Marine Corps Ball 2011
Monday, November 07, 2011
We attended the Marine Corps birthday ball this weekend - it was the first one I have ever been to, due to deployments and moves. I thought it was a lot of fun, and we really did have a great time!
All dolled up, and looking pretty sharp, if you ask me!
My mom snapped a few pictures on her camera, so please excuse the fuzziness of the next few photos!
I LOVED my dress - it was fun and comfortable and made me feel sassy! And my heels? Let's just say that I hardly EVER wear heels, so I was proud that I wore them and actually kept them on all night long!
We are goofballs, I know.
Me and my man. Love.
We went with our friends, Mark and Amy, so of course had to take a few photos with them.
Our evening? Once we got all dressed up and took the pictures above, we headed off to the Ball venue, and started the evening off with a cocktail hour. After that slightly awkward hour of mingling, we all headed into the room where the ceremony was to take place. For those of you not familiar, the ball is held as a celebration of the USMC birthday - this year, it was the 236th birthday. So, the ceremony, which is full of pageantry and precise tradition, is centered mainly around a cake-cutting ceremony, where the oldest Marine of the unit passes a piece of cake to the youngest Marine in the unit. Kind of cool! After the ceremony, which lasted about 25 minutes, we went to find our table for dinner. The Guest of Honor was introduced and gave a speech, and then dinner was served. Dinner, by the way, was pretty good - we ate chicken and filet mignon with smashed potatoes, green beans, dinner rolls and a salad.
I am not sure about how other unit's do their ball, but there was not much else that happened after the dinner. I think there was some dancing in another room, but it seemed that most people slipped out after dinner, to continue partying elsewhere. Max and I hung out with a few couples, chatting, laughing and exchanging stories, until we realized we were one of the last ones in the room - and it was only 10pm! So we gathered our stuff (I got a red flower at my seat, and we got some etched glasses), and headed out in the cold rain, to make our way home.
Overall, we had a lovely evening. I had never seen Max in his dress blues before, and it was a lot of fun to see him looking so sharp. And because I had never experienced a ball before, I found the ceremony fascinating and very interesting to watch.
Happy 236th Birthday, Marine Corps!
11 comments
Oh, sounds like fun. I can't believe everyone ditched you in the main room, too weird. Mostly, after the ceremony and food there is dancing and half of the Marines partying in the rest of the venue aka hotel or casino depending.
ReplyDeleteThat looked like great fun - I love the dress!! Our ball was a couple months ago, and is very much the same formality minus no speakers (just dinner!). There were a few awards giving out for high-brow honors, but it's mainly about the food...lol. Then afterwards is a big thing: live band, bar, dancing, where everyone attends. We finally made it to our hotel room at Midnight...where we ordered pizza and watched movies (usually everyone gets a hotel room to avoid needing DD's).
ReplyDeleteGlad you had fun at your first one though!!
You guys look wonderful!
ReplyDeleteKaylee, you beautiful doll! Gorgeous dress and killer heels! And your man does look really sharp! I love their uniforms! I'm glad you had so much fun. Our ball had cocktail hour, dinner which sounds the same, and than the most boring speeches (because I didn't know what they were talking about) for 2 and half hours ! We sneaked out with a couple of friends to go to a hotel room were others had sneaked out for drinks and celebrating;)
ReplyDeleteBeautiful dress! And you both look so happy! I'm glad you two were able to have that experience!
ReplyDeleteGreat dress and I love the heels!
ReplyDeleteYou look gorgeous!! Glad you guys had a good time.
ReplyDeleteYou guys look great! We had our unit ball at the beginning of July and slipped out right after dinner. My husband didn't want to dance and I was 18ish weeks pregnant and just tired.
ReplyDeleteI love your dress!!! Both of you look great. =) I haven't been to a ball yet either...maybe soon!
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you guys enjoyed yourself, your dress was fantastic!
ReplyDeleteyou look gorgeous! you guys are an adorable couple :)
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