Soon the dance floor filled up. Mr. Beagle and I made our own playlist on his computer, which was plugged in near the bar. A friend of ours manned it when we needed anything adjusted (he also did the sound at our ceremony).
The first half of the music was great. I was really proud of the flow and how it got almost everyone out on the dance floor.
My grandfather and I took a spin around the dance floor to a polka.
Somehow the ribbon wands I made for the ceremony exit made their way to the reception. I totally didn't plan for this. It was unexpected and completely hilarious that our guests brought them with them, and naturally they became part of the dancing.
I took the center of the dance floor to Britney's "Till the World Ends." My friends and family will tell you how much I love dancing and being the center of attention on the dance floor. This was a good moment.
Instead of cake, we had an ice cream sundae bar. There were brownies for Mr. Beagle, vanilla, strawberry, and chocolate ice cream, and lots of toppings.
We did a first scoop and spoon fed the sundae to each other instead of cutting the cake. I was worried about getting chocolate on my dress — we didn't even realize how close of a call it was until we got the pictures back and saw it dripping down the side of the bowl.
But no chocolate touched the dress and it was a cute moment.
Moments later fireworks started going off nearby. Crazy because we were totally not expecting them, even though it was July 3. The city of Chicago no longer does July 3 fireworks, and these weren't coming from the lakefront. They must have been some nearby neighborhood — they were much bigger than just some backyard thing.
Unfortunately after the ice cream and the fireworks, the mood mellowed and the dance floor cleared a bit. By the end it was just me and my closest girl friends.
Looking back I think the music for the second half of the party could have been improved. Right after the wedding this bummed me out, but it's great how time lessens those regrets. Now I realize it was what it was. And it was a great time regardless of how many people were dancing.
By 11 p.m. I was wiped out. I was glad that we only booked the venue for four hours. I'm sure our friends and family could have kept going, but I know myself, and I wouldn't have wanted to leave early and miss anything even though I was tired. So it was good the party ended when it did. And I was happy to hear lots of people went out in Chicago afterward.
photos by Justin Runquist and Craig Watson
Please do not repost any of our wedding pictures without our written permission.
OK I couldn't help myself and I stole a quick read out of order. I am, first of all, obsessed with your pictures. And we're doing much the same thing in terms of music and still hoping for a rocking dance party, so I'd love to chat with you at some point about how to make a rockin' playlist. <3
ReplyDeleteOh man, I was pretty bummed out right after my wedding about there not being more dancing...but you're right, time definitely lessens those regrets, and I just gotta keep reminding myself that people weren't dancing because they were having a great time with all sorts of other things (like the board game room!)
ReplyDeleteYou know, my friends are dance machines and I'm surprised there wasn't as much dancing as I'd expected at our wedding. The dance floor is an unpredictable thing, man. Sometimes it makes animals out of chair-sitters, other times it isn't the crazytimes we hope for. I guess you just never know how people will feel in the moment, y'know? It has as much to do with the music choices as it has to do with how much they ate at dinner/whether their feet hurt/who else is on the dance floor/etc.
ReplyDeleteBut! It sounds as if you had a good time, and in the end, that's all you can really control. Looks like such fun!
This looks like so much fun! I love that the ribbon wands made their way to the dance floor. We also had a 4 hour reception, and going into it I was worried it would feel too short. I found that it was plenty long, and it meant that we weren't totally exhausted when we finished.
ReplyDeleteI'm loving these recaps!
It looks like you guys had a blast. Your smile in all of these pictures (all of the posts) is just radiant.
ReplyDeleteWow, your wedding looks like so much fun. I love all your pictures in the roof, such a cool place.
ReplyDeleteWe also had non traditional food (ceasar salad actually as well and an ice cream car) and different kinds of brunch food.
And I had a similar I am going to stain myself with chocolate ice cream moment... actually that was the moment where I almost meltdown I had tears in my eyes, you know when all the stress just comes out at the same time. But then the boy just hugged me and nothing happened and it was ok.
The joy from your day just comes out of the pictures, and I hope you are ever so happy in married life as well :)
Your reception looks like it was great fun. Your food looks fantastic, the ice cream bar looks like it was a big hit. You had FIREWORKS! And people actually danced!
ReplyDeleteI love this, and really think you shouldn't sweat the dance floor. Looks like everyone had a lovely time.
I love seeing your photos! They make me feel like I'm at a party too :-) Your whole wedding has such a fun, chic vibe to it!
ReplyDeleteOur wedding had zero dancing. This was the biggest bummer of all to me. But you learn. I should have expected that since C doesn't like to dance his friends wouldn't really either.
ReplyDeleteThis is just so you guys and I like it so very much.
I may or may not have been locating and handing out additional ribbon wands to dancing people once someone started the trend. =)
ReplyDeleteSeems like you're the life of the party, girl! Your picture with your grandpa reminds me of my birthday on my grandpa's rooftop in Colorado. Oh, how I miss him!
ReplyDeleteYour hair looked amazing all through your wedding. I love how it moves in the dance shots!
ReplyDelete