I can’t tell you why exactly — maybe it’s because I’m an introvert, or the fact that I can’t dance to save my life? — but I was really nervous about my reception. My worries were unwarranted, however, because it was the most fun ever! We held our reception at a ballroom near downtown St. Louis and the ballroom was simply beautiful – it didn’t require much decorating except for the tables, which made it a lot less stressful!
We kept the centerpieces pretty simple with sunflowers and baby’s breath in a vase and some candles. We made “I Do” activity and coloring books with crayons wrapped in a piece of blue ribbon to keep the kids entertained (we had so many kids there!).
The night began with the DJ introducing our parents and the bridal party down on the main entrance to the dance floor, but we surprised everyone by coming out of the secret door on the balcony. It was oh my gosh, so hilarious to see everyone’s looks of surprise and shock when they turned around and saw us there. Their reactions were absolutely priceless!
My dad said a quick prayer before what I was most excited for: eating! We catered an “hors d’oeuvres buffet” which is really just a fancy way to say junk food, but that’s what my mom kept telling everyone we were having. Andrew is so picky that a traditional meal (salad, veggies, potatoes, meat) he wouldn’t even eat half of, and none of that is really a meal we love, so we went with what we do love! Chicken tenders, crab Rangoon, fruit kebabs, loaded potato skins, dollar sandwiches, and toasted ravioli (which is a St. Louis thing that everyone should have!)! It was so good. I had Andrew go get us seconds and we had several people ask for the caterer because they wanted to use them in the future!
I should mention now that our DJ was a little…needy. I’m not sure what other word to use, because he had to talk with us every time before he moved on to the next event, which is okay to an extent because I’m glad he wanted things right, but I felt like it made the night very choppy. There’s a reason I included a schedule for the evening, but that’s beside the point I suppose. 
So after our approval, we moved into the speeches and I was very proud that I didn’t cry during my maid of honor speech. I was a bit nervous about the best man speech – he had so many horrible stories that he could have shared that would have been just absolutely mortifying, but it was actually really sweet.
We next played the “shoe game”. We sat back to back on the dance floor and the DJ asked a series of questions, such as “Who is more likely to have road rage?” Then we would raise the shoe of the person that answered that question. Sometimes we would both raise the same shoe, but it was hilarious when we would disagree and hold up different shoes. We were always peeking over our shoulders to see which shoe the other person raised and I think all of our guests really enjoyed it. We finished with “Who do you love more than anyone else?” <3
We served cupcakes instead of the traditional wedding cake and, to help us save money on the cost of the dessert, my aunt baked all 300 something cupcakes for us! She made us a small cake for us to cut and then I surprised Andrew with a batman Groom’s Cake. All of the cupcakes and cakes looked awesome and Andrew loved the Batman cake!
The cake that we cut was a little hard to cut, and we kept cutting into the ribbon that wrapped around the bottom. As we each held our pieces and sized each other up, I told Andrew that he had to be nice. And then we both proceeded to shove cake into each other’s face. My aunt used fondant as the icing – which was good and bad; good because it doesn’t smear well, so I didn’t have to worry about it all over my face, but bad because it didn’t smear all over Andrew’s face. ;P
We love each other, I promise.
This is the fifth post in a series about my wedding day. You can also read about the rehearsal dinner, the morning of, the ceremony, and the outdoor pictures.
I have got to say, you are a stunning bride! Your wedding sounds so nice and cozy (in a good way I promise!!) and it sounds like you had a blast, which is the main point! Your dress is stunning as well. The cake is adorable, all in all, your wedding is absolutely fabulous and I’m so happy that you’re letting us in on this tidbit of your life-I love being able to read all your little details! Thanks for including us!
Thank you Kayla! You are too sweet
I have loved sharing my big day with all of you!
Aww, sounds like a lovely time! Congrats! You both look really great together. And you look beautiful!
I love the last photo. It’s hilarious seeing you guys shove cake into each others faces. Though, it looked like you were a little meaner in the photo. They say a picture is worth a thousand words, and yours is a lot more than that. Thank you for including us as you recall what happened during your wedding. I’m sure we all feel as though we were there. At least, I know I do.
Lol! I probably was a little meaner – but I think I kind of stunned him because I so quickly shoved it in his mouth he didn’t have time to react!
I have loved sharing these with you guys. It’s like you were all there!
Kudos to the cameraman or woman for taking some amazing pictures! =) Beautiful bride, centerpieces, cake, cupcakes… You had nothing to worry about!
This toasted ravioli thing sounds interesting. Something that I’ll have to look up and try. Haha, I know the struggle of being with a picky eater but the menu you went with could definitely be enjoyed by many people.
Fondant is difficult to smear, but some of those cupcakes look like they would have been easier. I would have gone for one of those as my weapon of choice.
Toasted ravioli is one of my favorite junk foods and I honestly don’t know why they don’t have it everywhere! It’s kind of like mozzarella sticks ( the breading) and you dip it in marinara sauce, but with meat inside (though there are cheese ones too – the meat is just better).
I didn’t even think about using a cupcake! That would definitely have gotten everywhere! Good thinking
I love EVERYTHING about this reception. you look stunning, your man looks amazing, you both looks PERFECT together! and the photos sum up everything. I love the crayon idea, and how the cupcake kinda suit both bride and groom and lol the cake-cutting part would be funny to watch
congratulations and may both of you love each other forever, and live happily ever after!
First of all, congrats on getting married!
I love the idea of the “shoe game”, I wish we could have done something fun like that on our wedding day!
I love the cake and cupcakes! I had my grandmother bake our cake as well just to save on costs. Funny enough, I consider it a wedding present and she still wants to get a gift! xD
The center pieces are just lovely. Sometimes simplicity is best, after all, it’s the simple things in our loved ones we love them for
May you both have many good years ahead of you and I can’t wait to see what’s going on next for you! ^^
Thanks Alyssa! That’s so funny about your grandma because I totally considered the cake and cupcakes our present too, but she insisted on getting us a present, too! Family can be so sweet!
Congratulations, Becca! Can’t believe the wedding is already here! The reception looks really nice and well planned out! The food sounds really delicious too~
It’s a bit weird that the DJ had the need to talk to you guys a lot. Shouldn’t he be planning the next song or mix? The speeches sounds like it came out better than you thought. It should always be nice and sweet rather than embarrassing ;). The shoe game sounds pretty cool! It’s sweet of your aunt to bake all of the cupcakes for you! That is a lot of cupcakes and the details are awesome.
Congratulations :)!
Thanks, Nancy! Yes, it the DJ was a little weird, but he played good music so it still was a fun night!
Haha, I didn’t know if my aunt was going to make it through all those cupcakes. She said she would never do that again haha but she was a HUGE blessing and saved us so much money!
The coloring books are a cute idea! I also love your centerpieces
I saw the shoe game for the first time a couple years ago at a friend’s wedding. It’s such a funny and cute game! That’s so sweet of your aunt to bake all the cupcakes. 300 is so many! I love that you guys had a Batman groom’s cake too.
I’m glad you had a great time at your reception!
Thanks, Cat! The first time I saw the shoe game was on Pinterest and that’s where I originally got the idea, but since then almost every wedding I’ve been to has done it and it is always so much fun!
From the posts that I have been reading so far, you planned this whole event so well and should be so proud.
What an awesome idea to have an activity like that for the kids. I am sure they found it really exciting to have something like that waiting for them.
Haha, that is so good that you surprised everyone with the entrance.
It’s a shame that the DJ wasn’t that cool. At least he turned up, that would have been bad!
Aww, I am glad that the speeches went well and nothing bad or embarrassing was shared! xD
That is such a brilliant game to play. I am sure it was a lot of fun and that everyone enjoyed it. It would have been pretty funny as well!
Those cupcakes and cake look absolutely amazing. It was so wonderful that your aunt was able to make them all. I am sure that would have saved a huge expense and it does also make it more personal.
Hahahah. I love the cake smearing! xD
Thank you, Kya! It was a lot of work but it was so worth it! I ended up being okay with the DJ cause he did play really good music, and I’ve been to a wedding where the DJ was horrible and it basically ruined the night. So it turned out okay!
I love how you decorated the tables, and the colouring books are a great idea for the kids! I know a lot of people don’t allow kids at their weddings, but kids are so cute and make the best flower girls and ring bearers
I love the sound of your buffet. It’s nearly lunchtime, so my tummy is actually rumbling like mad! Haha. The shoe game sounds like fun!
I had a cupcake tower for my 21st birthday! They’re so cool – I actually had Batman on mine too, as well as Doctor Who and Supernatural.
I love yours!
We thought about not having kids at the wedding to cut costs, but it just didn’t make sense since we both had so many family and friends with children. I remember growing up hating not being able to attend receptions because children weren’t allowed, so I was glad we chose to because they add so much fun!
Wow, this reception is awesome! ^^ I love love the cake and cupcakes, and the reception just turned out wonderfully.
becca, this series is like a tv show that i just have to read or else i’d cry if i missed an episode!
“hors d’oeuvres buffet”. and the menu! i’d probably get an inspiration from your reception menu once my own wedding day comes! (and i’ll give credit!
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the shoe game is something new to me and glad you guys had a fun time!:D
all the cupcake and the groom’s cake look great! they must taste great as well. it’s cute that you’re all dressed in formalities then those sweets are designed with batman because it’s your husband’s fave.
have i mentioned how i love your photographs? and on this post, the last one is gold.:D
Haha no need to give credit!
the best way to get ideas is definitely from brides who have already done it so when you plan your big day, I’d love to answer any questions or give advice 
I was so excited by the cake! You did an amazing job on it. I love Batman too, so I thoroughly approve of it.
Sorry about the DJ, but at least he was willing to make sure everything was perfect for you guys. I love all the photos because they capture all the joy and love between you two. Especially the one with you putting cake in Andrew’s face.
My friend and his wife did the shoe game when they got married too. I had no idea what it was called. xD