Sandwiched Together: Practice Makes Perfect

One of the best wedding decisions we made was to have a Flickr account for guests to upload their photos.  I made some business cards through vistaprint for really cheap and our wedding coordinator put them at each guest's seat.

Front of the business card; back was directions to the website

I remember other bees saying they didn't get a whole lot of photos but I think putting them at each seat really helped with the amount we received.

Almost all of these next pictures come from guests photos.  I was way too frazzled to take any pictures myself and it was wonderful to see what our guests were up to all weekend while Mr. CS and I were busy.

Leisurely days at the beach soon gave way to a hectic 48 hours.  On the day of the rehearsal I went with a couple of bridesmaids and cousins to get our nails done.  Then back to the house to give commands  gently ask my favorite aunts and uncles for help with some last minute wedding tasks.

Don't they look so motivated

They revolted

Before I knew it, it was time to walk down the aisle... for fake.

Gathering in the lobby

Me, Papa CS and our fantastic coordinator Daniella!

CS sisters are hams!

Our coordinator Daniella was all business and fantastic!  Getting us to rehearse was similar to herding cats and she did an amazing job.  I think we were in and out in about 20 minutes.  But everyone knew exactly what they were doing and all questions were answered. 

Off to the fun!  As previously mentioned, we decided to rent a house in Cape May and host a Pig Roast for all our guests.

Perfect porch for a pig roast!

Did I mention the day before the wedding was also my birthday?

Our guests explored Cape May and found a yard sale.  Stuffed birds make a perfect birthday gift

The pig, all gone!

Our guests raved! about the pig roast.  Pappy's Pigs did a wonderful job of setting everything up and taking it all away.  I didn't have to worry about a thing which makes for a happy bride.

Around 10pm, I decided to leave to get my beauty rest and according to guest's photos this is what happened.....

I am so glad that our guests had a great time hanging out together even if I missed the fun.  Mr. CS and I hoped that everyone would have a wonderful weekend and maybe see a wedding in-between.  Mission accomplished!

Up next: I attempt to get even more beautiful :)

Previously on Mrs. Cucumber Sandwich's Recaps:
We make the trek to Cape May

Sandwiched Together: On the Way to Cape May

As most destination brides can attest, it is seriously nerve wracking to pack up all your wedding materials and pray you didn't forget something.  I was having some severe wedding nightmares that I would arrive in Cape May without my programs, rings, menus, cookie jars, pretty much everything.

I started packing up my collections about a week in advance and wrote the contents of the box on the outside.  I also made a list of everything we needed broken down by event to keep it organized and checked it off as we loaded up the car.  I think this saved my sanity a bit (Mr. CS will probably say differently).

Packing list broken down by event

List for our DOC and everything we needed to retrieve after wedding

After making my list and checking it twice, we headed to the Cape May/Lewes Ferry with BIL and SIL.

Fooling around on the ferry

We had a couple of things to do in Cape May so we arrived on Thursday (the wedding was Sunday).  It was the perfect amount of time.  

We picked up buckets of popcorn to leave at rental houses as 'welcome bags' for our guests.

Popcorn house... go there!

Then we headed to the courthouse to pick up our marriage license.

So excited.

On Thursday night we had a nice quiet dinner with BIL & SIL and my parents at our house.  It was relaxing to spend some quality time with both families before all the crazy began. 

Most of our families arrived on Friday afternoon so we had an informal dinner at the Cape May Lobster House for anyone who was in town.  We sat on the back porch and ate some seafood.  Great decision because we got to see people who had already arrived and it was informal enough that people could come and go.

Back porch of the lobster house

What the porch looks like in the daylight {via CapeMay.com}

Up next: We rehearse and one of my favorite wedding decisions.

Sandwiched Together: Hello?!

Hello Hive!

I am back.  Did you miss me?!

I know what you are thinking.... "I missed you so much it almost hurts, who are you again?"

Fair enough. 

I am Mrs. Cucumber Sandwich.  Mr. Cuke Sammie asked me to marry him in our kitchen on a Saturday morning.   After calling my parents and my sisters to tell them the exciting news of our engagement, my third phone call was to our dream venue.  I searched for a dress and did Running of the Brides (so awesome!)  Mr. Cuke Sammie and I traveled to Cape May to take pictures for our postcard Save the Dates.  I started working on all the details: cookie table, milk glass, chalkboard table numbers and menu, burlap table runners, floral inspirations and the wedding website.  We planned and attended wedding events like our engagement photo shoot, my bridal shower at the race track, our pig roast rehearsal dinner, and menu tasting.  I worked on my invitations including a guest appearance by our puppy and a homemade wedding map.  Mr. Cucumber Sandwich and I made some big wedding decisions like which traditions we wanted, our officiants, the things I wanted that didn't make the cut, and if we wanted a wedding coordinator.  I kept it all together with my superior organization skills.... ha!


Still with me? And now that you are totally caught up, you may wonder where I have been.  Well after deciding that I was done with school I changed my mind and have gone back to get yet another degree.

Mr. CS and me at my master's graduation

And more importantly, we have a little addition to the Cucumber family.

Photo from the lovely Mrs. Candy Corn

personal photo

personal photo

Photo from the lovely Mrs. Candy Corn

 So I know there is no excuse for my almost three year absence but if you start to get irritated just look at that adorable face and forgive me.

I am a bee on the other side so let me know what is most beneficial for you!  Do you want a budget breakdown, a vendor review, a regrets list or just pictures, pictures, pictures and more pictures?!

Let the recaps begin!

Sandwiched Together: Video Proof!

We have a video!  I was going to wait a while to show it to you but I have low impulse control so here it is: 

I was a little nervous about using WedIt for our video.  I had dreams of beautifully edited and filmed masterpieces and I knew that was not what I was going to get with flip cameras and non-professionals*.   

HOWEVER, I could not be happy with our video!  When you combine the price and the quality it is a no-brainer situation.  The wedit team was amazing!  I received all 5 flip cameras promptly before the wedding.  After the wedding all I had to do was throw them back in the box and stick on the prepaid mailing label.  Of course I lost the label and had to call for a new one but they just laughed and said it happened all the time.  Within minutes I had a new label in my email inbox!  


We went with the higher priced package so that we could get the 2 minute 'trailer'.  I will admit the primary reason we got the trailer is so I could post it here on the hive!  But it has been great to show people because who honestly wants to sit through someone else's 60 minute wedding video.  I haven't even watched my own 60 minute video yet because I have been too busy playing and replaying my trailer.  Oh and another example of the wedit team awesomeness is they made changes to the trailer after I told them there were certain sections I was not crazy about and our first dance was missing.  Amazing!  


Ok, my infomercial for wedit is over but to summarize... I love, love, love my video and if you are thinking about using them (or a similar service) DO IT!  

Anyone else shocked at how much they love their video after they thought they didn't need one?  Good experiences or bad experiences with these flipcam services?   

*for anyone not in the know; wedit is a service that sends you flip cameras for your guests to record/video and then you send them back and they edit it together

Soggy Sandwiches

It has taken me three posts and two weeks to finish telling you about our honeymoon.  As the cast of 16 & Pregnant should have said... 'it is time to wrap this up'.  (p.s. I am so excited for the new season.  It is where I get all of my future parenting tips). 

The Cucumber Sandwiches are going on a MEDITERRANEAN CRUISE!!  We will be embarking on a 13 day at sea adventure.  What really sold me on the cruise idea was getting to visit all these different countries without having to pack and unpack my bags!  Yes, I am lazy.  

Our first stop....

{Image via Traveldk}

Barcelona!  We fly into Barcelona and have about 24 hours to explore the city before we board the ship and depart for....

{Hotel France Travel}

Toulon, France! I have never heard of it but if it is good enough for Brangelina, it is good enough for me!  I am just hoping to get some macarons and then all will be right with the world. 

{Yahoo Travel}

Next we whisk off to Florence/Pisa, Italy.  My understanding is the port is in between the two cities so we have to pick which one we go to.  I have been to Florence so I am leaning towards Pisa (haha!) but I can be swayed either way. 

{Trevi Fountain by National Geographic}

Rome is next and there is just so much to see here that I don't know how we will ever decide.  The Vatican, The Spanish Steps, gelato, the fountains.  It is going to be a whirl wind.

{Friendly Planet Travel}

One of the big reasons we picked this particular cruise was because it traveled around the 'boot' of Italy and we got to see some ports in the eastern Mediterranean.  Our next port and the one I am most excited about is Mykonos, Greece.

{Blue Mosque via TripAdvisor}

Onward and upward to Istanbul, Turkey.  I am definitely going to have to do some research on this area because I have no idea where to even begin.

{Greece-Athens}

One last stop is Athens, Greece.  I think this is the port that the Mister is looking forward to the most. 

Then Mr. Cuke Sammie and I will be sad because our trip is coming to an end.  Our final stop and departure port is Venice.  We will board a plane from there back to the US.  Hopefully we will still be able to fit in our non-elastic waist pants when we return.

Any tips for cruise travel or the above listed ports?!?

Adventures in Mini-mooning

Before I talk about our upcoming honeymoon I wanted to mention the honeymoon we already had.  Mr. Cucumber Sammie and I decided to take a minimoon right after the wedding but we hadn't decided where.  Mr. CS really wanted to pick the place himself and have it be a surprise.  Well he decided, we went and now I will recap it for you in timeline form!

Monday Oct. 10th (day after the wedding)
11:00am: Take ferry from Cape May to undisclosed mini-moon vacation

3:30pm: Arrive at hotel.... Surprise!  It is the Chesapeake Bay Hyatt!

{Eastern Shore Visitor}

4:00pm: Check-In and head up to the room

 

4:27pm: Open Wedding Gifts

 

5:02pm: Cry Uncontrollable About My Parents Generous Gift

 

5:24pm: Order Room Service

 

6:58pm: Pass Out

 

Tuesday Oct. 11th

9:00am: Wake Up!

11:31am: Realize It Is Finally Time to Drag Myself From the Bed After Several Hours of Morning Shows

11:37am: Contemplate Showering; Decide Against It

11:40am: Walk Around the Hotel Grounds

12:33pm: Take a Nap

2:19pm: Drive Into 'Town' To Check Out Dinner Options

4:30pm: Order Room Service Again

8:58pm: Pass Out

Wednesday Oct. 12th

1:30AM: Awaken to Mr. CS Having Severe Stomach Pains

2:30AM: Drive Him To the ER

6:30AM: Finally Released from Hospital After Doctors Decide It Is Colitis

7:01am: Arrive Back at Hotel and Promptly Fall Asleep

10:35am: Pack Up and Check Out of Hotel Room To Go Home!

And there you have it!  Our mini-moon in a nutshell.  Mr. CS has recovered nicely after his little bout with colitis and I am so thankful that we were not in the jungles of Costa Rica (or any other foreign country) when this happened.  On the bright side it was very thrilling to say I was his wife and be able to sign all of his medical papers at the ER.

{The only picture I took on the mini-moon}

The mini-moon was just the right amount of time to recuperate after the wedding!  I am so glad we took those couple of days.  And now we have a full honeymoon to be able to plan without the added stress of the wedding.

Anyone else take a big gap between your wedding and honeymoon?  Other honeymoon disasters?

 

 

I'm Back!

Dear Ladies (and Dad),
How are you?  I am fine.  I have been very busy.  I have missed you.  Have you missed me?

Today I have been a married lady for exactly 4 months!  Where has the time gone? It has been so long since I posted.  I was so excited after the wedding to have my life back.  No more projects, no more phone calls to vendors and no more wedding obsession.  I was completely unprepared for going back to 'real life'.  I had put off doing so many things pre-wedding that it felt like it all came crashing down around me post-wedding.  My house looked like a ribbon/burlap bomb had gone off.  Laundry seemed like it hadn't been done in months.  My email inbox was in complete disarray.  I had a whole closet of chalkboard paint and card stock.  Don't even get me started on all the wedding stuff I brought back from Cape May!  And I had a huge pile wedding gifts that I had to find 'a home' for in the house somewhere.

Not to justify my behavior but another reason I was gone so long was that it is kind of hard to look back.  Don't get me wrong, I loved, loved, loved my wedding but now I am sad that it is over.  I guess I had a touch of the post wedding blues. 

 Having just now crawled out from under all the things I put off, I am ready to start posting again!  I can't wait to start my recaps and share all the wedding goodness with you.  We finally booked our honeymoon and I am so irrational excited.  Want a hint? 

{Image via Traveldk}

 Married bees; did you feel like everything you put off came back to bite you after the wedding?  Let's hear honeymoon destinations because now I have a one track mind!!

Love,
Mrs. Cucumber Sandwich