Hi! I have more wedding pictures to share today! Pictures from our reception, to be exact. We had our reception at Stratigos Banquet Centre, which I highly recommend if anyone is looking for a banquet center in the Pittsburgh area.
Our reception started around 4:00 PM, as the bridal party finished up pictures in the park, and lasted until about 9:00 PM.
The bridal party and our parents were introduced, and then the reception kicked off with a video that Hannah made. She put together pictures of Jimmy and I from birth until present-day and set them as a slideshow to music. I cried, not because the video was especially sad, but because I know how much work and love Hannah put into it. It was truly so special.
After everyone was introduced and we watched Hannah’s video, Jimmy and I had our first dance. We danced to Can’t Take My Eyes Off You by Frankie Valli, an oldie but goodie! We even threw in some spins and faster dancing. Out of all the wedding activities, I’m pretty sure Jimmy was most nervous about our first dance. We even practiced a few times the night before in front of Hannah so she could tell us if we were awkward.
The funny thing is, about a month after the wedding Hannah admitted we were totally awkward when we practiced in front of her, but she didn’t want us to back out of that song, so she said we did great. LOL. I’m sure we were awkward at our reception, too. We had fun anyways 🙂
The coolest thing happened just last month. Jimmy and I went on our first date post-marriage. We went to Barnes and Noble (yeah, we like to go on bookstore dates..), and right when we walked in, guess what song came on! Can’t Take My Eyes Off You.
We both looked at each other right away, and grinned form ear to ear. I think we just stood in the middle of the bookstore, staring at each other for a minute straight with the goofiest looks on our faces, haha. It was such a cool moment, especially because I never hear oldies music at Barnes!
After our first dance, the bridal party came onto the dance floor and we all danced to Can You Feel The Love Tonight by Elton John. Jimmy wanted that song to be our wedding song, and I wanted Can’t Help Falling In Love by Elvis Presley (can you tell I like oldies?!). Hannah suggested Kiss Me by Ed Sheeran, which I love, but we ended up settling on Frankie Valli and I’m glad we did! Anyways…
For our father-daughter dance, my dad and I danced to Don’t Worry Be Happy by Bobby McFerrin. I’m so, so glad we chose an upbeat, happy song!
In the days before the wedding, we still hadn’t picked a song, and every time I listened to a “typical” father-daughter dance song I would just bust out crying, haha. I suggested Don’t Worry Be Happy to my dad, and he was all for it because he loves dancing to music like that.
He pretty much guided me through the whole song and would mouth what to do next. He was like “Okay, spin now!” and “Now, grab both my hands!” Our dance was one of my favorite parts of the reception, though I was totally out of breath after we finished dancing!!
Since this post is getting kind of long and I have more reception pictures to share, I think I’m going to split this post into two parts. Be on the lookout for more pictures in the near future 🙂
Living My Full Life 
I absolutely LOVE all the music you chose for the dances so far. Perfect selections!! And I love that the dances were fun and semi-choreographed – especially the upbeat one with your dad!
Also, bookstore dates are some of my favorites with Kevin. 🙂 Great minds (and couples!) think alike!
Thank you so much, Amy! It was so hard to choose music, but I’m happy with what we chose in the end 🙂
Yay for bookstore dates! They’re the best, aren’t they?!
These photos are so gorgeous and I could not be happier for you. Congrats.
Awww, thank you Hollie! I already can’t wait to see your wedding pictures!
You look absolutely gorgeous, Allie! What a wonderful day – I’m so glad it was everything you wished for and more! You and Jimmy look incandescently happy!
Wow! Thank you, Sophie!! It was definitely, 100%, everything I wished for and more!
I love that song!!! And so cool that it played in the bookstore… meant to be. 🙂
I’m glad you like that song, too! It just makes me happy, haha. Totally meant to be!
These photos are great. You look like the happiest bride/daughter/sister in the world!
Awww, thank you, Ellie!
I love that you heard your song a B&N! I also love that you go to B&N for a date night, I have SO done that!! Gorgeous photos.
I was sooo excited when I heard our song in B&N! It made me feel all warm and fuzzy inside, haha. Bookstore date nights are the best! And thank you 🙂
Such an adorable post! I liked reading about how your music choices came to be. And most oldie music is good quality stuff!
Thank you, P! I totally agree with you, oldie music is the bomb! That’s for reading about how my music choices came to be–hopefully it wasn’t too boring!
Have I yet said that you were THE most beautiful bride?? 🙂 (And your mom was absolutely gorgeous too, I have to say)! I love that you chose a happy, upbeat song for your Father / Daughter dance. My dad and I danced to “Cinderella” by Stephen Curtis Chapman, and I cried for most of it. Ha, ha! (I STILL cry when I hear that song, actually, just thinking about it)! My dad was so cute though, because he started to tell me jokes so that I’d laugh while dancing instead of crying. 😉
And isn’t it so special when you hear your song?? 🙂 Love moments like that!!
Aww, thank you, Nicole! You are too sweet! I’m sure my mom will be happy to hear the compliment, too! I love the song Cinderella and I’ve cried just listening to it and it wasn’t even my father-daughter song!! So, totally understandable! How cute about your dad, too!
It’s definitely the best to hear “our” song when we’re out! I love it!
Hahaha! I love that your sister told you guys that you looked totally fine dancing before the wedding when in reality she thought you looked awkward. That’s just a little sister’s perspective. I bet you guys looked stunningly suave! 😉 And even if not, what wonderful memories you have from your reception. 🙂
Also, you and your dad… absolutely precious! Love the song you picked! 🙂
Yep! Gotta love the little sister’s perspective, haha. I sure hope we looked stunningly suave 😉
You’re right, we do have wonderful memories, awkwardness or not, and that’s what matters!
Ah I want to comment on everything! I love that your sister made a video and helped you not be nervous (or as nervous) for your first dance, but later said you were awkward! That is so funny but also so sweet. I adore the songs you chose, and love that you go on book store dates! That’s so perfect that they played the song at B&N, you’re right, they usually don’t play music like that. What a nice world we live in, that has moments like those 🙂 Can’t wait for more pictures and recaps!
I was so happy my sister made a video! I should post it on here… it was so sweet! And then it was not so sweet that she LIED to us about being awkward, LOL!! Oh, sisters!
Lol!! sisters, indeed! She had her heart in the right place though 🙂 Post it, post it!!!
I just cannot get over how picture perfect this all was!! You are just alight. Stunning.
Aww, thank you, Missy!!
Love them all!!! That is SO cool about the Barnes and Noble date. And I totally hope I go on dates to bookstores, haha!