Sorry in advance for the novel...
So I got married on Saturday! It was amazing. Everyone had a blast, and many said it was the best wedding they'd ever been to.
We arrived in Santa Barbara on Tuesday, and spent the next few days running last minute errands and spending time one on one. We also spent some time with his family, who live there. Thursday my family and friends started to arrive. Went out for "drinks" with my mom and brother, then dinner with my dad and his girlfriend. Then karaoke with my girlfriends. It was so much fun, even though I was stone cold sober
Friday things really got started. The girls took me out to my bachelorette brunch and then for mani/pedis. After that we went over to the venue (my SIL's backyard) for the rehearsal. It went very smoothly and my parents totally got along! Then we went to my IL's stunning cliffside home for the rehearsal dinner with yummy Lebanese food from a local restaurant. The sunset and views of Santa Barbara were beautiful. It was great to meet some of FI's friends, two of whom came all the way from Germany, and I was so proud to introduce him to my family.
Back at the hotel...we wrote our vows at the last minute. FI (now H!) got a little cranky, as it was past midnight, and he fell asleep as soon as he hit the sheets (or maybe a little later
). BUT THEN...I started feeling really nauseous and I had a pukefest in the bathroom the night before my wedding. I'm pretty sure that was 100% baby related.
Luckily the next day everything was fine, and I haven't really had any more nausea since!
Speaking of the next day...we woke up and had breakfast on our little balcony in our fancy bathrobes. My mom and I went to get our hair (and my makeup) done at the salon, then I went back to the hotel and got dressed with my two lovely BMs. The photographer came and snapped some photos, and then we made our way over to the house where we had our first look! It was so amazing! We both got teary eyed and it was such a wonderful, quiet moment between the two of us. After that we did bridal party and family photos. Then it was time to line up for the ceremony!
The ceremony was perfect. My friend who offciated did a great job. My mom read a lovely poem for us and that made me cry the most. Everyone loved our vows, which were a little bit sweet, and a little bit funny. I had a little bit of trouble getting H's ring on, but everyone laughed and it was pretty cute.
We snapped a few more family photos after the wedding, but when the photographer asked if I wanted any more, I told her I wanted people to party! The hors d'oeuvres were so yummy. We had beer and wine and two specialty cocktails: a Pimm's Cup and a Pomegranate Capiroska. They were both huge hits (so I hear). I had a raspberry lemonade, and had the best time, even though I couldn't drink. The speeches by our wedding party were hilarious and heartfelt, the food was definitely the best anyone had had at a wedding, and some of the best I've ever had, period. Dancing flip flops were a hit, and everyone got on that dance floor! Our cake was fantastic. It was an amazing time!
And our wedding night was so successful that H got me almost 4 months pregnant!
Photos: At the salon, before the ceremony, dancing, me and my handsome H with our officient, father/daughter dance.