I'm finally MARRIED!!!

[StarCoveter]

Hey ladies! I'm back from the honeymoon, and FH... oops... ~DH~ :D is off at his first day back at work. The wedding is over now, and it was almost perfect. I think I'm focusing on a lot of little things right now... and when I get my pro pics back I'll be able to see all the things that WERE right, you know what I mean?

Well, we left Friday for the lodge, and on the way up there, my brother called. He was driving to the lodge with Moma and my sister and it turned out they were on the same road we were (a major highway) and only a couple miles ahead! So we pulled off to a gas station and got all excited that we were on the way there! We drove in, and first unloaded a lot of stuff into the Pavilion (where the reception was)... then we went back out and grocery shopped. I spent $275 on all the food for 30 people, so $9/person, and we ended up having a LOT left over. Anyhow when grocery shopping, my grandparents showed up. I hadn't seen them in a long time, and I kind of wished we could have finished shopping first before I saw them because at the store I was on a mission, and wasn't wanting to take time out to talk and catch up, like I wanted to do. They ended up slowing me down anyway! :)

We got back to the Lodge and unloaded all the groceries and they began prepping food and cooking the pasta. My sister, Kevin (DH) and I ran around trying to put together all the baskets and door signs for all the lodge guests really quickly since my grandparents were already there and we didn't want them having to wait around too long. Everybody loved the baskets. I put crossword puzzles in them (which were messed up - my computer cut off the last 4 clues, owell), tissues, chocolate, an Asheville tour book, germ-x, and I can't remember what else. And each door sign had the names of who was in the room, and a different quote about love and/or friendship.

Everybody else started showing up, and we started setting up the pavilion for the reception. We also started taking all the chairs from the lodge living room downstairs so we could set up our rental chairs. (Ceremony was in the lodge living room.) I got upset a couple times because things weren't going right and I felt like there was SOOOO much to do and not enough people were stepping up to help. Thank goodness my best friend/MOH was there and she calmed me down and really stepped up to the plate ALL weekend being there for me and getting stuff done.

Kevin's parents really disappointed us all weekend. First of all, when we finally left for the rehearsal dinner, which we opened up to everyone who wanted to come, they didn't get into town until we were all standing outside the restaurant waiting to go in. So they conveniently weren't there to help us run around and set up the pavilion and lodge.

[StarCoveter]

The rehearsal dinner was nice. Everyone was walking around chatting with each other and we got some fun pictures and had some good food.

Then we went back to the lodge and kept doing stuff... Kevin's dad actually did help do a lot of cooking when we got back, but his mom/sister/brother just hung out and did nothing to help and went to bed early.

Kevin/MOH/myself stayed up till 2AM finishing up stuff and doing the actually rehearsal. MOH stood in for our officiant (Kevin's other sister who didn't come to the lodge, only the rehearsal dinner) and we figured stuff out.

Woke up at 8am the day of the wedding and my mom and grandma were already up cooking, and MOH was doing some smaller stuff. I took a shower and started blow drying my hair and was basically just running around like a mad-woman. Our photographer showed up at 10am and started taking pictures of us getting ready.

I LOVED OUR PHOTOGRAPHER!!! He was SO fun, and SO there, if you know what I mean. He was all over the place and really became a part of our group, which I loved. Not like a stranger at all. For instance, I was drinking out of one of the water bottles I had done up with our picture and wedding date, and he was like "Kristina that's classic! *click click click* Drink some more! *click click click*" So fun!!!

When my stepmom and dad showed up, I brought my stepmom upstairs and gave her the necklace I made for her, as well as my mom and Kevin's mom. they all loved their necklaces, and might I say... they looked good with their outfits. Yay me!

Anyhow, I had a hard time with my hair... it wouldnt "do" right and was REALLY frustrating me, and I knew it would cause problems for me, but it ended up fine. My makeup was easy... i just did the same old-same old, with some mascara.

I really wish I had remembered to put on my lipstick, and to put on some clear nailpolish, and remember to take the black hairtie off of my wrist, but we were rushing around. I just feel like if others had of taken charge, I could have relaxed and been able to fix myself up the way I wanted. *boo* AND I wanted to cut the white bow off of the back of my dress, but moma and MOH didn't know how to do that, and the dres was already on and it was time, so we just tied the sash over top of it. I wish we had taken the time to cut the bow off, because it showed a little bit... probably only if you looked for it, but it bothers me now having seen a couple pictures that family took.

Kevin looked AWESOME. So handsome, so sharp. I loved it. And I loved looking at him :)

[StarCoveter]

My mom and MOH went downstairs to tell everyone to have a seat to and begin the music. We played "The Winner Is" by Devotchka, and once it started playing it was REAL. Really happening. Kevin and I walked together out of our bedroom, around the balcony, and everyone was looking up at us and we were looking at them. I waved and it was awesome to see everyone. We walked down the stairs and stopped a minute to kiss (nobody could see) and we walked out of the staircase and down the aisle to the front. A couple people were already crying. :) I was not nervous. I was just so happy to finally be doing this. We got to the front and the music was turned down. I looked over at my stepmom and she was already crying, and my dad gave me this look that made me so happy. I was bouncy and smiling through the whole thing. I kept squeezing Kevin's hand over and over again and staring at him. Kevin's sister was on the verge of crying through the whole ceremony, which was perfect. It showed how much she cared and how happy she was for us.

My MOH read something that I could understand. It was very eloquent, a passage from "The Prophet" by Kahlil Gibran. I need to go back and reread it and dissect it so that I can appreciate it more, but I don' think I heard a word she or our officiant said the whole time.

Two things I DID hear though, and it upsets me SOOOOO much. Kevin's dad called out TWICE during the ceremony. At one point at the beginning I was all boucy, and he said "Kristina said hurry up" and if he had left it at that I'd be FINE with it, but then he added "Kevin said slow down." One of those STUPID jokes that people make about getting married. DURING THE CEREMONY that happens only once in our lives, and is captured in the video and everything. And then when our officiant said something about "what life brings you" he cleared his throat and said "babies". I know he was doing this because he was happy and in a good mood, but seriously.... WHO calls out during a ceremony???? I planned for a year for this to go perfectly, and it woudl have been except for those two things. So pissed at him right now. Like I said, once I get the pictures and can see everyone's faces, and how me and kevin looked, I'll feel better about it.

BUT, anyway, we read our vows, which we ended up doing the original way with us alternating lines. Guess what? We wrote them HALF AN HOUR before the ceremony... but they're perfect... I love them. And I almost cried when I said "you are my best friend" and Kevin reached out and touched my chin... awwwww!!!!

At the end MOH put down the step stool and everyone laughed and after we kissed, Frank Sinatra's "Love and Marriage" was played which made everyone laugh and it was perfect to walk out to. Then we walked out and hugged and everyone walked out and hugged us... I loved it. I felt so happy at that moment - we were MARRIED!!! :grinhappy:

[StarCoveter]

If you couldn't tell, I talk a lot and am pretty descriptive... haha... I know if I don't write it all down, I'll end up forgetting some things through the years... so you guys have to deal with it all too..

We took our family photos. They're all posed, and I wish we had done some more funny ones. Of course, now I can think of some ideas, but at the time, you know you're trying to get everyone's pictures done so they can go back inside. We did get a funny one of Kevin who is 6'2" looking down at my Grandpa, and my Grandpa who is 5'0" looking up at Kevin. SO CUTE!

Then kevin and I went up to a hill that was a HIKE and took some awesome pictures. I can't wait to see them!!! I'm so excited to see them! At one point Kevin grabbed both of my hands and we started spinning in a circle all cheesy and goofy... I think they'll be cute pictures. :)

We went back to do the reception. Everyone complimented me and said how wonderful the tables looked and how nice it was. We did our first dance which Kevin felt SO awkward doing it. Owell... maybe some nice pictures will come out of it. We ate and the food was really yummy. Well, I ate a teeny bit but my stomach was still all nerves. kevin, however, chowed down. :)

We did the cake cutting, and this is another thing that upset me. We cut the cake, and then I was hesitant to touch it because I didn't want to get messy and Kevin's dad was calling out "just pick it up, it's not going to hurt you" and my grandpa was doing pretty much the same thing. Really upset me. And then me and kevin were going to loop arms and feed OURSELVES, but his mom was like "do it do it" and I turned and said "nuh-uh" and shook my head, and we went back and forth like that and I was TRYING to get it through to her that I didn't want cake smashed in my face and to Kevin also, but he did it anyway and then I had to do it to him. I was so upset... that's NOT what I wanted, and Kevin knew it and he did it anyway. So I went to clean up and tried to quickly calm down and we passed out the cake. It was delicious.

And then we did the slideshow. kevin's parents were kind of arguing because they each thought they were given the job of announcing the slideshow. I actually gave Kevin's mom that job, and his dad was going on and on about how she stole his job, blah blah blah.

The whole weekend it just felt like they were trying to make it about them, and forgot who the day was for. And then during the slideshow, Kevin's mom was her usual loud self and saying "aww there's Kevin this, and awww there's kevin that" I just wanted her to shut up. *sigh* But I can see how she was excited and that's why she was loud... plus that's nothing new.

[StarCoveter]

I think the first bit of the reception went well, with the dance and the food and even the cake cutting, and then it got weird with his parents being obnoxious and stupid.

Afterwards we let everyone explore the property or go back to the lodge to change or whatever. A lot of people cleaned up the food... but guess what? His parents just went back to their room and took a couple hours of nap. But it all got cleaned up and I really really really wanted to take a nap myself because I was so tired, but I sat in the living room with a bunch of people and talked for a while. Kevin made me a plate of food and then I FINALLY ate!

That night, we wrapped up the celebrations with a bonfire. It was the perfect way to end the night. Everyone sat around telling jokes and laughing, drinking. I had some of those glow in the dark neon bracelets, and everyone hung them off of their ears, and we all looked like dorks. Kevin brought down some of his drums and did a fantastic little show for us that made everyone laugh (he went around playing little pieces for each person acting all goofy,. and at the end did a really good solo that impressed everyone). My grandpa laughed so hard at one of Kevin's dad jokes that he was crying and leaning into my grandma.. .that was really cute. My MOH had a nice time and laughed really hard. My mom got kind of drunk because she was having a great time, but she definitely was not the only one and it was funny anyhow.

Sunday morning, we got up and packed up the cars. I wanted to leave for FLorida/honeymoon by 11, but we didn't leave until 11:40 because everyone but my moma/brother/sister left early and we had to finish cleaning everything up. Can you guess who came to us with car keys in one hand and her bag to leave in the other, asking "can I do anything to help?" I don't think I need to say who. I thought for one weekend they would understand and be extraordinarily awesome, but they superly disappointed me and even Kevin.

[StarCoveter]

All in all, I'm so relieved it's done. Here are the things I took/learned from this experience:

1. The personal connections I made with family members was awesome. For instance, my dad and I aren't super close. We had a falling out when I was 17 and I was kicked out of the house. Since then, we've gotten a lot better, and although I always kind of dread going to visit him (which is only a few times a year) I always end up having a good time at his house. We dont' talk on the phone or email either. But at the wedding, the way he was looking at me, and he said that he was proud of me made me feel SO good. We were holding on to each other and gave real hugs and held hands for a minute. It was awesome. And to see my stepmom so happy for me was awesome. Kevin's sister (not the officiant) cried from the moment we stepped out of our room until the ceremony ended. MOH was beyond amazing, something that I didn't expect completely, and now I know that she really can be there for me 100% if I need her.

2. Kevin looked at me like I was the most beautiful woman in the world, and let me know through words and affection, even though there was a man taking pictures right there all day. :) We really are a family now and I'm soooo happy. Aside from the cake thing, which was a misunderstanding, he was sooo there for me that day, and even since then we've connected in a way that we haven't really in the 6.5 years we've been together. Amazing. :soppy:

3. I am pretty **** good at making a reception look good. :) For really not that much money. Hah! And everyone thought so too.

4. I will never, EVER, spend that much time, energy, stress out of my life for anything ever again. Unless it's a human life, like a child, I will NEVER do that to myself. It was not worth it. Yes, it was a great weekend for the most part, and everything that I planned went well,but I couldn't predict nor control how others were going to act and that's the little things that I can't stop focusing on. If I had thrown this all together in 2 months, then it would not have been such a big deal. But a YEAR. Never again. I told Kevin that there was NO way we were ever getting divorced, because I was not putting myself through that again.



BUT, we went off to our honeymoon and had the BEST WEEK EVER. Haha... which will be another set of too-long posts. Took lots of videos, but not that many pictures cause the camera wasn't working. I will post some of them later also, maybe today, we'll see... like I said, DH is at work until LATE to make up for missing 6 days of work...


I missed you ladies, and now I need to catch up on everyone else's posts!!! Oh, and I need to post the few pictures that I have...

[bichonlvr]

CONGRATS!!!!

Welcome back and welcome to the Mrs. Club! YAHOO :)

[horse345]

Sounds like you had a great time! Don't worry about the mishaps...with all that planning and stress you know SOMETHING has to go wrong. Can't wait to see pictures!!!

[WebLady]

Some little something goes wrong in just about everyone wedding ;) Glad you reconnected with your Dad a bit, that is nice :)

Welcome Back MRS StarCoveter :whoohoo:

[Danielle9608]

Welcome back and congrats. I read through your entire recap (took me a couple hours cause I had to leave for a meeting :) ). As side from Kevin's family and the other small things sounds like a great time. I know you probably know this already but try not to deal to much on the things that went wrong because it sounded really beautiful. I can't wait to see you amazing pictures!

[StarCoveter]

Glad you reconnected with your Dad a bit, that is nice :)

yes, that is one of the best things about the day. I have NEVER seen him look at me the way he did that day. He didn't come to my graduation, and even for prom he wore a stained shirt and was grumpy to take pictures with me. So it was awesome... and I really hope I can remember those moments, or at least that my photographer captured some of them. :)

[uptowngirl]

Welcome back and congrats Mrs Kristina!! :)

I loved reading the description of your day. Hearing your honest perspective has actually helped me calm down a lot about my day - I can stress and freak out about all the little details getting done, or just realize that even if everything that is on my list is checked off and done perfectly something unexpected is bound to happen to throw things off any way. So why stress?! LOL!

I am so excited to see your pictures. I'm sure everything was beautiful!

[Brian's Bride]

Congratulations! I was patiently waiting for you to come back with an update!! I love the snippet of teal sash in your avatar!!! :)

[StarCoveter]

Welcome back and congrats Mrs Kristina!! :)

I loved reading the description of your day. Hearing your honest perspective has actually helped me calm down a lot about my day - I can stress and freak out about all the little details getting done, or just realize that even if everything that is on my list is checked off and done perfectly something unexpected is bound to happen to throw things off any way. So why stress?! LOL!

I am so excited to see your pictures. I'm sure everything was beautiful!

Something... or someone? :) Yes, one of the two will throw things off. But, I have rewatched the video, and besides the two "callings-out" and my turning around to "shhh" him, it was great... I smiled and cried watching it and although those small details frustrate me, over time I know I'll forget about some of them, and they'll become less important.

[StarCoveter]

Congratulations! I was patiently waiting for you to come back with an update!! I love the snippet of teal sash in your avatar!!! :)

I know! I'm so sorry I never did post a picture! Everything got so crazy that last week that I didn't even think about it! But, the pictures came in the mail today, but I have to wait (well, I'm telling myself I have to) until DH gets home, which won't be until NINE-FREAKING-THIRTY!!! So, pictures tomorrow, or late tonight. :D

[uptowngirl]

I smiled and cried watching it

See right there that is what is important - and the perspective I needed. Thanks for pepping up another bride without even trying!! :) HAha

I am another one who was checking your wedding dress decision thread hoping for a sash picture! I wanna see!! Oh, and the ceremony-in-front-of-the-window thing - how did that turn out?

[MrsDM]

Congrats and welcome back! I can't wait to see your pictures!!

[Ninedays9]

I saw you were posting in other boards, so I had to see if you'd made any type of post like this, and yay, you did! I'm glad things mostly went well for you. I'm excited to see pictures!! :) How did the guestbook work out?

[StarCoveter]

See right there that is what is important - and the perspective I needed. Thanks for pepping up another bride without even trying!! :) HAha
You're welcome! :)

Oh, and the ceremony-in-front-of-the-window thing - how did that turn out?
Kevin ended up coming home early so we sat through and looked at all the pictures! I think the light from the window was at times harsh, but for the most part it was great. I liked the trees outside, and I even mostly liked the sunlight on my face because sunlight is nature and that's what we wanted to envoke, you know what I mean?

[StarCoveter]

How did the guestbook work out?

I LOVE how the guestbook turned out! It was SOOOO much fun to look through the pages once we got to the hotel and see what everyone had written. Everyone's self portrait was super cute, and for the most part everyone did a page (*ahem* Kevin's family *ahem*... seriously:snide:).

I got our photographer to take pictures of people filling them out and also got some family shots of people filling them out - here's a shot my aunt took of my cousin doing one of the pages:
http://gi245.photobucket.com/groups/gg45/4OXF3KST2N/p7190059.jpg


I HIGHLY recommend doing this sort of guestbook!!! :D

[lisa826]

CONGRATULATIONS!! i'm waiting in anticipation for pics, lol...i can't wait see how all your DIY stuff came together!

[Rainbow Brite]

WELCOME BACK!!! I'm so glad to hear that [almost] everything went great and that you're happy with the outcome. That's great that you had such an awesome honeymoon too!! Congrats! :biggrin:

[f77g4]

Congratulations.....sounds like a great day! Your in-laws kind of sound like my FIL's...I dread how they will be the day of our wedding....oh well.

Anyways congrats, it sounds like a beautiful day and the pics are amazing.

[RevMatty]

Congrats!!!!! Welcome back!!!!!
I now dub thee Mrs. Newlywed, along with the honor and privlages that come with such title. (excluding the complaining about the toliet seat being left up)

NOW WHERE"S THE PICS!!!! You know the rules.

Again Congrats!!

[snowflakebride]

Congratulations and welcome back!

[acidcookie]

Congrats!! I missed the story about your guestbook. Is there a thread?

[Nekochanpurr]

Aw, yay!! *^^* Everything sounded beautiful!