And I'm back!
So, those of you on the FB group may have seen these already, but Randy blogged our preview pics two nights ago!
I think my mouth was wide open in shock for a good 45 seconds or so. And then I posted the link to the group before I even looked at that. (I was waiting for Doug, and he was in the other room) But I had to share my excitement!
I'll post the photos that were taken before we left off now, and then the rest will go in the correct order with the rest of the day.
The rings inside the book box...
Our one first look pic...
(I have to add - I love how my hair looks from behind! Also, Doug doesn't like this picture at all; he feels like he looks ridiculous. I keep telling him there'll be plenty more pictures)
We did some more pictures around CBR...
Yay, no ice and vending sign visible!
Alright, on with the day!
We get out of the limo and head up the walkway to the covered area between the Bride's Vestibule and the Pavilion. We meet Rev. Tim, who explains briefly how the ceremony will go, asks what we want to be called when he says our names, etc. He takes a couple of pictures of us, which were the first weddingy pics we saw actually...
We make our way into the Pavilion's...lobby? (For lack of a better word LOL), where Karen explains the order of things. The only thing I really remember of this is her telling David and Kenzie that they'll be playing Follow the Leader after Vicky.
Music starts, and I have a moment of complete bafflement before I realize "Wait. That's the 'Imperial March'. And holy moly, that sounds so 'Phantom of the Opera'-y on the organ!" So, off go Rev. Tim, Doug, Adam, and Seth. (Seriously, it sounded so awesome, I didn't want it to end. We've already decided it'll be in the 10 year vow renewal, so that we can have it recorded)
Then it's the beginning notes of 'Beauty and the Beast' (which sounded so beautiful. I love this song so much) Vicky, David, and Kenzie make their entrance. (Kenzie didn't want to part with her flower petals, I guess? LOL)
They get to the front, and the bells start tolling. Karen asks if I'm ready. "Yep. Wait! I have an itch in my eye! Okay. No, wait, it's still there! Okay. I'm really ready now."
I hear the start of 'When You Wish Upon A Star' and I get goosebumps and am trying to not be all teary. I don't remember if I've mentioned it before, but my dad's been on chemo off and on for eight years now. And for most of that time, I've been telling him that he WILL be fine because he has to walk me down the aisle for my wedding. (And hold his grandchildren. Because I said so.) So, I definitely had that on my mind. Also, for years and years, I'd always wish on the first star that I saw, and my most common wish was "to be happy." The previous relationship that I'd be in had been an abusive one (in every sense of the word, unfortunately), so that wish definitely took on more meaning during that dark time.
And now, here I was, about to get married to this incredible man, that loves me and treats me well. I'm going to get teary again, just typing this up. Whew. Deep breaths, Kristen!
My dad and I start going down the aisle. And I know that I had just seen Doug a few minutes prior, but I totally had butterflies seeing him up there. His mom got a picture...
(Nearly all of the pictures she took are really blurry, but I do like this one)
You know how everyone says the ceremony flies by? Oh, yes. That it did!
We do have this one pic so far from Randy from during the ceremony...
(I'm guessing it's towards the end, since Vicky has my bouquet. And Kenzie's basket LOL)
We did the sand ceremony (with 'Once Upon A Dream' in the background) and I kept giggling, because I kept spilling sand everywhere. And I really should've discussed with Doug AHEAD OF TIME how I wanted to alternate colors, not while we were up there doing it.
We're back in front of the Rev. Tim. I had found (possibly on here? It's been so long I can't remember) words that I wanted included, and I remember during the ceremony being concerned, because I hadn't heard them at that point. But thankfully, they finally happened...
"These are the hands of your best friend, young and strong and full of love for you, that are holding yours on your wedding day, as you promise to love each other today, tomorrow, and forever.
These are the hands that will work alongside yours, as together you build your future.
These are the hands that will passionately love you and cherish you through the years, and with the slightest touch, will comfort you like no other.
These are the hands that will hold you when fear or grief fills your mind. These are the hands that will countless times wipe the tears from your eyes; tears of sorrow, and tears of joy.
These are the hands that will tenderly hold your children. These are the hands that will help you to hold your family as one.
These are the hands that will give you strength when you need it. And lastly, these are the hands that even when wrinkled and aged, will still be reaching for yours, still giving you the same unspoken tenderness with just a touch.
Bless these hands that you see before you this day.
May they always reach out with love, gentleness, and respect.
May they build a loving relationship that lasts a lifetime.
May they always be held by one another.
If you follow these words and heed this sacred binding,
your hands will heal, protect, shelter, and guide."
Followed by the vows -
"All that I am and all that I have, / All that I've been and all that I shall be, / I share with you from this day forward. / I promise to love you / and stand beside you, / in the only way I know how, / completely and for eternity."
(Rings are next, right? LOL Seriously, it went by so fast, I've already forgotten the order of events. Yet I can still tell you what I ate at each restaurant!)
Rev. Tim had me take off my engagement ring, so that the wedding band would go first. Um. Well, that was fun. You know how heat and humidity causes swelling? Eeps! Thankfully, both made it back on, as did Doug's (which some of you might remember that his didn't fit for a few weeks before the wedding)
We're doing the rest of the vows, the more traditional ones, with the "do you take...", and not even thinking about actually saying "I do", answered with "of course!" Doug did the same, so, hey, it looks like we planned it that way!
Next thing I know, "you may kiss your bride!"
Some after-wedding photography... these are like the only ones that Doug's mom took that aren't super duper blurry (but hey, at least they came out. My aunt and uncle used a disposable camera, and I think they forgot to put the flash on
)
(Kenzie really liked twirling in her dress
)
Onto Randy's pictures!
(Where you can see the sand that I spilled LOL)
Stick to Lyrica & managing the pain, I say!
so not cool! 
why oh why Florida did you have to be like 120 degrees that day. lol 
I've long felt that you have to experience darkness in order to appreciate the light.. it was always comforting in those times. Though I do wish there was a bit less dark! 
)
And she immediately starts going into everything crappy that's happened since they arrived, detailed personal health issues included.
(drooling)
