The Big Day

As the big day approached, many people told me to take in every detail because the day would be over so quick. They told me that the day would fly by in a blur. My wedding day is a day I pray I never forget! While the memories are still very vivid in my mind, I have decided to blog about the whole wedding, not missing any details. On the Wednesday before the wedding, Sarah arrived with her boyfriend,Brandon, so Justin and I hung out with them for a while. On Thursday, the church became available and my wonderful family and friends began laboring as soon as the sun came up. Justin and I went up to the church around 11:00 that morning and the reception hall was already half decorated with the most beautiful decorations. This is the moment we both began to feel butterflies in our stomachs because everything became so real at this point! At 12 p.m. that day, I had a luncheon for my bridesmaids. I had the luncheon in a beautiful sun room with a garden view at the "Hilltop Club" in Orange Park. After indulging in salmon or chicken, rice, salad, steamed veggies, rolls, cheesecake or chocolate cake, tea, and coffee, I presented the girls with their gifts. I also gave my mom her "Blushing Bride" precious moment figurine and a personalized picture frame in which I had a letter engraved on. We got a little emotional during this time, as it was the last time out as a single woman with just my closest friends, sisters, nieces, and mom. After the lunch, Kari served as my personal professional photographer :) and we captured many memorable pictures. When we finally made our way back to the cars, Crystal realized she had locked her keys in her car..oohh no! She rode back with me and Sarah. We went to Callahan to get get our nails done. Mandy, Megan, and Holly also met us at the nail salon in Callahan. After getting our nails done, Holly, Crystal, Sarah, and I went back up to the church and helped tie the bows for the favor boxes. Since everybody was exhausted soon after we arrived back at the church, Sarah, Holly, and I went back to our house in Yulee and found Justin, Brandon, and Justin's dad doing yard work. LOL...do guys ever get it?? They were supposed to be working on the program bows!! Since they were caught up doing the yard work, Sarah, Holly, and I met my mom at the "Surf" for dinner. After dinner, Sarah and I decided to dance the night away. By the time we left, the whole restaurant knew that I was getting married in two days :). I ran into my old boss, David, and spoke with him for a little while. Also, there happened to be a whole wedding party there at the same time as us. The bride and groom to be (who ironically graduated from UGA) were getting married on July 25th at the "Ribault Club". After chatting with them for a while, we said goodbye to our new "Dawg" friends and went back home. We stayed up for a little while working on my programs and then went to bed. We woke up Friday morning and made a big breakfast--YUM! Holly, Justin, and I worked on programs while Sarah and Brandon cooked pancakes, eggs, and bacon. We also had yummy smoothies. After breakfast, Holly and I went to the Clarion just to look at the ballroom where I was having my after dance party! Then, we went back to Callahan and I dropped Holly off at the church before heading to Roland's Tanning to get my spray tan. I waited four hours instead of twelve before showering because I needed a shower before the rehearsal. Before I knew it, the day turned into evening and we were getting ready for the rehearsal. At the rehearsal, I had the biggest butterflies ever!! I remember Bro Lynn praying and my dad thanking everybody involved and then we walked through everything twice. My slide show messed up during the rehearsal, so I was a little upset about that, but I knew the sound and light guys would ensure the whole slide show went during the wedding. During the rehearsal, Delaney entertained us by going down the stairs head first and jumping up on Kari. lol. Also, Justin and I practiced our kiss and it was horrible...lol...I said, "what was that?" After the rehearsal, I rode with Kari, Brad, and the girls to "Barbara Jeans" and I realized I forgot my cell and camera in the church. Because of this, I barely have pictures from the rehearsal and zero of the dinner! When I got to the restaurant, everybody had their fake champagne ready for the toasts and all the parents gave toasts. I cried like a baby and then we sat down to eat. I sat by Justin and his groomsmen, while my girls were at the next table over. I ordered fried strimp, my most favorite meal, and couldn't hardly eat once the food arrived. I was soo nervous that I lost my appetite! After the dinner, I kissed Justin goodbye and we decided not to talk past midnight, so I told him to call me before then. I rode back with Kari, Brad, and Avery, as my mom kept Delaney for the night. When we got back to Callahan, I went by the church to get my cell phone from my grandparents who were up at the church making some food preparations. I thanked them and then went home to get everything ready for the next day!! I called Justin and talked to him for the last time. He was hanging out with his friends at our house. Shortly after our phone conversation, I went downstairs to write his letters. We had agreed to write each other two letters: one for before I walked down the aisle to calm my anxiety and one before "uuhh hmmm" once we got back to the hotel room. For me, the one for after we were married was the longest, while the one for before we were married was short, sweet, and funny. I washed my face and then got in bed. I slept in the bed with Holly that night. Much to my surprise, I had a wonderful night's sleep! The next morning, Linda had prepared pancakes and sausage and we ate before the nine o'clock hair appointments. All my girls and I got our hair done at "Teenies" at the same time. Michelle made the drive from Melbourne that morning and she came in while Chelley was working on my hair!! I was so excited to see her. I remember Delaney sitting so still while Randi Jean worked on her hair. Chelley finished my hair by 11:30 and Michelle and I went to meet the make-up lady, Kimtasha, at the church. Kimtasha did a great and quick job with my make-up. By 12:30, I was ready to get in my dress! By this time, I realized I was starving! My dad saved the day and brought us a platter of subs from Subway. I remember nibbling at one when they arrived. I MADE myself eat two 3 in. subs. I then remembered the letter to Justin, so I sent Kari to the boys' room to deliver! She brought back Justin's letter to me and as I read it, I cried my eyes out. I did not want to mess up my make-up, but the letter was the sweetest love letter I had ever read! I knew in that moment that I was marrying the man of my dreams!! Soon after this, Katie, my roommate from Athens, arrived and I was so excited to see her! Lyndsay (my photographer) arrived somewhere around this time and began taking pictures of everybody getting ready. The time finally came for me to get into my dress, so my mom and all my girls helped. I felt like a princess!! I was sooo excited, but ready for the ceremony to be over (Ironically!). I did not want to pass out on stage, lol. Around 2: 30, Lyndsay and Anderson took us outside and we had the best time taking pictures. We even went across the street from the church and took some pictures in an old, abandoned house that said "no trespassing" ...lol. I saw some Callahan people ride by and honk and we just waved from the porch! Michelle and Katie helped me tremendously by running after Avery and Delaney when they took off. We got some awesome shots in the middle of the road! I love them soo much! Shortly after taking the pictures outside, we went back inside and the girls hid me from Justin! This was exciting and fun :) We took some family pictures inside, but guests began to arrive, so I went and hid. We sat in the bride's dressing room for what felt like eternity. Mrs. Peggy Hyatt came and said a sweet prayer over me and then my bridesmaids and I started dancing to release the nervous energy. Before I knew it, the time had almost arrived. Jenny came and got the girls and left me in the room by myself!! She said, "Wait here for your dad to come and get you." As soon as she closed the door, I began to have a panic attack and decided I did not want to be closed up in those four walls. I began pacing the hallway. I peaked around the corner and spotted a glimpse of my handsome groom. He looked just as nervous as me, so I did not feel as bad. My dad saw me and said, "What are you doing?". I said, "I was too nervous to sit in that room by myself." Justin never saw me! I remember Kari walking out and I began thinking, "Oh my goodness, my time has almost come." Avery began crying when Kari left, and dad picked her up to calm her down. I remember thinking, "Okay, don't freak out." She was screaming at this point. Jason took her away as Delaney and Michael walked out! I realized it was our turn!! My heart started pounding and I grabbed my dad's arm. AAHH. I had the biggest adrenaline rush as the doors opened. I plastered the biggest smile on my face. As I saw my closest friends and family smiling back at me, a peace came over me. I remember seeing Katie, Megan, Les, and Michelle and I could not help but smile and think how blessed I was to have them in my life. I noticed the beautiful wedding set- up and wedding party as I walked down and I thought, "Wow, this is more beautiful than I ever imagined." I made eye contact with Justin and remember thinking, "He is soo handsome!" Nervously, he stood there grinning from ear to ear. Dad and I stopped in front of them and Hillary stood to sing. During this time, I was thinking, "I can do this...it will be over before I know it." We stood there for what felt like a couple of minutes and still no music. Bro Todd looked at me and mouthed "Just breathe". The music never played, so Bro. Todd began the ceremony. My dad gave me away and I hugged him. Justin and I then moved to the stage. Bro. Todd handed the ceremony over to Bro. Lynn as I gave my flowers to Kari. Then, I turned to face Justin for the "exchanging of rings". I remember us excessively rubbing each other's hands. Justin mouthed that I looked beautiful while I smiled back at him. After the "exchange of rings", I remember looking down at Delaney and smiling because she was being so good!! I will never forget her smile back at me. She gave me the proudest, sweetest smile back. Shortly after that, she began making a "clicking" noise with her tongue. lol. I remember Bro Lynn reading 1 Corinthians 13, which I realized he threw in because the song did not play :) We recited our vows, and I remembered at this time that my Grandmother wanted me to be loud, proud, and clear. I noticed myself being really loud, and apparently I was much louder than Justin! I remember thinking to myself, "These vows are really long! Do not screw up." lol. Also, I remember looking at Anderson who was taking our picture in the back and smiling for one. I remember looking at Wayne, who looked scared to death, and mouthing to him to smile! After the vows, Justin and I made our way down to the unity sand table as Bro Mark's song began. While we were pouring the sand I remember thinking, "This is taking a long time". I looked down to the right of me and realized Delaney had followed us down. I just smiled at Justin and we just laughed. She was so intrigued by the sand, lol....it was a really sweet moment for the three of us. Justin and I then hugged and took turns praying. I began praying first and realized I could not hold back the tears any longer as they spilled over my face. After he prayed, we looked up at each other as he wiped my tears. We then looked out at the crowd and I remember thinking, "There are more people here than I expected." I then remember thinking, "Is this song going to end?". I was ready for the kiss and to not be in front of so many people! We made our way back to the center and Bro. Lynn said, "Justin, you may kiss your bride". Justin then gave me the sweetest kiss! We managed to get the kiss right when it counted! He pronounced us husband and wife and we were back down the aisle. As soon as I got outside, the biggest relief came over me and I remember thinking, "Now the real fun begins." I hugged everybody and gave Justin a huge kiss. I was sooo happy all night. We waited for the church to clear out, and then we began taking family/wedding party pictures. We finally made our way to the reception and Bro. Mark announced the wedding party. That is all for now...I will finish the rest of the night in my next blog! Thank you everybody for helping me have the best day of my entire Life!!! I seriously had the wedding of my dreams!!!!