Melanie ~ look at me with starry eyes...

I just watched our wedding video, and I realize that I haven't even written about our wedding day.

The overall feeling of the day is of joy and happiness and fun and love. Few irritating moments thrown in, just for fun, but whatever. ;)

The night before the wedding, I realized that I hadn't steamed my dress yet, and started around 11 pm, and quickly realized that it was not going to work. The steamer burned my hand with hot water, and the wrinkles were not coming out. I felt very frustrated, but my amazing husband had the solution. We'd iron it. We set up the ironing board, and he carefully ironed every bit of it, as I held it in place, moving it when it needed to be moved. In that moment I knew I had married the very best man in the world for me.

In the morning, I ran to pay for my flowers, order balloons for the entrance of the yard, and get my hair done. I was a bit worried about my hair, as she was doing it. I knew it was looking gorgeous, but it felt like the bottom was not going to hold. It didn't. Within an hour it was falling out, but everyone said it just looked really pretty and natural. I hope they were right and not just keeping a bride happy!

Went back to my parent's house, realized my mom had forgotten to tell my b-i-l to pick up my flowers, so Tim and I went and got them. Fun running around with my hair up and veil on. When I got home, my mom was running around like a crazy person, doing SO much work. She really put a lot of work into the wedding, food wise. My dad was picking up 120 chairs, but apparently the guy who he rented them from showed up 45 minutes late and there were 8 other people waiting... Bit of a panicky moment when I asked my mom to help me get into my dress and she said no, I'd have to ask someone else, but the only "someone else" was Tim and that was NOT happening, even though he was happy to. She finally snapped into mother of the bride mode and came upstairs and helped me. My photographer came with us, and her assistant (also a friend of mine) helped my mom with the lacing on the back of the corset. I wanted it TIGHT.

My flowers were gorgeous and HUGE. Not as pink as I wanted, she used white flowers where I asked her to use pink, but I was still really happy with them. I gave my sister their jewelry, pink freshwater pearl necklace and earrings, and I wore large white freshwater pearls. I made jewelry for the flower girls, they looked so sweet in their white dresses and shoes. The boys all looked awesome as well.

I felt so beautiful in my dress, I felt like such a bride, which was wonderful. I'm so glad I went with a veil, even though we got married on our 4 month anniversary of our first wedding! Tim was gorgeous as well. I loved his suit and his pink tie. I made the men their boutonnières and made the flower girls their little bouquets, and my throw away bouquet.

Tim and I did photos out in the back field behind my parent's house. I thought the session was a lot of fun, and I was able to have some creative input. Unfortunately none of my family was dressed or ready at 1 pm when the family photos were going to be taken, so we only got one shot. My mom was a bit upset later at that fact, but I kept telling everyone "one o'clock" and no one listened. It's a shame.

The wedding started at 2. My dad kept trying to get everyone out the door before 2, but I kept telling him to chill and just let Peter (the pastor) let us know when to leave. Their clocks are 10 minutes fast and he was STILL trying to get us out early.

Isaac, who is 2, dropped his glass covered candle on the floor just as he walked out, so it smashed everywhere. Poor bub! He carried it out anyway. The kids were just too cute, and my sisters looked beautiful. My brother walked my mom down the aisle, and then we started.

As soon as I stepped out the door, holding my dad's arm and saw all my friends and family standing there, I couldn't help but cry. That's what I wanted, to share my husband, my love, my life with the people I love so much. That was the most important thing to me. Tim was gorgeous and it was special to say our vows to each other again. I cried the first time we said them, but not the second.

Emily, my one flowergirl, ran off at some point during the movie, and the boys kept fighting during the ceremony. Isaac was mad that Steven had the ringbearer pillow, because his mom made it and he thought it was hers and he thought Steven took it. He threw grass at him and then took his sandal off and threw it at him. In the wedding video I can see him hitting Mattheus in the head till Tyler finally pulled him away. So funny!

My best friend Brandi read a verse and my wonderful friend Rebecca sang. My friend Peter married us and did a way too long sermon. hah It was so hot, I just wanted it over.

After the ceremony, we cut our cake so people could enjoy it, and then the reception began! It felt like not enough time to see anyone, you could only speak for a moment and then there was someone else to say hello to. Friends and famiy came from all over the place, the States, Vancouver, Victoria, etc. Wonderful. It was so hot and everyone kept telling me to take off my dress and get changed, but I said forget it, I was going to stay in it as long as I could!!

Tim ate fruit and I had one dessert, but that's about all I had from the reception. Too busy! I did have some water I think. I threw my bouquet and Rebecca was determined to catch it, but her best friend Erin caught it instead. Tim threw the garter and my friend Judy's son caught it, none of the single guys seemed that interested in actually catching it!!! :P I was so happy to have a garter. I remember the night before that I didn't have one, and looked in some stores, but no one had any. Rebecca phoned and asked if there was anything I needed, so I told her, and she ran downtown in the morning and bought me one. Such amazing friends.

Tim's mom and dad phoned from North Carolina. I so wish they could have been there, I love them so much and I know they would have loved to be there, it just didn't work. It was sweet of them to call.

Once the reception started getting quieter, Tim and I went to the beach with the photographer and took more pictures there. I hauled my dress up around my waist and climbed up on a rock and Heidi took pictures of me there. My feet were killing me by that point and the bottom of my dress was filthy!!! We hurried back to my parent's house and ate some dinner. I ate 2 burgers, I was so hungry. I hadn't eaten since 8 am. Tim ate two as well.

I changed out of my dress, but kept my veil on, and packed the car for Texada Island. Someone (my dad) drew "JUST MARRIED" on three of the car windows with soap. It was awesome. When we got to the ferry, the ferry worker noticed the JUST MARRIED and the wedding veil and didn't charge us to get on the ferry! Savings of over sixty bucks!! Sadly my veil flew off when we went onto the outer ferry deck. Tim tried to make me feel better by reminding me that I lost it in the place that I love the most.. the ocean. He's sweet.

My aunt and uncle were on the ferry. My uncle Brian told me that he had to wipe tears away during the ceremony.

It was such a beautiful day and I am so happy that it happened the way it did, and I never want to ever plan another wedding again. hahah.

Couple pictures from the photographer.. I can't wait to get them all.






... I've probably missed a million details..

I know you all have congratulated me a million times between facebook and here, so don't feel like you have to again if your fingers are just worn, but I want to write out my day yesterday!

First off, I just have to say that somehow a bomb went off in our home. We just laughed when we got home last night. I dumped out a bin in Reagan's room, looking for something. I dumped two purses out on our bed. There were bras all over the bathroom and ribbons and flowers and paperwork and things everywhere.

In the morning I went and got my hair done, kept it simple. She straightened it for me. I then was brave and drove places I had never been.. I went looking for flowers. I was going to do tulips because I figured the red would go well with my shoes. None of the grocery stores had them, so I phoned Tim and he gave me directions to Wegmans, which was further than I've driven anywhere, by myself, since I've been here. They have a massive floral section, which was awesome. The florist found some bear grass for me in their back cooler, and I saw the tulips, but then I saw the red ranoculus and loved them because they reminded me of peonies. I phoned Jenna for her advice, and she said ranoculus. I then saw ivory ones too, and phoned again, and she said go for both. Thank goodness for girlfriends. Thankfully there was a Michaels in the same parking lots, so I ran in and bought some ivory satin ribbon to wrap the stems with.

After that it was just getting ready! I made my bouquet, did my makeup. Tim looked gorgeous in an ivory shirt, and a tie that had the same reds in it, black dress pants and shoes. I bought spanx, but I honestly thought they'd be tighter and firmer, but they worked well.

I talked to my siblings on the phone, and my mom, and my mom cried three times and I just laughed. I had cried enough the day before. Talked to a few of my nieces and nephews as well.

I kept reminding Tim to bring the park permit with us, but when we arrived at the park with the permit, we realized that neither of us remembered we needed our marriage license!!! Hah! It was at home in the envelope we put it in when we got it! Tim drove home and I walked to the gazebo with Col. Ulysses Xerxex White. (love that name!) We went over the vows, and I showed him where we wanted to stand.

I was so grateful that Dan and Lova made it, with their baby Josoa. Dan's work has been crazy this week, and he wasn't sure he could make it at first, but he worked early to be able to go, but then his train from DC to Manassas blew its engine!! He was put on the next train and just made it on time. Funny enough, since Tim had to go get the paperwork, Dan arrived before him. Dan kept telling me things like "Tim is going to go home and lay down on the couch and fall asleep for three hours" or "April fools! He's not coming back!" hahah!

Jenna was there as well, her husband had to leave on a business trip. She took photographs for us, and Dan video taped. I was also very happy that Lila, tlatzomia and her husband and daughter were there. I know Lauren had hoped to be there as well, but things happen!

It was an intimate crowd, and I liked it. Even the rain was okay, it actually reminded me of home, and it was kind of romantic.

I can't even explain the feeling I had when Tim was looking into my eyes (intently! as Col. White kept saying), it was just such a great feeling. I can't remember when I started tearing up, I think it was right before I said my vows. The rings went on easily, I've seen so many people struggle with their rings during the ceremony, I thought mine might be tough, since it might need to be sized up just a little, but it was fine.

It was funny, after the ceremony, the officiant said "I'm so happy to see kids like you two, doing things right. Getting married, not living together first and doing all that, but marrying and then living together and having a family, right?" I just nodded like a sweet virgin who was living in her own apartment, and Tim turned and gave an evil look to the video camera. Hahah! Gave us a good laugh.

We all hugged, took more pictures, laughed a lot. We wandered around in the rain for a bit, and then Dan, Lova, Josoa, Tim and I went for dinner. Jenna was feeling off, and unfortunately I didn't think to pick a gluten free place for Lila and her family. We'd like to get together with them sometime in the future though!

I had a massive steak and baked potato and salad as my wedding meal. Nothing says blushing bride like bloody steak! Tim had chicken breast something or other. He handed me the receipt with what we ate, and said I could scrap it. I thought he meant throw it away, but he meant scrapbook it. He's on top of things!! I had wedding brain.

We came home and I phoned my parents and left them a message, and then we watched LOST. I was so tired I kept falling asleep, and then after a good shagging, he tucked me into bed and I slept the night through.

I woke up and the first thing I felt was the ring on my finger, and then my headache. Post wedding headache I guess, cause Tim had one too. I loved watching him getting ready for work, his ring on his finger. He's my husband! Crazy! I love him so much.

Col. Ulysses Xerxes White came to my door not long ago, with our new wedding certificate. He wrote Tim's name as "Ellis" on it, which he realized when he started the ceremony, so he re-did it and dropped it off.

Tim was back at work today, romantic I know. I'm tiding up the house, since it is just completely up-side-down, as I mentioned up there. We aren't doing a honeymoon, we are just going to save up for a trip to Canada! I'm down with that. Some people say they don't feel different after getting married, some do. I think I just feel happy and kind of more secure. It feels really good to know that he loves me enough to do this.

I'm sure I left out half the stuff I wanted to write. I keep getting distracted by my left ring finger. Soon I'll be even more distracted, when my engagement ring arrives! Yes, we do everything backwards. There was an issue because the diamonds Tim picked out needed a special setting and the couldn't locate the proper ring, but finally found one, so it is being put together and will be ready next Tuesday, I believe. I was upset about it all at first, but now I have this beautiful gold band and just have something else pretty to look forward to!!!

Photos will follow eventually. My friend who photographed is in the middle of her own exciting things and will be slightly distracted!

PS. I think my favourite part of the ceremony was when we were standing in front of him, and Tim knew my eyes were welling up with tears, and he put his arm around me. I just love him.

I just made my bouquet! Red and cream ranoculus, with bear grass. I wrapped the stems with ivory ribbon, to match Tim's shirt and my wrap. I think it looks pretty lovely for an non-professional bouquet!

My original plan was red tulips, but then I saw the ranoculus, and they remind me of peonies, which are one of my favourite flowers and I had to do it.

I got my hair done this morning, just washed, trimmed and straightened. Tim asked if it was going to be up, last night, but I figured he'd want it down. I think I'll have an up-do for the summer wedding (god willing that it happens).