Here we go~

[Paula4707]

Well, I really slacked off on the pre-wedding journal so let's see how I do with this one.........

Mom got here last Monday (4/2/07) and we have ran like crazy to get everything done & accomplished, even a road trip to Indiana to get my half-sister, Shavaugh. Mom kept making the list of things to do and we didn't stop until the things were checked off. Needless to say, we made about 10 lists but all was good. My nerves were shot and I knew it was just the beginning.

Fast forward to Friday......I woke up, looked at Brian and started crying b/c it was the last day that I would be waking up next to my boyfriend (i know, i'm a dork). I tried to hand him something to drink and almost dumped it on him b/c I was shaking so bad. Some family & friends that were on their way up here called & I cried the entire time I was talking to them.....Mom helped calm me down....thank you!

The day was uneventful, just finishing up some last minute things until everyone arrived. Then they all got here, we started gathering stuff & I realized I forgot to go & get the parts to the tuxes that were missing! OH MY GOD!! Rehersal was at 6:30 and it was 4:15. I called Brian flipping out and of course he being the calm one, said he would take care of it. I was supposed to get my stuff together since I was staying at the hotel with everyone, but that sure didn't happen. Made it to the hotel, had the rehersal on our own since the Preacher was running super late, our DJ's helped us (thank you Tim & Al & of course Tracy). So, we finished that up & it was time to go........

First stop was Stingers of course. We had dinner, drinks and a good time. Of course it was even better with the vail that had condoms attached I was wearing. We ended up leaving there and headed to Cebars. Had never been and the band sucked but of course, we had to make it a good time. How many times do you think people would ask if you are getting married when it is very apparent you were having a bachlor/bachlorette party? It was okay, it was still a good time. Brian headed out with the boys (i'm still waiting to hear the complete story on that trip). We got tired of the band (they really were bad) so we were wanting to go somewhere else. We did - Denny's !

After we all got back to the hotel & settled in, Brian started calling. He wanted food, was looking for things, etc. Between the alcohol & his nerves, he probably slept less than I did. Charity just kept handing me the phone b/c he kept calling. Awwww, he missed me!

Well, after a 2 hour nap, it was suddenly 8:30 & time to get up. OH MY GOD, I'M GETTING MARRIED TODAY!!!

[Paula4707]

Charity got me up and I couldn't decide where to start. Since I didn't bring anything to the hotel, we went to my house to pick up things (yes, this included the dress, shoes, etc). Once we returned, Cheri was there starting to set up the centerpieces and all that (Cheri's Special Affairs - she is wonderful). Still not knowing exactly where to start at, I bumped our hair appointment to the afternoon and was in a daze. My nerves were a mess and Brian still kept calling. Once Patricia got there, we decided we'd grab something to eat, do the hair thing & get our nails done since none of us had done that. It was 11:45 & the Preacher was going to be there at 4:00 to do a quick run through with us. Okay, another push to make things go very quick! We started our hair appointment at 1:00 & since Charity & I finished first, we headed out to get our nails done. Patricia & Chastity followed. By the time all this was done, it was 3:47 & we weren't at the hotel......oh boy, more rushing.

We get there, make a quick run through of the ceremony and head our seperate ways. I wanted everyone ready by 5:15, I was determined it was going to start on time!!! What I didn't count on was the weather. We had everyone ready but was getting calls from people saying they were on their way but stuck b/c the weather was so bad. HA, there went me being calm right out the window.

The DJ announced that due to weather, we were going to wait a short time for the ceremony to start b/c guests were still arriving. Okay, I'm being patient but my feet are starting to hurt like hell. So, we have my Mom stand guard and we are all hanging out in the lobby & Brian and the guys went to the bar. As long as we didn't see each other before the ceremony we were ok (good thing we could talk - I checked our phone records, we talked on the phone more than 100 times between Friday a.m. and the ceremony).

Now, it's time to start..............Brian & Tom are in with the Preacher, Jerad enters with the ring pillow, Patricia & Tim enter, Charity & LeeJ, then Chastity. Now is the time for Dylan and I. I was very pleased with the turnout (even though the weather was terrible). Then, I looked at Brian. I will never forget that look on his face. When asked who gave me away, the boys said "we do" and took their spots up with the other guys. As Brian stepped to me and took my hand, he was shaking. When we got to the vows, we were both nervous. We had written our own and did not let the other see what was written. Listening to what he said, made me cry. I didn't think my vows were as good as his, but he said they were fine b/c they came from me. - Okay, I'll take that! We did the ring thing and was pronounced husband & wife. As the Preacher introduced us, we started laughing b/c we knew he would pronounce the name wrong.

From there, things went fairly smooth. We had to wait to be announced at the reception b/c the DJ didn't have the correct music, lost the list of the wedding party names & had to finish setting up. Since we got a late start, we were running behind on everything. But that is okay. We were now married, so I was ready to handle anything!

The reception was beautiful, the cake was great, even with Patricia picking it out of my nose for me (thanks brian)! The bar opened and the DJ started. We did our dance, he danced with his mom, me w/ my mom & then me w/ my dad. We did the dollar dance, then it was time to move on to everything else.

It was really a great time and I made sure to savor every moment possible.

[Paula4707]

I can't get my pictures uploaded. Can anyone help?

You can see my pictures at:

http://www.myspace.com/paula_c

[NicksBride]

YEA PAULA!!!!!! So glad you started one here so I can keep track of you! ;) Your day sounded wonderful!!!!
Use photobucket.com for your pictures. Upload them and resize them, then use the last link and post it here so we can see you! I saw them on Myspace and you looked SOOO pretty!!!!! Can't wait to hear about your new life as a Mrs. :)

[Panthers Bride]

It looked like everyone had a great time.