White Wedding; Part Deux

Bridge Man and I are making a valiant effort unpacking everything. We loaded up my car on the way back from the honeymoon with decorations, gifts, luggage, and other such miscellaneous wedding items. For the last week or so, our living room was walk-able only by a path we had forged between the piles of crap we lazily put anywhere when unloading the car and before passing out after an 11 hour plane ride home from Hawaii. (That 11 hour time-frame doesn't include delays, eventual cancellations, layovers, and a three hour car trip. All of which I should get to later.)

Back to the good stuff. The ceremony was fabulous. Teej did a beautiful job as our officiant. One of my favorite parts of the wedding was that someone so close to me was such an integral part of such an important day for Bridge Man and me. I was so nervous to ask her if she'd be interested in the task all those months ago. What if she didn't feel comfortable with the idea but then feels obligated? When she said yes, I knew it was one decision for this wedding I would have no doubts.

The ceremony itself was so laid back, I couldn't believe how quickly it passed. The bridal party did a wonderful job. And I think they all looked so smart.

The guy's side included a long-time, mutual friend of both Bridge Man and me as the best man. I've known this guy since the fourth grade. We were science lab partners in the 6th grade. And to this day he is, other than B.M., one of the funniest people I know. Second in line is an old friend and golfing buddy for B.M. Next on the groom's side are both of my brothers, Ruckers and Maestro. Last in line is another of Bridge Man's friends from high school.

These are my girls. A line up of my best friends. My mom's sisters on the far left, my new sister-in-law in the middle, then Bear, and my maid-of-honor, Moon Beam, is on the far right. Don't they look lovely? I love these girls! (Oh, and the little guy in every picture with my sister, Bear, is my handome nephew, Wookis, who refused to leave his mother's side the entire time. Note the little thumb-sucker in the corner of this photo.

The flower girl, Bridge Man's cousin was so cute. Half of the way down the isle she ran out of petals, turned around to look at me and yelled, "I'm all out!" After a large sigh of exasperation she sharply turned around and ran toward her parents. This was my cue to proceed down the isle.

On my boquet hung a locket with a picture of my mom inside. She wanted to be the one to walk me down the isle when she found out that Bridge Man had proposed. Since no one in this galaxy could have replaced her, this was my way of keeping her close to me throughout the wedding.

It's a Nice Day for a White Wedding

I've been meaning to tell you all about the wedding for the last few days but there is so much to share, the idea seems daunting and almost homework-like. An assignment that I've given to myself and have procrastinated to complete. And on the other side of the spectrum the professor side of me wants it completed, and quickly. So, after much adieu, I'll share the details of the festivities. Simply put, it turned out wonderfully.

The night before, also known as the rehearsal dinner, we spent just over an hour setting up the place before the bridal party began to show up. There was no wedding coordinator and the task of giving everyone their mark was left up to me. Something I hadn't hadn't considered until about two minutes before-hand. Maybe three minutes. Often I would turn to my aunt/Reverend just to make sure I had covered every detail. Between the two of us, the rehearsal went smoothly. We then caravan ed to a delicious Irish pub just a few blocks down the street to nibble on Bangers and Mash while enjoying Goose Island Honkers or a Smit'hwicks Irish Ale. The groom's men were happy to note that Bridge Man had picked out some sweet, sweet shades and their gift instead of something as traditional (and odd) as a flask or a money clip.

I woke up the next morning with nothing but nerves. Strangely enough, my nerves were not for the wedding at the end of the day but for my bride's maids hair. I wasn't confident that it would all get done in the limited time we had to work. I did two heads of hair myself before having my own done and I must say, it turned out well. Here is Moon Beam and her b-e-a-utiful do.

Not too bad, huh?
My hair also turned out so wonderfully! My friend K.B. who is a cosmo-in-training like I am was my hero and made my vision come true. I wanted something a little different. No veil and no crown. Instead I went with an Oriental Lilly and an ivory feather. Check it out.

Once I was completely ready I went with the photographer to meet up with my future husband. She was so insistent that neither of us saw the other before we got to our final meeting place that we avoided the glass elevators in case he was outside and took a maintenance stairwell only to find it locked at the bottom. It was hilarious! We trekked our way back upstairs and gave in to the call of the elevators. But not before she made absolutely sure Bridge Man was no where to be found. We made it, and boy was I grateful that it had worked out because that first moment Bridge Man walked in the room was breath-taking. He. Looked. So. Handsome. I can't wait to see the pictures of that moment because I'm sure I stood there with my mouth gaping wide open. Classy.

... to be continued...

6 Days

After nine wonderful years of dating, I will be Mrs. Bridge Man in t-minus six days! And what better way to commemorate these past nine years than with a photo montage of each fabulous one?

This is the very first picture ever taken of me and the Bridge guy. The guy to the right with the ball cap is Bridge Man's golfing buddy and one of the groomsmen in our wedding.



This was a camping trip to the Lake of the Ozarks with some friends. At this point, camping was about the extent of what we could afford but they led to some good times and some hilarious memories.

After our first year at college, away from the parental units, Bridge Man and I loved going to all the gorgeous outdoor locations only available in Southern Illinois. This is what the locals called the "Spillway." It is a four tiered waterfall that we would climb and swim in the lake at the top.

We took a weekend trip to Chicago where we visited the Field Museum. When done at the museum we decided to find some food. Off in the distance I spotted Navy Pier and suggested that. It was a beautiful day and I wanted to walk along the lake front. This was not the best idea, it took over an hour for us to hoof it the entire distance. There was no way we wanted to walk back to our car so we found a boat that was headed back that direction. It was miserable but fun.

This picture was taken at a benefit held for my mom the year she was diagnosed with cancer. My Bridge Man was and has been a huge support system for me during this time.

My mom took this picture of us during a family day trip to Starved Rock State Park. She conveniently framed the picture to include the word "Lovers." I love this picture.

This was Bridge Man's first trip to California to meet my crazy, fabulous family. We ended up using this picture as our engagement photo.

This photo commemorates the summer of weddings. Bridge Man and I wore these same outfits to three out of the nine weddings we've attended in the last year, not including our own.