Thanks for the memories!
So we finally did it- it all came to an end this weekend when Brian and I got married. Everything went perfectly- it was well worth all the time, energy, sweat and tears that went into the planning process.
The rehearsal went well. We ran through it a couple of times in the park, and then headed to Fratello's for dinner. (fried ravoli is SO yummy). Everyone really appreciated the gifts we got them. Then the girls went to my parents' for some red tenting and fondue, while the boys went to our house for some poker.
I had a hard time sleeping, but I did get some sleep. I started the morning in the Red Tent with my parents. Brian stopped by to drop off the card for me that he forgot to give my dad the night before. Then I was by myself for a little bit (yes, I did cry, but that's ok)
Mom and I met Rachel and Erin (jr bm's) at the hair place. Then I went home for lunchy (bread and cheese still). Grandpa stopped by while Carol (Brian's aunt) was doing my make-up. Then while my mom was getting dressed, I read my book. Meg was running late due to highway traffic. I got dressed (what a PROCESS) and we took some pictures outside once Meg arrived. While we were outside, it started to rain a little bit. I almost had a legit heart attack. However, I did convince my dad to take the Harley.
So Meg, Bri (my 16 yr old cousin) and I hopped in the red antique convertible and drove to the park. The ceremony wasn't supposed to start until 4, but we got to the park at about 340. So we were waiting a block away, and apparently everyone was early, and with the thunder in the distance, Meg, Bri, Rachel, and Erin, got into the car and drove to the park. I climbed onto the bike behind my dad, and we drove up the sidewalk.
Everyone then took their positions and we started processing. The arch my dad and mom made was BEAUTIFUL. Walking down the aisle runner was difficult because it had started to bunch, but I made it! Once I got to Brian, we started the ceremony after surprising our moms with a rose each. It felt like it last about 2 minutes, but in reality it lasted about 10. Kathy (Brian's mom) and my mom each gave a blessing- Kathy read something that was done at hers and Bill's wedding, which was nice. We got a lot of compliments on the ceremony, which was nice because we worked so hard on it.
We got married at exactly 4:17 pm on September 8, 2007 (one of the groomsmen looked at his watch during the prouncement). Then we kissed, and walked down the aisle. Brian and I hopped in the car real quick (after posing for a picture) and drove around the block. When we got back, it had started to rain lightly. Mostly everyone had left for the reception, but I made some people stay to take a few pictures (under the arch, and on the steps with the gazebo behind us).
Then we drove to the Derryfield. We arrived an hour and a half head of time, so Brian and I ran down into a room and spent about 15 minutes alone together. That was really special. Then we went upstairs and took a lot of group photos on the back where someone had set up the arch. Next we re-entered the room for our formal introduction, and Brian and I had our first dance to "Everything" by Michael Buble. I got twirled just a little bit and it was great.
Dinner was minestrone soup, caesar salad, sorbet, and then chicken with veggies. Before the dinner, Brian and I cut the cake (it was a cheesecake). That was a lot of fun! No cake smashing for us, but Brian did a hollywood kiss (the dip the girl and then kiss her type). For dinner, Bri and I ate real fast and then we went around to all the tables while they were eating dinner and dessert. It was great seeing everyone and meeting some people for the first time.
Then the dancing began! My dad and I started, and Brian and Kathy joined in half way through. About half an hour later, we did the garter/ bouquet toss. Emily from Dakota caught the bouquet, and groomsman Matty caught the garter. That was entertaining. Then we did the married couple anniversary dance.
After that, we danced for about 2 1/2 hours. It was exhausting, but so much fun. :-) Our last dance was to "Time of your Life" by Green Day. Mostly everyone was gone- it was just my parents and aunts and uncles, and Brian's parents left. Then we went out to our car, which was nicely decorated, and headed home.
I had told Brian that I really just wanted a clean bedroom. When we got upstairs, there were candles everywhere, and a bouquet of red roses, plus a bottle of champagne. I won't get into details about what happened next!
The rehearsal went well. We ran through it a couple of times in the park, and then headed to Fratello's for dinner. (fried ravoli is SO yummy). Everyone really appreciated the gifts we got them. Then the girls went to my parents' for some red tenting and fondue, while the boys went to our house for some poker.
I had a hard time sleeping, but I did get some sleep. I started the morning in the Red Tent with my parents. Brian stopped by to drop off the card for me that he forgot to give my dad the night before. Then I was by myself for a little bit (yes, I did cry, but that's ok)
Mom and I met Rachel and Erin (jr bm's) at the hair place. Then I went home for lunchy (bread and cheese still). Grandpa stopped by while Carol (Brian's aunt) was doing my make-up. Then while my mom was getting dressed, I read my book. Meg was running late due to highway traffic. I got dressed (what a PROCESS) and we took some pictures outside once Meg arrived. While we were outside, it started to rain a little bit. I almost had a legit heart attack. However, I did convince my dad to take the Harley.
So Meg, Bri (my 16 yr old cousin) and I hopped in the red antique convertible and drove to the park. The ceremony wasn't supposed to start until 4, but we got to the park at about 340. So we were waiting a block away, and apparently everyone was early, and with the thunder in the distance, Meg, Bri, Rachel, and Erin, got into the car and drove to the park. I climbed onto the bike behind my dad, and we drove up the sidewalk.
Everyone then took their positions and we started processing. The arch my dad and mom made was BEAUTIFUL. Walking down the aisle runner was difficult because it had started to bunch, but I made it! Once I got to Brian, we started the ceremony after surprising our moms with a rose each. It felt like it last about 2 minutes, but in reality it lasted about 10. Kathy (Brian's mom) and my mom each gave a blessing- Kathy read something that was done at hers and Bill's wedding, which was nice. We got a lot of compliments on the ceremony, which was nice because we worked so hard on it.
We got married at exactly 4:17 pm on September 8, 2007 (one of the groomsmen looked at his watch during the prouncement). Then we kissed, and walked down the aisle. Brian and I hopped in the car real quick (after posing for a picture) and drove around the block. When we got back, it had started to rain lightly. Mostly everyone had left for the reception, but I made some people stay to take a few pictures (under the arch, and on the steps with the gazebo behind us).
Then we drove to the Derryfield. We arrived an hour and a half head of time, so Brian and I ran down into a room and spent about 15 minutes alone together. That was really special. Then we went upstairs and took a lot of group photos on the back where someone had set up the arch. Next we re-entered the room for our formal introduction, and Brian and I had our first dance to "Everything" by Michael Buble. I got twirled just a little bit and it was great.
Dinner was minestrone soup, caesar salad, sorbet, and then chicken with veggies. Before the dinner, Brian and I cut the cake (it was a cheesecake). That was a lot of fun! No cake smashing for us, but Brian did a hollywood kiss (the dip the girl and then kiss her type). For dinner, Bri and I ate real fast and then we went around to all the tables while they were eating dinner and dessert. It was great seeing everyone and meeting some people for the first time.
Then the dancing began! My dad and I started, and Brian and Kathy joined in half way through. About half an hour later, we did the garter/ bouquet toss. Emily from Dakota caught the bouquet, and groomsman Matty caught the garter. That was entertaining. Then we did the married couple anniversary dance.
After that, we danced for about 2 1/2 hours. It was exhausting, but so much fun. :-) Our last dance was to "Time of your Life" by Green Day. Mostly everyone was gone- it was just my parents and aunts and uncles, and Brian's parents left. Then we went out to our car, which was nicely decorated, and headed home.
I had told Brian that I really just wanted a clean bedroom. When we got upstairs, there were candles everywhere, and a bouquet of red roses, plus a bottle of champagne. I won't get into details about what happened next!