Finally, after all 2 months of being married, I am blogging about my fantastic wedding. With house renovations and my new job, I have totally neglected this blog. I still have not even downloaded the other half of our wedding photos to facebook. We were given over 2,000 photos, so it is really hard for me to go through all of them and upload. I am a slacker when it comes to that kind of stuff.
We had our rehearsal dinner the day after Thanksgiving. I wanted to make sure to choose a spot that had nothing to do with chicken/turkey. We went to Anzio's landing for a beautiful Italian dinner. Everyone enjoyed, especially the groomsmen who were not sober.
Our wedding day was perfect, everything I could of imagined and more. My day started off doing last minute wedding things with my mom at her house. Then I met several people up at Rolf's at Dana Park to get our hair and make-up done. It was so nice to have so many people up there to support me and offer encouragement. While getting my hair done, the groom/groomsmen were at our house getting ready. They were the first to take group photos at the clubhouse and then myself and the bridesmaids. The weather was perfect, 76 degrees. Everything leading up to the ceremony was perfect. After pictures everyone headed up to the church; girls were in the preschool room and guys were in the pastor's meeting room.
As we started to line up, I became nervous. As the bells chimed, I knew it was time. I started to tear up even before I walked down the isle. I honestly think my dad was more nervous than me. The church was beautiful; flowers, candles and smiling faces everywhere. It felt so right to declare my love for Neil in front of everyone. My favorite part of the ceremony was the bulletins and "what a wonderful world" playing while we lit the unity candle. I am so glad we choose to get married in a Lutheran church.
After the ceremony we took a hummer limo to Val Vista Lakes. My dad wanted us to show up to the clubhouse in style, and we sure did. The reception was amazing. Needless to say the alcohol was a hit. Once word got around that we had premium alcohol, it went fast. While Neil and I took photographs, my aunt Rhonda was following us around with drinks, which helped me calm my nerves. The wedding party all had special songs and dances to come out when they were being announced. My videographer said it was the one of the best wedding entrances he has ever seen (our video is proof). Then the dinner, drinking, dancing, toasting and laughing began. Everyone was having such a good time on the dance floor, drinking, watching the slide show and using the photo booth. Neil and I sat back to watch everyone and I thought to myself "wow, what an amazing night/wedding." My favorite part was seeing my husband smile. I also loved how we Incorporated those who are no longer with us; my grandma especially. I choose "dream a little dream of me" by Nat king Cole to dance with my father because it reminded me of my grandma. Neil and I choose "unchained melody" because it is our song :). Neil danced to "i'll be there" mariah carey version to dance to with his mother.
We were very fortunate to have so many friends and family with us that night. It was amazing to see people that traveled far to see us (Connecticut, New Jersey, Texas, Tennessee, Colorado). I am very blessed that I have found Neil. It all started in High School and never in a million years did I think we would get married.
I loved my wedding.
Now, I can get blogging about other subjects; our house projects, my new job, Minnie and my new cruiser bicycle.
