'Whals in the Woods: We Process

Okay, before we get rolling on this post, I had to find a way to share the music we played. I'm always a big fan of listening to the music while reading ceremony posts. I had a bit of a hurdle finding the song I walked down the aisle to, and have come up with an alternative solution of embedding an 8tracks playlist. The first song my bridal party walked down the aisle to was Walk Quietly by one of our favourite artists (and my personal favourite) Trevor Hall. Spoiler alert - we played three of his songs during the ceremony! They were just the exact vibe we wanted to share. The second song on the playlist, which I walked down the aisle to was Head Over Feet covered by Vitamin String Quartet. This was a surprise to Mr. Narwhal, and every time I listen to this version, it gives me major chills. So hit play and listen as you read along. :) There are a few other random songs afterwards that I had to add in order to complete the playlist. 

Narwhal Ceremony Songs from narwhalbee on 8tracks Radio.

The guests were all seated and the ceremony was about to begin. We were all gathered at the bottom of the hill and Walk Quietly started playing. First, the boys walked my mom down (or up) the aisle, followed by BM Megs and Nelson, and then the rest of the ladies.

MOH Cass was the last to walk up the hill, and once she reached the end of the aisle, the song switched over to Head Over Feet. Meanwhile, it was only my dad and I left at the bottom of the hill and I started to cry. All of the emotions of the day all came rushing over me. I had been waiting for this moment with my dad long before Mr. Narwhal ever came along and I couldn't have imagined a better person at the end of the aisle waiting for me. An aisle we literally created together after many months of work.  I always thought my dad would be the one to get me crying as we walked down the aisle, but in the end it was me. By the time I made it to the guests I was smiling ear to ear, and pretty much stayed that way the entire ceremony.

At the end of the aisle we exchanged hugs with my my parents, and then it was time for the ceremony to begin.

All photos captured by Isos Photography

and now, you should switch to the next song ;)

Getting the tears out of my system

I am so in love with the next picture

Miss something?
The Day Before
The Rehearsal Breakfast
The Bridal Party Gets Ready

The Flower Crown
The Race for Best Man
Our First Look
Just Us
All of Us Together
We Are Family
The Guests Arrive 

'Whals in the Woods: The Guests Arrive

Once we wrapped up our family photos, my team went inside to hide out while the boys mingled in the wedding area as guests began arriving. When the first bus went by I started to get really excited. It was really really happening now (I think I had about 80 of those moments throughout the day).

It was kind of surreal hiding out in the house as we watched guests heading past the house up to the second driveway. A few family members and friends popped in before the ceremony to see me, and it was just mostly filled with moments of excitement and anticipation.

Before we knew it we were gathering outside ready to make our way up the hill for the ceremony to begin. Guests were seated and the boys were at the cabin waiting.

All photos captured the talented ladies of Isos Photography

A sweet moment between Mr. Narwhal and his mom

BM Megs volunteered to be Nelson's date for the wedding!

And then... the music started. 

Miss something?
The Day Before
The Rehearsal Breakfast
The Bridal Party Gets Ready

The Flower Crown
The Race for Best Man
Our First Look
Just Us
All of Us Together
We Are Family

'Whals in the Woods: We are Family

So family photos. They certainly aren't a fan favourite, but I'm going to venture a guess and say that they're some of the most meaningful photos you'll take on your wedding day.

At this point in the day we had been taking photos for over an hour. We had to draw the line at nuclear families and grandparents, because otherwise we'd basically be taking pictures with half of the wedding guests. So, we arranged for a pre-wedding photo opportunity with the family and then it was time to take a break from the camera spotlight and prep for our ceremony.

All photos captured by Isos Photography

First up was my side of the family.

 I am fortunate enough to have had three of my grandparents attend our wedding. My mom's parents looking incredible as always.

and my dad's mother, my Babcia! Babcia loves Mr. Narwhal. She once told him that he's her pride and joy. :D

The following picture makes my heart just burst (how many times have I said that in my recaps already? Anyone keeping a tally?) A few weeks before I met Mr. Narwhal I was at my cabin with my dad and he told me he was waiting for his son-in-law (tear). Mr. Narwhal doesn't have a relationship with his dad - so with my dad having lost his son in 2007, and Mr. Narwhal without a relationship with his real dad, a really special bond has formed between these two. And, well, it makes my heart burst. 

Next up, was Mr. Narwhal's family. 

And for the same reasons above, this picture with GM Bro, heart burst.

Mr. Narwhal with his momma and stepdad.

GM Bro's family - with their five amazing children. 

One big happy family :)

Next, we get ready for the ceremony to begin!

Miss something?
The Day Before
The Rehearsal Breakfast
The Bridal Party Gets Ready

The Flower Crown
The Race for Best Man
Our First Look
Just Us
All of Us Together

'Whals in the Woods: All of Us Together

I know big wedding parties aren't for everyone. I know it's a lot of personalities to manage, it's busy, it's crazy and well, a lot of people. I can tell you though I don't have a single ounce of regret on the size of our group. We had a lot of reactions to the size of our party (they don't call it a party for nothing!), but we always said, "We have a lot of friends, and we just didn't see it any other way."

Wedding parties are the people that you want to spend the whole day celebrating with. There is a lot of time leading up to the actual ceremony while getting ready, and having those people together in one room? The best ever.

We all just had such a blast, and when the sixteen of us all merged together? I think it's hard not to see how much fun we had. So, if you would like a large wedding party, go for it! The more the merrier.

One thing I would think about in the middle of the night was how the whole look would come together with the large group. We had a lot going on, and in the end I love how it all turned out. The boys all looked so dapper, and the ladies looked beautiful!

Anyone else just want to live in their wedding day?

All (of the many!!) photos captured by Isos Photography

So, there is a bit of a story to the next two photos. You may recall that we gifted all of the boys with socks for the wedding, and well GM Bro forgot to bring his after breakfast. So, the pictures were just that much more funny to look at as a result! I can't look at this pictures without a massive cheesy grin. And, yes side note I want to fix his tie in every picture :D 

 I love my dad poking his head in on this photo :)

We kind of have a thing for the serious face photos.

And, the funny face photos...

Pretty sure Nelson is hiding behind BM's dress in this one ;)

Three of my favourite boys in one picture together!

And these two photos give me a big puffy heart. I love this ladies so much. They made our engagement so special and kept me sane! 

Are you happy with how your wedding party vision came together? 

Miss something?
The Day Before
The Rehearsal Breakfast
The Bridal Party Gets Ready

The Flower Crown
The Race for Best Man
Our First Look
Just Us