The guests had arrived, the portraits had been taken, and we could hear the gentle strains of the handbell choir float toward us from where we were waiting by our cottage. It was time!

Handmade programs (featuring the same love knot as their save the dates!) were strung between two trees next to the ceremony site.

As guests arrived, the bell choir played a selection of lovely songs, including “Sleeper’s Wake” and “Grace and Thanksgiving.” Having a bell choir play was super important to Kate and Cormac, and although at times I secretly thought it might be more trouble than it was worth, it turned out to be SO awesome in the end.

The grandmothers walked in first, accompanied by groomsmen.

The mothers and the father of the groom followed. All family members walked in to “Let All Things Now Living.”

When “Evensong” began, it was time for the bridal party. First Cormac’s sister, then Kim, then me.

And then Kate and Dad.

Cormac was waiting at the front, beside the driftwood arch.

Kate handed off her bouquet, and it was time to begin!

After the welcome, invocation, an address to the family and friends, and questions to the family of the bride and groom, we had the first reading. My cousin Hannah did the reading, which was “How Falling in Love is Like Owning a Dog” by Taylor Mali.

The guests were watching intently :)

The second reading was from “Captain Corelli’s Mandolin,” read by our other cousin, Molly.

Next there was a reading from Romans by the groom’s godmother.

Then, the main event: the exchange of vows and rings. As you saw in the previous post, Kate and Cormac wrote their vows together. Funny story: when Cormac was saying his vows, my Mom started to get upset because he wasn’t looking at Kate! Then he finally did — and immediately choked up. Aww!

Then the kiss!

And the recessional, to “Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee,” one of my favorites!

All photos by the super talented and lovely Jenna Cole and Meredith of & Unlimited.

Previously:
We arrive
We prepare
We raise the tent
We rehearse and play wiffle ball
We jump off the wharf
We eat lobster
We wake up very early, and the gents get dressed
The girls get ready

Yesterday I bought the first pair of Keds I’ve owned in, oh, fourteen or so years. These ones:

I love their simple and classic design, as well as the fact that the basic idea hasn’t changed since 1916, when the Champion was introduced. This spring and summer I’m looking forward to pairing mine with sundresses, skinny capris, and shorts, and am liking the Mischa Barton ad campaign from a few years back for inspiration.

I’ll be sure to update you once they rotate in to my wardrobe! Do you own a pair?

We had a wonderful time in DC this weekend! And that despite the driving sleet we encountered at one point on Saturday!

We saw the cutest little lambs at Mount Vernon…

…then took the Metro into Alexandria. I’d been there once before, but my head was still spinning from the number of adorable shops and houses!!

We also checked out the cherry blossoms — gorgeous! — and a few of the monuments.

Then it was back to Alexandria for dinner at Red Rocks (delicious artisan pizza) and dessert at Alexandria Cupcake before heading home.

Have you ever seen the cherry blossoms up close and personal?

All photos personal

At the beginning of every month, I plan to write a short post covering what I accomplished in the previous month and what I hope to accomplish in the next one. I’ll also introduce you to one of my 101 in 1001 buddies (see them all in the sidebar!). Here we go!

March 2010: 5/101 goals complete, 19/101 goals in progress

Did I complete…
— No. 8 (Leave a lovely sticky note on a stranger’s windshield)? No… I procrastinated and procrastinated, and then when I finally got up the courage to do it, it started raining! And it’s been raining for three days now. No one wants a blurry note on their window, right?
— No. 19 (Buy or install new shelving for books)? Nope. I didn’t like anything in my price range that was available to buy new, and I wasn’t as good at checking Craigslist as I should have been. I so admire people like Dina and Chelsey, who I consider CL masters! Anyone have any bookshelf suggestions for me? I’m all ears!
— No. 91 (Learn to French braid my hair)? No, sadly! I was planning to have my older sister teach me when she came to visit, but we completely forgot.
— No. 92 (Learn to French braid the hair of others)? Same as above.

That’s right, I didn’t complete any of my March goals… life goes on!

Did I begin…
— No. 11 (Cultivate five habits to make my life more green)? Yes! I switched to J.R. Watkins All-Purpose Cleaner and rags instead of Clorox wipes.
— No. 33 (Eat vegetarian or three separate weeks — do not have to be consecutive)? Yes! We completed one week.

I was able to keep up with all of my monthly commitments (nos. 5, 7, 16, and 48).

from joettamaue

April 2010: 5/101 goals complete, 21/101 goals in progress

Plan to complete:
— No. 1 (Pay the bill for someone behind me in the drive-through line — my Easter weekend tradition!)
— No. 56 (Photograph my outfits every day for one month)

Plan to begin:
— No. 71 (Get Peach & Pearl a spiffy new look)

From Country Home

April Spotlight: Charity of Isle of View

Charity is one of my favorite readers because she’s awesome in general, but also because she comments so often! I was delighted when she signed on to the 101 in 1001 challenge. Here are my five favorite goals from her list:

— No. 4: Contemplate one verse per week
— No. 17: Find 10 new singers/bands to follow (leave any suggestions in the comments!)
— No. 72: Actually learn and use all of the features on my camera
— No. 95: Submit an article to a local newspaper
— No. 97: Sew a sweater pillow

You can see the details on all of my goals right here. Here’s to a great month!