Micah and Rachel - May 2, 2009

[Micah's bride]

I wanted to share the story of our amazing wedding with you ladies. It may take me a few updates to share everything!

Last Sunday, DH and I woke up from our Bachelor/Bachelorette party and my back was bothering me. I've had back problems on and off for the past few years because of an accident. I went to my mom's to pick up my son and by the time I got back home it took me 30 minutes to get out of the car.

I came in and laid down and when DH came home from work later in the afternoon, I couldn't move. It was a difficult task to get out of bed and I spent an hour getting up and getting to the car.

I went to the hospital and they gave me a shot of pain medicine, a shot of anti-inflammitory drugs, and a muscle relaxer. I was able to move a little better, but I was still in a great deal of pain.

I spent the next two days being babysat by various friends and relatives because every time I sat or stood up I had a pinching in my back that caused me to be lightheaded, plus the pain of sitting or standing was excrutiating.

I was finally able to get up and moving on Wednesday and DH took me to the chiropractor. I was a little leery of letting him work on me, but I knew that I had to be able to walk on Friday and Saturday. After my first visit on Wednesday, I was feeling much better and was actually able to drive myself over to my mom's house that evening.

I went back on Thursday before heading about 45 minutes away to pick up the tuxes. I did a little last minute wedding shopping and by the time I got home I was exhausted from not doing much earlier in the week.

By Friday morning, I was able to get out of bed in less than five minutes (which was a record for the week) and felt up to getting the church decorated.

[Micah's bride]

I took my son to school on Friday morning and then headed to the church to get started decorating. My MOH called while I was in the school and when I didn't answer she thought I had done too much on Thursday and couldn't get out of bed.

We spent about 3 hours decorating the sanctuary and reception hall at the church. We had to set up all the tables and chairs, which would have taken forever if my MOH's parents hadn't come along for the trip. They were such a big help and I know it would have taken us twice as long without them, especially since the Dr. had told me not to be moving or lifting things.

I was really relieved that we got the decorating done so quickly. My MOH, mom, and one other bridesmaid were a huge help. I took my MOH and BM to lunch after we finished decorating and then my MOH and I went for manicures at the local beauty college. It was a good thing I had planned for DH to pick my son up from school, because the girl took 3 hours doing my nails. They turned out perfect, but I couldn't believe how long it took. I'm thinking I was probably her first ever live full-set.

I had about an hour after my manicure to get ready for the rehearsal dinner, which was probably the most hectic part of the whole weekend.

[Micah's bride]

It was pouring down rain when we left for the rehearsal dinner. As soon as we got to the church, one of my BMs called to tell me that she would be late - she and our usher were still editing a song they recorded for the bridal party entrance.

When one of the GM hadn't shown up with the Jr BM 1/2 an hour after we were set to start, DH texted him to find out they were setting in the movie theatre watching the new Wolverine movie. We had a few extra people so we ended up doing the rehearsal with stand-ins. Eventually everyone showed up and we walked through one more time just to make sure everyone had it right.

We had ordered pizza the week before to be delivered at 7 p.m. At almost 8 the pizza still hadn't arrived, and when DH called we found out that the delivery driver was on his way to Upland, which is another small town about 10 minutes from where we were. He finally got turned around and found us and in the meantime, I gave everyone their attendant gifts.

I had giant beer mugs engraved for the guys and they all loved them! I was so happy that everyone liked them. The girls all got Vera Bradley tote bags, but I think a few of them were jealous of the mugs.

I had a keychain engraved for DH with our names and wedding date and he knew I had something because I picked it up on Thursday when we were getting tuxes. I told him not to worry about getting me something because I hadn't decide on doing a gift for him until the last minute. He went out Friday morning and bought me a gorgeous journey necklace in sapphires to match my wedding set!! I was completely floored because DH always says you only get the gift of jewelry once a year.

After dinner and a quick clean-up, I still had to go to my office and transfer our wedding song to my computer so I could burn the CD of ceremony music and run to Wal-mart. My mom tells me that she also needs me to drive to her house about 20 minutes away and try on my dress to make sure my bustle is right.

It was almost 10 before I got the CD burnt and my dress tried on. I told DH that we needed to be home and in bed by midnight. I ran into Wal-mart to get champagne for mimosas in the morning and then we came home to shower. We actually made it to bed at 11:57. I was so exhausted, but also too excited to sleep.

[Micah's bride]

I woke up before my alarm at 6:30 on Saturday morning. I guess I was too excited to sleep. I had to be at the beauty school at 8, but first I needed to drive to the next town over and get my MOH and Jr BM. I was so worried that someone was going to be late to the hair appointment, because my friends and I are always late.

Amazingly, everyone was on time. The one BM that I was really worried about being late was actually already getting her hair done when I got there and she had stopped to pick up a dozen doughnuts.

I told my stylist that I wanted my hair done like Debra Messing's in The Wedding Date. She did a really good job, I was so nervous because the first time she pulled the front up and asked me if it was too high, I looked like the bride of Frankenstein. She toned the top down and everyone thought that it turned out great. I wasn't convinced, but I knew that it would probably fall a little in the next 5 hours.

We were done at the salon 9:30, which was perfect because my cake was being delivered at 10 a.m. My Man-of-Honor was at the church to meet the cake, but I actually pulled in right as the baker was getting there. The cake looked amazing. It was better than I imagined it could be. As soon as I saw it, I knew that nothing was going to go wrong.

Plus, the gloomy forecast we had going into Thursday had vanished leaving a crystal-clear perfect day for our wedding. I had several people tell me that the sudden clearing after a week of gloom and rain seemed like a sign that God was smiling on our marriage. It was really cool to have people tell us that!

[Micah's bride]

I only have one of my professional pictures back, but here is a snapshot my MOH's mom took of our cake.

http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc224/bullgoddess0116/wedding/100_2617.jpg

[Micah's bride]

My MOH, BM and I after decorating.

http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc224/bullgoddess0116/wedding/100_2613.jpg

DH and I after he arrived with the rehearsal supplies.

http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc224/bullgoddess0116/wedding/100_2616.jpg

[Micah's bride]

It was horrible having to wait 4 hours after I got to the church to actually get married. I was so excited, I couldn't help but go running out to the car when Micah called to tell me that he and my son were there. I wasn't really worried about him seeing me before the wedding, but I didn't want him to see me in my dress.

My BMs and I had mimosas while we were waiting for the guys to show up. It was a little nerve wracking to have to wait so long to get dressed. I made it okay though, with a few mimosas and a sugar-free Amp.

I told everyone to be at the church by 11, knowing that our friends are always late and I didn't need them there until 12. Only two of them were later than 11 and they still got to the church in plenty of time!

We were all ready to have our pictures taken by 1 and that went pretty seamlessly, other than me having a small scuffle with my photographers wife.

My photog is a co-worker at the paper who takes photos for us and also does weddings. He was taking our pictures as a wedding gift to Micah and I. His wife works as his poser, getting everyone in place for Roy to take the photos.

When we started taking the girls pictures, I told someone to go get Nick, who was my man-of-honor and is my best friend. He came in and she said, "This is the girls picture time, he will be in the guy photos." I tried to explain to her that I had both a Man- and Maid- of Honor, but she just didn't understand why he was in my girl pictures. After a few minutes of me explaining that he was part of MY wedding party, she gave in and let him be in the first girl picture.

She then said that he must be important to me, so she guessed there should be a picture of him and I together like they were doing with the BMs. I couldn't believe that she was trying to tell me that I couldn't have him in the pictures with my side of the bridal party. She just seemed offended that he would be in both sets of pictures.

I was so nerved up at that point that I didn't have the attention to get upset or snippy with her, I was just frazzled that it took me so long to explain something so simple to her.

The rest of the pictures went smoothly and before I knew it we had to get back to our dressing room because people were starting to arrive.

[Micah's bride]

I was setting in the back room listening to the music in the sanctuary and with every song I knew that we were getting closer to going in! When I heard the song start playing for the seating of Micah's mom, I went out into the hallway to wait with my girls. The all looked so beautiful and we were all on the verge of crying.

The ushers had it worked out that they would close the doors after my Jr. BM so that I could stand in front of the doors with my parents to walk down the aisle. Our friends had recorded an instrumental that they slowly faded into their own version of Tiny Dancer. Tiny Dancer was my song to walk to, and they made the instrumental a little too long, so we stood there forever waiting for the fade to open the doors.

Our friend Jerry was joking with me that Micah probably thought I was the Runaway Bride because the doors had been closed for so long. He was trying to keep my from crying, but then just before the opened the doors Adam looked at me for a few moments and told me how pretty I looked. I lost it. I wasn't sobbing, but I was tearing up.

When I got to the front of the church, I couldn't look at Micah because I knew I would start crying. My mom was crying before we ever started down the aisle and I saw my dad wipe his eyes as he was setting down. It was only the 2nd time I've ever seen my dad with tears.

[Micah's bride]

The ceremony went by so quickly, DH and I both agreed on that afterwards. When you are in someone else's wedding it seems to last forever, but it felt like less than five minutes to us.

We each wrote our own vows, and afterwards the minister told us that he loved them and was really impressed. We had several people tell us how nice they were. My co-worker commented this morning that she couldn't hear most of what I was saying, but she did hear me blow my nose after DH read his vows. I was doing really well until he started reading his and I made him go first, so I had to blow my nose to be able to read my own vows.

DH wrote his vows at 10 a.m. the day of the wedding. He waited longer than I did (I finished mine right before the rehearsal) but he did a beautiful job. He was very proud of himself and didn't mind if I shared them with you.

Where do i begin to tell you how important you are in my life? It seems like only yesterday we started down this path that brought us here today. Amazing what a random trip to Wal-mart can do for you. Before I knew it, my life was changed forever. I found in you a friend and companion that completes me in so many ways. I can honestly not picture a life without you in it.

In our short time together we have learned many things about one another. we are not the same people and that is what makes what we have so very special. As different as we may be, the love we have in common draws us together. Looking ahead to the journey we are about to share, I have a strong responsibility to be the best husband I can. I promise to you to always appreciate you for who you are and everything that you are to me.

I will give me all to be your very best friend, and to somehow continue to be worthy of the love you have to give.

From this point forward, as our lives continue together, we know we are not alone. When one is down, the other will be right there to help us up again. We will never have to be lonely or afraid, and we can take comfort knowing we have each other. Always, we'll know.

Micah's vows were so amazing. I felt like mine were wimpy in comparison. Here are my vows.

Micah, you are my best friend, the man that I love, a wonderful father to my son. Words could never express what you mean to me.

I am so happy to become your wife today. I know that life won't always be easy, but together we can face anything. I thought my life was complete before you, but now I cannot remember my life without you.

I promise to support your dreams, make them my own, and work to fulfill them with you.

I promise to be the best wife I can be.

I promise to support you in your music and be right beside you no matter where that path may lead us.

I don't know what the future holds but together we can face anything that comes along. I know that my future is with you and I thank God every day for bringing you into my life.

[Micah's bride]

After our vows, we had our sand ceremony. Our MOH told us that some friends of hers that got married last summer poured all their sand at the same time, so it looked really cloudy and the colors kind of all blended together. She wanted us to be sure to take turns pouring. It turned out really well. I will have to take a picture of the finished vase. DH made me a lid of a vase that I really wanted to use for the sand.

Before we knew it the wedding was over. When we walked back down the aisle, DH carried my bouquet because I was holding up the front of my dress. That produced one of my favorite snapshots so far.

http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc224/bullgoddess0116/wedding/l_ee5b0cec9a264249801b75360e92c577.jpg

[Micah's bride]

Micah and I greeted all of our guests as they were leaving the sanctuary while our bridal party was off setting out bottles of sparkling grape juice and lighting candles for the reception. While the photog was getting ready for to take our group pictures, Micah and I took a few quiet minutes by ourselves. It was nice to be alone after all the hustle-bustle of the day. We were a little cheesy, calling each other husband and wife on our way back to the sanctuary.

We finally got to make our entrance into the ceremony. This is one of my favorites so far.

http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc224/bullgoddess0116/wedding/100_2655.jpg

[Micah's bride]

My mom had a friend make Micah a cake to look like one of his favorite basses. He was so surprised!

http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc224/bullgoddess0116/wedding/100_2618.jpg

http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc224/bullgoddess0116/wedding/l_1ec7f0c2b7f34c75878b41d74cb3b869.jpg

[Micah's bride]

One of Micah's bands played at the reception, the members were a BM and usher. I surprised Micah by having them play Iris so that we could dance together.

http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc224/bullgoddess0116/wedding/100_2660.jpg

Then DH got up and played a few songs.

http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc224/bullgoddess0116/wedding/100_2663.jpg

[Micah's bride]

We finally got to cut our cake, and decided that we would use forks to eat it and no face smearing. A friend sent me this picture this morning.

http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc224/bullgoddess0116/wedding/IMG_3293.jpg

[Micah's bride]

I love this picture of my Maid- and Man- of Honor watching us cut the cake. I think it's a really sweet picture. They are engaged and planning to get married in Feb.

http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc224/bullgoddess0116/wedding/IMG_3290.jpg

[Micah's bride]

The reception was about 2 hours long, afterwards DH took me to Wabash to one of our favorite restaurants. He said by going someone that wasn't too far away, we would be able to go there every year for our anniversary.

It was so much fun going out to eat in our wedding clothes. We had so many people congratulating us and asking about our wedding.

By the time we went to dinner, we were starving. I had a headache from not eating and we were so blissful after we had dinner. We talked non-stop all the way to Wabash and back home.

At the same time, my Maid- and Man- of Honor were driving our other car back to the house and unloading all of our things for us. They helped so much and were so amazingly helpful.

We came back to town and went to our favorite bar/coffee shop to see the owner, who couldn't make it to the wedding. We had a bottle of champagne with him and then we headed to Jonesboro because Micah's band was playing with a substitute bass player that night.

Here is me in my giant sunglasses in front of our bar/coffee shop.

http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc224/bullgoddess0116/wedding/IMG_3308.jpg

[Micah's bride]

Micah and I agree that the best part of our day came when we went to see his band play. The dance floor is normally packed whenever they play, but it just happened to be empty when we walked in. The side door opens right beside the dance floor and when we walked in the lead singers wife saw us and started clapping. Before we made it to the middle of the dance floor, everyone in the place was clapping and yelling. They were so loud that we couldn't hear the band playing right behind us.

It was so amazing. Everyone was taking pictures of us and asking us to kiss for pictures. The lead singer then announced that we had just gotten married and dedicated a song to us. We danced and it was just such a great experience. I kept telling Micah that I didn't realize I was marrying a rock star. It was def. the best part of the day.

Us dancing.

http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc224/bullgoddess0116/wedding/l_bb1b94a7e6a24e588e6c960ad71764ab.jpg

And DH playing with the band.

http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc224/bullgoddess0116/wedding/l_8061acff570f465f9cde2587baf4be67.jpg

[Micah's bride]

After that we went home, ate a piece of our wedding cake and laid on the couch, DH in his underclothes and me still in my wedding dress. We opened our cards and just enjoyed being together.

It was, without a doubt, the most amazing day ever. Nothing went wrong. Micah and I both agreed that the day was absolutely perfect and there was nothing we would change about it.

I should have my pro pictures tomorrow, I'll be sure to share!

[Mrs.Goff]

Congratulations! You were a beautiful bride. I'm glad to hear that you had a great time. I can't wait to see the rest of your pictures.

BTW, you cake looked lovely.

[Heywie]

Sounds like you had a perfect day! Congratulations!

I love your dress, btw!

[BnB]

I LOVE you dress, you looked amazing

perfect story, congrats

[Qtpie]

That sounds like a perfect wedding day. Im glad you had such an amazing day. Cant wait to see more pictures.

[f77g4]

Congratulations! Sounds like an amazing time and Micah's vows were so touching!

[FutureKelley]

Sounds like you had an amazing day!! Congratulations!

[bichonlvr]

Yeah...congrats! I am glad to see everything was amazing!