Once the engagement happens, then comes the planning. A year and a half of location, photographers, food, flowers, dress, suits, music, parties etc. came and went (including my graduation with a degree in Family and Consumer Sciences) and then was the day that we had planned for. Of course we still had the rehearsal to get through. The Thursday before, my father and step-mom had flown in. They had never met D only heard of things from my mom and I. I was nervous for them to meet. I also had not seen them in 5 years so things were all crazy in my head. After 10 minutes of talking they fell in love with him. Phew! Bullet dodged! We had lunch and then made plans for them to come over to our apartment for dinner.
Friday we awoke with much to do. Organization and packing for the night, since D wasn't staying at our apartment and neither was I, finishing and wrapping gifts for the bridal party and parents, and of course making sure we had everything together to drop off at the location. All while still needing to get ourselves ready and over to the site for rehearsal. It took me far longer to get ready than expected, thanks to the triple digit heat and my miles long hair. But we jumped into the car, and in the 1 mile drive to the location it hit me.....in my memory I haven't seen my parent's in the same room together. That made me so nervous. Nothing about the wedding and the fact that we were getting married, but that. We walk in and everyone is there waiting for us. Cheers and hugs and everything. It was wonderful and everything was great. We did the formal walk through, which D asked "Where do we go when we are done?" Nobody answered that question and it would be an issue later. After a smooth walk through, we all piled into the car to head to SCV and my in-laws home for dinner. Once we arrived, all the food and tables were set and the wine and good company was flowing. Gifts were distributed and the love was shared round. When the time came to say goodbye my fiance took me in his arms and gave me a wonderful hug and goodnight kiss.
Saturday. Wedding t-minus 11 hours (since I woke at 6am and could not go back to sleep) There was hair and makeup to be done. I wasn't a traditional bride and did not get ready with my bridal party. In fact I spent most of the day alone. My mom and I switched off between hair and makeup and at 3PM we arrived at the site to begin getting dressed. My girls were there ready to go, as was my M.I.L. and step-mom all waiting to help me get dressed. In the white gown I went, laced up without a hitch and out we went to get our photos taken. We did not do a first look and I was ok with that. Once my photo's were done we were rushed inside because D had arrived. He took his photos and mingled with the guests as they arrived. Around 5PM the coordinator came in to retrieve my mom and the girls to take their places. Due to the heat most of our guests did not want to go outside, so it took a little persuading. As I was alone in the room waiting for my turn, this was when I got a little nervous. I didn't know what was taking so long. Eventually I was whisked outside and into the waiting arm of my Stepdad. The long journey to the ceremony site and when I turned the corner and saw D, I was so happy. He looked so handsome and happy. We had a short and simple ceremony, I guess not short enough because I still get complaints about the heat. Then we had our recessional. Remember that question....yea we just kept on walking until someone called to us to stop. We had our photos with the family and then shipped everyone off to enjoy the cocktail hour. We enjoyed our alone time and had beautiful photos taken.
Things progressed in a usual manner, including the grand entrance, first dance, toasts, dinner, cake cutting, flower and garter toss. I spent most of the evening on the dance floor with my new husband and our wonderful family and friends....130 of them. It was big, it was loud, it was rocking. We enjoyed every moment of it! When it was time to pack up the night, D and I were whisked away in the limo to our hotel. We went to the room, put down some stuff and promptly went to the bar. While sitting there, we saw our limo pull into the parking lot and D's family and the bridal party get out to decorate his car with Just Married stickers and flags. D proceeds to call them and say "I see you!" It was hilarious. When we finished our drinks we headed out of the bar and bumped into my dad. He had gone to see what their was to do. The hotel had a club inside it, so he and the two of us went in; had another drink and danced and talked. In hindsight, this is one of the most important memories to us. There were so many, but this one stands out. The bonding that we shared means so much more now. (Tear) Once we said our good nights and parted ways in the hotel lobby.
The next morning we packed our stuff and D grabbed my dress. "You wore that heavy thing all day in that heat? I though my suit was bad!" The things that we do for a good party! :-) We entered our apartment to a pile of gifts strewn all over. Couch, chairs, floor! After opening the gifts we went to my grandmother's house for another party and to say goodbye to all those that made the long trip in. If I recall there was some jumping off the roof into the pool! We're a crazy bunch. It was one of the most eventful and wonderful weekends we have ever had! I would do it again tomorrow. Who knows, we just might! :-)
Friday we awoke with much to do. Organization and packing for the night, since D wasn't staying at our apartment and neither was I, finishing and wrapping gifts for the bridal party and parents, and of course making sure we had everything together to drop off at the location. All while still needing to get ourselves ready and over to the site for rehearsal. It took me far longer to get ready than expected, thanks to the triple digit heat and my miles long hair. But we jumped into the car, and in the 1 mile drive to the location it hit me.....in my memory I haven't seen my parent's in the same room together. That made me so nervous. Nothing about the wedding and the fact that we were getting married, but that. We walk in and everyone is there waiting for us. Cheers and hugs and everything. It was wonderful and everything was great. We did the formal walk through, which D asked "Where do we go when we are done?" Nobody answered that question and it would be an issue later. After a smooth walk through, we all piled into the car to head to SCV and my in-laws home for dinner. Once we arrived, all the food and tables were set and the wine and good company was flowing. Gifts were distributed and the love was shared round. When the time came to say goodbye my fiance took me in his arms and gave me a wonderful hug and goodnight kiss.
Saturday. Wedding t-minus 11 hours (since I woke at 6am and could not go back to sleep) There was hair and makeup to be done. I wasn't a traditional bride and did not get ready with my bridal party. In fact I spent most of the day alone. My mom and I switched off between hair and makeup and at 3PM we arrived at the site to begin getting dressed. My girls were there ready to go, as was my M.I.L. and step-mom all waiting to help me get dressed. In the white gown I went, laced up without a hitch and out we went to get our photos taken. We did not do a first look and I was ok with that. Once my photo's were done we were rushed inside because D had arrived. He took his photos and mingled with the guests as they arrived. Around 5PM the coordinator came in to retrieve my mom and the girls to take their places. Due to the heat most of our guests did not want to go outside, so it took a little persuading. As I was alone in the room waiting for my turn, this was when I got a little nervous. I didn't know what was taking so long. Eventually I was whisked outside and into the waiting arm of my Stepdad. The long journey to the ceremony site and when I turned the corner and saw D, I was so happy. He looked so handsome and happy. We had a short and simple ceremony, I guess not short enough because I still get complaints about the heat. Then we had our recessional. Remember that question....yea we just kept on walking until someone called to us to stop. We had our photos with the family and then shipped everyone off to enjoy the cocktail hour. We enjoyed our alone time and had beautiful photos taken.
Things progressed in a usual manner, including the grand entrance, first dance, toasts, dinner, cake cutting, flower and garter toss. I spent most of the evening on the dance floor with my new husband and our wonderful family and friends....130 of them. It was big, it was loud, it was rocking. We enjoyed every moment of it! When it was time to pack up the night, D and I were whisked away in the limo to our hotel. We went to the room, put down some stuff and promptly went to the bar. While sitting there, we saw our limo pull into the parking lot and D's family and the bridal party get out to decorate his car with Just Married stickers and flags. D proceeds to call them and say "I see you!" It was hilarious. When we finished our drinks we headed out of the bar and bumped into my dad. He had gone to see what their was to do. The hotel had a club inside it, so he and the two of us went in; had another drink and danced and talked. In hindsight, this is one of the most important memories to us. There were so many, but this one stands out. The bonding that we shared means so much more now. (Tear) Once we said our good nights and parted ways in the hotel lobby.
The next morning we packed our stuff and D grabbed my dress. "You wore that heavy thing all day in that heat? I though my suit was bad!" The things that we do for a good party! :-) We entered our apartment to a pile of gifts strewn all over. Couch, chairs, floor! After opening the gifts we went to my grandmother's house for another party and to say goodbye to all those that made the long trip in. If I recall there was some jumping off the roof into the pool! We're a crazy bunch. It was one of the most eventful and wonderful weekends we have ever had! I would do it again tomorrow. Who knows, we just might! :-)
No comments:
Post a Comment