Vana & Michael - may 24, 2009

[EarlyBird]

The only way i can describe this day is the perfect day with the most imperfections ever hahah! Ill be back to tell the story.

promise.. for now, there are about 5 pictures posted, in the wedding pictures section.

[PGDesigns]

Haha. I call our wedding the "perfect disaster." Glad to hear it was still perfect!

[f77g4]

Yay glad to hear it was perfect! Can't wait for the story and more pics!

[Nekochanpurr]

Aww, congrats again! I can't wait to hear about it!

[kgvettegirl]

I'm sitting on pins and needles. I can't wait to hear how it all turned out.

[EarlyBird]

Okay so im ready to START MY STORY... its going to take a while.

Okay so Wed. Night people started coming in from out of town. Mainly my cousins. I was super excited b/c Mike and I had ended work last Tuesday, so we had a bunch of time to spend with everyone.
Wed after all my errands and airport runs, my mom and I had a dress appt at 3pm. the women called back and said she needed to move my appt. to 530- worked better cuz i was behind that day, so at 530 we went to pick up my dress. IT WAS SOAKING WET FROM THE DRY CLEANING THE WOMEN HAD DONE TO IT. I could not gauge if it was tight, loose etc. i just knew it was uncomfortable as could be! so The women also told us my bustle and veil were not done, we needed to come back at 845pm !!!!!! at this point i was mad so we left and came back- my bustle was still not done and it was too loose still on the top, but luckily it was dry.
we went back the next day and I picked up my dress! Thankgoodness.

More to come...

[EarlyBird]

I should tell you mike and i decided to stay apart from Friday morning till the Rehersal on Saturday night, it was more special for us that way. So thursday night we went out with everyone and had fun. Then friday morning I took my backed bags and went off to my parents (The dogs had been there since Wed whcih was a nice break) Poor mike was pretty lonely so he went and stayed at his best man's house too.
On Saturday morning I still had a couple errands like my fashion tape etc, so i did that with my mom and my dad headed to the hotel out of town (its about 45 min away where the wedding was) It was storming real bad for two days and saturday was the worst. Dad called to say there was 9 inches of flooding in the parking lot and the flagpole at the hotel had just been struck by lighting and lights were flickering.
he said the rain was up past his calves and our villa was in the courtyard, and to get there, you bascially had to swim cuz there was sooo much water...

more coming....

[EarlyBird]

(PS PICS ARE UP IN THE WEDDING PICS THREAD)

So on Saturday i finally get to the hotel. it was a beauitful house actually on the grounds, we had about 10 of them blocked out. they were 3 bedrooms villa types with porches, kitchens etc, i could live there.
my bro and i scout around the hotel, find all the goodie and find out where all the guests are and then i called some of my BM to come up and drive to the rehersal with me. so off my bro and moh and bm went with me to the rehersal. we picked up mike on the way and we were the last to arrive.
the rehersal was a disaster. it was pouring rain so we went to look at the backup spot which was the inside- i saw black chair covers in my reception ballroom and asked my parents, they said they would ask about it since i ordered ivory. anyway, the preiest cameto the rehersal but not the rabbi and he was nto really directing. in fact, i directed most of the time, the coordinator there stunk too!!!
the ringbearer had a tantrum right before he was supposed to start his practice walk, it was a mess!!!! he wanted me to walk down with him but of course, i couldnt!! haha

anyway, the dinner went nice, there was a video shown of us from the time we were little etc.. but all in all, it was a little uncomfortable cuz i saw mikes one brother for the first time since he tried to get mike to leave me and he refused to even say hi to me!! but oh well.

so i went back to the hotel it was about midnight and my bro mom and i watched tv while my dad went to sleep (i think he was wayyyyy more stressed then me) - i fell asleep around 3 but at 4 woke up to a panic about those black seat covers, woke up the entire family by yelling at whoever i could find while everyone kept repeating WHAT CAN I DO ABOUT IT AT 4AM THE NIGHT BEFORE?!?!? hahaha
it was my only thought of panic pretty much cuz i had been calm all week..

......

[EarlyBird]

so i awoke the next morning at around 10am or so, my bro and i overslept while our parents went to church and were setting everything up in the dining room for the makeup arist and hairstylist.. sooo then i found out as i opened my eyes that my makeup artist didnt book the second makeup girl... AND we were 12 people at least !!!! i flipped and called her and she apologized and said she would figure it out.. finally she called her partner and asked about her coming up asap, so she did!! thank goodness. the second girl got there around 130p

i also had my bouquet when i woke up and loved mine, hated my girls, they were missing pieces, the girls had to hold them against their bodies to hide that. and they forgot a boutineer and a bouquet for the jr bm but we didnt realize that till RIGHT before leaving for the ceremony so that was a mess!!!!!!! basically i just walked down with my bouquet and took a couple pics but i gave mine to my moh right after i got down and didnt walk back up with it either cuz she gave her bouquet to the jr bm and walked down with no bouquet. i felt like we were playing hot potato

[f77g4]

Wow the issues you have had with this lady and your dress!! Man oh man Vana.

[gwenshack]

Keep it coming Vana! :) You looked so beautiful in your pics!

[EarlyBird]

So the morning of, i was cool as a cucumber, besides waking up and finding the flowers looked like they were missing something (more on that later) and the makeup artist booking only 1 not 2 people. but both those disasters were averted and i went to take a bubble bath while bro was waiting for everyone to arrive and parents went for coffee. it was lightly raining and luckily my dad brought my dress to my grandmas room in the main building in case it was raining too hard i could get dressed in her room and not get the dress wet or have to walk through the puddles.

well anyway, the bubble bath, so ya, new bubble bath and i was allergic. luckily i did not panic, my makeup artist said "put ice cold water on your body" so i did that and called it a day on the relaxing bubble bath!! haha

[EarlyBird]

the rest of the morning went rather smooth. my girls arrived and my mil and aunts all came to our villa and we drank mimosa, did makeup and hair and had alot of fun. I even had this really great spray tan stuff my mother bought, and it was incredible, i looked soooo tan and everyone commented on it, so i was spraying all the bridesmaids, moms and aunt hahaha my mil kept saying she could not believe how calm i was and how i kept trying to help everyone else.. i was spraying tanning people, helping moh and fg with makeup, curling the jr bm hair etc !! i left everyone else to go before me in makeup and hair, and in the end that kind of kicked me in the butt.

my hair took no time cuz she and i had done so many trials. it was perfect and i loved it. i even did a couple cartwheels outside to make sure it stayed haha
my makeup however, took a little bit extra time. while we were halfway through i realized my eyes were burning, i had to go take out my contacts and wash my face, when i took out my contacts, i realized one was ripped, and i had no extras. desperate times called for desperate measures so i used my mil which was a little stronger then my script but it served its purpose.

[EarlyBird]

so after that, we had to start my makeup over, which was fine cuz we were not that far into it.
it was around 3:30 and the photog was there, taking pics of everything and everyone, and at this time my bro and dad were going to another room to get dressed for pics etc.
when 4pm rolled around, i was supposed to be downstairs and in my dress taking family pics, but i was still having makup done and not near ready!
when 4:30 rolled around I asked that all girls be ready to secure me in my dress so we could make a mad dash for the limo and pics.. but i still wasnt done with my pics... ugh.. at around 425 the limo driver called and said he was right on time and out front, dad said it would be a little bit.
it was about 450 when i finished my makeup, jumped into my dress around 505 and was having a breakdown about the flowers agian by 507. the photog still wanted some pics downstairs by the foutain since it was nice and not raining, no flooding, so we did that. and by 520 (10 minutes before the ceremony) we arrived. My dad and i went to the brides room and asked that since we were only 5 minutes behind, that we start asap. My dad held back tears as we heard one of the coordinators tell the other over the radio "the groom is down the aisle" i asked at that point since he could not see me if i could go in the room where everyone was waiting to walk so i could watch. they did an amazing job of getting everything really secure so he could not see me, and i was able to get there in time to give my moh and fg and rb a kiss.

Im very close to my Dad and i knew this moment was the most bittersweet for both of us. We were in queue, everyone looking but the groom (he was instructed not to look till i reached him) and i watched my dad take in one of those gaspy breaths where you can tell a guy is going to bawl like a baby. we waited for my music to start and i looked at him i said "daddy you ready? we can wait a minute" we both let out a tear or two,he kissed my forehead and we walked down the aisle arms linked, hands held (i think i was holding him up) it was one of the most memorable moments with my father, everyone said that it was truly a special moment to witness, i cant wait to see the video!

We got the end and my mom stood up. My dad and Mike hugged and when answering the question "who gives this women" my dad barely choked out her mother and myself, while my mom lifted my veil. Both parents kissed me and walked back to their seat, and as i caught a glimpse of their tear stained faces, i vowed silently NOT to look at them the whole time.

[EarlyBird]

So at that point i finally looked at my groom. for the first time since i got down the aisle - straight in the eyes and i couldnt help it, here is what blurted out of my mouth "I FORGOT MY VOWS" first low and then when asked to repeat it by the priest i said it to the crowd; The rabbi said "what do you mean forgot" i said "On the kitchen counter!" Mike smiled, i looked petrified, and the whole crowd laughed and most said they expected soemthing like this from me!

[EarlyBird]

The priest whispered to me as the rabbi started the ceremony, "think about if you just want to do traditional repeating vows and skip the personal ones, or if you want to wing it" i looked at mike and asked "lets scrap the personal vows" he said okay but i knew he worked hard and was disappointed. the rest of the ceremony was beautiful. everyone said how they could not believe how that patio where the ceremony was held was transformed and how the priest and rabbi did such a wonderful job in hosting the ceremony (they really did, it was sooo beautiful) we had decided to scrap the personal vows and after we were done with the traditional vows i had this pain in my heart (seriously, ever felt like a broken heart) and i realized, mike really wanted this ever since the moment we got engaged. i knew he had been up for 3 nights perfecting his vows, and i know he put alot of effort into it. So on the spot, as they were about to announce us, i asked the priest to stop and let us say out personal vows. the smile i got from mike was worth the embarrassment i was about to feel. Mike reminded me i forgot mine and i said shrugged my shoulders "I love you, hopefully i can just remember why and wing it" Everyone laughed, a couple clapped and i asked that mike go first. His vows made both of us cry, as he asked that i never stop loving him and always remain his best friend.
They pronounced us and i said to him "DONT STOP, JUST KEEP WALKING" haha there is a great couple pics where we got to the end of the aisle before everyone and we share a kiss and a hug!

[EarlyBird]

At this point is when the stress started. I had not seen the room, I did not know what chair covers were in there and my dad refused to let me peek (which made me KNOW they wrong ones were in there) in hindsight i was glad i did not get to peek becuase my ceremony would have had me with a face on from being mad! however, once i got in, there was a bunch of other stuff upsetting so i didnt worry about the covers (a whole other story ill touch on)
So anyway, we walked toward the cocktail hour to grab some water and we did the ketubah (jewish marriage license) signing. I know that my mother in law was upset because apparently there was a misunderstanding that the sister in laws of michael were signing the ketubah with his brothers, but i explained that while we had two witnesses, it was not fair to have all 4 of the ketubah witness be his family. It was important since this is going on the wall, to have my brother be a witness too. I know they were all pretty upset, but Michael and I spoke about it, and we dont know why they thought the others were signing it. I mean obviously why wouldnt my MOH and Bro sign it?

After ketubah signing we went to the ceremony room again for pictures while everyone went to the cocktail hour. Pictures were a bit stressful cuz we had sooo many people to take pics with, and it was about to get dark out and we were outside. then the stress hit a high peak when one of my brother in laws, knocked over the centerpiece and column - i was a little surprised considering how the column is plaster not plastic and upset cuz it was supposed to be used in the reception room at my table. but my bil apologized profuslely so i didnt want to make him feel bad, and he put it together as best he could and we continued with pictures.

[EarlyBird]

So after that, i split from my groom again to go do my bustle but couldnt find my moh or my mom. So my sil offered to help. It was nice b/c i have been told numerous times that she does not like me, so it was nice to share a special moment with her that day. It was also nice that earlier that morning she had brought me a hankie with my initials and wedding date in blue . Oh i guess ill list what i had for those traditions now.
Something old - earrings
something new- garter and hankie
something borrowed- the comb in my veil and my shoes
something blue- hankie
and a sixpence in your shoe- I had this but it was in the sixpence pouch which was blue (this has been handed down to all of us on my dads side who got married)

anyway, back on track. so we did my bustle and then mike came in and asked if i wanted food or a drink cuz they were going to close down the cocktail hour soon. My entire bridal party then met me in the bridal room for a drink. I ran out real fast to find someone and caught a glimspe of my centerpieces. they were wrong and i was sad, at that point i noticed the front table was wrong too, no flowers like i asked (the venue was providing the front table piece cuz they had a bunch already)... I was very upset and i ran to find my parents. I was already upset with the coordinators cuz they had failed to give my guests directions after the ceremony, they ordered the wrog chair covers and they had failed to have everything run smoothly. So after finding my dad, he said he had not been in the reception room yet, but he calmed me down and cleared out the brides room excpet for mike and i and just gave me a really good pep talk about enjoying the night and not stressing.
as bad as i thought my centerpieces were, i could not have been prepared for my dad telling me throughout the night that one FELL!!!!!!!!!! apparently, the florist overpowered the top. She made it wayyyyy too top heavy, so she had to take out some flowers or else they were sure to tople over- so because of that they looked less full.. but then i also noticed some were tilted and they had ..... TAPE.. i swear to god, tape was holding the base to the flower holder-- you cant really tell, i only realized when i was very very very close but i was sooo upset.. afterward i spoke with the coordinator from the venue, they said how rude the floral shop guy was and how he told her "hope nobody hits it, these things are going over then" - Here is the kicker.. no guy works at the shop!!!!! he was just delivering them and he was supposed to remove the tape and add the table numbers and cut the excess strings from the crystals... NONE of which he did.. he plopped them on the tables and left.. ugh


more to come

[f77g4]

Wow - your ceremony sounds beautiful....I'm sorry to hear you forgot your vows.

And I'd be letting the floral shop know about the delivery guy!

[EarlyBird]

So after seeing the centerpieces I had a mini meltdown. just kind of went in the bride room and cried for a little but i got over it :)

So after being announced, which was fun because we decided we would walk in like we were just getting ready to do our first dance, and he dipped me and kissed me REALLL hard.. haha i thought he busted my lip! everyone cheered, it was a fun moment!!
then we did our first dance, i saw alot of teary eyes, and it wasnt like it was a beautifull heart wrenchng song, but those who know us knew that the song "stand by me" described us perfectly...we sang it to each other and had a really good time dancing to it, lots of laughs b/c mike is a terrible dancer and i had to keep watching out for my toes.

After that, we got the dance floor going, and barely anybody left all night expect to eat. the bar opened around the same time and i made my way to the front and ordered 3 glasses of wine, told them to keep it on the ice so i wouldnt have to walk to the bar everytime i wanted a drink, they put it right on my table..

anyway,the food was INCREDIBLE. i mean seriously seriously good!!!
the cocktail hour food was 2 pasta stations, mini eggrolls, empanedas, pot stickers, crab rangoon, veggies, fruits, dips, chicken satay, coconut chicken and one other thing but i forget what haha everyone said they were full by the time the cocktail hour was over.
then dinner was a cesar salad and then sorbet and then either chicken marsala or tilapia with fruit manago salasa with red baby bliss pot. and veggies sauteed. i had the marsala, both parents said the fish was incredible though. Everyone kept coming up to me about the food, sayig how good it was

[EarlyBird]

during the course of the night, ALL my bustle buttons popped - kind of my fault cuz i was not wearing shoes.. but oh well sh** happens right? My brother had a code word for me (dont know if i mentioned this) but it was ENJOY and it was anytime someone was annoying me, i looked mad etc etc, he would say ENJOY - and we would smile... so basically my bustle broke 4 times and each time me brother wouold be there yelling "enjoy" - we eventually pinned it, so i was not TOO happy WITH HOW it looked but it is what it is right haha

well anyway during the (i dont know how to spell it so im describing it) jewish dance with the chairs in the air--- i was dropped, by the tallest guys in the room. i found it hilarious, loved it, not a big deal, everyone else panicked and i said "GET ME BACK ON THE CHAIR" i found out after my brother in law got hurt with my chair when i was falling, i really did feel bad about that. mike was pretty upset i was dropped but its all in good fun!

[amisteratwisterandme]

then we did our first dance, i saw alot of teary eyes, and it wasnt like it was a beautifull heart wrenchng song, but those who know us knew that the song "stand by me" described us perfectly...we sang it to each other and had a really good time dancing to it, lots of laughs b/c mike is a terrible dancer and i had to keep watching out for my toes.


How funny! That song is now playing in the background as I read this!

With all the mishaps and missteps, it sounds like you and Mike stayed on the same wave length. Congratulations again!

[bichonlvr]

Sounds amazing and all of your hard work paid off!!!!! Love that you wore different contacts! AND that all of the family was there on ALL sides! WOO HOO!

[PGDesigns]

I agree, your hard work definitely paid off. Everything looks beautiful. Parts of your story made me a little teary-eyed. I'm so glad to hear that even with all the mishaps, you two still had an amazing day.

[EarlyBird]

So i think i have to finish this story today or tomorrow, but with not having a laptop its hard hahaha!!!

soooo then we just danced alot, i could not believe how much mike got up and danced, cuz he usually hates it. then after the first course, dad and i had our dance, it was hard, we both really tried to keep it together but it was hard. There are alot of good shots from there.

Then to "kick" off the party after the entree it was time for my brother and mine's dance... awesome.. We have a song that we ALWAYS dance to, "under my skin" by frank sinatra, and they got incredible shots from that! we were singing to each other and laughing, a couple teary eyed moments but in the end everyone was like "you guys have that dance DOWNNNN" hahah we never practiced, i just always let him lead that dance and he is pretty good!!

Then at around midnight all the limos came to shuttle people back to the hotel and we went back to the hotel, sent lke 5 people on beer and food runs and partied away in all the villas and out by the pool until about 5am.. then mike and i went to our villa and all i wanted to do was shower (I LEFT MY DRESS AND VEIL ON UNTIL 5AM. my dad kept saying "you must be hot, take it off put on your bathing suit and dip in the pool" and i was like NOPE I ONLY GET TO WEAR THIS ONCE.. so mike and i stayed in our tux and dress while everyone was in their jammies and stuff hahahahahh then we got back to our room, im desperate for a shower and we find out.. the air is broken in there. we had to go call the front desk and move everything hahahah and people had decorated our room so we wanted to move that too and the guys at the hotel were NOT interested in helping at all, so they dropped the key, told us our new room and left!!!

[EarlyBird]

So thats pretty much it for the story, some of my favorite parts were the funny ones, falling off the chair, forgetting my vows etc etc hahaha looooved it !!!!!!

but my ultimate favorite for the befores was having BOTH his mom, my mom, his aunts, sils and everyone including all bridesmaids, all friends etc etc in our villa to get ready. everyone was having fun, everyone was laughing it was just a great time all around.. im so happy with how everything turned out and im ecstatic about being a MRS!!!

[f77g4]

That's an awesome wedding day story Vana and your attitude through all the kinks was amazing! It sounds (& looks by the pics) that it truly was a beautiful day!

Congrats again!