//I DO//

For previous installments, check out the Love Story Tab in the Left Sidebar! 

I did consider leaving our story there, but I guess in order to finish telling it I should share the actual wedding day. I don't like the emphasis on wedding days at times, I really do think they are totally serious things (they are a covenant after all!) and shouldn't be entered into lightly, but they are not everything you are working towards as a couple. 
I feel that is such a huge emphasis in our culture nowadays. 
Having the perfect wedding.


I'm not sure I would say it was the perfect wedding, but it was a day to remember and certainly perfect for us. The run up to the event was stressful, with friends to pick up from the airport (I think 50% of our guests were from out of town) so they needed to get to the places they were staying. We wanted to visit with everyone as some friends I hadn't seen since high school! Plus all the last minute wedding details to take care of. 


But the day finally arrived. 

The day before our wedding, A came into town. He had projects to finish at school so yes he didn't get there until 24 hrs before our ceremony. I don't think the best man was too impressed with this arrangement!!! lol!!! I found the rehearsal nerve-racking, in the midst of all the planning I hadn't had time to give much thought to the fact that I had to walk down as aisle full of people watching me. Without tripping or doing anything wrong. (Thank goodness I chose not to wear heels!) So I was freaking out a little at the rehearsal.

Then on our wedding day, I was so chilled out, it must have totally been God's peace. Everyone else was running around like crazy, all the bridesmaids getting dressed and I was just chilling in the dressing room dressed and ready. Then I just walked down the aisle towards my best friend. I will admit, I just looked at him the whole time, that's how I managed that walk! Same for later in the day when the power went out in the church, A and I were like oh that's ok...we'll figure it out. Same for the reception when asked how we wanted to do things, like what order....we just went with the flow. 

I had a list of God's blessings which took place during the wedding, I wanted to share them with you friends:

-We did save our first kiss, and despite A having to ask me not to giggle so he could actually kiss me, I guess it went ok. (You can read more on that here) 

- We received an abundance of gifts, and we didn't even have a place to live yet or put them all! We were blown away by everyone's generosity. 

- A huge storm passed through during the ceremony, and all I could think about with the loud thunder was how it felt like God was really present

- The power went out immediately after the ceremony & our amazing photographer just took care of everything with battery operated flashes for inside the church! We were so impressed. 

- We had chosen to have bridal party pictures outside in a cornfield, with tornado warnings happening throughout the day. Friends, that field we are staying on was completely dry! There was minimal mud on my dress to prove it. Right after we decided the pictures were probably done, we climbed back in the limo and it poured again and didn't stop during the whole reception. 

- We have incredible families and friends who love and support us so dearly, their speeches made us laugh so hard and nearly cry at times. 

- For various reasons, we ended up with no DJ and several friends graciously played our playlist, which was an incredible mix, people commented on how fun the dancing at our wedding was for several years after haha! 

- We had an amazing wedding party, so encouraging, just a blast to be with!! 

- Having so many people we know and love all in the same room, at the same time!! This will probably never happen again! 

- Seeing how God brought us through so much before we were even married gave me so much hope that He would continue to do so in the future no matter how bleak things seem! I should never doubt His ways or timing! 

This post is part of my 31 day series for the month of October, 
fighting through the fears and sharing the confusing passions I have. 
Hoping to figure out the bigger picture of all these interests. 

Tales of a Reception Set-Up.

We had an amazing group of ladies working to turn this:

Into a vision of beauty looking like this:

Z had worked really hard ahead of time to picture the look she was going for. We had so much fabric to work with which was amazing.

Especially when you combine that with an aunt who is an interior designer.

Like wow. The only response after seeing her work.

Like this picture where she used remnants of decorations to cover heaters which we didn't need.

It was a fun day even if a little stressful. There were about 8 of us working hard in this hall making it look the way they wanted it.

There was a point where we wondered if we were going to get it all done as it was taking so long.
So thankful for husbands who are so calm in stressful scenarios (see last picture LOL).

Here are some of the little touches:

 Flowers in the backs of the chairs & Guestbook table with prayer tree.

(The guests wrote a prayer for the couple as they started their marriage, not sure if they've had a chance to read them all yet)

 Thumbprint tree for them to frame and put in their new home together, reminding them of all the people supporting their marriage.

Sparklers to send them off on their honeymoon with.

 Goldfish in the centerpieces, the coolest thing ever!!! And Dan's sweet sisters spent probably 3 hrs wrapping the cutlery at each of the place settings. 

The favors Z had done herself ahead of time. Seeds for everyone to plant.

Sad I couldn't bring any back due to agricultural laws of CBP. 

Oh well =) 

What sweet ideas right? Z had found a lot of them on Pinterest during the last year....

got to love Pinterest wedding ideas.

It truly was beautiful to see it all take place.

Hope its not too much picture overload for everyone.

I couldn't help sharing each beautiful detail.

(Pictures with logo property of Mike Dick)

Much Love,

L

Details of the Bridal Shower.

Over the next few days, I thought I would share with you guys what had me so busy these past two weeks.

Remember the Bridal Shower ideas I shared here.

Well here is how they turned out...... 

I didn't have my nice camera with me during the shower as I was busy organizing things, but here are some pictures to give you an idea of the decorations. 

The first shows the pompoms made out of tissue paper, my amazing mom helped me with these.

I think they look amazing and are pretty easy. Definitely want to use these again if I plan another party. 

I didn't get a picture of the cupcake style lights, they did work although we had to tape them all together to get them to stay on the lights.

This was a fun game we played where the guests had to guess whether the happy couple were dating, engaged or just met in the pictures.

It was quite a hard game, I will admit.

Of course we did the toilet paper brides. 

Don't they look lovely? 

So many of the ladies brought such wonderful advice to share with my sister about marriage.

I was so thankful for such a wonderful group of ladies who were then willing to pray over my sister as she prepared for her upcoming marriage.

She has married into such a godly family full of wonderful women, her sister-in-laws are the sweetest ladies.

Praying that they are having a wonderful start to married life as they return from their honeymoon today.

What advice would you give a soon-to-be Bride?

Much Love,

L

Bridal Shower.

Hey guys,

Just a little message to let you know wedding plans for the sister getting married are coming along.

This evening we had her bridal shower. 

(bride is in the middle in white)

We are pretty much just super super busy until the main event.

So there won't really be much from me for a few days.

Maid of Honor responsibilities. 

Much Love,

L

{Love}

The best picture we have of the way God loves us, is marriage.

For this reason, my heart is also so full after weddings.

After getting married myself, they feel so much more meaningful to me.
As they have become such an act of worship.

'Love is patient, love is kind. I

t does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 

It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, 

it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 

Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 

It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

Love never fails.'

~1 Corinthians 13:4-8~

Especially after watching two sweet friends get married.

Praying for an amazing marriage and many years

of loving each other and the Lord together.

Much Love,

L