The Big Day!

So I have tried to post this three times. Fourth time is a charm right? I'll explain all the mishaps we had after the honeymoon later. Scratch that.... just typed about 3 paragraphs and hit a button that deleted it up to this point.... grr

ANYWAYS, the wedding week was extremely hectic, but a lot of fun. My mom had been really worried I was going to crash and burn before the wedding even came, but I held strong. Wednesday was a lot of last minute errands. My mom was running around DFW dropping things off and picking them up. I was picking up last minute things for the honeymoon and finishing packing my last bit of stuff. Morgan was going to be staying over that night so I needed to get my room ready. My mom's cousins threw the most beautiful tea for me that included all the women on my Nana's side of the family. It was so beautiful. They had made all the decorations and even the toilet paper had brides and grooms printed on them. This was also a recipe tea, so everyone brought their funny cooking stories and some great recipes for me to use.

My mom and I came home to a very big surprise. A new AC unit being put it! As we had left the house earlier, I had told my mom that something was wrong and it was too hot in the house. My dad came home after we had left and completely agreed. He got really worried because so many family members were coming over the next night that he called all around until he found someone that would fix it right then. However, my mom and I didn't know all this was going on. As we pulled up into the driveway all we see is a guy with a pick up truck and our AC unit being dragged to it. A few years ago, some friends of mine and Dustin's had their AC unit stolen. It was 9:30 at night which means I had a bit of a freak out until I realized what was going on. Good ol' daddio saved the day though! He was up until 3am when they left, but we finally had air!

Thursday, Morgan and I ran around doing last minute things. I have to say the girl was a saint. She totally put up with me "don't forget that I need to this, can you respond to this, remind me of this later." We brought a last car load of stuff to the apartment and started to pack for the honeymoon. Only problem? I forgot a suitcase. So we quickly threw everything into shopping bags. Next, was taking Ferguson to the boarding place. He was staying there until Monday when my parents could pick him up. It is always so embarrassing to take him because he loves that place. He immediately goes crazy and starts trying to run to the back door to play with the other dogs. I was really sad though because this was the longest I had ever left him before. The rest of the day was running errands except that I forgot to go pick up my wedding dress. Who forgets to pick up their own wedding dress?!

Thursday night was the Sip and See at the house. It was so much fun. I had been really hesitant to do this. "Hey, come look at all the cool stuff you gave me?" It really wasn't like that at all. Since we couldn't invite all our family to the rehearsal, because it would have just been too big, we did this instead. All my family that had come from out of town, and a few in town ones all came to hangout. My parents made dinner and it was a lot of fun to catch up with people. Looking back I really appreciated the moment. At the wedding, I hardly got to speak to any of the out of town people, and this gave us a chance to chat with everyone that we rarely get to see. We even had a few friends come by. Morgan, Rachel, and Kendall were there and Dustin's best man Adam came too. Rachel and Morgan stayed over that night, and I finally finished packing for the honeymoon.

Friday morning was the bridal luncheon we threw for all the ladies that were a part of the wedding. 8 out of the 9 bridesmaids and 3 readers were able to make it, and my cutie little flower girls were there too. It was a great turn out and the food was amazing. Here is where my cousin Daniela was  saint. We got to Neimans and realized I had forgotten the most important part of their luncheon gifts. She went all the way back to Coppell for them! Thanks DaiDai! It was fun to sit there with my best friends and just get to laugh and catch up. I loved getting to just enjoy them before all the craziness began. Next on the agenda, Harry Potter! Rachel had been wanting to see the movie so bad, and I figured what better way to get my mind off everything. Annie, Steph, DaiDai, Rachel and I all went to see it. It was a great movie, and Rachel bawled like a baby through the whole thing.

*Side note funny story from when we left. Steph and I stop at the gas station near Grapevine Mills to fill up my car. What happens? Oh I step in weed. That's right. Marijuana. I get back in the car and take off my heels because they were killing me. We had gone straight form the luncheon to the movie, and I hadn't been able to change. I look at the bottom of my shoe and start complaining to Steph that I stepped in dog crap with my new shoes! I don't know what possessed me to smell the shoe, but I did. Not dog crap. Weed. Who does that!? I was terrified driving home of getting pulled over. Who is going to believe that I stepped in weed, but I decided to go see Harry Potter in a cocktail dress and heels?*

Friday night was the rehearsal. I have to say this where I got stressed for the first time. Everyone was there and didn't really know what they were doing. Most of the people were not Catholic so they were really lost. The teacher in me was getting frustrated with talking, but the bride in me was wanting to catch up. This was when it really started to all hit me, but not completely yet. The rehearsal dinner was beautiful. Dustin's mom and her sisters had decorated the room, and it looked amazing! The food was great, and having everyone that was a part of our special day in one room was a blessing. After dinner, Rachel and Kendall came over for a bit where we ran around singing "I'm getting married in the morning. Ding Dong the bells are going to chime... So get me to the church on time!!" from My Fair Lady.

So the big day!! I know all this, and I'm just now getting to the wedding. Saturday morning I woke up around 8 or 9 and got some coffee. I was getting all these congrats texts and especially "don't forget to eat today" text. I found this humorous seeing as I was reading these, I was chomping down on donuts. DaiDai's best friend does make up and had said she would do mine and the bridesmaids for the wedding. She set up in my parents' bathroom and that is where we were camped out for the day. Literally. DaiDai and Rachel even camped out in the bath tub rapped up in blankets. Throughout the day, girls came and went as they had their hair done by Kriz down the street and have their make up done. By 4, all 9 bridesmaids, make up girl, bride, mother of the bride, and 2 photographers were all crammed in there. We took pictures of me getting into my dress at the house to save on time. By 5, we were headed to the church. All the girls went into the bride's room to wait for the First Look. So far, I really hadn't had any big freak out or anything. I think at this point it hadn't really hit. I knew I was getting married, I felt like I was, but it just hadn't hit yet. Erica, the photographer, finally came and said they were getting Dustin set up in the prayer garden for the first look. In case, you've never heard of one, Dustin and I decided to see each other before the wedding. Just a special moment with the two of us before it all started. All the girls wanted a good view of the first look so they went out into the hallway to the window. This is when I had my big freak. All of a sudden I look around the once packed room, and realize it is just my mom, Kriz, and me. I FREAKED. This was probably the first time in about 4 days I had been this alone, and it hit me. I was getting married! I just became overwhelemed with excitement and nerves and started to shake. I think I even may of said "Those bitches just left me in here!" (my apologies dear friends) I was just so excited to have this moment with him, get our lives started, and go to Mexico! The first look was so incredible, and I'm so glad that we did. Dustin's back was to me, and I was walking out to him. My mom and I had a brief moment.She was trying to set up my dress before I walked to him, but I thought she was trying to come out there with me. By the time I reached him, I was shaking uncontrollably. In fact, when we held hands his first words were, "why are you shaking? you haven't been drinking have you?" I loved this special moment with Dustin. We were able to share it with each other and be "us" for a bit. After were bridal party pictures. We didn't take too many because it was unbelievably hot. The ceremony was beautiful. A few little hiccups, Msgr. forgetting my name, getting a little mixed up about the order of things, had to remind Dustin to repeat the vows, and I couldn't make my voice loud enough for the vows because I was so excited that a little squeak came out.

The reception WAS A BLAST! While planning, I had just kept telling my mom, DJ, wedding planner, and photographers that I just wanted to be able to enjoy the night. Boy, did we! After eating we walked around and talked to people. I'd say we made it to about 80% of our guests which I feel like is pretty good considering how many people were there. My dad gave a great speech and even included the Rangers in it for Dustin. Kendall and Adam did a great job at their Maid of Honor and Best Man speeches. I was so proud of Kendall. In fact, that was the first time I cried all day! Kendall hates being emotional, and she hates public speaking even more. She had been so nervous, but did such a great job! Her speech was beautiful. I think after all the speech, cake, first dance formalities I never left the dance floor. The 80s neon glasses and glow stick neclaces were a hit! I think I was dancing in the dark room with my shades on all night. Even Dustin was out on the dance floor for a good part of the night which really surprised me. He is never much of a dance. Really ever. He was out there busting a move even went through the little dance tunnel that we had. My three best moments from the reception:
1. When we walked in the DJ said he wanted the hotel to get a noise complaint because we were so loud. Normally when people say this it is sort of loud. Dustin and I opened the doors when we were announced and a wall of noise hit us. It was deafening loud. I think this is what got the reception started on such a high note.
2. The fact that they Sig Ep boys let us girls partake in their Drink Beer song. Especially, my Theta girls who hungout with them so long in college and probably know the words better than they do.
3. When we left! We had everyone line up to the elevator since we were staying in the hotel. As we were walking we could hear they were yelling something back and forth and figured it was Dustin! Taylor! turns out they were yelling RAIDER! POWER! Let me tell you. IT. WAS. AWESOME! It was so loud. Dustin and I even know which friends are probably responsible for it and we thank you! Even when we got up on the elevator you could still hear it. Supposedly it went on for a good amount of time afterwards.

Dustin and I had the most incredible wedding. We were so blessed to have so many that love us and support us in the same room. It truly was the most special night, and we still talk and laugh about things that happen.

This post in entirely way to long. I apologize. I'll save the honeymoon and life since the wedding for another post. Maybe later today if I get bored enough. Sorry no pictures yet! I'm still collecting from different people and waiting on the photographers.

Like the new title by the way?