Weddings





Since weddings are some of my favorite parties, I decided to plan my own entirely. We were married at a church in my hometown of Sioux Falls, SD. 

The ceremony took place at Katharine Drexel Catholic Church.

 I chose this church because it was so beautiful all by itself and didn't require much in the way of decorations, but we added a few touches.

 

We made our invites &  programs.


I worked with a friend to help come up with a personalized monogram for our wedding.



We decided on Purple (Smashing) bridesmaid dresses w/ a Platinum sash

For the Groomsmen we decided to buy grey suits instead of renting Tux's.

It was relatively the same price and they were able to keep them.

For my "Something Blue" I had my slip embroidered with my "new" name, in BLUE of course!

My mom surprised me with my original initials and wedding date embroidered on the inside of my dress.

I surprised my new husband with initials on his shirt- this was a tricky fete.

Married AT LAST

For our grand exit we used purple balloons that the guest set free. I had this picture planned all along!

And for the Reception....

Rather than having my placecards sitting on a table,  I chose to display them on a rustic stand with purple flowers and vines. Each envelope had individual placecards for everyone in the party.

We displayed our parents and grandparents wedding photos near the entrance to the reception. I always think its so neat to see how much the styles change over the years and the family history of the couple.

In lieu of the traditional guestbook we had a photobooth, we all know how I love photos.  Two copies of the photobooth pictures were printed. One copy the guests kept and the other copy was placed into a scrapbook with personal messages. It's a fun keepsake!

I had this saying posted on the photobooth.

If you're wondering what to do,

Take a picture for us and a picture for you!

Then, Take a minute to pick up the pen

Write a wish or Remember when.."

We'll put them together and save them with care,

We'll reflect and recall all the memories we share.

It's a little reminder of this most special day

And the family and friends

Who helped make it that way

Lindsay & Casey 

There were 3 different centerpieces in all different sizes to add some dimension to the room.

My favorite were the tall vases with tulips and crystals hanging down from them.

On the tables, I had  this little poem we printed inside the napkins.

 We made them work to see us kiss.

To this formal affair.
We've added some flair


We won't do a thing
If we hear your glass cling
It will take more than this,
If you want us to kiss

In your suits and dresses,
You all look so grand
Now gather your table
Everyone must stand.

Sing us a song in which

The word "Love" appears.
Only then will we listen.
Only then will we hear.

Give it your best,
It's your chance to star.
We promise the result
Will be best by far.

Instead of table numbers we named each table after different places we had traveled or been  together. I used a picture from the location and then edited the photo with the name of our destination.

Instead of having little gifts at each setting, we decided to have a candy bar with little bags that we printed our monogram onto for the guests to eat there or take home if they wished

"sweet treats from.... Lindsay & Casey Fries... hope you enjoy"

The cake was one of my favorite details- I knew I wanted a "tetor totter" cake.

Once again, the silver and purple circles tied back to our save the dates and invitations.

All of the Munteferings grandkids use this knife for cutting the cake
from my grandparents.

It just so happened that the same day we were getting married was one of my closest aunts birthdays and a few of our friends anniversary's. I wanted them to know that we appreciated them sharing their days with us. I had spoke to the coordinator at the reception to see if I could have a special piece of cake cut right away, with a candle in it, for her. We had the band and all the guests sing Happy Birthday and gave her, her own special cake! For people with anniversaries I had cards set on their place settings for when they arrived to their respective tables.

I had little baskets in the men's and women's bathrooms

But should something happen to go astray,
Please help yourself to the contents within,
Hairspray, hand lotion and even aspirin!
Use what you need and leave the rest
It may be useful to another guest.
So repair the damage that may have been done,
Then hurry on back and join the fun!
Compliments of the Newlyweds


AND


If you've stained your tie, your hair is out of place,
You've got bad breath or whatever the case,
We've put together a basket to help you along,
Now hurry back out before you miss the next song!
Compliments of the Newlyweds

For the Music and First Dances.....

We had a cocktail hour outside on the patio while guests were arriving with  jazz music.

For our Grand entrance into the reception,  as Mr. & Mrs. Casey Fries- we walked right onto the dance floor instead of sitting down for dinner.  I liked the idea of having our first dance right away while people were sitting at the tables waiting for the night to begin. As a guest at other weddings I know its sometimes hard to get everyone seated and many miss out, this also eliminates "holes" in the background while your photographer is catching this wonderful moment.

Our First dance was to Angel Eyes

 The Father/Daughter and Mother/Son dance.... I kind of changed this up too. Typically its the father/daughter dance that goes first- but I had a little surprise in store for my dad- so we started with the mother son.

For the Father Daugher dance - we danced to "Daddys Hands"

Then came the fun dance with my dad.... Whenever my girlfriends and I are out having fun, dancing or whatever- doesn't matter what time of the night or morning and I hear the song "Burning Ring of Fire" I call my dad.... and we all start singing at the top of our lungs.... after about 4 years of this- he listens for awhile and then just hangs up:) I had my girlfriends on stand by- and as soon as the Father daughter song ended- the band moved right into "Burning Ring Of Fire" and the girls all came running on the dance floor and surrounded my dad for a dance with all his girls!

Love the look of surprise on his face here

And THE FRIES PARTY HAD STARTED!!!!

* Most photos courtesy of  Bella Luce Photography

Details Prior to the Wedding

Save the date:

I thought a magnet would be a fun accessory  for the fridge that could be used past the wedding and not get lost as easily.

Bridesmaids Letter:

I sent a letter to my bridesmaids at a few different points during the wedding preparation.

It's a good way to keep everyone informed of upcoming events and details.

I sent out this 'dress' and 'bridesmaids info card' once the dress info was finalized. 

I listed all the bridesmaids wtih their phone numbers and email addresses.

Wedding Invite info:

As mentioned earlier - I made the invites with my husband. You see these purple circles throughout.

This was the RSVP card that was printed on silver cardstock, postcard style.

This was the inside of the invite: 

 On the envelope we kept going with the circles.

Bridal Luncheon invite:

Rehearsal Invite:

This was printed on vellum paper, attached to cardstock with a silver ribbon joining them.

Itinerarys

Timing is everything when it comes to the big day-

Girls Itenerary was printed on puprle cardstock

 Guys itenerary was printed on silver cardstock

 Hotel Brochure:

I had talked to the various hotels that our guests were staying at and arranged to have these sitting in the rooms when they arrived.

 We had many great helpers throughout the wedding process- for an extra Thank- You I made these personalized CD's with the music from our Wedding Website to give to them.