Girls' night out

We gathered at my apartment Wednesday night before heading out to my favorite restaurant, Orzo, for appetizers and cocktails. Then off to Rumrunners for a little dancing and finally karaoke at the Gaslight all in downtown Anchorage.

Crab legs and baked potatoes

 

It's not Alaska without King crab legs. And when you can get them through a corporate discount right from the distributor it's even better. My mom sprang for a 20 lb. box from my corporation's subsidiary Norton Sound King Crab and we had enough for many meals. This is dinner Tuesday night before the wedding.

Peacock feather and petals

Budget Bride Tip Number 264: If someone offers to help you with your wedding, say YES PLEASE! My family friend Correne is a former floral designer and wedding flower extraordinaire. She did all the boutonnieres, corsages, bouquets, centerpieces and even a few extra flower arrangements for our enjoyment.

And can you believe all these amazing blooms are silk? We did a combination of silks and fresh flowers for a trifecta of reasons:

1. Much of the preparation and steady work can be done weeks in advance — not rushed at the last minute.
2. Fresh flowers must be shipped to Alaska, so just like everything else here are more pricey. We're talking about a place where the $5 footlong at Subway is $6.
3. They make perfect, easy-to-preserve keepsakes for family.

And of course this is the amazing lady behind the flower magic. She made such beautiful bouquets, my photographer didn't want me to set mine down for a single picture on the big day! I can't thank her enough for her creativity, artistry and kindness. Plus she shared in our ceremony as the violist. I am so lucky to have this talented woman as a friend.

Getting crafty

 

I had so many DIY projects going the week of the wedding even my dad chipped in on the craftyness. He even helped tie billions of little bows on the programs. Above is the disappearing satin. Not only did I go to the fabric store twice to buy it, because the first purchase inexplicably disappeared. But then after much careful measuring, cutting and sewing the edges for pocket squares for the tuxes, the little buggars were nowhere to be found on the big day. All those debates over how to sew the edge and the only result was these awesome photos and some family bonding time. I didn't realize this event needed a props manager. The garter disappeared the day of the wedding too. But that's a story for another post with corresponding pictures.

We assembled welcome bags for all the guests with Alaska Moose Droppings [aka Whoppers], traveler propaganda, Alaska playing cards and other goodies. These are the Moose Dropping tags I designed in the wedding colors to save on more overpriced versions are the souvenir stores downtown.

NOTE: Hanging above the table in the top photo is a sample of the many tissue paper flowers Brielle and I made one weekend a couple months back. She spent a whole weekend in Anchorage helping me with wedding stuff. We sat for hours over red wine, tissue paper, pipe cleaners and scissors making those poofs of pretty.

I love you katie!

In case you don't know her, this is my amazing, beautiful, talented best friend, Katie. She not only kept me sane two weeks ago [a challenging task at best] she also planned a super-fun bachelorette party, fabulous ladies night at the lodge and held my hand through some crazy moments last week.

She's probably still having nightmares about me saying, "Katie, don't let me forget ..."

This is us on her first night in town having drinks at Rum Runners. She couldn't get over the midnight sun and kept texting people photos of it.

Portage Glacier Cruise

Wednesday before the wedding, some of our out-of-town guests joined us for a hour-long Portage Glacier Cruise. It was a beautiful, warm day. Plus, we met a very special tour guide we lovingly nicknamed Beardsley McGlacier face.

I have some serious blogging to do

The past two weeks have been a blur of family and friends from afar, tying billions of little ribbons, delicious food, tourist trips and Alaska adventures. I'm still sorting through and properly archiving the images from my camera and iPhone. This weekend I hope to blast my blog with posts from the following:

• Portage Glacier Cruise with our out-of-town friends
• Pictures of my dad helping the girls tie ribbons and cut fabric for my many DIY wedding details, plus close ups of programs, centerpieces, decorations and favors. I love how everything turned out thanks to lots of help from lots of people and can't wait to share our creativity.
• Girls night out
• Barbecue at the Hamiton's complete with a tree swing and live music
• A weekend of wedding festivities: Bonfires, random guitar sessions, decorating, wedding pics and more
• Hiking to Russian River Falls the day after the wedding near Cooper Landing
• The amazing all-day cruise into Kenai Fjords National Park with my new in-laws, husband and son

Today is my first day back a work. I miss my wonderful friends and family already and wish I could have had more time showing everyone the beautiful place I live. Sometimes it takes new eyes to renew wonder in your surroundings. Like how everyone awed at the midnight sun. But it's also nice to take a deep breath after all the excitement and settle back into regular life.

I've never been so tired as I was the days following the wedding. One night I slept 13 hours after having napped much of the day.

Until I post, there are some nice pictures of facebook posted my my former ADN coworker Mike Lewis and a few others.