedding photos: getting ready

As promised, I'll be sharing some more wedding photos this week.  Due to the sheer number of photos, I thought I'd divide them into categories, so today's photos are focused on getting ready.

I am fortunate that my good friend Brooke is extremely talented in the hair-styling department (among her many gifts).  I decided not to have my hair done at a salon because I knew that, with Brooke, I'd be in good hands.  

She curled my hair into big waves, pinned it to one side, and affixed the feathery flower hairpiece I'd found on Etsy.  Thank you Brooke!

One of the quirks of our beautiful centuries-old ceremony site is that you had to actually walk outside to reach the bathroom, which was indoors but only accessible from another part of the building.  Since Jason and I decided not to see each other before the ceremony, my bridesmaids attempted to shield my face during my restroom run in case he happened to be looking out the window!

I was prepared with a distraction though!  I had my sister (who was my maid-of-honor) deliver a Kit-Kat bar to Jason while I made a run for the restroom.

After those shenanigans, it was almost time to put on the dress!  My lovely attendants, Brooke and Caroline, handled it like pros.

Obligatory bride's shoe shot.

Meanwhile, Jason and his best man, Adam, had just put on their ties under the watchful gaze of Jason's grandmother.  Doesn't Jason look incredibly serious and stoic in this one?  

Obligatory groom's shoe shot.

I think Travis (left) is showing Ross (Jason's younger brother) how to tie his tie.

Throughout all of this, people were gathering intermittently in the ceremony hall to watch a World Cup game on a tiny TV that had somehow appeared.  I don't remember which game it was, but it must've been an exciting match-up.

And surprise!  Jason had a bouquet of flowers delivered to me via my sister.  This was one of my favorite moments of the entire day.  My heart just melted as I thought of the kind-hearted man I was about to marry.

I banished the photographer from the room while I was putting on the dress (didn't think anyone needed to see a shot of me changing!) so this is right after I put on the dress.  That thing took a village (i.e. my mom and Brooke) to lace up.

Then it was time for finishing touches.  A delicate necklace of floating pearls.

And lace shrug.

Can't forget to re-adjust the hair.

While I was putting the finishing touches on my look, Jason was putting the finishing touches on his speech for the reception.  Looks like he may have gotten a little help from Ross.

About 20 minutes before the start of the ceremony, our guests began filling the hall.  (They had been enjoying freshly-squeezed lemonade on the lawn outside beforehand.)

As the ceremony drew nearer, I was feeling nervous but trying not to let it show.  Here, my sister, Jason's mom Debi, and my bridesmaid Mira are laughing about something (can't remember what), but I'm off in my own little world, trying to stay calm.

The late-afternoon light was streaming beautifully through the windows and we decided to take the opportunity to do a couple portrait-style photos.  The photographer told me to look "serious," which wasn't a problem because I was a bundle of nerves at this point!

But my mom was there to make me smile and keep me calm.

I had a bit of a sore throat the couple days preceding the wedding and I was really nervous that my voice would be hoarse when it came time to say my vows, so I sipped tea with honey and lemon right up until the time I walked down the aisle.

While I soothed my scratchy throat, my soon-to-be husband was getting ready to take his place at the front of the hall.

Tomorrow: the ceremony!

All photos courtesy Roman Grinev Photography.

Wedding photos!

Exciting news...we just received our professional wedding photos from Roman Grinev Photography!  

Here's a little peek.

Next week, after I've had a chance to pour over the photos in detail (there are over 1,000!), I'll share many more...

I promise. 

Have a wonderful weekend!

On being alone

It is only when we silent the blaring sounds of our daily existence that we can finally hear the whispers of truth that life reveals to us, as it stands knocking on the doorsteps of our hearts. -K.T. Jong

Lately, I've been haunting a particular coffee shop in the morning before heading to work.  I like to sit at one of the small wooden tables and order a soy latte or an organic chamomile tea.  The latter arrives in a fancy silver teapot with a ceramic teacup the color of ivory.  Some days, I'll sip my tea and use the time to write in my journal, or read a book.  Other days, I jot down goals, to-dos, or a grocery list.  Occasionally, I will simply allow the teacup to warm my hands while I visualize my intentions for the coming day, week, or year.

I've come to treasure these moments of solitude between the commute and the beginning of my workday.  I don't stay for long - usually 25 minutes or so - and yet, it feels like a luxury amidst the hustle and bustle of the morning routine.  These little ellipses between commitments leave me refreshed and re-connected to my self, inspired to embrace the day with purpose and creativity.

Life can feel so crowded sometimes, can't it?  The "blaring sounds of our daily existence" seem to follow wherever we go.  Emails to write, phone calls to return, blogs, tweets, and TV to catch up on.  Traffic reports, weather forecasts, and a never-ending influx of mostly unhappy news to digest.  As much as I love these modern technologies, I find it critical to unplug.  To be alone, with only my thoughts for company.

I've been recognizing the importance of solitude more and more lately, and I think that's one of the reasons I love this video so much.  I've watched it several times now, and each time, my soul seems to nod in agreement with Tanya's words.  I know the video's been floating all over the interwebs the past couple of days, but it seemed worth re-posting here, in case anyone hadn't yet seen it.

How do you carve out moments of solitude during your day?  What do you do when you're alone? 

Thoughts on hot yoga

In the spirit of revving up my exercise routine, I tried my first hot yoga class on Monday night.  (As the teacher explained, the class is called "hot" yoga, not "Bikram" yoga, because the founder of Bikram yoga, Bikram Choudhury, has taken legal action to prevent anyone from teaching yoga in a heated room and calling it "Bikram" yoga unless they are certified in his specific method.  Yikes!)

Semantics aside...it was an intense workout.  The poses and sequencing were similar to vinyasa flow (the style of yoga I practice regularly), but the room was heated to approximately 100 degrees.  For the first 30 minutes or so (it was a 90-minute class), I was feeling great and thinking to myself (in a not very yogi-like way) that the whole thing seemed like a piece of cake.  45 minutes in, I was starting to feel the burn in a big way.  I was expecting the added heat, of course, but I wasn't prepared for how much extra effort it takes to complete the poses when your body is fighting just to maintain its core temperature, much less hold Paripurna Navasana.  More than a few times, I had to take Child's Pose to find my breath and settle my heart rate. Needless to say, by the end of class I was totally wiped out, but in a hurts-so-good sort of way (similar to the sort of "runner's high" I feel after a long, hard run).

I've heard that hot yoga is a really great way to detoxify impurities from your system because you sweat so profusely - as I can personally attest!  Plus, the class left me so relaxed that I slept better than I think I have in a long time - and that's saying something because I'm a pretty sound sleeper.   I'm really glad I challenged myself to try it, and I think it'll become a regular or semi-regular addition to my yoga practice.

Have you guys tried hot or Bikram yoga?  I'd be curious to hear about your experiences!


Image via Yoga Station.

Welcoming August

This summer has been an exciting one, to say the least.  June had us joyfully preparing for our wedding, while July found us enthralled by beautiful Italia.  It was an incredible - unforgettable - couple of months, to be sure.  I find, however, that the advent of August feels like a deep and contented sigh of relief this year.  I don't mean relief that the wedding + honeymoon are over, per se, though I must admit, my stress level has plummeted now that the festivities have passed.  But rather, to be moving on with life.  To be exploring new projects, now that I have the time.  To be re-visiting short and long-term goals, individually and as a couple.  To be making plans for our next adventures (a whitewater rafting/camping trip later this month, followed by a trip to Chicago for Labor Day Weekend).

I'm proud of how hard I've worked to get into better shape and eat more healthfully these past eight months.  I felt my progress stall a bit in June and July, as I eased up a bit on my exercise routine and enjoyed many delicious meals over the course of the wedding festivities and our honeymoon.  I'm not down on myself about it though.  It was a rejuvenating detour in my journey, and I now feel a refreshed motivation to increase my running mileage, deepen my yoga practice, and return to a disciplined way of eating.  For me, the long, warm days of August provide the perfect opportunity to re-focus, challenge myself physically, and to explore post-wedding goals and dreams.

How are you greeting August this year?  What are your intentions for this month?


Image via Pia Ulin.