Finalizing The Bridal Party

Photo Found Here

It seems as though I have left some very important mini attendees out of my bridal party entry. As soon as we picked an outdoor venue and everything was falling into place we knew we wanted to include our Boston Terrier, Minne. We're a young couple that doesn't have kids but we have been touched by the most awesome lovable creature who loves us no matter what and we couldn't imagine not having her part of our big day. The venue was great and said that as long as we didn't allow her inside and picked up after her, she was more than welcome for the fun. Since the reception was in a tent that was considered "inside" Minni could partake in photos and the ceremony.

Photo Found Here

As it turned out, we got married on one of the hottest days of 2009 and poor Minne was hot. We have some good photos of her. However, most of them she looks hot, really really hot. But there are some good photos with and we will always remember her being by our side on our big day.

I know you're asking yourself...But how did Minne walk down the aisle? That part was simple. We knew there were 2 very special people that we hadn't included yet in our wedding, our flower girl and ring bearer. We asked them to be in our wedding in those roles with the addition of walking Minne

Photo by Katherine Salvatori

We hadn't really thought through how that would work, it just sounded like a good idea and the kids loved it (both being animal lovers and all). We made a visit with each kid separately leading up to the wedding and the thing we kept hearing was "I can't wait to walk Minne all by myself."

Ut oh...how could both of them walk down 1 dog? Solution - 2 pink and green leashes from Old Navy latched to one harness, as seen below:

I love the way the hubs is calling Minne down the aisle

When you asked either child what their role was in the wedding, they say dog walker. Completely precious right?

Adorable huh?

We probabaly didn't need "dog walkers" but it was nice to know that if something scared Minne or if she saw a rabbit or a chipmunk, both kids were there leash in hand to take control. If one let go, there was still the other. They felt important, we felt important and it was one less thing for us to worry about on our wedding day.

Photo by katherine Salvatori

Side Note: If you chose to have your little one in the wedding it helps to assign one person to be in charge of them - to clean up poop, give them water, ect. If you have a wedding cordinator remember they have other responsibilties and the watching of the pup should not be on their list. We had a family neighbor at the wedding who we asked to bring Minne home after the ceremony and join as back at the reception. It ended up being a huge sigh of relief.

The Bridal Party

Photo By Katherine Salvatori

After we picked out a venue, a photographer and celebrated the engagement with friends and family we decided we should keep marking things off the list. Buit I need to back up a bit.

A few weeks prior to the engagement party, the hubs and I were trying to find a special way to ask our bridal party to be apart of the big day.We wanted to try to ask everyone at the same time so that no one felt left out so we figured at the engagement party may be a good fit.Since we love baseball and we're getting married on a golf course, the hubs had the idea of getting everyone their favorite titleist mlb hats.

We purchased some blank white bags and the hubs and I drew red baseball like stitching on the bags. We placed the hat in the bag and we attached a little note to each bag that read a little something like this (those of you who know us can fill in the blanks):

It was this time 3 years ago that ____ and I met working for the ____. Since that time, you have played a vital role in our life that is far above a batting average .400 or an ERA of 2.00. You're a true slugger, base stealin', ball throwin' friend and because of that I would be honored if you would join my side as a bridesmaid/groomsmen when I say I do on June 20, 2009 at _____.

To us it was perfect and to this day I always smile when I see photos of friends wearing their hats! And don't worry, the hubs and I each got a hat as well, and when we wear them we're reminded of all our close friends.

I say "all" above because we had a huge bridal party. When we sat down and put together our list of attendants, it was enormous. It was practically the entire wedding. We spent time really trying to figure out who and what is important. The hubs and I had both gotten our lists down as low as we could go and ended with a crazy number of 13-7, my number being first. I know what you are thinking, 13!?!?!?

Photo By Katherine Salvatori

At the time I felt blessed to have so many great friends, some from the younger years and some from college and the sorority and my sisters plus the hub's sister. Neither the hubs or myself have really ever had one group of extremely close friends, rather we have had multiple groups of great friends come into our lives and we have always felt greatful for that.

However, we had left a few people off that list. We hadn't included one of our dearest friends JD. JD was an itnern with the hubs and I back in '05. She was really the only true mutual friend we have. When I say true mutual, I mean she became both of our friends at the same time. We wanted her in the wedding in a role that would be super special for both of us, and since we jokingly faught over what side she should stand up in, we agreed it should be the middle. So, we asked her to marry us. No she is not a minister or a reverend. However, she did call the county clerk and ask them what she needed to do to get us married. Apparently, in the county we got married in it was super easy. She did it all on line and like that it was done. Walla.

Side Note: I would recommend chosing your bridal party as close to your wedding date as possible. You may be friends when you get engaged but throughout the engagement period, which of your friends are still around and helping you out? Only a year later and I think if the hubs sat down and rechose our bridal aprty, it would be very different. However, the wedding represents things as they were at that time, and for that I could't be happier with our bridal party.

Side Note #2: it's your wedding, break the rules. If you want a guy to walk down the aisle with 2 girls do it. If you want one of your best friends to marry you, ask them. If you want to include your pooch, do it. It only makes the day that more special for you.