The Wedding Files: The Dinner Party

I had imagined our wedding reception to feel less like a formal reception and more like a feast with friends and family. We were so happy to have long tables, to sit in the middle and to be surrounded by everyone we love. How great that wedding celebrations end with food!? Will and I love food, so it suited us to a tee.

We served Bundaberg drinks with stripey straws and canapés while we mingled, and our menu included duck and crab, lamb and salmon, berries and chocolate. Our lovely friends and the evening's hosts, Matt and Rach, got the night started, we said a quick hello to everyone and then Will’s mum Liz said grace. Dinner time!

 

The absolute highlight moments were the speeches. I am a sucker for a good speech, and we loved hearing every word from our fathers, our best man and our maid of honour. Kind, encouraging, humorous, special words that had everyone laughing, and a few of us (i.e. me) getting teary. There was so much love in the room and it really meant so much to both of us to share the night with everyone.

 

Another favourite moment was watching everyone find their seat and little gift from us. We wanted something happy and fun to spoil our guests. Inspired by the lovely Cup of Jo, everyone got a pair of Happy Eyes and saw hearts all evening. I made felt flower brooches and hair clips for our lovely ladies, using the Rose Tutorial from How Joyful. And for the gentlemen, a snazzy pin-on bow tie. We included the menu, a little hand written note, and our William + Laura stamp. 

 

We chatted, we danced, we stole more than a few sneaky kisses, and then we said goodbye. It was all hugs and kisses before we raced down the stairs and across the Parklands. I’ll never forgot hearing all the cheers and clapping as we made our getaway. A perfect night with beautiful, beautiful people.

 

Photos by Hailey and Andrew of You Can't Be Serious

Next up: The little details