Below you’ll find the complete program for our wedding ceremony, including the titles of the songs that were played at specific occasions, the readings, and our vows. For links to the songs, see this post: Music from the Ceremony and Reception
We prepared the program in conjunction with our wonderful celebrants, Tim and Jen Bailey of Celebrating Times of Change.
Amy_Cynthia_Ceremony_FINAL-VERSIONAmy and I had months to ponder over which songs to select for the ceremony and reception, but we didn’t make the final selections until the last minute, after we’d had time to let our options play on our mental jukeboxes.
I knew early on what I wanted as a bridal procession song, but after cycling through a variety of options, Amy finally hit on what seemed like an ideal choice for her. We knew when we saw the Disney animated movie, “Zootopia,” that we wanted to use its theme song a recessional. But it wasn’t until we settled on incorporating a “tea and sweets” ritual into our wedding ceremony that we came up with a song that also combines British and Japanese cultures, just as the tea ritual was designed to do. (The song is from a Japanese animated film that’s based on a fantasy novel by British author Diana Wynne Jones.)
After I showed Amy Sara Barielles’ adorable video for the song, “I Choose You,” we both agreed that it would be a perfect “first dance” song. And of course I had to have a few songs from Glee, including the song I chose to honor our bridal party and everyone else who helped to pull the day together.
Follow the links below to view the songs on YouTube or to purchase them on iTunes.
Parents and bridal party entrance: “Totoro” (String quartet) from the Miyazaki animated film My Neighbor Totoro (1998), performed by the Accordi String Quartet (purchase on iTunes)
Amy’s entrance: “Prologue” from Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone (2001), score by John Williams (purchase on iTunes)
Cynthia’s entrance: “Always With Me” (Itsumo Nando Demo) from Spirited Away (2001), performed by Yumi Kimora. Japanese to English translation. (purchase on iTunes)
Tea ceremony: “Merry-Go-Round of Life” from the Miyazaki animated film Howl’s Moving Castle (2004), performed by the Mononoke Ensemble (purchase on iTunes)
Recessional: “Try Everything” from the Disney animated film, Zootopia (2016), performed by Shakira (purchase on iTunes)
Bridal party and brides dinner entrance: “My Life Would Suck Without You” (Glee Cast) – Original by Kelly Clarkson (purchase on iTunes)
Cake Cutting: “Least Complicated” from Swamp Ophelia, by the Indigo Girls (purchase on iTunes)
Brides’ First Dance: “I Choose You” by Sara Barielles (purchase on iTunes)
The video is a must-see!
Dedication to Shawn: “Bad, Bad Leroy Brown” by Jim Croce (purchase on iTunes)
Brides’ Last Dance: “Fields of Gold” – Original by Sting as sung by Eva Cassidy (purchase on iTunes)
Send-Off: “Somebody Loves You” by Betty Who (purchase on iTunes)
In addition to giving them another hearty THANK YOU, we also wanted to provide links to our fantastic vendors in case anyone is looking for referrals!
This is what my hair stylist came up with in a “trial” of a bridal “up-do.” I like it, but I don’t love it. So I’m hoping to get a bit more of an “up” do on the big day, as well as more curls. And yes, my hair is in the process of going from red to purple!
We chose a design that symbolizes the Tardis from Dr. Who, because of the role the Tardis played in bringing us back together. When Amy saw a photo of Cynthia standing in front of a Tardis at Denver ComicCon, she decided to comment on it, even though she hadn’t spoken to Cynthia for six years. Cynthia responded, and the rest is history!
3:00-5:00 – Amy, Cynthia, and bridal party get ready
5:00-5:30 – Guests start arriving
5:30-6:00 – Wedding Ceremony
6:00-7:00 – Cocktail Hour
7:00-8:00 – Dinner
8:00-9:00 – Dancing & Socializing
Food provided by Greens Point Catering.
Passed Hors D’Oeuvres
Dinner Buffet
NB: Vegetarian and gluten-free options will be available
Cake provided by Colorado Rose Cake Company.
* Cynthia wants you to know that this layer is ALL OURS!
Here’s the digital “card” that served as our wedding invitation via PaperlessPost.com:
Who are the brown and blue creatures?
They’re from one of Cynthia’s favorite animated films, “My Neighbor Totoro,” by the legendary Japanese animator, Hayao Miyazaki. The brown one is a woodland spirit called Totoro, and the blue one is his smaller companion.
Who are the dogs behind the blue creature?
Those are cartoon versions of our three Chihuahua mixes, which Amy created in Pixton. The tan dog is Amber, the yellow dog is Dulcie, and the reddish brown dog is Holly.
Who drew the chibis?
Cynthia created her chibi’s head on xiibi.com, and Amy modified it by replacing the eyes and adjusting the hair and skin tone.
Amy used a chibi she created on xiibi.com as inspiration but drew the new chibi head from scratch using a drawing app for Mac.
Who drew the wedding dresses?
Amy traced some clip art images and modified them extensively to suit the design.
What’s the setting in the background?
The background is a composite of several photos of the ceremony area at Lionscrest Manor.
What apps did you use to design the card?
Amy used Pixelmator for image editing and Comic Life 3 for layout.
This is what happens when you mix these ingredients:
We look forward to seeing how the cake turns out in person!
Here’s the card we used to send out “Save the Date” notices via Paperless Post:
Cynthia and Amy are wearing fairly traditional wedding dresses, but that’s about it as far as any level of formality goes. (They will both likely be wearing comfortable shoes!)
We want you to enjoy having an occasion for dressing up but to also feel comfortable and relaxed, so wear whatever would feel best to you.
The ceremony will be held outdoors, on a partially shaded grass lawn that’s set against a mountain backdrop. If it rains, we’ll move inside to the dining hall.
Share our love of Disney by wearing your Magic Bands to the wedding. We’ll be wearing ours!
We recently met with the Lionscrest wedding coordinator to review our choices for decor and schedule, and I took these photos of our dinner table choices to help those who are helping with table decorations.
Here’s our choice for the “bridal party” table (plum table cloth and ivory napkins):
And here’s our choice for the remaining dinner tables (ivory table cloth with napkins alternating in plum and sage):
Lionscrest Manor is up in the foothills west of Lyons, CO, which is west of Longmont.
The “Contact Us” page on the Lionscrest web site has directions from Boulder, Denver, and Northern Colorado.
The address to use for a map app is: 603 Indian Lookout Road, Lyons CO 80540
Indian Lookout Road is on the west side of Hwy 36, about a third of a mile north of the town of Lyons. The turn can be hard to spot, so also be on the lookout for the Lionscrest Manor sign.
The road is unpaved, and it heads up the side of a tall hill, with a steady climb and quite a few gentle switchbacks. You’ll pass residences on the left and right, but just keep going. Lionscrest Manor is all the way at the top!
(click to enlarge)
Prices shown below may be subject to change!
For a map of the area, with the wedding venue and each lodging option indicated, scroll to the bottom or follow this link.
Thompson House Inn (~$129-149)
A charming B&B in an historic home in old town Longmont
537 Terry St.
Longmont CO 80501
[12.6 miles from Lionscrest]
Ellen’s Bed & Breakfast (~$115)
Another charming B&B in an historic area of Longmont
700 Kimbark Street
Longmont CO 80501
[12.6 miles from Lionscrest]
Stone Mountain Lodge & Cabins
A rustic mountain lodge off of Hwy 36 leading from Lyons to Estes Park
18055 N. St Vrain Drive
Lyons CO 80540
[3.7 miles from Lionscrest]
Marriott Courtyard (~$110)
1410 Dry Creek Drive
Longmont CO 80503
[13.4 miles from Lionscrest]
Best Western Plus Plaza Hotel (~$123)
1900 Ken Pratt Boulevard
Longmont CO 80501
[13.6 miles from Lionscrest]
Hampton Inn (~$139)
850 S. Main Street
Longmont CO 80501
[14.1 miles from Lionscrest]
Holiday Inn Express (~$147)
1355 Dry Creek Drive
Longmont CO 80503
[13.4 miles from Lionscrest]
Super 8 Longmont/Twin Peaks (~$96)
2446 N Main St.
Longmont CO 80501
[10.6 miles from Lionscrest]
Wedding Venue: Lionscrest Manor
603 Indian Lookout Rd.
Lyons, CO 80540
Amy & Cynthia’s Home
8080 Hygiene Rd.
Longmont CO 80503