We did it!I mean we in the whole sense of the word. Spencer and I are the ones that got married, but the whole clan made the Wedding Week really the best week ever. I have to admit, for the two weeks prior to the wedding I was an anxious mess. It was probably a lot longer than just two weeks but I want to think that I was a fairly relaxed bride.
A short paragraph about the months leading up to the wedding:
In between all the traveling, mom, LDL, and I did all the fun things that brides get to do. We picked out my wedding gown (my most favorite dress ever; and a major surprise), tried on bridesmaids dresses, celebrated with champagne, tasted incredible foods with the caterers and at the bakery, created a signature cocktail, and stamped T&S on many, many things. Wedding planning was a delight, mainly because my People are delightful.
But the two weeks prior to the wedding. . . yeah. Wow. I was a ball of stress thinking about getting married, moving, trying to find work in New York etc etc. Stress at the house was high too; AC broke about a week before the big event. NBD. The reception is at our house and the weather forecast called for torrential rain. So our "rain plan" was to house wedding guests in the house. You need air conditioning in Florida for that.
Anyway, I just wanted to give a picture of what was happening prior to the festivities and I haven't even touch 1/4 of things/events etc. In strokes of obvious Divine Intervention, every thing fell into perfect place. The rain stopped and the sun shined; temperatures were cooler so that it felt like Fall in Florida; vendors hired turned into advice givers and stress relievers; friends and family showed up in droves to support and celebrate Spencer and me.
We kicked off the weekend with a New York Big Apple party on Thursday for the neighborhood friends and families. I couldn't have asked for a better kick-off. I felt so comfortable and loved and relaxed. The host house was welcoming and beautiful. Lifelong friends are such an amazing blessing.
Friday started out with a banging brunch at Country Side Circle. My entire wedding party, my aunts, and dear friends showed up to shower me with love at a brunch with an "Always Be Adventuring" theme. Executed excellently -- even though some of the childhood photos of S and me were a little embarrassing (but hilarious and awesome). LTD wrote the most incredible poem in a way that only she can do -- love articulated through the alphabet. Brunch was filled with hilarious stories; we laughed until our sides hurt thanks to the storytelling skills of my bridesmaids. So quickly brunch was over and I found myself getting ready for Rehearsal at the church and a celebratory dinner thrown by S's parents. Initially I was apprehensive about people giving toasts or other speeches. But then things got started and I loved every bit of it. My siblings are thoughtful, funny, and skilled orators. My friends seem to remember everything told stories with such joy. The setting was beautiful in a back yard facing Lake Killarney. And before I knew it, the night was over.
Wedding Day Saturday was just perfect. I couldn't have asked for anything more. My parents house looked like a scene from a movie. The bridal party and I got ready at the house while watching SEC football (thank goodness the Gators managed a win against UT just before we boarded the bus). Things went swimmingly the whole day -- even if they didn't, I didn't notice! Pictures prior to the wedding were fun -- lovely L ran up to me in her fancy dress with her fancy hair and asked if I was getting married. Then she spent the rest of the day talking about her wedding. She definitely thought that this was her party. LDL and LTD helped me get dressed, RBD2 picked up where they left off and kept me company -- relaxed, laughing, and excited -- until we walked down the aisle together. From then on out the evening was magical. I may have botched a few of my lines and gone in for a kiss a bit too soon but it was those things that made it a fun event. The joy was contagious -- surely the presence of the Lord is in this place.
Anyway, I just wanted to give a picture of what was happening prior to the festivities and I haven't even touch 1/4 of things/events etc. In strokes of obvious Divine Intervention, every thing fell into perfect place. The rain stopped and the sun shined; temperatures were cooler so that it felt like Fall in Florida; vendors hired turned into advice givers and stress relievers; friends and family showed up in droves to support and celebrate Spencer and me.
We kicked off the weekend with a New York Big Apple party on Thursday for the neighborhood friends and families. I couldn't have asked for a better kick-off. I felt so comfortable and loved and relaxed. The host house was welcoming and beautiful. Lifelong friends are such an amazing blessing.
Friday started out with a banging brunch at Country Side Circle. My entire wedding party, my aunts, and dear friends showed up to shower me with love at a brunch with an "Always Be Adventuring" theme. Executed excellently -- even though some of the childhood photos of S and me were a little embarrassing (but hilarious and awesome). LTD wrote the most incredible poem in a way that only she can do -- love articulated through the alphabet. Brunch was filled with hilarious stories; we laughed until our sides hurt thanks to the storytelling skills of my bridesmaids. So quickly brunch was over and I found myself getting ready for Rehearsal at the church and a celebratory dinner thrown by S's parents. Initially I was apprehensive about people giving toasts or other speeches. But then things got started and I loved every bit of it. My siblings are thoughtful, funny, and skilled orators. My friends seem to remember everything told stories with such joy. The setting was beautiful in a back yard facing Lake Killarney. And before I knew it, the night was over.
Wedding Day Saturday was just perfect. I couldn't have asked for anything more. My parents house looked like a scene from a movie. The bridal party and I got ready at the house while watching SEC football (thank goodness the Gators managed a win against UT just before we boarded the bus). Things went swimmingly the whole day -- even if they didn't, I didn't notice! Pictures prior to the wedding were fun -- lovely L ran up to me in her fancy dress with her fancy hair and asked if I was getting married. Then she spent the rest of the day talking about her wedding. She definitely thought that this was her party. LDL and LTD helped me get dressed, RBD2 picked up where they left off and kept me company -- relaxed, laughing, and excited -- until we walked down the aisle together. From then on out the evening was magical. I may have botched a few of my lines and gone in for a kiss a bit too soon but it was those things that made it a fun event. The joy was contagious -- surely the presence of the Lord is in this place.
The party following the ceremony was the most fun party I've ever attended. The first dance that S and I had practiced suited our style (and he showed off much better moves that I did). The food was delicious and the drinks were flowing. It was one of those nights that I never wanted to end -- except that I was also so tired! Looking at the pictures has been so much fun -- I love seeing that everyone else had as much fun as I did. Literally, the best day of my life. I'll never be able to thank people that participated enough - most especially my parents and siblings for being their true, rock-star selves.
PICTURES:
http://blog.mikebuoy.com/2014/10/orlando-wedding-photographer-taylor-spencers-orlando-wedding-and-reception.html
