A few days before the wedding I posted about receiving the wrong ties... they were originally supposed to be shipped to my parents' house Thursday night... then it was packaged late so it got changed to Friday night... then on Friday they hadn't been shipped... someone made a mistake and a guy drove from PA to MA (Martha's Vineyard) he got on the boat and everything and drove them to my parents house and they were in my hands by 7am!
Our rehearsal went well, except the organist didn't show... I tried to get a-hold of her afterword, but she didn't pick up... I was getting worried that she wrote down the wrong day because I told her when the rehearsal was and that I would pay her that night... she called back and left a msg on our home machine while we were at the RD when I specifically told her to call me on my cell... it was 11PM when our RD was over so too late to call. Luckily she called the morning of the wedding and FI got it all figured out.
Between the ties, the organist, getting married, and sleeping in a bed that wasn't mine, I barely slept the night before the wedding. But the weather showed 60 degrees and sunny with no rain in sight for the day....
My hair and makeup went well, and FMIL, her mom, and FSIL were all there when I finished and told me I looked beautiful (which made me feel like a rockstar!). At 11:30am FSIL came back to my parents house and we hung out with my dad, my nephew/RB. It was nice to have some down time. The flowers got delivered and they looked fantastic!! But then all of a sudden it was 12:45pm and the BMs would be arriving at 1:15pm. I started to worry because I hadn't eaten lunch. Then I began to get super nervous...
I felt sick to my stomach with nerves I only ate 1/4 of a sandwich. But I did have lots of water. The BMs showed up looking amazing in their horizon dresses... then the photographer showed up... I was so nervous... then it was time to get dressed and then next thing I knew it was time to get into the limo. The drive felt like the longest 10 mins of my life!!!
We pulled up to the church around 3pm (ceremony start time). We were in the limo for about 10 mins before the limo guy opened the door... I thought we were waiting for someone important to show up or something, but everyone outside was wondering WTF... still not sure what the deal was with this, but another long 10 mins go by!
Then it's time I get out of the limo and I am THAT GIRL the one in the wedding dress going to the church to get married! The BMs line up on the stairs and I wait down below trying to calm my nerves. I hear the music and they began walking. Then the RB goes and they close the doors. I go to the top of the steps with my dad and we peek in the crack to RB walk down. He was adorable. Then next thing I know the doors open. But it was silent... the ladies were a little to quick to open doors, but oh well, then the music starts and we are walking.
I was so nervous I walked a little to fast that I was slightly tripping, and then I literally shuffle down the aisle. Then I realize holy sh!t I am getting married, there is FI in his tux and all of the GM and the BMs!! Then finally I reach FI, FINALLY! When we joined hands I felt so relieved, I squeezed them so hard. It felt like an eternity since I saw him last.
Then the ceremony begins. I just kept staring at FI because I didn't know where else to look (LOL), but people said the way we were looking at each other, you could see how in love we were
All of a sudden it's time for the vows... FI's were amazing!!! He choked up a little, and he definitely had tears in his eyes. I could hear sniffles behind me (the BMs) and all around. Then it was my turn! I really thought I was going to cry, but I didn't. My voice was clear, and calm (surprisingly!).
Then it was time for the rings... our officient was supposed to read the rings part, then we were to exchange wedding bands, THEN she was supposed to read the e-ring part, then FI would put that on, but her voice was shaking and she just read the whole part so FI put both rings on at the same time. The officient was so emotional she got a little confused I think, oh well. Afterward she told us it was the best ceremony she has ever officiated and I said oh M you say that to everyone, but she said no really it was just so beautiful... she still had tears... and this woman performs lots and lots of ceremonies on the island.
Then we were pronounced and FI went in for the kiss, which we have practiced a million times. Only because I am self conscious of my nose so I wanted his to face the crowd... he turned the wrong way so I am pretty sure it looked like out first kiss ever when I directed him the other way hahaha.
Then finally we are walking down the aisle. It was crazy!!! We were really married!! Then we go to walk outside and it's sprinkling RAIN! I was like um sh!t. We were planning to have a receiving line in front of the church... luckily the church had an overhang so we stood right at the door where everyone exited and greeted our guests that way. It was so nice to see everyone all dressed up!! I managed to dodge the cheek kiss from ladies with lipstick with an ear kiss, but FI got tons of make up on the front part of his tux, luckily it came out haha.
We wanted some shots of us in front of the church, but we needed everyone to leave. Instead of being bossy and telling them to leave our photographer suggested we hop in the limo, drive around the block and come back for the pictures. We get back into the limo and pop the champagne and I could not stop saying OMG we are married!!!
We come back and there are still some guests waiting for taxis outside, but we managed to get some nice shots under the church pillars, at this point it is only slightly misting rain...
We get back into the limo, and I can't remember if the door was slightly ajar, or FI opened it slightly because our photographer was getting in with us, but then all of a sudden the door swings open because it was caught on a van!! The door not only took off the vans side mirror, but it scraped the whole way down the van! I really thought that the door was going to come off! But luckily it didn't.
Needless to say everything happened so freaking fast! The car was traveling way too fast down this strip of road and really close to the limo. He was doing at least 30mph in a 5mph. Our photographer was about to get into the limo, but waited until the car past because he was traveling so fast she said.
I was in utter shock and FI said why does this stuff always happen to us. I was concerned because I had no idea how this would all go down? Was it FI's fault? Are we at fault or is this on the limo driver because we were passengers? My dad took care of the limo so didn't know about what type of insurance is part of it? The driver of the van says that FI opened the door all the way, but there was at least 15 witnesses saying that was not true...
The police were called and our photographer told us it would be wise if we got into her car with her assistant and continue with our plans rather than wait for the police and deal with this mess. It was about 4pm at this time...
We drive around to a few locations with our photographer and her assistant and took individual shots for about 45 mins. Then we arrive at the reception area and we take the family portraits for about an hour. It wasn't until 5:30pm ish that our limo driver finally made it to the reception! I am so glad we didn't wait for him we would have lost so much time!
FI was so nervous about the accident, especially because his uncles waited until the police showed up to give their statements (both are police officers in other states) and said that one would be calling to take FI's statement. This made FI and I extremely nervous throughout our portraits because I couldn't remember what happened and I honestly thought that FI just opened the door the whole way... I was having images of us testifying in court... and being grilled in a dark room with an officer...
The family shots and BM/GM shots took about an hour, and became slightly disorganized because people kept leaving and going into the reception tent when they weren't done with the pictures, so people had to keep leaving to go find them. But they finally got done and then it was time to be announced and have our first dance.
I really wish that I had our spotlight dance songs last 2 mins because they felt like forever! I am no professional dancer so FI and I just swayed back and forth, but it was nice to finally be at the reception and done with our pictures. We sat down and it was time for salad, but then our photographer wanted us for more pictures out on the golf cart and we took some other shots quickly.
Then we ate dinner. When something makes me nervous that I can't eat it takes my stomach a while to get over it so although I was hungry my stomach felt sick still. I picked at my dinner. Then I visited with some guests I hadn't seen in a while. During this time my dad let FI and I know that the police officer who showed up was actually a friend of my parents... once he heard who was involved... it became easier... well that and all of the witnesses said the same thing. Then it was time for the BM speech.
It was amazing! FI's BFF said the most wonderful things about FI, me and then us as a couple. I teared up a LOT! It was so amazing that I didn't even feel I needed to hear someone speak on my behalf because the BM did such a wonderful job.
Then we cut the cake, well I cut the cake,I really don't know why FI's hands were not on mine as we did, but oh well... we fed each other and then it was time for the father/daughter dance. My dad kept tearing up and sniffling... he told me it was allergies, but I knew better. Then FI danced with his mom, she cried. Then we had the anniversary dance... it was awesome! FI's grandparents have been married 52 years and mine were for 59. They got a standing ovation. It was a nice moment.
Then it was time to dance! I hung back and hung out with my friends and FI went out on the dance floor. Him and his brother were dancing and everyone crowded around them. It was crazy... then one of our GM grabbed the mic and sang "Semi Charmed Life." It was awesome! Then FI was singing into the mic like a rockstar! It was insane! He loves sing and dance when all of our friends get together, but this was his first public appearance. Everyone loved it.
Then we had the garter and bouquet toss. Then we really danced the night away! It was so nice to have both of our friends all together in one place! We planned to leave the reception at 9:30pm to go to our hotel, but we were having so much fun we stayed until last song, as did a lot of people!
We got to our hotel to find a few gifts! My parents had left us new champagne glasses with the island shape on them with some champagne in the fridge and FI's work friends gave us wine and some chocolates! We were so surprised. Our room was nice, it had a gorgeous canopy bed and an electric fireplace.
We almost didn't have wedding night sex because we were so tired, but we just had to! It wasn't the best, but it somehow felt different because we were married
We barely spent 10 hours in our room before it was time to check out.
It's crazy to think that even though it rained, and we got into a minor car accident it was still one of the best days of my life! I always thought I would be upset if it rained. but honestly once we were married nothing else really mattered
I barely remember our officient reading our ceremony, what FI's vows were, the music playing while walking in and out of the church, the pew decorations, the flowers on the stage, the centerpieces at the reception and so much more! It's crazy what you seriously don't notice, but spend so much time carefully planning and picking out! I only remember having an amazing time with my family and friends.
Now I am waiting impatiently for our professional pics which can take up to 8 weeks to get back! Not many people took pics and the ones that did that uploaded them to our site are not the greatest... so now I am nervous how I will look in the pics....