Let me set the stage for you…everyone was introduced to the crowd to the tune of crowd pleasing Carly Rae Jepson’s “I Really Really Really Like You.”

Then we were introduced as the new Mr. and Mrs. and it was time for our first dance.

We danced to Colbie Caillat’s “Magic” which was fitting because the moment was literally magical. It is a special song to us and every time I listen to it, I think of him. I have never felt so blessed in my life. I’ve said it once, I will say it again. Having all the people you care about in one room celebrating your love for your husband is remarkable.

Then…as if there wasn’t enough love in the room already…Ryan pulled out his guitar and sang “Like Jesus Does” by Eric Church. 

It was more than I could have dreamed of and he killed it. It was like all my dreams as a little girl were coming true (video here). I hadn’t heard him play in years so for him to do it at our wedding reception…the tears were flowing.

We changed up the normal wedding agenda by doing dinner next instead of the parent dances. I broke from the normal bride code and did NOT go visit people at their tables. Before the wedding I had spoken with so many brides about how the night flew and they were stuck talking to people. I figured people could come talk to me and that plan worked out perfectly.

 After dinner we began our dances. I tried to crack jokes the whole time with my dad so we wouldn’t ball our eyes out. We danced to “My Wish” by Rascal Flats. It was very fitting and sweet. How cute are my mom and brother watching us?

The reason we decided to wait until after dinner for the parent dances was so that Ryan and his mom could get the party started ;)! They began dancing to “God Only Knows” by the Beach Boys. Sweet and slow. Then they broke into a very theatrical version of “Hit the Road Jack” by Ray Charles followed by the ever popular electric slide…

This was perfect because then everybody come straight to the dance floor!

And once the dancing began…it didn’t stop. Well, until it was time for toasts and cutting the cake.

Ryan’s brother did an awesome best man speech. It was funny and sweet at the same time. I was a tad worried it would be inappropriate but he pulled through (thank the Lord haha). My best friend Nicole’s speech was beyond amazing…it was heartfelt and conveyed so much love and joy.

When it came to the cake…I honestly forget that that was something we even had to do! Thank God our photographer coached me through it!

I feel like most couples discuss prior to the wedding how to handle feeding the cake to each other but since I didn’t remember that part, we didn’t! It was an awesome, in the moment, experience.

And we definitely shoved it in each others faces haha. If there was a contest of who got the most on the others face, I’d say I won.

One of my other favorite things from the reception was the photobooth! I didn’t plan on having one, but my in-laws got it for us. It was a HUGE hit and I have all the pictures that everyone took in it in a book. Its awesome.

Next, it was time for the bouquet and garter toss. The boys waiting to catch the garter is one of my favorite pictures of the night…

Then of course it was back to dancing. We did it all….the Whip and Nae Nae and even the Polka. My father in law loves the polka…can you tell? Lol.

Occasionally Ryan and I would step away just to take it all in and mostly laugh at our crazy friends and family.

Definitely steal little moments with your groom during your reception.

I know some of my friends will probably kill me for some of these pictures but the candids make me so, so happy. But don’t, worry we got some cute posed ones too 😉

About 30 minutes before the night was over, I started to cry…everything was more beautiful and more fun than I ever could have imagined and I didn’t want it to end!

We danced our lance dance before our exit to “Wifey” by Next. Listen to it, its so great.

Then through the sparklers we went!

Thanks to the Hilton OBX for housing us that night!

Want to see more of our wedding from before the reception?

Check out past posts like Getting Ready, Couples Portraits, Maids and Men, Ceremony  and Details.

Pictures by Alicia Lacey Photography