Our Wedding Day
June
12, 1999
The day was beautiful! All the rain and gray skies had cleared to a picture perfect Carolina blue day! We couldn't have ordered a better day for a wedding.
We went to the front of the hotel, where a white stretch limo was waiting to take us to the church.
The photographer met us in front of the church. I didn’t want the "getting ready" photos, it would have been too much to do before.
We had some time to kill, so we popped into the crying room. I peeked through the blinds at the folks arriving to keep tabs on the progress. Our Photographer was wonderful. He snapped several photos with the bridesmaids and the moms there, and kept us smiling and having fun.
When the processional started, I felt some butterflies, pure excitement! I couldn’t wait. The moms were escorted perfectly, then the groomsmen returned for the bridesmaids, just as planned.
My MOH stepped forward and perfectly began her walk. The church doors closed, I stepped forward, my train was adjusted. The wedding march started and the doors opened.
There were all my family and friends, standing and smiling at me. And at the end was my sweetheart. When he saw me he rushed from the altar and began to run toward me. He then realized he was running and slowed to a dignified walk and met me halfway. He offered my his arm, and we approached the altar together. This was a very important part for us. Because my father was not there, because we are older, because it symbolizes our relationship together. We met halfway and started toward our lives together, arm in arm.
The heat from the overhead halogens about melted us. My groom was sweating up a storm in his Tux. I wiped his brow for him and wished we had chosen different lighting. We had decided that we would face the congregation, not the Minister. Folks come to a wedding to see the happy couple, not the Minister. Because our Minister wasn’t facing the crowd, he never told them they could be seated. It was about halfway through the ceremony before they all sat. :)
We exchanged our rings, and said our vows. Rick was so sweet. He fought to get the words out, because he was so overcome with emotion. He paused before each vow, as if carefully measuring each word he spoke.
I wanted to cry too, but knew if I did it would all be over. I just looked into his eyes and squeezed his hand, to say I know, it’s ok, I love you too. I could hear sniffling coming from the guests. We were told later that when he got choked up, everyone began to cry.
I spoke my vows, and we exchanged roses for our rose ceremony. Our friend Scott sang “O Perfect Love”.
We were then pronounced husband and wife. As we left the church we paused and handed the roses we had exchanged to our moms, Rick’s idea and a beautiful touch.
We went back into the church for some posed formals, which allowed those who wished to chat outside to do so before the reception.
By the time our church formals were completed, everyone had left for the reception. We (the wedding party and our parents) then went to a park across the road with a gorgeous lake for some more formals.
When we arrived there were some children playing on the swings. It was the cutest thing, they were exclaiming “Look a bride! Hi bride!” and waving. I never before felt like a princess, but that really deepened the fairy tale feel of it all.
We then hopped back into the limo and proceeded to the reception.
The facility we chose for the reception is a rather well known hall used for formal events during the semi-annual furniture market, the "International Home Furnishings Center". It's a very nice facility, and everyone seemed to like it.
When we arrived, the DJ geared up for the announcing of the wedding party. I had chosen no music for all but Rick and I, to make our fanfare more noticeable. The men all donned their shades, and looked very cool in their classic black tuxes and black vests. The ladies were lovely in their navy blue gowns, carrying the gorgeous bouquets of pale pink roses. They proceeded to the dance floor, because we decided to start the reception with our first dance.
The DJ introduced us for the first time as Mr. and Mrs. and in we strolled to the chorus of Billy Idol’s “White Wedding”! It made quite a sensation, and our friends knew the fun was about to begin. We heard a lot of positive comments on that choice, but it was fitting for us as well. Rick and I are second timer’s, although it doesn’t feel like it to us. So the words “it’s a fine day to start again” felt right to us.
The guests quieted down, and we danced
to Mark Will’s “I do, cherish you” as our first
dance. It’s such a pretty song, and I felt like Cinderella
dancing with her prince :).
Our colors were ivory and blue, and the tables looked wonderful in the dim lighting with the ivy bowls and floating candles on mirrors. it was just the effect I was looking for and I was so pleased.
We finished our dance and dinner began. We had chosen an elegant buffet instead of the traditional sit down. it was wonderful! The menu included baked brie en croute with raspberry chamborge, shrimp cocktail, Driscoll strawberries with grand marnier chocolate fondue, mini twice baked potatoes, grilled veggies, champagne chicken, and a carving station with beef tenderloin.
Our guests were wowed. I heard so many wonderful comments on the food. Even our best man, an amateur chef, was thoroughly impressed by the menu and quality of the food.
After dinner the DJ began to really stir the crowd up. We had a congo line going almost immediately, with the entire room participating. He also had a lot of group dances, including YMCA with several men in the group wearing appropriate hats. It was hilarious!
People who always cut out of formal events early, stayed and danced. Rick’s parents cut the rug pretty well also :) We sat at each table and chatted with our guests, danced when we could (my dress was like a mini furnace), drank and laughed and over-all had a wonderful time.
We cut the cake, and very gently fed each other a piece. To be honest, I can’t remember how it tasted, but heard it was wonderful.
We then decided to do the garter and bouquet toss. One word of advice, cut flowers are heavy! My first toss went straight up in the air, because I was trying not to nail anyone with the flowers. The second toss was dead on, and Rick's sister, Renee, caught it. She and her sweetie are being married June 26, and we wanted them to catch it. When Rick tossed the garter, his aim was perfect, but one of the groomsmen had other ideas and snatched it from Shane's hands!
The groomsman did the honorable thing, and allowed the fiancé to place the garter, but kept it as a souvenir. :)
I’ve been to several weddings over the years, and even if I do say so myself, it was almost perfect :) The overall important thing was that all our guests enjoyed themselves, and we were married!