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View Full Version : Well, 8 Months Early... We call it "Wedding Light"


Amabilis
08-29-2007, 09:06 AM
I figured I would tell you the story of my wedding day...
Joe and I have been planning on April 19, 2008 for a while now, but when the doctors told me that my stepfather had weeks to live (less than a month), we decided the right thing to do would be to hold a quick, small legal ceremony so that he could be present.

As some of you may have read in my post titled "Nine Days" under wedding vents and stress, there was a lot that had to be done, and a lot of problems with close family members (well, just my father).

Well, good news is that he finally caved... as much as he didn't want to spend my wedding day dealing with my mother or the man who raised me through those horrible teenage years, I think he realized that he couldn't live with himself if he missed my day.

So... I spent the weekend before the wedding trying to find a dress. I have a dress for the larger wedding in April, but I thought that it wouldn't be best for a small gathering in our front yard.

I found a cute, white, cotten eyelet dress on sale from $100 down to $31!!
and a simple slip for $11. Joe left Virginia on Monday morning (Aug 20th) for California for work, so I was left dealing with everything. By Wednesday the 22nd, I had paid for and was waiting on our wedding rings to get in and engraved. I was still looking for shoes... and something old, blue and borrowed.

I was so upset that day since I hadn't heard from my father in over a week (which is very rare for us), so I went looking for him. I found him at work and we got into a huge arguement in which he told me never to contact him again, and that he wouldn't we at the wedding on sunday, nor the one in April.

Joe is my rock, and with him gone during this horrible day, I had no where to go, no one to turn to, as my mother is dealing with enough stress and my father was turning his back on me...

I told my father fine... you want to miss my day, you will be the one who regrets it and has to live with that for the rest of his life... I guess that did the trick... Wednesday my stepfather got out of the hospital and hospice wasn't scheduled to come until the following morning, so my mother asked if I could come stay at their house to help out in case something happend with him. About 9:50pm i got a call on my mother's phone from my father saying "you win... what time do you want me there?"
Not quite what I wanted to hear, but at least he was going to be there.

So, fast forward to friday afternoon, I am waiting for Joe's plane to land, I had taken care of my dress, a haircut, our rings, a florist to do my bouquet, contacting a rental company for plates, chairs and glasses, bought wine and champagne, beer and fruit.. figuring a quick ceremony, toast and cake would sufice...

My mother's friend called to tell me that there was a coconut cake (our favorite) paid for and waiting for us to pick up on Sat. (Thank you again Sara Lee, not that Sara Lee...) I had the cake picked up by my MOH and she brought it out on Sunday morning.

Friday night my girlfriends took me out for a night out on the town, doing all the fun bachelorette stuff, and Sat. I worked on cleaning the house, arranging flowers and again, still looking for shoes.

Sunday morning came and it was cloudy and cool (great for us since it has been averaging about 95-100 degrees the last few weeks) It had poured 5 inches of rain the night before and the yard was a mess. We spent a few hours picking up branches and leaves, raking mulch and finishing up the shopping, since my FH wanted to cook out afterwards for those who wanted to stick around.

cont. next post...

Amabilis
08-29-2007, 09:19 AM
I started getting dressed once my mother and girlfriends arrived.. Luckily we had found a minister who was willing to come out and do the ceremony at the last moment, as the two others we had fell through...

About 30 minutes before the scheduled time of a 2pm ceremony, it started to rain.. nothing hard, but it was raining, and we were getting married outside...
so I drank more champagne... :-)

by 2:15, the clouds parted and the sun came out.. we got everyone outside, and I was walking down the aisle by 2:25pm...

The ceremony was wonderful, short, sweet.. hot.. it got pretty muggy.. but I was so happy I didn't care...
I didn't care that I didn't have music to go down the aisle to, I didn't care that I did my own hair and makeup, and I didn't even care that the minister got a bit confused about the ring thing...

All I know and care about is that I am married now to the man I love...

After the ceremony, we went back into the air conditioning and got some drinks, cooled down and cut the cake...
it was wonderful... so light and airy... one of my girls had added strawberries to the stop to give it a little color and it was beautiful...

After aome pictures, my stepfather had to go, as his pain meds were wearing off, so I helped him into the car and he told me how special he felt knowing that I cared enough about having him there that I moved the date up just for him...

After he left, I cried for a bit and then went back to the party...
I only have two pictures from the ceremony so far...
I will post them soon...

I might have a picture of my bouquet to share too.. it was beautiful!

NicksBride
08-29-2007, 09:23 AM
Wow, congratulations on getting married. I am so sorry to hear about your Stepfather, your family are in my thoughts. That is very nice that he was able to see you get married, Ia ms ure that is something he will always be grateful for! Can't wait to see pictures!

shawnsgirl
08-29-2007, 09:24 AM
I'm so happy your dad finally came through. I know you are going thru a lot know but I am so happy that you were able to get a wedding put together for so your step father could be there!! Not everyone would do this and I am so happy for you and your now hubby!!! Even though it rained and it was muggy is sounds beautiful!! Congratulations sweety!! I wish you a long and happy marriage and a big celebration in April!!

Amabilis
08-29-2007, 09:25 AM
the date should read Aug. 26th, 2007... my dad is silly...

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f125/semperamabilis/elsawed005fx2-1.jpg

here is a better angle....
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f125/semperamabilis/bigpic.jpg

Amabilis
08-29-2007, 09:31 AM
Here is a close up of my Bouquet...
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f125/semperamabilis/100_4083.jpg

and here are a bunch of flowers that were brought by friends....

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f125/semperamabilis/100_4108.jpg

Amabilis
08-29-2007, 09:32 AM
As soon as I get more pictures from my friends, I will send them here...
my camera broke after the video of the vows...

shawnsgirl
08-29-2007, 10:11 AM
Your pictures are wonderful! I adore your bouquet!! I got chills seeing you and your hubby looking at eachother!! How beautiful!! I love your dress by the way it is perfect!!

samantha01
08-29-2007, 10:13 AM
Everything looked beautiful. Sometimes less is really more. The flowers were gorgeous.

Goin2thechapel
08-29-2007, 10:21 AM
Aww..What a touching story you have!! Thanks for sharing. I hope your day was everything you wanted and more. You looked very pretty. I hope everything goes alright with your Step father. If you need anything we're here for ya!

Amabilis
08-29-2007, 10:37 AM
Thanks.. I really enjoyed it...
what was also neat was that about five minutes after all the guests left, it started to rain again.. so we took a walk in the rain.. he was holding up my dress so I could walk in the puddles...

very sweet man..
I can't wait to show you all more pictures

bichonlvr
08-29-2007, 05:16 PM
SOoooo sweet!!!!

I am so glad you guys did it this way and your dad showed up!

Now you have less stress with the BIG one!!!!

Congrats!!!!

Dani
08-29-2007, 08:44 PM
Your pictures look great! Beautiful bouquet!

KMS
08-29-2007, 10:33 PM
That really is just so beautiful and touching. The pictures are great.

NicksBride
08-30-2007, 08:47 AM
Those pictures are just so touching! Thanks for sharing

Elly_N_Joe
08-30-2007, 11:34 AM
I'm glad things turned out for you and that your father showed up, I can't imagine what it woudl have been like if he didn't.

val24
08-30-2007, 11:58 AM
love the flowers

i am glad things worked out for you in the end

hope your stepfather is doing okay

Nekochanpurr
08-30-2007, 02:10 PM
Aw, i'm so glad it all worked out for you.. You looked beautiful, and your pics are cute (i love that bouquet!!). I'm sure it meant the world to your step dad, too.