Martin/Curley Wedding

Last Friday and Saturday Bo and I were honored to join in on Matthew and Jamie's marriage celebration.  And what an awesome celebration it was!  Matthew and Jamie (and their friends and family) really know how to throw - and enjoy - a good party.  With that said, their wedding was one of the most fun and enjoyable that I have attended in quite some time.

Before getting to the nitty gritty of the weekend, let me give you a little bit of background:

Since Day 1, Matthew and Bo were roommates at the United States Naval Academy (USNA).  Over the four years that they attended the Academy, Matthew and Bo became great friends.  Through heartbreak, overwhelming stress, and extreme frustration, Matthew and Bo were always there for each other.  In truth, they were perfect roommates.  Bo has a tendency to get a little too serious at times, and Matthew has a tendency to have a little too much fun at times.  Together, they balanced each other out perfectly.

Matthew and Jamie started dating while he was at USNA.  Matthew is a Surface Warfare Officer (SWO), and he and Jamie are stationed at Virginia Beach, VA (although they are moving to Hawaii in a couple of months).  They have already made it through one seven-month deployment, and during that time it was clear that Jamie is an amazingly strong and dedicated woman.  As all military wives do, she has given up quite a bit to be with the love of her life.  But in talking to her, as with most military spouses, you immediately realize that she is happy to make the necessary sacrifices in order to be with Matthew.  They are a strong, inspiring couple who's intense love for one another is infectious!

I hope that all of my friends and family find that kind of love in their lifetime...I did! :)

On Friday evening, Bo and I attended the rehearsal dinner.  The event was held at Buddy's Crab & Ribs, a landmark restaurant located in downtown Annapolis (DTA).

Although there were a number of people for him to visit, the groom-to-be took some time to chat with us and snap a few pictures.  (Look at that tan...I'm jealous!)

Afterwards, a large portion of the rehearsal dinner crowd gathered together in DTA for a group shot!

The next day, after revisiting USNA and getting ready for the big event, we gathered in the USNA Chapel for the ceremony.  Although my camera wasn't fancy enough to overcome the dark lighting and distance, I was able to catch a glimpse of the beautiful bride walking down the aisle with her brother (Jamie's father is, sadly, deceased).

Darn it!  I really wish my I could have gotten a better shot of the bride and groom during the ceremony.  They were glowing!

Oh well, these will have to do...

Upon the ceremonies conclusion, Bo and several of Matthew's other USNA buddies performed the infamous sword arch (Come on, you know the one!  I KNOW you have seen or heard of this before!).

They marched out in unison...

...lined up...

...raised their swords...

...and demanded a kiss in exchange for passage!

In line with tradition, Matthew and Jamie had to kiss at every sword arch in order to receive passage down the stairway.  One swordsman even made them kiss twice, admonishing that the first one wasn't a "real kiss" hahaha!

The incredibly happy couple!

Here's a look at all of the swordsman with the groom's mother and father .  Matthew's mother is a hoot!  She has so much personality...can't you tell?! ;)

Since the reception was approximately a half hour away from USNA, most of the guests rode in a bus from one place to the other.

 Bo and I at the reception chatting about something that was obviously very serious...perhaps how many glasses of wine we should drink?! ;)

Pose-perfect...although, I actually prefer good candid shots!

Note: I bought this dress with my mom at an antique store here in JAX.  Truly, I should have been born in the 1940's or 1950's.  Not only do I love that periods music and movies, but the fashion was MADE for my body-type!

While the bridal party was busy taking pictures, the guests started enjoying the food, drinks, and scenery.  I have to say, most weddings that I have been to don't have great food.  But this food was delicious.  Everything from the appetizers, to the main course, and the cake was really really tastey.   Well chosen Matthew and Jamie!

First dance...awwww!

And then, everybody got the party started!  As the Black Eyed Peas would say:

Everybody, everybody, let's get into it.

Get stupid.

Get it started, get it started, get it started.

Let's get it started (ha), let's get it started in here.

Let's get it started (ha), let's get it started in here.

Let's get it started (ha), let's get it started in here.

Let's get it started (ha), let's get it started in here.

Yeah.

Note: If you don't know the song "Let's Get It Started" by the Black Eyed Peas you might want to look it up on You Tube.  I will be referencing it quite a bit for the remainder of this post.  It is a great song for a party!

And again:

Everybody, everybody, let's get into it.

Get stupid.

Get it started, get it started, get it started.

Let's get it started (ha), let's get it started in here.

Let's get it started (ha), let's get it started in here.

Let's get it started (ha), let's get it started in here.

Let's get it started (ha), let's get it started in here.

Yeah.

C'mon y'all, let's get woohoo!

Let's get woohoo! (in here)

Let's get woohoo!

Let's get woohoo! (in here)

Let's get woohoo!

Let's get woohoo! (in here) Ow, ow, ow!

Photo-op (I wish the lighting was better...this would have been a great picture)!

All the single ladies saying: "If you like it then you better put a ring on it!" 

(And yes, I am aware that I just quoted Beyonce.)

Matthew doing a jig before hunting for Jamie's garter...this was PRICELESS!  

I SO wish my camera had a "video record" button!

All the boys vying for the garter...although I can't tell...do they all want it...or are they all desperately trying to avoid it?!

Everybody, everybody, let's get into it.

Get studio. (Come on)

Get is started (come on), get it started (yeah), get it started.

Let's get it started (ha), let's get it started in here.

Let's get it started (ha), let's get it started in here.

Let's get it started (ha), let's get it started in here.

Let's get it started (ha), let's get it started

(woah, woah, woah) in here.

Yeah.

Let's get woohoo!

Let's get woohoo! (in here)

Let's get woohoo!

Let's get woohoo! (in here)

Let's get woohoo!

Let's get woohoo! (in here) Ow, ow, ow!

It was a great wedding, and an even. better. party...can't you tell?!

Coming up - more wedding adventures, but next time we will be celebrating Emily and Henry!

Question of the Day:


What is your favorite part about weddings?

Blessings,
Ally and Bo