After the wedding ceremony and all the pictures, it was time for the reception. Our dinner reception was held at Tudor Hall, in Ottawa. We arrived in our limousine shortly after 5 pm to join the guests for cocktails and socializing. Dinner followed shortly after. During the meal, guests got us to kiss either by using a hoola-hoop (some doing so very creatively) or by serenading us with a song with the word "love" in it.

After the dinner came the speeches. Michelle, Leah's mother, gave a very humourous presentation, complete with props (a hammer, a plush Hershey's Kiss doll, a set of handcuffs, and a pack of maps -- you had to be there). Leah father's Joe followed and also related fond memories of childhood and family experiences. Timo's parents, Matti & Helga, shared the stage next, making a short speech and presenting the couple with a special handmade craft as a gift to the new couple.

After the parents, our MC Frank gave the floor to his wife Sharon. She read to the crowd a poem that she had written as a gift for us. You can read the poem yourself here. After Sharon, the head table speeches were made. Iain gave the audience a humourous rundown of Timo's resume and how it was appropriate for our marriage. Sara shared fond memories about times spent with Leah and toasted the couple. Annette and Curtis shared the floor, relating the tale of how we met (the car key adventure). They then surprised us with a wonderful gift: a slideshow presentation of pictures of our childhoods and of our relationship together; it was even cued to music. (to hear about Captain Project's special guest appearance for the slideshow, click here.)

Then it was our turn. We spent some time sharing our memories and appreciation for our families and friends. We then took a moment to thank our guests, particularly those involved in the wedding or those who had travelled from afar to be with us.

After the speeches and a short break, it was time for our first dance. We moved around the dance floor to our song: "Love Is Where You Are" by Diana Krall. Afterward, the dance floor was opened for all of our guests and continued to celebrate late into the night.

At the end of the evening, we changed into our "going away" clothes, said our good byes to friends and family, and were chauffeured off into the night to begin our new life together as Mr. and Mrs. Jaakkimainen.