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!"