Jimmy & Nina || An Ayr Mount Wedding

The Saturday before Memorial Day was perfect. Blue skies, an occasional light breeze, sunshine--an ideal day for an outdoor wedding. Jimmy and Nina's early summer wedding went off without a hitch--well, except for the one that really matters, anyway. (Get it?!) They read their own vows, which were rife with inside jokes (Jimmy's mentioned a janitor's closet), making each other and all their guests laugh and showcasing the unique brand of humor that makes them a perfect fit for each other. Friends waved them off with handmade streamers, laughed at the fake programs (listing the officiant as Obi Wan Kenobi, the wedding date as Stardate 12543.7, the reception location as the Hog's Head pub in Hogsmeade) which were dispersed along with the real ones, and watched Nina and Jimmy's dog, Zeus, follow them calmly down the aisle after the ceremony.

Nina and Jimmy are regulars at Mystery Brewing's Pub House in downtown Hillsborough, so it struck them as the perfect place to hold their reception. They rolled up in a stunning vintage Excalibur and entered the bar to AC-DC's "Shoot to Thrill." Their playlists throughout the night evinced their eclectic musical taste and their background as musicians, and even though, as Jimmy said, "They're a bunch of engineers, I don't know how much dancing we really expected," the music kept people moving throughout the night. With custom velociraptor cake toppers (handmade by one of the bridesmaids), toasts recounting tales of Pokemon cards and terrible sadistic childhoods, some big ol' granny panties tossed instead of a garter, and delicious craft beers flowing freely, it was an upbeat night of endless fun celebrating two excellent individuals. We are so thrilled to have been a part of Nina and Jimmy's wedding day. Check out their awesome images below! (More on Facebook.)

Vendors:

Ceremony: Ayr Mount

Reception: Mystery Brewing Public House

Officiant: Mayor Tom Stevens

Transportation: Classy Transportation

Flowers: Fernrock Farm, arranged by the bride, family, and friends.

Catering: Emily Mills

Cakes and Sweets: Matthew's Chocolates

Hair & Makeup: Haven Salon

Bride's Jewelry: Virginia Geiger Jewels
Rings: Bride's diamond wedding ring - family heirloom; sapphire engagement and groom's rings - Ashley & Co. Jewelers

MKM Photography at the Forever Bridal Wedding Show 2014

At the beginning of January, Michael and I were very excited to have the opportunity to exhibit at an enormous wedding expo: Forever Bridal Productions' Wedding Show 2014. This was a true labor of love for us: I designed coffee-table-style books for use in our booth, we mounted eight--eight!--24" x 36" prints onto foamcore (that's almost 50 square feet of picture, for those of you keeping track at home), Michael created and ran a beautiful slideshow (the set-up for which included an emergency run to Staples because his gloriously enormous monitor was incompatible with my computer--aack!), I designed a (gorgeous, though I say it myself) pricing and info sheet and Michael got tons of copies printed, and I cut up unreasonable amounts of green tulle (Never. Again.), all of which is currently piled in a huge heap on the couch in my home office with no plans to move.

It was so worth it.

Three awesome couples decided to take advantage of our show special and book with us over the weekend (yay for Sara & Elliott, Nina & Jimmy, and Lauren & Graham!), one more booked us in at a consultation yesterday (Heather & Eric! Hooray!), and we have half a dozen more consultations coming up this month. You guys. You are all awesome. Every single bride, groom, mom, dad, maid- or matron-of-honor, friend, grandparent I talked to over the weekend made my labor of love feel so hugely worth it that I could cry. The girl planning a Dia de los Muertos themed wedding. The Navy couple with whom Michael empathized intimately. Three sweet gay lady couples whose happiness made my heart melt. The Scottish mother-of-the-groom. The enthusiastic friend of a bride who herself is not even engaged but practically wanted to book us on the spot for her eventual wedding in Africa. Proactive dudes gathering information while their ladies ogled wedding dresses in the fashion shows. The couple getting married on her parents' property; the couple getting married on their best friend's property. Anyone, everyone, who is happy to be getting married.

Thanks to everyone who stopped by our booth and connected with us for even a moment. We really had tons of fun at the show. (Having awesome neighbors in the lovely Gretchen of RedBird Events and Jason of Stylus S.E. certainly helped!) Now enjoy some images from our cute little booth! I like all you guys.

Our cutie-pie neighbors with their two-day-old ginger ale--I mean, champagne!