Steph + John


All photos by Dana Damewood!! Please credit her (and me!) if you use any of the pictures!
 
Our wedding was on Saturday, October 6, 2007 at the Lied Lodge in Nebraska City, NE. Besides the fact that it was 80 degrees that day (in October!), the day was perfect...


Steph + John
Getting Ready Photos
Seeing Each Other...
Formal & Casual Pictures
Ceremony
Reception
Vendor Info
Link to Planning Bio
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Getting Ready Photos
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My beautiful shoes & accessories

The girls getting all sashed up

The gorgeous flowers arrive--my bouquet!

Girls getting ready (they're all so beautiful!)

While other wedding parties have champagne, my girls and I keep it real (notice the Busch Light can on the dresser!)

Becoming a bride...

Reading a card from the hubby-to-be and finally getting to put my shoes on!

Getting the sash and veil on

All done! Mom approves...









John reading my card

The reoccurring Busch Light theme to these getting ready pictures...
 
 
 
 
Seeing Each Other...
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Heading out to the balcony where John is waiting
 
 
 
 
Formal & Casual Pictures
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Proof that letting your girls pick out their own dresses won't ruin your wedding!

The handsome men...




With my Maid & Matron of Honor

A great shot of the handkerchief on my bouquet--it was my grandmother's (her name is Maxine and the hankie had an "M" on it, perfect for my new last initial--AND it was in blue!)



The picture on the right is my favorite picture of us




I love this one too...




The entire wedding party

My adorable, silly nephew











These next ones are all taken with a Diana camera--I love the effect



I love the picture on the right--it looks very retro
 
 
 
 
Ceremony
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My dad & I head over in style to the barn where the ceremony was held

The programs--John's stepsister Sydney handing them out

All the little details that you spend SO much time worrying about--I think they all came together beautifully!

Guests looking at the programs; John's grandmother Harriet, his cousin Molly and her daughter Olivia

On the left, my grandma; on the right, John's dad (John Sr.) talking with an aunt






My dad is a total softy! He'd been doing really well all day, but then lost it right before we headed in. Luckily the carriage driver had a tissue for him!



More sad dad pics--isn't he the cutest thing?

He finally pulled it together enough to give me away, although he still looked a little glum throughout the ceremony


The beautiful barn

Our wonderful readers: Tiffany read "Falling in Love is Like Owning a Dog", Liz read "Us Two", and Ellen read "i carry your heart" which made me cry!

Last picture on the right shows the aisle runner that I slaved over--I really love how it turned out

The kiss...and can you tell I'm more than a little excited to be married?!?

The Ecofetti send off!

Off we go to the reception
 
 
 
 
Reception
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The three different centerpieces

One of the table numbers, one of the flower centerpieces on the head table (also shows all the candles in front of the fireplace), and one of the apple placecards

On the left, the "feasting" head table--we had all our wedding party and their guest--it was perfect (this picture was taken before the floral centerpieces were placed on it)!


Guests signing the signature mat

The photo guest book--my favorite thing from the wedding! The pictures we got are truly priceless--I highly recommend it and you have to use the costumes/hats!

Each of us with our grandmothers

The toasts--they were all incredible and very moving (and funny too!)

Our wedding cake and the groom's cake

The ever popular candy buffet--the guests loved it!

Father-daughter dance (we danced to "My Little Girl" by Tim McGraw) and the mother-son dance (they danced to "In My Life" by the Beatles)

Our first dance to "Someone Like You" by Van Morrison (the picture on the right is a good picture of my bustle as well)
 
 
 
 
Vendor Information
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Ceremony Location - Historic Barns, Lied Lodge, Nebraska City
A+: So beautiful and perfect. Didn't need to do much decorating, so it was very easy.
 
Officiant - Judge Stephen Swartz
A++++: I cannot say enough good things about this man. I felt like he had known John and I for years--his ceremony was touching and meaningful. He does an outstanding job. His office number: 402-444-5435
 
Reception Location - Lied Lodge, Nebraska City
A: We had our reception in the West Assembly room and it was beautiful. The staff was very friendly and did a great job. We worked with Adessa, the wedding coordinator at the Lied Lodge, for about a year prior to the event, and she was great. She always answered all my questions and was very helpful. The only reason they don't get an A+ is because it was very warm in the room for a while (I think one of the air conditioners was down for a while, but this really wasn't their fault, especially as it was October!) and we had a few moochers from another party at the bar, which we had expressed concern about prior to the event. Otherwise, everything was great--I would recommend this facility to anyone planning a wedding. It was nice to have a bit of a destination wedding without having to travel far and I know our guests loved everything.
 
Caterers - Lied Lodge, Nebraska City
A+: Food was delicious--everyone commented on how good it was. I was especially impressed with them as we wanted the prime rib rare, which isn't easy when you're feeding a large group. Even though dinner started later than we'd told them (cake cutting and toasts took longer than we thought), the meat was perfect.
 
Cake Creator - Candy's Custom Cakes & Cookies
A+: Beautiful & delicious cakes, and super cheap! Her business is located in Nebraska City but I know she travels so I would suggest her to any one in Eastern Nebraska. Truly very talented! She also did some decorating for us (she hung all the paper lanterns) and did a great job at that as well. Her number: 402-209-1356
 
Florist - Petal Creations, Lincoln, NE
A: The flowers themselves were an A+ for sure--they were so vibrant and beautiful and were exactly as I'd imagined them. Stacy did such a great job! The only complaint I had is that it would take a while after we met with Stacy, the owner, for her to send us estimates or get back to us on prices. Despite this, their work was first rate and their prices seemed reasonable. I really, really loved all the flowers!
 
Photographer - Dana Damewood
A++++: I think the pictures speak for themselves, but not only is she crazy talented, she is also one of the coolest, nicest people you'll ever meet. I also loved the second photographer that also shot the wedding--she was fun as well. They were everywhere getting every picture I could possibly want, but were never in the way. I absolutely could not be happier!
 
Disc Jockey - Me!
We iTune DJed from our laptop--it was super easy and I loved having control of all the music. We borrowed speakers from a friend (he has a band)--he also had a disco ball and other lights, so we looked like a professional operation! :) Not one thing went wrong and people were dancing all night long.
 
Transportation - Driever Carriage Service
A+: This was such a special touch to the day--it was nice to get to ride over there with my dad to catch up and then afterwards, my husband and I got to spend a few minutes by ourselves before the madness of the reception. Our driver was one of the nicest people I've ever met--he helped my dad practice what he had to say ("Her mother and I do") and gave him a tissue when he started to cry). Highly recommend. Their number is: 712-374-2587 (they are located in Iowa but do all the carriage rides at the Lied Lodge)
 
Invitations - Trademarked by Tricia
A+: The most beautiful and unique invitations I've even seen--she just "got" exactly what I was going for. So creative and talented.
 
Tuxedos - Men's Wearhouse, Lincoln, NE
A+: Zero problems and the guys looked great. We got the most basic tux and didn't get the shirts or ties (had the guys get plain white shirts and we bought their ties) as we were going for a more casual look, so they were dirt cheap. Everything was perfect.
 
My Dress - Julius Bridal
A+: They custom made a replica of Jim Hjelm's 8663 for me and it was perfect and gorgeous and a fraction of the price. I have more info in my planning bio ( My Planning Bio
) if anyone is interested!
 
Honeymoon Destination - Ti Kaye, St. Lucia
A++++: The most beautiful place ever, with the nicest staff. We could have stayed forever. The food was fantastic as was the service. It was so relaxing and was everything we hoped for!
 
Travel Agent - Jennifer at the Tropical Travelers
A+: Found her based on recommations on the Knot honeymoon board--she's the St. Lucia expert. She always got back to me incredibly promptly and she was helpful in every way. It really put me at ease to have someone else handling the honeymoon details and everything was perfect!
 
Other Vendor - Whispering Pines Bed & Breakfast, Nebraska City
B+: We stayed here on the wedding night to get away a bit. The owner was as nice as could be. We stayed in the barn, which we thought was fitting since we got married in a barn. It could use a little fixing up, but it was very comfortable!
 
Other Vendor - Rehearsal Dinner: Main Street at the Capitol, State Capitol, Lincoln, NE
A+++: The food was awesome, the room looked great (it's out of the Capitol cafeteria) and everything was super affordable. We were able to do a walk through for our ceremony there in one of the courtyards and it was such a beautiful night that we were out there most of the time. They do weddings as well. Contact info: Tracy, 730-5158 or rohdert3@hotmail.com.
 

 
 
 
 
Link to Planning Bio
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My Planning Bio

 

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