Wednesday, October 08, 2008

FO: Wedding

September 28, 2008
Halekulani Hotel
Honolulu, HI

The trip started off not so great- I caught a nasty cold! Like, two days in! I don't even remember the last time I was sick before this, and then to get sick the week of my wedding? Are you kidding me? It was so horrible. I was a disgusting mess. I'm pretty sure grossing out one's future husband isn't on the wedding planning guides' "to-do lists," but I couldn't do anything about it. Oh well. May as well break in that "in sickness and in health" thing early, right? ;)

Thankfully, I recovered enough to enjoy the wedding day completely. Despite having to wake up at 3:30am (downside of a morning wedding - future brides, take note!), it was a wonderful day! B and I were surprisingly (or not so surprisingly) calm - no stress - and the whole day just flowed. The wedding was casual, intimate, and low-key. I was overwhelmed by the love and joy I felt from our friends and family that day. My family is made up of, not only my biological parents and their families, but also my step-parents and their families. And the greatest thing is that they are all friendly and get along. I sometimes joke about my "crazy" family, but I am really so proud of it. And my friends - those who were at the wedding and those who were there in spirit - I am truly blessed to be surrounded and supported by such amazing people. I was especially overjoyed that my loopy girls were able to share in the event. It wouldn't have been the same without them there!

photo courtesy Dis

The ceremony itself was short and sweet, and performed by my brother-in-law, who became ordained just for this event. It really meant a lot to us to be married by someone special who knows us well. It was perfect. The reception was really fun, filled with lots of chatting and laughter, and a ton of yummy food. Our friends and family remarked at how much fun they had, which made me really happy. Yes, it was supposedly "our day" but it really did mean a lot to me that our guests had a good time, too. Especially since some had traveled quite a way to be there.

I really couldn't have asked for a better day. Of course, it goes without saying that I would have loved for my mom to have been there, but she really was, in spirit, and in all those who thought of her that day.

post-wedding self-portrait on the balcony of our hotel room

Memories:
- Getting ready in the morning with my sisters, stepmom, and B's mom and sister.
- Steve and Lisa, our fabulous photographers, cracking us up during the pre-ceremony photo session, which really put us at ease from the start.
- The weather, the reception room filled with light and Waikiki Beach and Diamond Head in the background.
- Rex's added humor to the ceremony, especially the vows to include where B promised to wear all the knitted items I make for him and where I promised to stick with B through all his skateboard, snowboard, golf, etc. injuries. Nice touch.
- More than one of my dad's relatives commenting on how much I looked like my mom (my parents divorced when I was little).
- The flowers- my bouquet and the centerpieces - flowers in all shades of green - arranged by my stepdad. (My stepdad was a florist.)
- The very sweet toasts from my sister Ash and our friend Chris.
- Our friends all laughing and having a good time.
- The food. The bacon-wrapped scallops, the side of Kobe beef, the scrupmtious Sunday brunch buffet, the coconut cake, the cupcake tower, the champagne...
- Taking my bouquet to my mom's grave after the wedding. (Only to find out that my stepmom had already dropped off flowers from one of the centerpieces. I have the best stepmom in the world!)
- B and I reminiscing about the day. "We're married!"

32 comments:

Mouse said...

CONGRATULATIONS!!! Here's to many, many happy years together!

jillian said...

Other than the cold, it sounds like it all was perfect! I'm so glad :) Congratulations!! You are a stunning bride!

mle said...

MUCH congratulations!!! you look absolutely gorgeous! Here's to Happily Ever After!

mary said...

Simply beautiful! Congratulations!

Disentangled said...

I'm so happy for you guys :) You couldn't have ordered up a better day!

Anonymous said...

robyn here, from a wedding alternative (weddingalternative.typepad.com), and i'm wondering if i can feature your wedding post on my site. shoot me an e-mail (weddingalternativeATgmailDOTcom) and let me know if it's okay!

Nasus said...

Your stepmom is amazing - my eyes just got misty :)

Anonymous said...

I am so incredibly happy for you! And what a beautiful bride pictured at the threshold of a brand new beautiful life. Here's to you and all those great memories you both have already made, and more importantly to the incredibly awesome memories your off to create.

Shelley said...

Ahhh ... gorgeous!! Congratulations. Best wishes on a long and happy life together.

Anonymous said...

Congratulations on the big day! Glad to hear everything worked out on the day itself. I liked how you called it an FO!

Anonymous said...

OMG, I'm crying....I'm so happy for you and B! You look gorgeous and glowing. Sounds like it was a beautiful day.

Kara said...

Yay! Yay! Yay! It looked like a beautiful day. I am so happy for you.

Liz K. said...

Congratulations, Nonnahs!

mames said...

it sounds like it was a gorgeous day. but then, i am not surprised. knowing you and the beautiful person you are (and though i have not met B yet, i am pretty sure he is amazing too), i had a feeling your day would be the 'perfect' that you would bring.
cannot wait to meet up soon...i'll email to find out when it might be a good time.

K8 said...

Congratulations to both you of you! And many happy years to come :)

Octopus Knits said...

What a completely wonderful wedding! (I'm so glad your cold let up enough for you enjoy it) You looked lovely, the vows were perfect, the food sounded delicious, and your stepmom is amazingly thoughtful. How great!

Anonymous said...

Congratulations! Whoohoo! Your married! : )

Jennifer said...

Congratulations! I'm glad you had a beautiful day.

Anonymous said...

such a beautiful bride on a perfect beautiful day!!

Your mom was most certainly smiling and watching over you...

Octopus Knits said...

P.S. I've nominated you guys for a blog award :)

Unknown said...

It sounds like you had a fantastic wedding. (And your stepmom is great.) Congratulations to you and B!

Crazy Knitting Fool said...

Congratulations! I'm sure it was a beautiful day.

margaux said...

congratulations again and again, Mrs. C!!! ;-) You look STUNNING. I love every detail! I hope the "married" life is treating you well... (it's just under 6mos until mine! ahh!)

kat coyle said...

congratulations! you are a beautiful bride! It sounds like it was perfect. even your cold cooperated and came before the wedding. nice cold.
all your highlighted memories are so sweet.

Theresa said...

Congratulations! We had a morning wedding, too. Early . . .

Anonymous said...

Congratulations! That's wonderful that everyone had such a great time and that you got to celebrate the memory of your mom too.

Madge said...

Congratulations! May your years together be full of love, laughter, and knitwear!

Anonymous said...

You look beautiful! Congratulations!

Anonymous said...

Happy Wedding, Nonnahs!

Julia (MindofWinter) said...

You look stunning. I am thrilled for you and dying to see more pics!

f. pea said...

I'm so happy for you both, Nonnahs! What a beautiful way to start this new phase of your life together.

Erin said...

I have been slow to catch up on my bloglines but I am so glad I didn't miss this post. What a beautiful telling of what sounded like a wonderful day. Congratulations!

Oh, and I love the Halekulani. Nice choice. :)