Married Melodies: First Look

After my bridal party finished getting ready and Mr. Warbs' crew finished lacing up their Chuck Taylors, we all headed to the venue. The bridal party rode in a shuttle provided by the hotel and Mr. Warbs and his groomsmen piled into his dad's car. During the short drive, two things happened simultaneously in both vehicles.

We both freaked the f#*@ out.

As we rounded a curve climbing up into the hill, I yelled "OH MY GOD! I forgot the marriage license!" The license had been left behind in the hotel room. I guess I freaked everyone out, including the driver who hit the brakes for dramatic effect. 

A little ways down the road behind us, Mr. Warbs said, "Sh@#, I forgot my vows!" His dad said, "Well, we're not going back, we're already running late. So you better start writing!" Ha!

After I finished kicking myself, I asked the bridal party which one of our friends was still at the hotel. We were able to get ahold of two of our friends who talked the hotel into letting them into my room to grab the license and meet us at the venue. Thanks for saving the day, Jazzy and Jo!

Meanwhile, Mr. Warbs frantically rewrote his vows on his cell phone. When he finally arrived at the venue, he e-mailed the vows to our coordinator who printed them out for him. How freaking crazy is it that we both forgot something major on the day of our wedding? Crisis averted, but we were both feeling pretty frazzled heading into our first look. Especially me.

The Warblers: somewhere between a married couple and big losers.

When we were both finally ready, our photographers set us up for the big reveal. As I headed over to where Mr. Warbs' was waiting a million thoughts were running through my head. Would he like my dress? Should I tell him about the marriage license snafu now or later? OMG, what if I cried? But as soon as I was able to see his back, just his back, all of my questions melted away. 

I understand why most couples choose not to do a first look, I really do. But in that moment when Mr. Warbs turned around and looked at me for the first time as his bride, I was so happy that we had decided to do it. Earlier I had been a nervous wreck, but as soon as I saw my future husband, I started to calm down. For three years, he had always been able to make me feel better whether I was nervous, sad, sick or unsure of myself. He had always been there for me because he was my rock. With him by my side, I knew the rest of the day would be a piece of cake.

We both confessed our blunders, laughed about it, and that was that. What can I say? We're more alike that I thought! I didn't feel nervous anymore, I was just ready to get married. Before we knew it, it was time for our pre-wedding portraits!

Tell me Hive, did you forget something big on your wedding day?

Catch Up!

• Mr. Warbs and his men got ready.
• I went from a nervous fiancee to a nervous bride.
• We stuffed our faces at the rehearsal dinner.
• Check out our super fly wedding video.

All photos by Nataly Lemus Photography

The Biggest Lie

Seven months ago, I bought my wedding dress and didn't show you guys any photos because Mr. Warbs reads my blog religiously (like a good husband). It was really important to me to keep the dress a secret from him, and I'm not good at keeping secrets or lying. I can't even tell little white lies usually. I'm the worst because I either admit it right away or over complicate simple things. Whenever I tell a lie, it usually goes something like this:

Mr. Warbs: So, did you eat the lunch I made you?

Me: Um...yeah. I did.

Mr. Warbs: Did you like it?

Me: OK, I went to Curry House instead. I'm sorry.

Mr. Warbs: Why did you lie? And why did you admit it right away?

Me: I don't know. Sorry. I felt guilty. Sorry.

Mr. Warbs: It's OK. I knew you were lying. You're terrible at it.

Me: I know.

So after I bought my dress, I vowed to keep it a secret from Mr. Warbs until the wedding. The best thing I could think of was to keep the dress out of our apartment. However, the dress didn't need any alterations (because it was obviously perfect and meant to be) so I was able to leave David's Bridal with it. MIL Warbler offered to keep it at her house, but I was afraid that it would be the first place Mr. Warbs would look. And I kinda didn't want the dress out of my possession. I loved it so much!

That's when I came up with the kind of stupid-at-the-the-moment lie that I usually end up blowing. I decided to tell Mr. Warbs that the dress was still at the shop and really hide it in our apartment. And you guys, I pulled it off! After lunch, MIL Warbler and I snuck the dress upstairs and stuffed it in the back of my closet. I know that doesn't sound like a very secure place, but there's so much crap in our closet, I knew Mr. Warbs would never notice it. And he didn't. After a week, I told him that I picked up the dress and BM E was holding it for me. It was the only lie I think I've ever successfully kept up. Several times, I thought I had given myself away, but Mr. Warbs later said he had no idea. Woo hoo!

Looooonnng story short, here are the photos I couldn't show you from my first dress post. Introducing my tulle Oleg Cassini dress from David's bridal. Or as I affectionately call her, Olga.

 I loved my veil!

Me and the lady who found the dress, BM Tata!

Sneak peek of my walk down the aisle

Guest photo

Did you keep your dress a secret from your partner?

All photos are personal unless otherwise noted

We're Back!

Hey there, Hive! Mrs. Warbler here.

We got married!!!

Guest photo

The day started off pretty touch and go, but in the end it was the best wedding I've ever been to. I know I'm biased, but all of our guests said the same thing! There was just so much love and every single person invited, helped make our wedding what it was.

While I'm waiting for the pro photos go get back, I have a few little details to share with you including my dress reveal (um, check!), last minute surprises, how married life is awesome and the 1,400 photos we took during our Hawaiian honeymoon. OK, maybe just the first hundred.

Love, love, love

Mrs. Warbler!

Ain't No Shower Like a Warbler Shower

My fabulous wedding shower was on Saturday and I am still amazed at how awesome it turned out. MOH J5, MIL Warbler and bridesmaids Tata and E all worked their butts off to make everything perfect.  As a control freak, I was dying to know what the plan was the moment I got my invite. It turned out to be better than I imagined, I couldn't have asked for better friends!

When I arrived at MOH J5's house, it was pretty emotional seeing everyone. Some people I hadn't seen in a while and some people had traveled miles to be there for me. After giving everyone a hug, I stopped to look at all the personal touches from the gorgeous centerpieces to the champagne glasses that had our initials and wedding date etched on them. There were also platters of fruits, vegetables, cookies and Bridesmaid E cooked up the most delicious waffles ever!

Photo by Bridesmaid Tata

Photo by Bridesmaid Tata

That "goodie" bag made me nervous

My sister, BM Gemini, told me a few days before she wouldn't be able to make it because she was feeling sick. I was pretty bummed which I guess she sense because she busted a mission and drove all the way from Las Vegas the night before to be there. It really meant a lot to me to have everyone care that much to be there. I know on the outside wedding showers are supposed to be about showering the bride in gifts, but I just wanted to relax with the people who love me. This photo of my sister-bridesmaids and my cousins is more special than any gift.

I just want to say I wore that tiara the whole day. Even driving home.

After a few drinks, we dived right into the games. First up we played the toilet paper wedding dress game. I usually hate this game because I always lose. But this time I got to judge and I became drunk with power. Or cocktails. 

We also played the "who am I?" game using famous wives. It took me two rounds to guess that I was Victoria Beckham. It only took Officiant Laura two guesses to figure out she was Beyonce. Her questions were: "Am I a singer?' and "Is my husband hot?" When we all answered in strong unison "NO!" to the last one she yelled out "Beyonce!" Funniest. Shit. Ever.

Photo by Bridesmaid Tata

MOH J5, aka Jennifer Garner!

Photo by Bridesmaid Tata 

Photo by Bridesmaid Tata 

 

Photo by Bridesmaid Tata

MIL Warbler and Mama Warbler

Photo by Bridesmaid Tata

After the games, it was time to open the presents. Some were very tame. 

 Photo by Bridesmaid Tata

And some were not!

 Photo by Bridesmaid Tata

I think after the above photo, they got scared and stopped taking photos because I don't have any more after this! That one was cleverly hidden in a Barnes and Noble bag. Way to throw me off guard Warbler guests! One of the most amazing gifts I received was from MOH J5 who almost made me cry. I say almost, because I'm made of stone. No tear ducts here! His gift consisted of a giant storage container filled with tissue paper and ribbons. I'm used to getting these kind of gifts from him, usually getting to the bottom of a box to find a handwritten note and once fifty cents. This time he surprised the hell out of me with this:

He bought my flight to Vegas for my bachelorette party next month! I was considering calling the whole thing off a few weeks ago because I was worried about the cost of the trip. He squashed that idea real quick by ensuring that I go! I cannot stress enough how amazing all of my friends are. Thanks again buddy! Vegas better get ready!

How was your wedding shower? Did you have any unexpected surprises?

Photos are personal unless otherwise noted

Get With the Program

Mr. Warbs and I never planned on making programs for our ceremony. Since our ceremony will be super short we thought it might be pointless. Then I thought we should probably write up a little blurb about our wine box. And I also wanted to honor our loves ones who had passed. I wasn't interested in traditional programs: sheets of paper, fans and the like. Those are fine and dandy, but if we're going to do programs, I want something our guests can have fun with. That's when I found Pinterest.

Pinning all the live long day!
 Image via Pinterest.com

After this life changing event and hours of wasted time at work, I didn't want them anymore, I needed programs. Why? Because, I had to justify all those damn pins. And I found a couple of really creative ones!

Paper bag programs to hold poms. Genius.
Image via Underconsideration.com

Image via Underconsideration.com

I like these programs because they serve a dual purpose. Guests can check out your craftiness and ceremony info before the whole shebang. Then after the ceremony, they can open up their bags and shower you with it's contents, whether it be poms, rose petals or slices of cheesecake. I personally prefer the last one. Obviously.

The reality of me making these happen? Pretty slim. I don't want to pay to have them done and I'd probably screw up my printer trying it myself. Has anyone tackled these before? I'd love to hear how you made them!

On the other hand, I could definitely make these happen:

Cootie Catcher programs! Hello, fifth grade!

Image via Mywedding.com / Photo by Mary Kate Mckenna Photography

Cootie Catchers, or Fortune Tellers, have a special place in my child like heart. I remember making these all the time in school. Pick a color, pick a number and then your fortune is revealed. I always ended up with something like "You're going to fall in mud today" or "Jacques Brown likes you". I read both of those as more of a threat than a fortune. These wedding cootie catchers can be used as programs for the ceremony, a menu for the reception or just for "fun facts" about the couple. The thought of our guests sitting around in formal wear playing with a Cootie Catcher makes me crack up. And for that reason, I must have them!

I even made a Cootie Catcher for Mr. Warbs' 31st birthday. Instead of fortunes, I wrote in activities like "eat cake" and "night picnic". That was the first birthday we celebrated together so Cootie Catchers hold a special meaning for us. The best part is that there are templates online that make it really easy to do these yourself. An easy DIY project? I'm in!

Are you making out of the box wedding programs or staying traditional?