Our Own Wedding
Today marks the 4th anniversary of the day Martin and I tied the knot (okay – 4th anniversary plus one week since we got a surprise announcement that our friends, Vica and Ion, had just taken the plunge in Romania. I couldn’t resist sharing that first!).
So now we’re back on track, and with all the prodding and begging, you’ll be glad to hear that today’s featured wedding is…
Martin + Katie
We got married in the church I had grown up in. It isn’t the most elaborate, stained glass church you imagine when you think of a Catholic Church. It’s actually a very simple place… which as you know, Martin and I are all about keeping things simple and symbolic these days.
To kick off the whole event, my closest friend (and bridesmaid!), my mom, and I all met at an enormous craft store to pick out a pattern and fabric for a dress. Yep! My wedding dress was custom made! My friend gave it to me as a wedding gift, and I am still pinching myself and wondering how I snagged such a generous pal.
Just before we walked down the aisle, my dad followed family tradition and slipped a penny under my shoe for good luck. My sister-in-law and her now-husband who were just married in Vienna won over the crowd with their professional opera voices. They even sang a song from my parents’ wedding! And after a lot of big hugs and attempts not to cry, I made my way down the aisle where Martin and 100 of our friends and family awaited.
We worked hard to keep costs down and did everything we could ourselves. Yes, even back then Martin and I were very hands-on from decorating the church and reception to asking relatives to share their talents. Of course, most of the time we didn’t even have to ask. My father-in-law and his sister were begging to be our photographers. Pinch me again, right? We love this wedding gift, especially now. It’s one of the few things we can have with us in Germany and the US.
And then before we knew it, we were signing the marriage license…
and zipping over to the reception…
What kind of wedding would it be without a little unsuspected humor in thick, foamy shaving cream to break up all the sappy action, right?
And how many Germans take off in a little borrowed Nissan truck? Okay, okay… how many people in general?
One of my favorite gifts actually came from my grandmother. It wasn’t something new or shiny. In fact, it didn’t cost her a dime. It was one of those priceless gifts… another one of those moments where I have to wonder how I could be part of such a loving group of people.
She gave us a piece of advice – never go to bed angry with one another. She also gave us a symbol of love and resolution that she’s been hanging onto for all of these years. It’s the cake topper from the day she married my grandfather almost 60 years ago.
A lot of the food (all vegetarian even back then) was spread on enormous dishes my other grandmother had collected over the years. Some were gifts she received at her wedding. And a couple were even from her mother’s wedding. A couple of my sister’s friends managed the food and dishes so we didn’t have to hire a catering service. My mom and I had been collecting punch cups and various saucers at estate sales to minimize waste.
Marrying a pilot (and now learning how to fly myself!), I don’t want to totally shock you or anything… but our first dance was to the song, Fly Me to the Moon.
Fly away we did. The next morning, we hoped into a little Cessna airplane and headed to the San Juan Islands to go camping.
August 21st, 2009 at 3:35 am
so sweet! lovely flowers too! now you’ll have to share HOW you guys met =)
August 21st, 2009 at 4:10 am
Oh my gosh it was even better than I had imagined! So perfect! You were one gorgeous bride Ms. Katie! And Martin was a stunning groom, of course. I just love your dress – and how wonderful that it was made just for you! And your cake is just gorgeous too – I love the little stripes of lavender! And your food was made with love, and served on platters with soul…wow – what an amazing wedding you guys had.
And camping in the San Juan Islands? I’m embarrassed to admit I’m going to have to look them up – Canada?! My geography skills are seriously lacking.
But back to your wedding day – Congratulations on four fabulous years!!!! I love your grandmothers too – we live by that rule too!!
August 21st, 2009 at 4:21 am
Katie you made a beautiful bride with your handsome groom! Thanks for sharing!
August 21st, 2009 at 6:03 am
What a BEAUTIFUL wedding thanks for sharing, I love the flowers=)
August 21st, 2009 at 6:45 am
Awww… What a great wedding. You look beautiful and so happy!
August 21st, 2009 at 7:25 am
Lovely wedding! How fortunate you were to have so many friends and family able to help out with your special day.
August 21st, 2009 at 8:04 am
Thanks for all the notes!
The area of the San Juan Islands where we went is a part of the US just off of Seattle. It was such a fantastic place. We even got to camp out in a grass field by the airplanes for free… leaving money to spend on fun activities instead.
A post on how we met? Hmm… :)
Katie
August 21st, 2009 at 8:12 am
A very precious couple you both make! Loved every bit of the wedding….what you had and have is something that most people spend huge bucks in trying to make it look the same. One things for sure…
we can’t buy love, contentment, with family and friends who truly and really care!!!
You two had indeed a wonderful wedding!
A very wonderful and happy 4th anniversary wishes to you both!
August 21st, 2009 at 8:42 am
Happy Anniversary! I was given my grandparents cake topper as well. To me, that made the day. You looked very beautiful and happy :-)
August 21st, 2009 at 9:19 am
Oh, I love all the wonderful ways your family was incorporated into your day! How awesome!!!
August 21st, 2009 at 9:40 am
HAPPY BIRTHDAY my friend! I totally spaced this morning and forgot to say so in my comment earlier! I hope you’re having a fantastic day!!!
August 21st, 2009 at 9:52 am
Happy Anniversary and thanks for sharing your special day!
August 21st, 2009 at 9:59 am
You’re all making me blush.
And Christy… SHHH! :) haha
August 21st, 2009 at 10:46 am
What a gorgeous bride and groom! I love all the loving touches by your family and friends. Happy Anniversary and Happy Birthday!
August 21st, 2009 at 11:14 am
Happy anniversary! I love the way you were able to include so many meaningful family items in your wedding day. You are such a cute couple. “Fly Me to the Moon” was our first dance song too, but I like your reasoning better:)
August 21st, 2009 at 11:25 am
Beautiful Wedding! I loved the idea of using beautiful dishes to serve the food and not ugly catering platters!
August 21st, 2009 at 3:17 pm
Beautiful wedding, and happy birthday as well! Love all the DIY touches!!! I too would like to know how you met Martin! :)
August 22nd, 2009 at 3:14 am
How beautiful! Thanks for sharing! Your dress is gorgeous and you both look so happy. I want more photos!
When we got married, my mom made our cake (she had a small cake business), my aunt is a florist and did all our flowers, several other aunts did all of our food (and it was wonderful) and my uncle is a KC, so he gifted us the use of the Knights Of Columbus Hall for our reception. How awesome is that? We were thrifty!
And is it your birthday? Well, I hope it’s as lovely as you are. You guys are going to have to plan a trip to HD sometime after you get back to Germany so we can meet up.
August 22nd, 2009 at 5:47 am
Happy belated anniversary! What a lovely wedding story.
My most excellent friend the MonkeyGirl got remarried a few years ago and I had the privilege of being maid of honor. She did so many things hands-on. It was amazing how many things there are to think about — even when you’re trying to keep it simple!
August 22nd, 2009 at 12:12 pm
“She gave us a piece of advice – never go to bed angry with one another.”
Great advice :-)
And – good attracts good, or on other words; people are usually surrounded with people they deserve :-).
We had small wedding, only 10 of us, some bare feets, one ship, one band, small costs, for the rest of the money we furnished our home. Happy anniversary! :-)
August 22nd, 2009 at 12:34 pm
Congrats and happy birthday! Beautiful wedding!
Do tell how you and Martin met! My son is in Germany now on an internship through his college. He will be studying abroad in another year in Germany (German major) and we often wonder if he will end up with a German bride.
August 22nd, 2009 at 12:43 pm
oooh I love hearing little blips about weddings from all of you!
Angela, it must be kind of exciting to think of your son falling in love with a German. I say that from the point of view of being closer to the falling-in-love stage than the mom side of things. My mom isn’t so keen on the couple thousand miles away thing. So good luck to you, and just make sure your son visits often (and you come to Germany!).
Katie
August 22nd, 2009 at 2:39 pm
Beautiful!!! and please do tell how you guys met!!! Like everything else you have shared I bet it is an interesting story.
August 22nd, 2009 at 6:34 pm
We’ve been to Germany twice before, but plan on visiting him Christmas 2010 when he will be there for 6 or 9 months. We adore Germany, thus why I have been following your blog!
August 22nd, 2009 at 6:53 pm
Angela, some people say that Christmas is the very best time to visit Germany. You and I will have to discover if it’s true! (I can’t wait.) How cool would a family Christmas overseas be?
Katie
August 23rd, 2009 at 6:11 pm
Beautiful. Thanks for sharing your day!!