Well hello! You can call me Mrs!

Where do I even begin right now? I'M MARRIED!!!!!!! I have the most amazing husband, the most incredible friends and family, I loved every single second of my wedding and I'm so excited to share it with you too! 

Let's back up a second. The day before the wedding was a mess. I had a mani/pedi day with my girls while a dear friend of mine, along with Dan and some of his groomsmen, went up to the venue to supervise the tent set up and begin the decorating. Things did not go smoothly. I honestly can't say very much about it since this is a very public forum and I'm not sure what actions are going to be taken because of the issues we had with our rental company. I had a wonderful blissfully ignorant day with my girls being pampered at French Nail Co in Mississauga, and then watching Patch Adams while packing my overnight bag and taking care of last minute details like putting together Dan's present.

I arrived at the venue Saturday morning to get my room key from a friend and to pass off some orchids for our tent centrepiece. It was a hive of activity but I could tell something was a little off. I was not allowed near the tent, and I realized I couldn't see the top of the tent over the walls but in my bridal brain I insisted everything was fine, the tent just wasn't that tall and there was nothing to worry about. Thank god for that part of my brain because I knew in my heart of hearts the tent wasn't up yet. Ya you read that right. Let's skip that part and move onto the fun stuff shall we? 

So over to the Millcroft Inn I went to get ready. My team of hair and make up artists arrived and set up in our teeny tiny room to get 10 women ready in a space meant to accommodate 4. We'll call it cozy. I had a moment to myself while waiting for Dan to arrive (at which point I'd hop into my dress), so I snapped a quick pic of the anxious bride!

I was so excited to see Dan I could barely stand it!!!! When he finally arrived, I got into my gown and hiked across the property to find him with our Winnebago. Unfortunately I don't have any photos of our first look yet, but we had 2 photographers and 2 cinematographers capturing the moment, so I know there will be plenty! Dan looked a bit awestruck when we first saw each other and he looked so handsome in his new suit. I started crying pretty much immediately so our first look is literally a bit of a blur to me. We took a bunch of photos around the Winnebago and then drove over to the Alton Mill to find our wedding party and families for a few more photos. 

We actually ran out of time since Dan was so late picking me up, so family photos had to wait because it was time for the ceremony! Let me tell you, getting bridesmaids in order, kids arranged, guests seated, and guys up at the front is like herding bloody cats. This was the only time of the day I think I lost my cool. Large wedding party=12 people in 12 different places=1 frustrated bride. The kids were really excited too, so they were acting up a bit and I had to pull my first "So help me god I am not being the child wrangler right now. Smarten up, I look way too pretty to put you over my knee and give your butt a swat!". Goodness gracious. Despite all that, everyone pulled it together and we got down the aisle. 

Dan's dad and stepmother went first, followed by my grandfather, then our two moms escorted by my nephews, my stepson as ringbearer, and then the bridesmaids. 

 

 

I was hiding around a corner so I missed all of this, but the first thing I saw was this:

That's our cinematographer Patrick with a Steadicam. I used to work in film and television so the fact that there was a Steadicam at my wedding completely blew me away, and I stopped to exclaim "COOL!!! A STEADICAM!!!" before I went down the aisle. I'm a unique gal. 

Back to the show. My bridesmaid Sara is a ridiculously gifted singer. I asked her years ago if she would sing Ingrid Michaelson's "The Way I Am" when I came down the aisle. Like before I met Dan. That's how long I had been looking forward to my wedding and this moment. So after all my girls were down the aisle, the officiant asked everyone to stand and Sara began to sing. It was truly so beautiful, I loved it. It was everything I had wanted and more. I hope my guests enjoyed it and listened to the words of the song because it just encapsulates everything I feel about Dan and our relationship. 

There I was. At the front with Dan, giving my dad a kiss, and looking into Dan's eyes about to be his wife. Oh. My. Gosh. I could hardly wait. I think I did actually bounce up and down a few times! The ceremony was beautiful, I think there wasn't a dry eye in the house. Dan wrote gorgeous vows and I had a few ugly cry moments when he read them to me. I'll ask his permission to post them for you later. Our officiant also read Robert Fulghum's "Union" which never ceases to make me cry: 

You have known each other from the first glance of acquaintance to this point of commitment. At some point, you decided to marry. From that moment of yes, to this moment of yes, indeed, you have been making commitments in an informal way. All of those conversations that were held in a car, or over a meal, or during long walks – all those conversations that began with, “When we’re married”, and continued with “I will” and “you will” and “we will” – all those late night talks that included “someday” and “somehow” and “maybe” – and all those promises that are unspoken matters of the heart. All these common things, and more, are the real process of a wedding.

The symbolic vows that you are about to make are a way of saying to one another, “You know all those things that we’ve promised, and hoped, and dreamed – well, I meant it all, every word.”

Look at one another and remember this moment in time. Before this moment you have been many things to one another – acquaintance, friend, companion, lover, dancing partner, even teacher, for you have learned much from one another these past few years. Shortly you shall say a few words that will take you across a threshold of life, and things between you will never quite be the same.

For after today you shall say to the world –
This is my husband. This is my wife.

Then the exchange of rings. And then bingo bango we were husband and wife! Let's kiss shall we?!
 

Dan calls this photo my "bridal war cry" as we recessed down the aisle.

A few more of the recessional since they turned out so great with the bubbles. I had actually totally forgotten about those stupid bubbles I slaved over for days, so when they came towards me I was both shocked and loving it! It was an awesome send off from the ceremony! I'm so happy the guests used them!

Next we were off to the cocktail hour. I'd love to write more, but this is already a LONG post and I have to get to packing! Hopefully I'm able to squeeze in a bit more before we leave for the honeymoon, but if not, please forgive me! I want to share each and every minute with you, but boy, is there a lot to do before we leave!!! 

I'll post again ASAP. Love to you all for your support and kind words! 

The New Mrs  xoxo