Our Wedding!

Friends, I'm so sorry this post is so belated.  But I hope you enjoy these photos!

My bouquet (I cried tears of joy when my florist arrived with the flowers, they were so beautiful and everything I imagined)

My lovely bridesmaids cut out the raffia and tied bows onto our menus while we were all in the bridal suite getting ready.  I love those ladies and I love these menus.  Jessica Bohonik created the menus and programs for us - the same designer/friend who created our wedding invitations!

My mother-in-law graciously picked up tons of lavender that morning and even brought me a bottle of oil to take home with me.  We used the lavender every where we could and it made me so incredibly happy!

Everyone helped me get ready.  In fact, everyone helped everyone get ready.  I painted my nieces fingers, my niece helped me with my dress.  It was all so fun!

My friend Lauren was so helpful that day, she not only pinned that gardenia into my hair but she helped create my messy chignon.  

My groom looked so dashing in his 3-piece suit, don't you think? His boutonniere was made up of herbs and berries, I absolutely adored it!

Pre-ceremony champagne toast.  Lauren gave a great one and I instantly welled up with tears.

The bridesmaids bouquets

The happy ceremony site before the guests were invited to sit down

Pre-ceremony refreshments in the teahouse

All of our guests were given parasols to block the incredibly bright sun during the ceremony

My niece, Bree.  She is such an awesome girl to be around.

Bree and Ally laying petals down for me.  They were so cute in their cowgirl boots!  My mom sewed their dresses!

My beautiful bridesmaids and our handsome groomsmen.  My nephew was our ring bearer and he did such a fantastic job.  He was the hit of the party too.

My brother gave me away that day.  It was so special to me that he did that (and I have a feeling it was special of me to ask him).  Our father passed away in 1993 and I always knew from that point on that my brother was the only one for the job, no matter what.  He may only be 4 years older than me but he was more than just a brother to me and he deserved to give me away.  

Also, I loved the back of my dress and how it hid everything I hate about my back but showed off the good parts.  It's one of the many things that sold me.

My stepdad performed the ceremony for us, which was an honor.  He married my brother and sister-in-law 10 years before us.  He's a funny guy so he made the ceremony enjoyable for everyone while still heartfelt. It was absolutely perfect.

The kiss!  Gaw, I'm so short and my husband is soooo tall.

Mr. & Mrs. David & Meagan Badger!

This bridge...aah, I love it!

Right after the ceremony, we were able to sneak off and toast ourselves with a bottle of Mumm champagne before we took pictures with everyone.  It was much needed and I'll never forget him telling me how beautiful I looked.  

What beautiful ladies I have in my life!

They look so dashing!

My mom, brother and I.

Cameron looking as handsome as can be.  I loved our tree log ring bearer pillow I got from Etsy.  I think I'll hang it on our Christmas tree this year and for all the happy years to come.

I think this might be one of my favorite pictures from the day! 

Well, actually, I think it's tied with this one.

My mom made the just married garland from the Martha Stewart tutorial.  Badge & I slaved over the name cards for an entire week before we left for California.  We traced the names onto the cards so we could use the same font that was used on our invitations.  We collected wine corks for the entire year!

Where the dancing would begin.  This was right after the bridal party was introduced by our friend Jacob, the musician and emcee of the night!

David gave a great toast and thanked everyone for coming all the way out to wine country, and on a Friday at that!  Then we opened the doors to the wine cave and welcomed everyone in for a candlelit dinner.

We didn't get a chance to taste the food we served but turns out it wasn't necessary - it was superb!  Wine Valley Caterers did an excellent job with everything.

See? My stepdad is a funny man!

Our cake was delicious.  We chose a silver cake with custard and fresh berries.  I long for it.  One of the only things I had no control over throughout the wedding day was making sure the cake was put on the awesome cake stand that Jessica's mom made for us.  They didn't remove the original tin from it, thus making it look not quite as fabulous as I had dreamed.  

Our Best Man, Alex Preston, created this cake topper for us by hand.  It is awesome and we display it proudly.  If you're interested in having him make you one or know someone who might be interested, just let me know and we'll work something out!

We chose I Love You For Sentimental Reasons by Sam Cooke as our first dance song.  Not for any reason in particular but it was a good choice.

Planning my wedding was so much fun.  I'm glad that I had a lot of time to prepare (we were engaged for a year and a half!) and I don't regret any of my choices.  We had so many wonderful people help us out in so many different places.  Such talented friends and family we have!  It couldn't have been a more perfect day!  

Venue :: Hans Fahden Vineyards, Calistoga, CA - highly recommended, great staff, beautiful site.

Caterers :: Wine Valley Caterers 

Florist :: Verde Flowers, Santa Rosa, CA

Photographer :: Raegan Stremel, Louisville, KY

Wedding Dress :: Lela Rose, Ultimate Bride, Chicago, IL

Grooms Suit :: J.Crew

Invitations, Menus, Programs :: Jessica Bohonik, Seattle, WA (also check the invitations out here)

Groomsmen attire :: H&M

Wedding cake :: Sweetie Pies, Napa, CA

Ring bearer pillow :: Etsy; LittleWeeShop