Happy Wedding Day to Us!

Any photo in this post is from a friend or family member - actual photographer photos to come later.

Friday morning I awoke in a beautiful hotel room listening to the sounds of the ocean.  I rolled over to see the sun coming up and instantly smiled as I realized it was the day I had been waiting for forever: the day Ryan and I would finally get married.  The best day ever.  As the rest of the bridesmaids got up, we made ourselves breakfast and enjoyed some juice on the balcony in our fancy hotel robes.

My friend and hair stylist Shantel showed up around 10am along with her colleague Lauren to start on everyone's hair.  I'm happy to say that everyone's hair came out B-E-A-Utifully.

Midway through the day, we ordered lunch from Barefoot Cafe - the best sandwich place in Vero Beach and my dad picked it up for us.  Again the food was great - seemed to be a theme for the weekend :)  After lunch, Shantel started on my hair and makeup and the florist brought the bouquets which were beautiful.  We also pinned our sorority pins on the ribbons.  Here's Ashley's which also has her ten year pin I got her as a present and you can even see the purple clutch I made her at the bottom.

I pretty much felt like a superstar as I got to lounge in my oceanfront room and have my hair and makeup professionally done, have lunch delivered, etc.  It was so relaxing and so fun!  As soon as my makeup was done it was time to get dressed and ready for photographs...it was finally real once I put on the dress.

After I got ready, the photographers took a few pics of me with my immediate family and then not long after that the coordinator came to get us to go down to the ceremony.  She carefully kept me and Ryan separated so we wouldn't see each other.  We hadn't seen each other or talked or even texted during the entire wedding day so the suspense was really building.  I could hear the DJ playing some John Williams theme music before the processional and then cue the processional music.  The mothers were seated and then Reverend Joel and Ryan.  Finally my dad and I could come out of the hallway into the main room.  Then each of the bridesmaids and groomsmen walked down the aisle and there was a pause.  DJ Michael Paul cued the bridal march and as soon as we got to the intro, the curtains were parted and my father and I stepped into the aisle.  I looked down at Ryan and we were both beaming.  I could see how happy he was and I must have had the same glowing smile - I could feel my happiness radiating.  My dad continued to walk me down the aisle and hugged me at the end before handing me off to my stepdad Joe.

Joe was there waiting to give me away to my soon-to-be husband.  Reverend Joel said a prayer for us and then asked who gave me to be married, to which he responded "her mother and I do".  Then another hug and he handed me over to Ryan for the remainder of the ceremony.

Reverend Joel said a few more words and then Ryan's granddad Bob Crawford sang a song for the ceremony that was very beautiful.  The cutest part though was that Greg & Melissa's daughter Addison was strapped into a stroller because she is crazy and as soon as Granddaddy started singing - she was absolutely mesmerized.  She just laid perfectly still, staring at him in silence.  Next, Reverend Joel talked about our anniversary wine box.  We purchase a box on Etsy with our names and wedding date engraved on it.  Inside I put a bottle of wine and two small plastic glasses.  Then, before the wedding we each wrote a letter to each other and during the ceremony, we put the letters in and closed the box.  We didn't nail it shut because what we are going to do is each year for our anniversary, we will drink the bottle of wine together and read the letters we wrote the previous year(s).  Then we will put in two new sealed letters and a new bottle of wine and close up the box again until the next year.  I can't wait to read Ryan's letter to me and for him to read mine, it's going to be so hard to wait all the way to our first anniversary to find out what he said.

After the anniversary wine box, it was time for our vows and to finally say "I do". 

"Ryan, This woman, whom you hold by the hand, is to be your wife. She has given you one of the most sacred things under heaven: a woman’s life and a woman’s love. She will look to you for support, loyalty, and understanding. Do you vow here, as you have promised Ashley, That you will be true and loyal, Patient in sickness, Comforting in sorrow, And forsaking all other, keep yourself only unto her, So long as you both shall live?" And he said "I do"
"Ashley, this man whom you hold by the hand is to be your husband. It is upon your life, your love and your devotion that he will lean upon for strength and inspiration. He will look to you for encouragement, cheerfulness, and confidence. Do you vow here, as you have promised Ryan, That you will be loyal in adversity, Ministering to him in affliction, Comforting in sorrow, And forsaking all others, Keeping yourself only into him as long as you both shall live?" And I did too

I give you this ring. 
Wear it with love and joy. 
As this ring has no end, neither shall my love for you. 
I choose you to be my wife/husband this day and every day.

After the rings were on and prayers were said, it was time for the kiss!!  I was so happy and was enjoying every second of the ceremony and the big kiss was no exception, heehee

Now for the first time...Mr. and Mrs. Moore!!

I was so happy with the ceremony - it was perfect!  Everyone in the wedding party and the audience was beautiful.  I married the man of my dreams and I've never seen him look so happy before.  My flowers and dress were perfect and the wedding coordinators, DJ's and photographers kept everything perfectly orchestrated so everything went off without a hitch.

More details on the reception to come tomorrow...I'm so glad that I have this blog so that I can look back and cherish these memories for years to come and so that I can share them with our friends and family who were unable to make it.