"All Right!" - Stacey and Joe's Wedding 2/17/2007

[StaceyMc]

It was fantastic! The day couldn't have been more perfect! All of the planning, all the the worrying, all of the little arguments over the past year - it all melted away.

[StaceyMc]

I want to post few pics. I promise to post more and the story soon. I'm still exhausted. Joe went to work today and I have a bazillion things to so, so I might catch a few more zzzzz's before I have to start running again.

Back of my dress

http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i136/StaceyandJoe/100_0581_013_013.jpg

Front of my dress - I was looking at my mom
http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i136/StaceyandJoe/100_0582_014_014.jpg

Mr. and Mrs. Vincler (Excuse the silly look on Joe's face - the camera's just kept clicking and clicking and clicking!)

http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i136/StaceyandJoe/100_0611_043_043.jpg

[shawnsgirl]

You look beautiful and stunning! Congratulations!! I cannot wait to hear all about it and see more pics!! I'm so happy your wedding day was everything you dreamed of and more!!!

[hummingbird521]

You both look so happy and thrilled. Great pics so far. You made a beautiful bride. Can't wait to see more.

[nic1124]

Congratulations. You look beautiful can't wait to see more pics!

[Callys_bride]

congrats you look awesome!! so beautiful!!

[MOB Karen]

OMG, Stacey!!! You look so beautiful!!! And so happy!!! I can't wait to see and hear more about your day!!! Congratulations!!! http://www.sheknows.com/graphics/emoticons/stars.gif

[ger]

You two look absolutely stunning! What a beautiful dress. Can't wait to see and hear more!!

[BriansBride07]

You made a beautiful bride. You and Joe look so happy! thanks for sharing. I can't wait to hear and see more.

[ladymelissa]

You looked fabulous! Congratulations!!!!!

[countrygirl]

What beautiful pics Stacey. You look absolutly gorgeous darling!!!!

[SerendipityCrafts]

Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh you look so prettttttttty and he looks so handsome!!!!!

Keep the pics coming :)

[rainbowtreat]

Love love love that dress. You looked so awesome in it. I can't wait to hear and see more.

[StaceyMc]

I really should have taken Thursday off of work. I couldn't concentrate on anything and it was the longest day known to man!

At 5:00 p .m., I ran out of the office like a maniac. I swear, I felt like it was the last day of school and I was 10 years old - I had a dress fitting and I couldn't wait to get there!

My sister met me there and we tried on our dresses. The ladies at the store kept telling me how beautiful I was. I told them I was going to come up there once a week after the wedding and let them tell me how beautiful I was - it made me feel so great! They want a picture of me in my gown on my wedding day to add to their bulletin board and they'd LOVE to have my dress in their store! My sister looked beautiful too!

After the lady took in my sister's gown (she lost some weight), and Kelly got a lesson in busteling my gown, we loaded the gowns, my slip, veil and wrap into our cars and took off for Mom and Dad's, where my dress would live until Saturday.

Once we got to Mom and Dad's and unloaded the dresses, we tied the tags onto the evergreen seedling favors. The favors were soooo nice. They were bigger than I thought they were!

While we're surrounded by trees, ribbon and tags, the phone rings - it's Joe at the tux store with Dad, asking me what the church telephone number is. Apparently, no one checked the tuxes until right before Joe and Dad got to the store (even though the lady called me on Tuesday and made a big deal that they were at the store already). Joe's shoes were sooo scuffed on the toes. It looked like the last person was dragging his toes on the ground. So, he brought the scuffed shoes home, with a promise of someone delivering better shoes to the church on Saturday. They originally wanted Joe to go back to the mall on Saturday before the wedding to pick them up. He refused - how stupid of them to even ask. That irritated me and I'm sure the sales guy heard me b*tching over the phone. But - as long as he had shoes - who really cares?

I was exhausted by the time Joe dropped me off at home on Thursday.

[StaceyMc]

I jumped out of bed like I had springs on my heinie! I was so excited to get started decorating the church and hall!! But first, I had to make a last minute run to Pat Cattans - I misplaced the crystal ice stuff that I bought to fill the cake stand and some votive cups with.

I ran into the store, grabbed the crystal ice stuff - you just add water - but it takes 6-8 hours to expand. So, I bought glass "ice chips" for the votive holders and pearlescent marbles for the cake stand. Truthfully, I think the replacements were better than the original stuff anyways. I found the ice stuff later - it was at mom's house.

We (Mom, Dad, Kelly, Tyler (my nephew), Joe, Grandma and I) decorated the hall and the church in the afternoon. It was beautiful, if I do say so myself (I think those pictures are on my camera - I'll have to get those posted soon.). We were running all over the place - putting pine here, candles there.....it was so much fun - stressful, but fun.

I had very little time when Joe dropped me off from decorating to get ready for rehearsal.

Joe was all teary at the rehearsal. So was I. Everyone said I'd never make it through my vows on Saturday without crying (I showed them!) Of course, when we finished rehearsing the ceremoney twice, I couldn't remember much :)

We ordered pizza and a veggie tray for rehearsal dinner and had it at my parents. Everyone enjoyed themselves and said what a great idea it was (and cheap too - I think the pizzas and veggies cost $50.00)

Joe took me home after the dinner, and we were talking about how that would be the last time he'd leave me at night to go home. Then....the phone rings.....it's his mother. She is screaming at him about his dad's clothes - that we just spent the last two weeks buying and trying on him. Something about the pants not fitting - eventhough Joe tried them on him a week ago. It's late, I'm really not sure what she expected us to do. Go to WalMart for pants at 10:30 p .m., the night before our wedding, I suppose. Unfortunately, Joe left so angry and she kind of ruined our last few peaceful moments together.

I fell into bed exhausted and almost fell asleep in my clothes.

[BriansBride07]

Sounds wonderful so far. well all except for Joe's scuffed up shoes and his mother ruining you and Joe's last few moments before you parted for the night. I can't wait to hear more and see some more pic's.

[Goin2thechapel]

Hooray!!! I love pictures!!

You were such a glowing bride! You look soo happy. I am sooooo happy for you..Isn't amazing that all the small details you stressed over for months and months, really don't come into play?!?! It's amazing!

Congratulations and Welcome to the MRS.Club!!!!

[NicksBride]

CONGRATULATIONS!!! You looked stunning. I loved your dress!!

[StaceyMc]

Joe and I at the rehearsal dinner at my parent's house.

http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i136/StaceyandJoe/HPIM0289_110_110.jpg

My BIL, Sister (MOH) and my nephew, Tyler. He's such a little "cheeser". My Dad was taking pictures of guests at the dinner and Tyler was smiling at him, since he had the camera in his hand - he loves to have his picture taken.

http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i136/StaceyandJoe/HPIM0273_094_094.jpg

My Daddy and I

http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i136/StaceyandJoe/HPIM0319_140_140.jpg

[StaceyMc]

We should be dancin' YEAH! This is one of my favorite pictures so far. We're having a blast!!!!

http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i136/StaceyandJoe/HPIM0335_156_156.jpg

I can't help - falling in love with you

http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i136/StaceyandJoe/HPIM0344_164_164.jpg

[NicksBride]

aww I have goosebumps!!!!
Your nephew is sooo cute! What a smile. Your dress withy your dads tux looks soo good with your colors and yu look soo happy and radiant! I love the one of you guys dancing as well!!! The bustle looked very pretty.. Just love them. Keep them coming!

[StaceyMc]

My sister picked me up at 8:15 a.m. to go and have our hair done and get manicures. She brought a cappochino and donut holes to the salon for our wedding day breakfast. It was soooo sweet!

I decided that I love manicures and will continue to get them after the wedding! The hand massage was so relaxing! After we got my tiara all pinned in place and my sister's hair done - we took off for home.

We made a quick stop at K-Mart - I had a queasy stomach and wanted to pick up something for that, just in case I couldn't get things under control. There I am, practically skipping around K-Mart with my tiara and my sister with her glittery hair pin. We kept saying in the car, "Out of the way! Don't you see I have a tiara on my head?" I have to admit, I got some strange looks :)

After Kelly dropped me off at home, I finished packing my bag with my wedding stuff and my overnight bag and put my makeup on. I remembered to eat lunch and then just sat there - waiting - waiting - waiting for my parents to come get me.

I bounded down the steps when my parents pulled in the driveway and the smile my dad gave me was just heartmelting!

[NicksBride]

aww! I bet you looked really funny running around K-mart with a tiara on! hahaha

I am sure your dad was just as excited. :)

[StaceyMc]

We get the church and Dad got the lucky job of dragging my dress, my mother's dress and his tux into the church. After we got everything into the room and my sister got there, we went to the hall to see the cake.

Let me just say, the cake was breathtaking! I'm still trying to get some pics uploaded - I know there are cake pictures somewhere! Tammy did a fantastic job on it. The caterers were just getting there too! I was so happy to see them there - I was worried about vendors for some reason.

Mom made me go to my room and stay there, since Joe is always early. He'd already been at the church once, because the infamous grape leaves and baklava were in the kitchen.

I got a little lonely and anxious sitting in the room by myself. I had so much energy, I felt like I could run in circles for hours!

There was a knock on the door and it was my photographers YEAH!!!! So, we all decided that it was time to get ready (it was about 1:20 p.m. - the wedding was at 2:30 p.m.) so that hte photographer could get a few shots before the ceremony. I sent her to take pictures of Joe and whomever else, while I got my dress on.

While my sister and I made one last ladies room trip before the dress got put on, I was telling her how happy I was that everyone was here, the soloist (who didn't show on Friday), the photographers, DJ's and caterer. My sister says "Joe's here too!" I laughed - it never crossed my mind that he wouldn't be there.

My mother, sister, me and my "ushette" and cake baker, Tammy, got ready together. I was having a serious discussion as to whether or not to attach the garters to my torsolette that I was wearing under my dress. The thigh highs that I bought had the "grippy" stuff on them, but I was worried about them rolling down. Mom told me to walk around a little bit without the garters and see what happened - What? Walk? Who? Me? So, I did a little dance - like the dance Pauly Shore does in "Son-In-Law" while he's saying "STeven Tyler PJ's Steven Tyler PJ's" - my sister was even saying "Steven Tyler PJ's", while we're all laughing like goofballs.

Mom and my sister got my dress on and zipped and hooked up - WOOHOO! It's getting closer!!

Funny thing is - I never saw myself once I was dressed - it wasn't until we looked at pictures the day after that I saw myself completely dressed, with the veil. There wasn't a full length mirror in the room we were dressing in. Just in the bathroom that was attached, but there was no way I was dragging my dress into the bathroom that guests were using and slopping up the floor with their wet feet (it was snowing and sloppy out). I had to be satisfied with a child's scratched up vanity mirror to see my veil and tiara on my head.

My dad came in and said "Awww...how beautiful" that almost started me crying. I started talking about Joe and did start to cry.

The photographer came in and took some pictures of my parents, me, my sister and I, my grandmother and I and then left us to wait....more waiting. THERE'S TOO MUCH WAITING!!

I was peeking out the window into the parking lot, giving my sister and mother the play by play about whose cars are in the lot and who was coming in. I'm sure I was driving them crazy, but what else am I supposed to do?

Finally, I hear the guest seating music start playing. Then the bridal service lady from hell (A/K/A BSLFH) (more about her later) came and got my mom. That left my sister and I there for our last few moments. We talked and giggled. Then, I heard "Shades of Purple" starting - that was the mother's seating song. I started jumping up and down saying "IT'S STARTING! IT'S STARTING! IT'S STARTING!"

Then, the bridal service lady from hell came and got my sister and I. There was my handsome dad waiting for me. The BSLFH sent my sister down the aisle and it was just my dad and I.

[StaceyMc]

My father took my arm and lead me to the top of the aisle. Because the sanctuary of the church has windows all across the back, we had to stand in the hallway so no one would see me while my sister was making her way down the aisle.

When we stepped infront of the windows, I got a peak at Joe. Good heaven's, he looked handsome. He was smiling and the look on his face was undescribable. My father took my arm while the BSLFH was straightening out my train (the only helpful thing she did all day). My father asked if I was ready - I said "Yes" but I couldn't take a step. He said "Ready?" I said "Yes" and he counted "One, Two, Three" and off we went. I think it was stage fright - everyone looking at me. The closer I got to Joe, I wanted to run to him. It's a good thing dad was there or I would have made the fastest entrance in history!

After my father sat down and Joe and I held hands, he looked over and said "You look beautiful" and he had tears in his eyes.

The ceremony went by so fast. We swore it was longer when we read it before.

I got through his vows and mine without crying. I wanted to make sure that I wasn't sobbing through the whole ceremony and that he and everyone else could hear what I was saying. He told me later that he was a little worried when I wasn't crying.

The parent's blessing was beautiful, as was our greeting of the families. I guess Joe was doing some fancy side stepping to get around my dress - he didn't realize it would take up so much room....hahahahaha.

When the Pastor asked us to join right hands I totally blanked on which was my right and which was my left and started moving my left. Pastor Wagner had to correct me - I did the same thing at rehearsal. Everyone laughed, it was such a "me" thing to do.

When he said "Albert, you may kiss your bride", Joe said - loud enough for everyone to hear - "ALL RIGHT!!!!!!" It has to be one of my favorite memories - it was just such a "Joe" thing to do.

Once we got out of the sanctuary, we hugged and then I started to cry. I don't remember ever being so happy.

We started the receiving line - how I loved greeting everyone!!!

[StaceyMc]

My church offers a Bridal Services person to each bride that gets married in the church. I originally thought it would be helpful - I found out later that my lady was more frustrating than anything.

I donated $20 for her services, even though it was at no cost since I belonged to the church. In hindsight, I wish I had given her $40 to stay home.

She continually barged into my changing room without knocking. That was driving me up the wall. Apparently, she was hounding my grandfather to sit down in the church when he arrived - he was there early and was waiting for his son and his wife, his nephew and his wife, so they could chit chat before the ceremony. There wasn't anyone in the sanctuary yet, so why would he have to go sit down. She ordered my other grandparents around alos. I also heard that she was rudely ordering around my ushers and other guests. I'm suprised that my "ushette" didn't just flatten the sour woman.

Of course, the hellish part was when the last few people were at the end of the receiving line with my sister and grandparents and I was taking my first breath and leaned over the hug Joe. BSLFH starts yelling "You need to get in there and start your pictures." Joe told her "Not everyone is through the line yet." She says to him "There's no one in the church! You need to start your pictures now!! You're not greeting anyone!!!" I gave her my evil face and loudly asked "CAN YOU GIVE US FIVE MINUTES? JUST FIVE MINUTES????" I mean good heaven's, we've been married for what - 10 minutes - I'd like to breath for a minute. I refused to be rushed like that on my wedding day.

She stomps into the sanctuary and I turn around - she's taking my decorations down! I go over to mom, I'm almost in a rage at this point and I tell Mom, she turns around to check out the scene, takes my arm and we go into the santcuary. I find out later that BSLFH was bothering my photogs, asking what they needed in the shots so she could start tearing down. The photog told her that he has nothing to do with those things - she was to ask me. My Ushette stopped BSLFH from taking down the two large pine decorations on the rails at the entrance of the altar! I mean, come one! Don't you think we'd be taking pictures there?

She stomped around for a while and my sister made a comment to someone about how the bridal services lady was totally rushing us - in front of the Pastor, so he'd know what was going on.

The BSLFH even sent my Inlaws to the reception before we were done with them and we missed some shots. It was going to be too much of a hassle to get them to come back in (Joe's mom uses a cane and his dad is in a wheelchair and my MIL was already complaining about stuff).

Once we finished and my sister and I were in my room bustling my dress, I was b*tching about the lady - who walks past the open door? The sour faced BSLFH - I know she heard me, and know what? I could care less.

I haven't decided if I should talk to the Pastor and tell him that maybe she isn't the best lady to have for bridal services.

[StaceyMc]

....please welcome, Joe and Stacey V!" That was our intro into our reception.

The reception couldn't have been more perfect. Everything was beautiful - everyone was eating and laughing. The food was fab! The DJ Rocked!!!!!

I want all of the brides to remember to enjoy their reception. At one point, I grabbed Joe and said "Look, we have to do this last picture - this is the last thing I will coordinate." I stopped trying to kill myself to visit personally with every guest and I went out and danced. Joe enjoyed visiting with the guests and hates to fast dance, so he did that.

We had an incident with his mother, which I knew would happen. My parents came to the rescue. Long story short, Joe misunderstood his mother and took a bag out to her car, when she wanted it to change her shoes (she left early - she told my dad she couldn't stand the music). I walked over to give them a hug when I saw that they were leaving. As soon as I walk up to her, she's screaming and shaking her cane, telling me that she's going to hit Joe with it. I told her that I didn't think she was going to do any such thing.....I almost let her have it. My mom's friend saw my face and told my mom that she thought there was something going on. At this point, I'm almost in tears - Joe's sister's and one of his sister's husband were there - why weren't they taking care of all of this sh*t? His youngest sister and husband were no where to be found and the oldest was there, just listening to her screaming.

The DJ was playing the Righteous Brothers, that I later found out that Joe had requested to dance with me, but where was he? Outside moving his mother's car to the door. My mom said "Stacey, go over there and do whatever it is you were doing. Your father and I will take care of this." Let me tell you, my FIL got the ride of his life out of the reception hall with my mom pushing him in the wheelchair and my father helped Joe's mom out.

I didn't even tell him what happened until we were at the hotel later that night. He was furious.

My mom told me a few other things that Mrs. V. did at the reception that would hurt his son if he knew, but mom wanted me to know, so I never felt guilty about anything that is ever said to her.

Once his family left, Joe cut loose - some of my favorite pictures are of us goofing on the dance floor.

People told me how much they loved the wedding, how beautiful everything was. I'm still getting compliments from guests.

[Kacie_bride]

Great pics so far!!!! You looked beautiful!

[BriansBride07]

You look just like your daddy. You were such a beautiful bride. Thanks for sharing. Sounds great so far. Keep the pictures coming. Sorry your FMIL and the b*tch from hell at the church. tried to ruin your day. I am glad that it was taken care of though

[4424]

you looked so incredibly happy! the look on ur face is priceless. congrats on everything! u looked beautiful

[Valmai]

Everything sounds wonderful (besides the bridal services woman and joes mum) but these things make the rest of the day seem even more perfect dont they! Congratulations and thanx for sharing ur day - i look forward to more pics! xxx

[septemberbride06]

Congrats! Everything looked great from what I've seen so far!
You two looked very happy together!!

[MOB Karen]

Thanks so much for sharing your day with us, everything sounded just lovely! And you couldn't be more beautiful in your pics!!! Can't wait to see more!!! Congratulations, again! :)

[Bradsgirl]

Minus the small bumps in the road, it sound like you had s pretty good ride. Congrats and I hope you get to post more pictures.

[StaceyMc]

We picked up our photographer pictures this past Saturday. They are just beautiful! I'll be posting some as soon - things have been a little crazy around the "V" household.

We've decided to take our Honeymoon in Vegas at the end of May. I'm so excited and have been doing some research on packages, etc. I told him that this is probably one of the few (if only) times that we're going to be able to do a trip like this - so we're staying somewhere NICE! Not "Franks Last Stand on the Strip" for $35/night. I found a fab new Suite Hotel/Spa that I think we'd love. I'll keep you all posted on our plans!

[NicksBride]

oh that is just so exciting!!! I can't wait to see the pictures and hear more about your honeymoon! What a great get away.