be happy for this moment.

A husband may forget where he went on his honeymoon,

but he never forgets why.
Evan Esar

Today I'm participating in Kelly's Korner with "Show Us Your Life." This week's topic is wedding reception and honeymoon.

Our reception was held at my childhood home out in the country of Florida (we have more than beaches!).

It was nearly all outdoors with a tent and then table under the tent, all over the yard and on the wrap around porches. All the doors to the house were open so people sort of wandered in and out. Our cake was in the kitchen, guest book in the living room.

The feel I was going for was, "come watch us get married and then come to the house for dinner and a party!" No formal seating, no head table. We had no "dances" except our first dance and also skipped the garter and bouquet toss. We had a great live band, big dinner buffet and a wine and beer bar. In the end it all came together exactly how I pictured.

Our fabulous band

Our first dance

Cocktail hour

Dancing under the tent

Cutting the cake

Reception site, my childhood home

For our honeymoon we went on a seven day Royal Caribbean cruise to Coco Cay, St. Thomas and St. Maarten which left from Cape Canaveral (about 3 hours by car from where we were married). We spent our wedding night at The Ritz-Carlton in Sarasota which was lovely.

Pretty room

We met Dick Vitale at The Ritz!

Leaving port

View from my Aunt and Uncle's house in St. John (you can rent it!)

On the beach at their home

Rock climbing on the ship

In port at St. Maarten