a rosenthal by any other name

Before Justin and I started talking about getting married, I had always planned on keeping my last name. I’m an independent, Aquarius woman! And I like having the same last name as my Grandpa whom I clearly adore, along with my father and two brothers. I mean, check out this Rosenthal crew:

But it’s important to my man. In fact, he used to joke that he wasn’t going to propose to me unless I agreed to take his last name. Justin can be very traditional. It’s cute. So I conceded. Or at least I’m in the process.

Our marriage license lists my new last name: Singer. I have a new social security card with the name Amy Singer. And my new passport is in the mail.* I still have to get a new driver’s license, and then a new e-mail address. (But FYI in a totally lovey dovey and contradictory-to-everything-I’m-saying-here way I do confess I tried to sign up for amysinger@gmail.com like three years ago. It was already taken. This of course is the modern day equivalent to scribbling AE + JB = LOVE in a notebook.)

Anyway, I digress. I’m halfway there. And I’m in name change limbo. And it feels so weird. But fortunately, it’s good weird. Like calling Justin “my husband” is still SO weird, in the best possible way. I giggle every time. I’m not over it. And I’ll never get over it. But perhaps I’ll get used to my new name.

AS

*Justin and I recently decided to go to Tulum, Mexico for an upcoming trip in February. I hadn’t done anything proactive to officially change my name yet, i.e. get a new SS card or passport. I had been procrastinating. So Justin quite strategically booked my flight under Amy Singer, so that I had to change my name in a timely manner. And it clearly worked.

[Photo by Carlie Statsky]

The Band

One incredibly important wedding vendor I didn’t touch on previously is the band -- not because they weren’t amazing, but because my husband did the dirty work when it came to researching and working closely with the band/manager. The band’s manger even joked that Justin would make a great music producer. I agree. We wanted to host an amazing dance party, and we did, thanks to Justin’s input.

Below is the “playlist” of our processional:

Can’t You See, The Marshall Tucker Band > Here Comes the Sun, The Beatles > Canon in D, Pachelbel

For our recessional the band busted out a trumpet and played Here I Am Baby (Come and Take Me) by Al Green.

For our courtyard cocktail hour a member of the band played acoustic guitar.

Justin and I entered the reception to Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out by Bruce Springsteen. (We had to bring a little Jersey to Cali.) And our first song was Al Green’s Let’s Stay Together, a song Justin once played on a jukebox for me back in college.

We enlisted a ten-piece band for the party. They played a lot of oldies but goodies, and lots of current tunes as well. For us they learned the songs of the summer: Blurred Lines and Get Lucky. And Justin even surprise serenaded me with a special rendition of Paul Simon’s Late in the Evening, with our friend Charlie on guitar.

Our wedding reception was a magical dance party, thanks to an amazing band and an amazing producer, the Groom.

 

[Cocktail Hour]

[Reception Entrance]

[Surprise Serenade]

A

P.S. Our friends Fallon and Even got married in October and they surprised everyone (including the Groom himself!) with an acapella group. As the Bride and Groom began their recession post ceremony, one man stood up, then another, then another – all singing Happy Together. At first we were all confused, like who are these crazy relatives singing in the audience? (They were sitting randomly throughout.) But then it became clear that this was a planned acapella performance, and it was beautiful. And the element of surprise made it all the more fun.

P.P.S. My friend Julie, married last October, gave me some of the best wedding advice ever. She told me to stay on the dance floor all night, and that’s where guests will want to be. Fortunately we had spoken to everyone at our Welcome Dinner the night before, and throughout our wedding cocktail hour, so Justin and I didn’t need to go around to each table. We were able to dance the night away, just as Julie had recommended. And I wouldn’t change a thing. 

(Photos by Carlie Statsky)

Photo Booth in a Box

My prediction (and oh-so-subtle hint) proved true and my hubby gave me this awesome throwback camera for Hanukah. We brought the Polaroid-esque piece to our Second Annual Holiday Dinner with Justin’s high school friends and their better halves aka some of my best girlfriends and the instant camera was an instant hit. And what sweetened the experience was a surprise “x-mas booth” in a box I brought to the party. I had seen the fun accessories set while checking out at Crate & Barrel last week and I deemed it perfect for upcoming holiday festivities. We had the best time passing around the silly props and snapping pics with the instax. The x-mas booth box reads, “Add a touch of ho! ho! ho! to your parties,” and it certainly does. See below for a few of our ho! ho! ho! instant camera pics.

Happy Holidays!

A

The Company You Keep

For better or for worse, there is SO MUCH that goes into planning a wedding. Even if you think you’re a “chill yogi bride” and you don’t want anything over the top, preparing for “I do’s”  (in our case, destination I do's) is no small feat. After going through the process I am wiser for it. And I have lots of info and tips, not to mention pics, to share.

First Up: 

The Vendors

Surrounding yourself with consummate professionals is important. Just as important? Surrounding yourself with people who have personalities that jibe with yours. Handpicking the crew who surrounds you on your wedding day is basically as important as picking your bridal party. These are the people you spend precious time with on your big day, and if you choose wisely, they can actually help you relax on a stereotypically stressful day.

And even the vendors who aren’t in your hotel suite on the big day are certainly a big part of your life leading up to the wedding. Justin and I logged many hours emailing and conducting calls with our vendors because we didn’t enlist a wedding planner. But regardless of whether you hire Colin Cowie or choose to go at it on your own, you want people who get you and are working with you, not just for you.

Kendall Shira, Hair Stylist at Cinta Salon

My wedding day hair stylist was completely laid back and cool. She was the epitome of calm yet somehow worked quickly and efficiently to get my hair, as well as the coifs of those in my bridal party, looking great.

Kristin Brock, Makeup Artist at The Carneros Inn

My makeup artist was beyond sweet and supportive. She really listened to my (not very well-articulated) vision. We totally bonded and her kind words as well as her amazing work left me feeling giddy.

Carlie Statsky, Photographer

Our photographer? I like to think that we’re literally BFF. Carlie Statsky works as a team with her husband Gabe, and they’re basically the coolest, kindest, most fun couple to ever exist. And their work? The amazing photos here and in this post speak for themselves! Justin jokes that I’m too obsessed with Carlie and Gabe, but I’m perfectly comfortable being obsessed with our photogs/new best friends and all our wedding day vendors.

Julie Stevens, Floral Design

I had one easy phone conversation with our florist and I emailed her my Pinterest boards and she nailed our décor details from the get-go. We met Julie Stevens in-person briefly a few months before the wedding and she showed us some spot-on mockups. I remember saying to Justin, “Julie Stevens just gets me.”

Brooke Baglietto, Wedding Specialist at The Carneros Inn

Justin and I had tons of email back and forth with the wedding specialist at The Carneros Inn, Brooke Baglietto. Brooke is the point-person for every single wedding at TCI and she knows her stuff. She kept us on track throughout the months leading up to our wedding, and she answered every single planning question we had. There were about a million. And on the day of our wedding? Justin and I were able to relax and really enjoy ourselves knowing Brooke was at the helm.

Heidi Johnson, Tailor

Heidi was a last minute addition to our vendor team, recommended by Brooke when I realized upon arriving in Napa that my humongous tulle and silk wedding gown was completely wrinkled. This should’ve come as no surprise, considering I had crammed the dress into a mere carry-on piece of luggage. After treating my gown so poorly I wanted a professional to salvage its shape, not to mention its gorgeous tulle flower details. Heidi was completely booked the week of our wedding, but she kindly allowed me and Justin to come to her home late one night so she could work after hours on my dress.

A special thanks to the wonderful people who just get me (and my hubby) and made all our wedding dreams come true.

A (& J)

[Photos by Carlie Statsky]