Love by the Bay: We're Ready To Go

Finally, it was time for the ceremony to start.

The Cellist was ready to go:

And he started playing:

Please indulge me and listen to the sound track of the event.

The glasses and wine were set, one glass from my family and one from Mr. Peeps.


The guest had been seated:

The Programs had been handed out:


The Rabbi entered with our Chuppah holders.




As did our Groomsman, Groomswomen/SIL Peep, and Best Man:


FIL Peep and Step-MIL Peep entered.


At that moment, Mr. Peep asked his Mom to help hold him up.


To help get him down the aisle.

Hugs were exchanged.

Mama Peep made her entrance with BIL Peep:

The girls walked in:

MOH Peep walked in with her suddenly shy daughter (who was still carrying her bouquet):

And finally, the show stoppers, Flowergirl Peep:

Followed closely behind by her little brother.

And then, I found myself alone, with Papa Peep.

It was our turn to take the walk down the aisle.

I tried to look around and take in the moment:

But I could only focus on one person:

And after a quick hug:


I found myself in the moment I had preparing myself for the last 16 months or was that 29 years?

The feelings overwhelm me to this day. It was everything I could ever imagine.

Up next, the Ceremony starts, and I try to stay focused.


All photos by my favorite photographer: Amanda at Blueberry Photography.

Previously on Love by the Bay:
Love by the Bay: An Old, But New to Me, Tradition
Love by the Bay: Portraits of our Peeps
Love by the Bay: A First Look
Love by the Bay: The Ladies
Love by the Bay: It Took a Village
Love by the Bay: Details in the Midst of Chaos
Love by the Bay: Hair Stylin' and Profilin'
Love by the Bay: A Room Full of Love
Love by the Bay: Cheers to our Peeps
Love by the Bay: Peeps Guide to Running Your Own Rehearsal
Love by the Bay: Kickin' it Off

Love by the Bay: An Old, but New to Me, Tradition

When deciding that we were going to have a Interfaith-Jewish wedding there were a lot of Jewish traditions that were new and intriguing. For one, the Ketubah signing.

I am far from the first Bee to post about this 2000 year old tradition, but for a little background, I found this link and this link helpful. To sum it up, back on the day, the contract was used to protect the wife, to ensure that she is provided with basic life necessities and to solidify her dowry.

For us, we used the Ketubah as a way to document our love in a contract and so we could hang in our home as a reminder of our love and commitment to one another. It doesn't hurt that Ketubot are beautiful works of art and today there are a lot of options out there for more modern, less traditional, interfaith couples.

So, about 30 minutes before the wedding, we gathered our Family and wedding party in the Hospitality Room to witness the signing, and seal our marriage. Since the pictures speak for themselves, I've included the text that we choose for our interfaith Ketubah:

As we embark on life's journey, we promise to love, cherish, encourage and inspire one another. Our hearts fuse together, creating a unique bond with friendship and compassion at its core.

Through this union, we vow to value and support each other, always striving to show sensitivity to each others needs. We shall nurture one another emotionally, spiritually and intellectually, embracing our respective qualities, strengths and heritages.

May we continue to grow together, maintaining the courage and determination to pursue our desired paths. We promise to celebrate life's joys and grace and overcome life's adversities with tenacity.

May we maintain the intimacy that fosters trust, honesty and communication. As life partners we shall strive to build a home emanating love, peace, charity and tolerance. Through each others eyes, we see the world anew: may we be better together.

Instead of realizing that both the Ketubah and marriage license were signed and that we were officially married, it was the first time all day that I started to really relax. I forgot I was a Bride, and I tried again to be 'cool' Auntie Peep:

You can dress the girl up, but you can't take her anywhere.

While my very first Ketubah signing was successful, we were suppose to have 15 minutes to go back to the suite, freshen up and relax, but I hadn't planned on the fact that the guests were arriving right outside our door. We were stuck. To make things worse- I had to pee and I had forgotten my vows upstairs.

Uggg, the dramas of a bride. At this point MOH/Sister Peep kicked it into high gear and went running (in four inch heels no less) to the suite on the other side of the hotel to find my vows. While, FSIL Peep truly became family and came to my rescue. Peeing in a bathroom next to a room full of people is officially my worst nightmare, but she held my dress as I peed. And it goes without saying that I'll love her forever.

Moments later, MOH Peep was back with the Vows, and after a quick hand off to the Rabbi, I gave my brightest smile to the photographer:

And we were ready to go!!! Whooo hooo.

Did you do any traditions on your wedding day that were new to you??

Up next, it's taken a long time to walk down such a short aisle.


All photos by my favorite photographer: Amanda at Blueberry Photography.

Previously on Love by the Bay:
Love by the Bay: Portraits of our Peeps
Love by the Bay: A First Look
Love by the Bay: The Ladies
Love by the Bay: It Took a Village
Love by the Bay: Details in the Midst of Chaos
Love by the Bay: Hair Stylin' and Profilin'
Love by the Bay: A Room Full of Love
Love by the Bay: Cheers to our Peeps
Love by the Bay: Peeps Guide to Running Your Own Rehearsal
Love by the Bay: Kickin' it Off

A Bee's Life: Mrs. Peeps

When I become engaged, I found myself trying to stay afloat in a whole new pool that I had never been in before: Wedding Planning. Ekkkkk. I was totally out of my element. But with a long engagement planned, I figured I had long enough to figure this whole wedding planning thing out. It's just like planning a super duper party, right???

Of course I turned to the web for help and suggestions, and pretty early on, I found myself being drawn into Weddingbee. But unlike those Bee's who dove right in, I lurked and lingered. I ate up all the posts, but very rarely commented.

At about nine months before the wedding, Mr. Peep started school four nights a week and I felt like I had all of these questions and decisions to be made and no one really to bounce ideas off of. Sure, my family is super supportive- but I didn't think anyone could love me enough to listen to my own personal drama associated with everything wedding.

I also started to really relate to a few of the new bees in the Hive and I become a bit jealous that they got picked to tell their story- yep, Snappy, PowderPuff, Taffy, Meatball- I am talking about you! Being the slightly competitive person I am, I started to think I had something to offer the Hive. I wanted to continue Mrs. Pinot Noir's journey as a Green Bride, and I needed someone to bounce ideas off of.

So just like some of the other bees- I started a blog so I could apply to be a Bee. I dove right into the wedding blogging world, and loved it. It helped me learn to swim in the crazy wedding planning pool that up until now, I had just been wading in.

Blogging helped me find my inner Bride, yet at the same time I didn't tell anyone!!! I'd ask the wedding blogging universe questions like what dress was best, which shoe should I wear, etc. But until I applied to be a Bee, no one had read my words. My blog had entered the ether, and no one had replied.

Luckily, Pengy loved my words, and a few weeks into blogging I received an email welcoming me into the hive!!! I was shocked. More over, I had to let out my blogging secret - well at least to the Mr. Not surprisingly, he was beyond supportive (and maybe even a bit jealous).

As for my icon, you have Mr. Peep to thank for my icon choice. Once he wrapped his head around me referring myself to an inanimate object, he knew for sure I should be Peep Toe. And Pengy was so great she changed my shoe from Purple to a much more "me" color- Green.

Today, I marvel at the fact that I've shared my story with you. I don't know how I would have made it through the wedding without the Hive. Little do you readers know, but us Bee's thrive from your comments and get discouraged from your silence. We totally value your opinion, your suggestions, and even more importantly your compliments. Blogging takes time, a lot of time. Some posts takes hours, days, weeks to get posted, while others just pop out on the screen like that.

With recaps halfway done, I've really tried to my best to include you on our big day. And I love that each recap lets me relive one of the best days of my life. So thank you, thanks for indulging me and letting me share my story.

Wedding planning is a crazy big pool without rhyme or reason, but some how Weddingbee really helped me gather my thoughts and get my glow on. So don't be shy. Start writing your story today. I can't wait to hear about your journey. Or become totally jealous of your cute new icon!!

Love by the Bay: Portriats of our Peeps

I am going to make this one short on words but full of portraits. They may not be that exciting to you, but these are our Peeps, so they deserve some attention.

We started off in the lobby of the fabulous Hotel Vitale with the Bridal Party:

I remember this moment vividly in the day. Mr. Peep sensed my stress from being off our time line. He looked me in the eyes, held my hand and said, all that matter is us. Then he smiled, and of course, I smiled right back:

From that point on, I started to melt like butter and decided to enjoy the ride.

Of course we couldn't forget the littlest peeps:

This is the point in the day where my littlest Niece discovers her Mom's bouquet- and doesn't really ever let it go...

Then we took a little walk. My dress caused quite a ruckus of honks and stares and cheers and best wishes!! Being cheered on by a City of strangers was one of my favorite parts of the day (what a surprise, I liked the attention- he he):

Seriously, being a bride is so much fun. I now make it a point to congratulate or cheer any bride I see!!

After our walk, we gathered near the Ferry Building:

We stopped and smelled the peonies:

Got a picture with Mr. Peep's Peeps.

Got one last shot of all the ladies together again,with some cheese on top:

Made the boys get in on the cheesy action:

And then headed back to the hotel to meet up with the family:


While family portraits seem like another formality of the day: If you do them right, they are your one chance to capture a moment with that person, so do try your very best to soak it all in.

I adore this series with Proud Papa Peep:

We couldn't forget about Mama Peep:

Or Mr. Peep:

At the end of the day, these photos of Mr. Peep with his Mom and Pop are some of my favorite shots:


Finally, enter in the rest of my Peeps:

Switch out for the rest of Mr. Peep's peeps:

And we are done.

Wait, one more picture.

Awwwww. Those J. Crew sale dresses were seriously one of my favorite purchases of the entire event!!

Notice the time- two minutes to four!!! While we missed our window for pictures of just us, we were right on track to go meet the Rabbi.

Up next, a 2000 year old tradition!!

All photos by my favorite photographer: Amanda at Blueberry Photography.

Previously on Love by the Bay:
Love by the Bay: A First Look
Love by the Bay: The Ladies
Love by the Bay: It Took a Village
Love by the Bay: Details in the Midst of Chaos
Love by the Bay: Hair Stylin' and Profilin'
Love by the Bay: A Room Full of Love
Love by the Bay: Cheers to our Peeps
Love by the Bay: Peeps Guide to Running Your Own Rehearsal
Love by the Bay: Kickin' it Off

Love by the Bay: A First Look

The first look was the part of the day that I was most looking forward to, but in reality, it ended up just being a quick moment for the two of us to reconnect for the day.

I tried to stay calm.

But in reality I was trying not to burst at the seams:


I couldn't believe I was seeing Mr. Peep dressed up as a Groom:

Doesn't he look handsome?

And Mr. Peep was overwhelmed that I was dressed up to be his Bride:

He was totally shocked by the dress (see, I can keep secrets!!).

After a quick spin:

He approved.

And I got all teary eyed too:

At that point, I realized that my spin had gotten dirt all over my train, so we were off to find the bridal party to bustle it up:

Unfortunately, bustling my dress was quite the task.


Again, Bridal Entourage to the rescue.

Whatever you do, make sure that someone is really paying attention when you go to the Bridal Salon to learn how to bustle your dress.

While our first look was memorable, there were so many other more memorable parts of the day.

So, I ask you- what part of the day are you most looking forward too? And who are you appointing to bustle your dress??

Up next, we skip the pictures of us, and go straight to the bridal party and family pics...aka a lot of portrait pictures.

All photos by my favorite photographer: Amanda at Blueberry Photography.

Previously on Love by the Bay:
Love by the Bay: The Ladies
Love by the Bay: Details in the Midst of Chaos
Love by the Bay: Hair Stylin' and Profilin'
Love by the Bay: A Room Full of Love
Love by the Bay: Cheers to our Peeps
Love by the Bay: Peeps Guide to Running Your Own Rehearsal
Love by the Bay: Kickin' it Off