Allison and Eric wrote and spoke their own vows which included addressing the other one’s parents. During the vows part of the ceremony, Allison spoke her vows to Eric, then they both turned and Allison thanked Eric’s parents for welcoming her into their family and for raising such a good son. Eric spoke his vows to Allison and then turned and addressed Allison’s parents as well.
Allison addresses Eric's parents during their wedding ceremony on Sunday, May 24, 2009, in the garden of Allison's family home in Jacksonville, Illinois. WarmowskiPhotography.com
I know the parents were surprised and honored at being acknowledged by their children’s new spouse and I don’t think there was a dry parental eye in the garden.
The mother of the groom wipes away a tear as Allison addresses Eric's parents during their wedding ceremony on Sunday, May 24, 2009, in the garden of Allison's family home in Jacksonville, Illinois. WarmowskiPhotography.com
At Jackie and James’ ceremony on Sunday, June 7 at Starved Rock State Park in Utica, Illinois, the sounds of the ceremony were just as moving and present as any other part of the well-thought-out day.
Music is always a consideration when planning your ceremony. Because Jackie and James’ location was not a church, a little bit more thought had to be put into the source of the music, since there was no piano or organ available.
They chose The Naperville Brass, which consisted of 2 trumpets, a horn, a euphonium and a tuba. The sound was rich and unique and reverberated beautifully off of the wooden ceiling beams and the wooden floors of the 70+ year-old lodge.
The Naperville Brass play at Jackie & James' wedding Sunday, June 7, 2009, at Starved Rock State Park in Utica, Illinois. WarmowskiPhotography.com
An unplanned source of unique sound was the items used in their unity ceremony. Instead of a unity candle or sand or salt, the couple had small, smooth stones distributed to each person in the congregation.
Maid of Honor Amanda collects stones from the other bridesmaids during Jackie & James' wedding Sunday, June 7, 2009, at Starved Rock State Park in Utica, Illinois. WarmowskiPhotography.com
When each person had a stone, they were instructed to hold it and think positive thoughts/pray for the new couple. The stones were then collected. Jackie held a jar of the stones collected from her side and James from his. They then poured the contents of their jars into a common vessel held by the pastor.
Family members hold pebbles during Jackie & James' wedding Sunday, June 7, 2009, at Starved Rock State Park in Utica, Illinois. WarmowskiPhotography.com
The sounds made by the stones during this ceremony were fantastic! First, each person taking the stones from the jar, some people accidently dropping them on the wooden floor; each person returning their stone to the glass jar; combining each rows’ jars of stones into 2 jars, two jars being poured into one. I hope every time Jackie and James hear stone against glass, they will think of their wedding day and all of the good wishes and love those “tinks” represent.
Jackie & James hold a vase of pebbles during their wedding ceremony Sunday, June 7, 2009, at Starved Rock State Park in Utica, Illinois. WarmowskiPhotography.com
There are a few ways I’ve seen to honor other married couples during the course of your day.
One way is an anniversary dance during the reception. The DJ or band leader invites all married couples to the dance floor. During the course of the song, the couples are invited to sit down depending on how long they have been married. (“Couples who have been married 3 hours can sit down. Couples who have been married 5 years or less can sit down. Couples who have been married 10 years or less can sit down …”) until the couple married the longest is the only one left dancing. This couple is then asked how they know the bride/groom and how long they have been married. They might also be asked for marriage advice – which typically ends up with the husband advising the groom to learn quickly how to say, “Yes, Dear.”
Allison holds her bridal bouquet while the couple married the longest finishes their dance at the reception celebrating her marriage to Eric Sunday, May 24, 2009, at Hamilton's 110 N. East in Jacksonville, Illinois.
As the bride, presenting the older woman with your bridal or toss bouquet is a good alternative to throwing it to eligible bachelorettes, especially if there are not many unmarried women on your guest list.
Jackie & James visit with guests Sunday, June 7, 2009, at Starved Rock State Park in Utica, Illinois. WarmowskiPhotography.com
Another idea we saw for the first time at Jackie and James’ wedding was honoring couples at each table during the reception. Each table had a photo of one of the couples at that table with a write-up about them and why they were being honored. It was a great way to break the ice if those at the table don’t all know each other as well as a wonderful way to make others feel special during YOUR special day.
A card honoring a couple was placed on each table at the wedding reception of Jackie & James Sunday, June 7, 2009, at Starved Rock State Park in Utica, Illinois. WarmowskiPhotography.com
Busy times here at Warmowski Photography! We have two weekends with two weddings, so we’re busy processing thousands of images. Wanted to write a quick post about a cool DJ at last weekend’s wedding in Chicago.
Pamela & David chose DJ Leslie Stiles from Toast and Jam for their wedding. They had an intimate crowd for their reception at Maggiano’s in Schaumburg, and Leslie provided the soundtrack without taking over the room. It was great to see Pamela dancing to the music, and the couple talked to the DJ a couple times during the night — so Leslie was something more that just the person providing music.
Tiffany likes to make fun of me because I pretty much only listen to NPR (it keeps the journalism side of this “retired” newspaper photojournalist happy). But often while working on photos I’ll listen in to XFM out of London. I got hooked on the station while studying for a trip to see some friends in England. And many a time during the wedding night I heard something that I recognized from the XFM playlist.
Leslie described her group as “anti-wedding, wedding DJs” — so if you’re looking for something different in the Chicago area, check ’em out.
Pamela dances with her guests to music by Toast & Jam.
