What was your wedding day like?

[prolesunited]

Help me imagine the moment.

[Shakespeare]

1. Fun. Scary. Sweet. Wonderful.

Had a tiny wedding with only immediate family and a few close friends. In Vegas.

Had a blast hanging with our friends, especially my best friend and her husband from NY (whom I don't get to see nearly often enough).

Had fun with my family.

Got unexpectedly very, very nervous immediately before the ceremony, with a wicked case of dry mouth to go with.

Got unexpectedly emotional and almost cried during the ceremony.

Stayed UN-stressed because we did one of the all-in-one packages at one of the big casino hotels (they coordinate everything, and all we had to do was show up).

Partied and ate and drank at a dinner afterwards there in the same hotel. Great times with said friends and family. Was so happy I felt stoned most of the evening.

We were really fortunate in how we decided to have it, because the experience turned out wonderful for everyone there. I wish you the same with your upcoming wedding. :hug:

[grannylib]

2. 75 and sunny, in a beautiful park. Little gazebo by a fountain, lovely

gardens. About 100 people, my dad performed the ceremony, my two daughters were flower girls. Pretty casual (suits, no tuxes, tea-length dresses, the kind that could be REALLY worn again, not frou-frou...)
I did the flowers, and we did the reception pot-luck (asked people to please not bring gifts, just a dish to pass) and we provided the main course and the beverages and the cake.
It was wonderful, and we celebrated our 20th anniversary last May.

Wish my dad and my oldest daughter could have been here to celebrate the anniversary; that's the only damper on the day now...had always hoped daddy could be here for us to renew our vows on our 25th, but unfortunately he didn't make it to our 20th.

[hippywife]

26. Sounds really beautiful, grannylib!

And congrats on your 20th! Sorry your dad couldn't be with you.

More than anything I wish my dear, departed gran would have made it for our wedding and she and my hubband would have gotten to meet each other.

[grannylib]

50. Thank you! If your gran loved you as much as you seem to love her,

I bet she and your hubby would have gotten along beautifully.
She was smiling on you, for sure!

[av8rdave]

3. Which one?

n/t

[In_The_Wind]

4. I was going to ask the same question ...

[grannylib]

5. *lol* I almost forgot about the first one...should have known that if I

was smoking a joint in the church bathroom and crying before the ceremony, maybe I should have run screaming in the other direction!

Actually, no maybe about it... I should have. And did, but later.

[prolesunited]

6. Any? All?

Worst? Best?

BTW, how many did you have?

[av8rdave]

79. I've had two of them....

The second was much better....I was older, hopefully more mature, and definitely sure of what I was doing!

av8rdave

[flowomo]

7. we got married by a federal judge and went out for pizza.

we did it in the living room of one of my wife's colleagues at Bates College in Maine and my best friend was the best man. That was the whole show. Oh, and we both had VERY serious reservations that we were making a big mistake (though we didn't tell each other). That was 25 years and 2 kids ago.

[RebelOne]

8. You don't want to know,

I eloped from Florida to Georgia when I was 16 and I regret it to this day.

[prolesunited]

10. Are you still married?

Why the regrets?

[Orangepeel]

9. fun. we had a big party. in the middle of it, we got married

there was no walking down the aisle or bouquet or anything too "weddingy". We had a party at a house in garden. We were both there, greeting guests as they showed up. A great band was playing and we had mimosas, etc. and cheese and crackers.

After a while (45 minutes?), we had a five minute ceremony, then went back to the party, with a catered brunch, more music and dancing. Then, cake.

Later that evening, we had a very informal party at our house for family the out of town guests.

Our whole goal was to make it a day where we could enjoy time with our friends and family.

[aQuArius]

11. ME: 18 & stupid; HIM: 23 & even stupider

But I have 2 WONDERFUL children now (and a pain in the ass ex)

[hippywife]

12. I spent the day

helping my mom and sisters set things up...white chairs in one part of the yard facing a flower garden and arch where we would stand to say our vows. Tables and chairs under a canopy on the other side of the in ground pool. Mom made a huge flower arrangement to float in the pool and floating candles. We cooked all the food...Italian.

I wore a dress from the middle east and carried calla lillies. The accent colors for the tables were purple, hunter green, and just a touch of yellow. Friends of mine from out of state graciously brought their karaoke equipment and played all the music. I walked down the aisle to Nessun Dorma by Pavarotti. I thought I would cry too hard walking down the aisle with my dad but I didn't cry at all. My mom cried all day, first when I decided not to use the traditional processional, and then when my brother walked her up the aisle. My best friend from high school was my matron of honor and only bridesmaid. My father-in-law to be was the best man.

It was a small wedding, maybe about 75 people. I danced with my dad to Butterfly Kisses which was really making me cry for weeks before the wedding but didn't at the wedding because my sister decided to substitute the hillbilly version at the wedding, Ugh! I wanted Dan Fogelberg's Leader of the Band for the dance with my dad. I had planned that for years but they pulled the switch on me at the wedding. The cake was as delicious as it was beautiful.

The party guests had lots of fun singing karaoke and dancing. I was so tired from working on the wedding all day and then the wedding itself that I was ready to go home at 11:00 and be alone with my hubband. We went back to my condo and curled up on a pallet on the bedroom floor because all my stuff was on a big moving van since I was moving to his home in another state the following day after living all my 38 years in my home town with all my family and friends around. We were both so tired, we just curled up together and slept that night.

It was a perfect day thanks to my sisters and my parents and friends. I didn't always agree with what they did but I was glad they were there for me.

We looked like this just before cutting the cake:



We've been married over 8 years now and I would do it again in a heartbeat! We are the perfect match for each other. :loveya:

[quiet.american]

13. Lovely! n/t

[hippywife]

21. Thanx!

We loved it. Wish I could have afforded to have twice as many people but it was still the best day ever.

[quiet.american]

23. That's wonderful. Love to hear stories like that. Cheers. n/t

[kid a]

14. horrible - inlaws, step sisters, step moms, rain, exgirlfriends

wedding night . . . that was worth all the hell, fire and brimstone of the long, painful day

[mtowngman]

18. one was rainy, one was sunny

one was in south Jersey, one in Long Island. One was drunk, one sober.one was in a small methodist church, one in a large catholic one. One had a DJ, one had a band( the DJ was much better). They were both big, catered affairs with around 200 guests. Everyone else had a great time, I just wanted them to be over only because I couldn't wait to get on with the honeymoons. I hope yours is the greatest day of your life.

[Missy Vixen]

15. Stressful, sweet, all too short

We got married outside at a gazebo in a public park on Lake Washington. I wore the big white princess dress. DH looked handsome in his tuxedo. I wanted 25 people or less at our wedding; we ended up with 75. It was a gorgeous day and even more beautiful evening. The biggest problems were the multiple family fights before, during and afterwards. We'd been in a fairly serious car wreck four months prior to our wedding so I couldn't wear my wedding shoes. I couldn't believe that months of planning, work and worry were over in less than 5 hours.

I have never been so tired, emotionally or physically, as I was the next day. We reaffirmed our vows two years ago and again in March; I preferred the vow renewals to our wedding day, believe it or not.

Julie

[NNadir]

16. Blizzard in the High Sierra. Wife to be hit a mogul and damaged her knee.

I had to put chains on the tires to drive to an unknown chapel - the one we had in mind having closed for the weather. When we got to the chapel I took the wife's brace off her knee, and gave her the plastic flowers. (No fresh flowers could be brought in because of the weather.) She limped down the aisle, and the "minister" who married us appeared to be drunk, and he looked almost exactly like my ex-neighbor when I was growing up, who was also a drunk. He peppered the ceremony with all kinds of references to "Our Lord Jesus Christ," even though we were atheists.

We laugh about it now, but my wife has never really forgiven me for the whole deal.

The marriage has been great though. I love her very much, especially for her ability to forgive the little things and value the big things.

[hippywife]

27. Congrats on

making such a wonderful match! Many more happy years of love to you!

[NNadir]

29. Thank you. I hope I get to die first.

Life wouldn't be worth much without her.

[hippywife]

31. I almost didn't get married

because I didn't ever want to face that eventuality. And I've pondered that question many times. I don't want to live without him, ever. I want to be like the old greek myth of the couple who showed such hospitality toward the gods who visted them unbeknownst that they were granted their wish to die together that when the day came they became two seperate trees that grew intertwined. I think I have that right, altho I can't remember the names.

[NNadir]

37. I think this is why so many older people die so soon after one another.

I've seen it lots of times.

It almost destroyed my father when it happened. But he was still a young man and lived on and remarried. Now it is his second wife - my stepmother - who bears that grief. (I can't bear the thought of losing yet another mother, but my step mother is old.)

Grief over one's lost lover though, is a pain with a certain majesty.

[seemunkee]

17. Wonderful

DC in August can be oppresive but it was a pleasent mild low humidity day. Before the wedding we hung out at the pool by our apartment and then left to get dressed. Our wedding was at my in-laws house in the backyard. The rabbi showed up a little late. My mother did all the flowers, my brother in law did the music starting with some big band and Sinatra and going to Billy Idol, flock of seagulls, etc it was the 80s. My brother and his wife stood up with us. My wifes blind great uncle was standing up to listen and danced a little with his cane. My wife danced through her stockings so they were shredded. When my in-laws had had enough we moved to my mothers house and continued to party until very late when we left for our hotel.

[kanrok]

19. Hmmm

I caught my penis on my zipper right before the ceremony. That was painful.

At my sister's wedding the priest caught fire. Really. I was kneeling there next to another usher while the priest was talking right after the vows. He was standing in front of the alter, directly in front of a candle on a stand. I saw black smoke rising from the back of his cassock. I told the guy next to me that I thought the priest was on fire. He didn't hear me fully and and said "what?" I told him "never mind." Eventually the smoke got thicker. It was an awkward moment because the church was filled with Catholics who would rather be tortured than interrupt a priest. Finally, my aunt (bless her heart) RAISED HER HAND and told the priest: "Father, I think you're on fire." My brother-in-law rushed up and started hitting the priest (hard) on the back in an attempt to quell the fire. It eventually went out. The priest rallied. He told us that he thought he was having a heart attack because he was feeling hot. The pictures from the ceremony are a riot. Whenever the priest turned his back you saw a HUGE burn mark on the back of his cassock. True story.

[NNadir]

20. Come to think of it, it's surprising that sort of thing isn't more common.

Those robe things are quite long, and then their always flinging around the smoldering incense.

That is an unusual and funny story.

[tigereye]

39. "Father, I think you're on fire."

:rofl: I'm glad all was ok. But that was the best laugh I have had in days. :hi:

[BrotherBuzz]

22. Crisp clear fall day

I asked my wife-to-be if she wanted to get married around 8am in the morning. We were married at the county court house by 11am. Had a nice lunch in an award winning hole-in-the-wall country greasy-spoon restaurant on the way home. Our son joined the family a month later. Oh, we had our honeymoon ten years before we got married. All the pieces just fell together without a lot of planning. Easy!

[SeattleGirl]

24. Started out cloudy but by wedding time, very sunny.

We got married at my in-laws house. They had a big yard, and my FIL put in a pond and small waterfall, plus a small bridge to walk over the stream going into the pond. His mom walked him out, and mine walked me out (FIL was in the wedding party, and my father passed away in the late 70's). The ceremony was a mix of Western and Native American (my husband is part Chippewa). The minister, one of my favorite people, wore a Mikey Mouse tie, because he knew I loved ties (I have no idea why I do).

My husband did our cake; a friend and I did the flower for the cake and the wedding party -- stargazer lillies were the main flowers. Instead of a bouquet, I carried a bible belonging to my in-laws, covered with fabric left over from my wedding dress (my dress was burgandy velvet). The bible covered in wedding dress fabric is a long tradition in the family. There were stargazer lillies on top of the bible.

We had the reception in the yard also. My husband and his family prepared all of the food (my family came up to Washington from Oregon, so it wasn't possible for them to help in that department).

The husband of one of my husband's aunts has several old cars (1920's era), fully restored, and he took us for a ride around a nearby lake in one of his cars. THAT was a hoot!

Went to San Francisco the next day for the honeymoon. Just went back last year for the 10th anniversary.

Overall, a very nice, though very tiring, experience.

[Rabrrrrrr]

25. Lots of kites, guns, and marsupials.

It was WONDERFUL!

Best wedding I've ever been to, if I do say so myself.

[yellowdogintexas]

28. Mid March, in Kentucky. Sunny, high 50's. All of our best friends

and most of our families were there. Light refreshments and a lot of fun.

[fudge stripe cookays]

30. Beautiful.

Hot as freaking Hades since it was July in Texas (the Canadian contingent who'd come down were melting!)

We had it at a little combo wedding chapel/reception spot that was in a shopping center but faced into the center with a pretty courtyard.

I made our cake topper, which was a big hit (carved action figures with Sculpey outfits made up to look like us in our wedding finery sitting at computers since we met online).



The only bad thing was the limo I rented. I don't like the ugly modern white stretch limos everybody has. To me they're gaudy and ugly. I found a place that had a '68 Daimler, which LOOKED incredibly classy but had NO air conditioning. Conveniently for him, the owner did NOT tell ME this before I reserved it. And they made sure I paid with a check so I could not refuse to pay by telling Mastercard not to honor the bill.

He sat out in front of the facility for a little while waiting, and then turned off the engine since I wasn't out yet. Big mistake! When we got out, he turned on the car, and it wouldn't start. We had to get our limo jumped! Fortunately, one of my friends' husbands obliged us.

We had to ride in this moving furnace thing all the way from the east side of Dallas to DFW Airport, where we were staying at the Hyatt before flying out the next day.

I had never seen reprehensor as mad as he was at this limo driver. The guy was a freaking tool. An IDIOT. There's more, but too long and involved. He got no tip, and when he finally opened the door for us at the hotel, we purposely opened the OTHER door and went out that way. We were THAT pissed.

Our evening at the Hyatt was wonderful. When they found out we were newlyweds and heard about our awful limo driver and ride over (and the solar flare had zeroed out our reservation at the hotel), they felt bad, so sent up a bucket of Chardonnay on ice and cheese and crackers.

We went to the bar, played lots of pool, got happily inebriated, and celebrated for hours before departing the next day for honeymoon.

fsc

PS-- Good luck, ya'll!

[flamingyouth]

32. It was really, really great.

A lot of fun, actually. The marriage, eh, not so much, but I made a bad decision, and you guys are going to be so happy. :hug:

Much joy to both of you! :)

[LeftyMom]

33. He blubbered throught the whole thing, because he wasn't quite sober yet

It was all downhill from there. :(

[ScreamingMeemie]

34. Here is the moment as best I can recite it....

Two white boxes in the fridge...One holding my corsage, one his not yet daughter's...My father looking at me with frowning, teary, happy eyes...two brothers I never see near enough of...and one of the last times Grandpa was here. A dress I was afraid I had misjudged upon the sewing machine, but "Oh, it was perfect"...my grandma's wedding slip, a bit too long, but I had scissors. His boutinneirre...happily made with just a dusting of scent to make it appear real. No walk down the aisle...no giving away, only my dad and I in a '80 Caprice Classic, making one last drive together, with me just his.

The courthouse was packed with other couples, other moments. We giggled (in hindsight shame on me) at the woman in front of us with a skirt that almost didn't show up for the wedding, or not enough of it at least.

Then...THE MOMENT...His hands over mine...whoops! He's forgetting to look at me...Then me, fading into his skin with each word, each promise, our families...each in their separate corners, separate thoughts, happy, sad, disgusted...I didn't care, not then.

A kiss, a handshake...and forever more a pledge to see it through.

[SoCalDem]

35. I had pneumonia, 103 fever and was chugging terpin hydrate

My wedding day was a blur...2 days after we got married we towed a U-Haul from Kansas to Indiana...I was sick foir almost 3 weeks..:) My husband got an early introduction to "in sickness and health"

[salin]

41. I didn't realize you had an Indiana connection

just passing through? Or did you stay here for awhile (and where - like California - different parts of the state are so very different.)

[SoCalDem]

54. We did 7 years in Michigan City...

:)...then 18 months back in Olathe, Kansas...then 8 months in Aurora, CO, then 14 months in Belen, NM..and from 1980 we have been Californiacs :)

[GoddessOfGuinness]

36. The rain poured down...

We had a total of 16 people: both moms and dads, my sister and her husband, my brother and his wife, Mr GoG's two boys, our son (age 16 months), Mr GoG's best friend, a cellist, the officiant, Mr GoG, and me. Since the group was so small, we had flowers for everyone. My dress was a floral print on a black background.

We were married in a Unitarian church beautifully tucked into the woods, with a lovely view of the deluge. The leaves had turned for the most part, but the rain made the ones that were left seem brighter.

When we came out of the church to head to dinner, the rain let up, and the sun burst through blindingly. 3...I kid you not...3 rainbows sat on top of each other in the sky.

No expensive white gown. No fancy party. No bridesmaids in coordinating gowns, bags, and shoes.

I'll take a triple rainbow any day.
This all happened exactly 17 years ago tomorrow. :D

[tigereye]

40. that's so nice, GOG

:)

[GoddessOfGuinness]

46. Thanks, Tigereye!

:toast:

[grannylib]

52. It's almost midnight where I'm at, so happy almost anniversary!

Sounds like a lovely day...I love autumn leaves, rain and rainbows!!

[GoddessOfGuinness]

60. Thanks Grannylib!

:-)

[senegal1]

38. We had been living together for seven years and had

bought a house. I didn`t want to get married (you`re married when you feel married type) he did. We got up that morning and were going to buy insulation for the roof when I said "Why don`t you just see what it takes to get married in Virgina." "Really?", he said. "Yea sure. Just check." So we found out it only takes a lawyer to marry you and you file at the courthouse -- no test nothing. So I said, "OK". We went down to the courthouse and I made him stop to look up the marriage laws to see what I was getting into. They were all about divorce. We got the license for I think $20 bucks then went home and called the lawyer with the funniest sounding name. He said he could marry us at 3PM. On the way there in our 79 VW Camper Van we realized we didn`t have anything to give each other so we stopped and bought two roses. He married us with his secretary as a witness. We had some vows we read to each other. I promised to marry him for seven years and then reassess. We promised to care for each other, help each other grow to be the best people we could be and to have fun together. Then he gave me the key to the car because we were going to go places together and I gave him the key to the house because we were going to stay together forever (I know a contradiction but true) and then we exchanged roses for the beauty of our love. For me it was the perfect wedding. That day after we got back and I sat in the backyard I realized that it was truly the happiest day of my life (totally unexpected). My parents were thrilled, his parents told him he would be excommunicated. Twenty five years later and two kids, still going strong. Blessings on you too.

[NNadir]

43. That is a beautiful story.

I love the spontaneity.

I love the whole thread. This is a wonderful thread, at least for those, who like you and I, have happy marriages.

[salin]

42. While I can't help you imagine...

I can believe that yours will be more than memorable. :loveya:

[prolesunited]

47. Nov. 25 is the date

It was blown off course by Hurricane Wilma. It was supposed to be Nov. 17, the anniversary of our meeting (thanks to you!). But, it's all working out since we are staying south of Cancun and not in the tourist strip.

Three weeks! Yikes!

[salin]

57. WOW!!!!!!!!!!

Pictures, I want to see lots of Pictures! Joy oozing out from you both sorta pictures! :loveya:!!!!!!!

[tigereye]

44. nice question!

October day after many years of cohabitation. The Uni. Minister was late, he forgot! But he came. It had rained, but it was beautiful in a local park/ rose garden with lots of pretty autumn flowers. It was a very informal wedding with about 40-50 people, mostly friends. We read some Shakespearean sonnets. All our friends wore black boots. I had a great black and red hat ( I love big hats at weddings!) and an off the rack dress with lots of big flowers on it.

The reception was at a local rest. decorated with lots of art. I had a shot of Irish whiskey first thing at the reception! My sister made a great carrot cake, my SIL made papermache kissing bird pinatas filled with candy and silly stuff. My friend took pictures and I made the centerpieces. I got a cheap deal on the rest. catering since the cook ran off with my deposit the week before! The food was great though and I got a better deal since the rest. people were so upset. We all went back to our house after ( no honeymoon since we were both in school) and people smoked cigars and became incredibly intoxicated. Friends said it was one of the most fun weddings that they ever attended.

it was sweet. :) Best to you Proles!

[GoddessOfGuinness]

49. Sounds like a lovely ceremony, Tigereye!

When's your anniversary?

[tigereye]

67. Oct. 5th

hey how are ya? Been on any leaf peeping trips? The trees are really pretty here now, a little later than usual. Although my maple out front is pretty much done.

:hi:

[GoddessOfGuinness]

74. We just went out yesterday for our anniversary

We drove up to Harrisburg, PA to see our favorite folk singer. The leaves were at their peak, and it was breathtaking! I didn't expect things to be so colorful considering the drought we had in August/September.

[Broken_Hero]

45. uhh...long.

It was long, hot and long...My wife and I barely got an hour of sleep, cause we were both excited and what nots, and we had people showing up to our house super early for the drawing of water ceromony...i was married in a traditional cherokee wedding, my wife is half keetowah band cherokee, and she wanted it to be that way, and i'm the man, and i just said, OK...:) We had to start the drawing of water ceremony at sunrise, so you can imagine that.

I started the morning off with twisting my damn ankle, going to the drawing of the water ceremony, i was like, well, this is neat. ceremony over, and then we started getting ready for the rest of it at 11am. We had to postpone the wedding for an hour, cause one of my best "brothers" was running late, in cherokee wedding its best brother, and not best man, and you can have as many best brothers as you want...then the ceremony wen't quick and fast, which was nice, cause i was wearing my button robe blanket, in 95degree heat, button robe=haida button robe, that weighs like 100 lbs. And after that...its all a mixture of smiles, and pictures...my wife works for walmarts home offices, and she had a bunch of her coworker buddies there, and i was stuck making small talk with people i didn't know.

spent a lot of time visisting with my parents who flew down from alaska to attend, and...it was just one busy damn day...i just have to say this, i will never get married again, ever...doing once is enough for me....

[Kali]

48. Great thread

Ours was a semi-tradidtional 80's thing. Never thought I would do it (or have kids - hah! so much for plans) Ceremony at my parent's desert setting house in Tempe, outside early October. It was kind of hot but not unexpected. He wore a rented tux, I had a fake princess Di sort of dress that had been deliverd a size too small and was a bit too short-we trimmed the train off. Our attendants were his good friend and mine from college/high school. We had a woman Judge who also read and Apache blessing as part of her normal wedding routine. My bride's maid's little brother played the wedding march on my sister's old piano (He is Jesse Valenzuela from the Gin Blossoms, in anybody is impressed) My beloved dog, Jazz was the token ring bearer - she had her own ribbons/flowers.

My Dad walked me to the little dech my FiL had built for the purpose, guests (about 60?) on makeshift benches and rental chairs on the brick patio, and we did the "I promise" thing. Then we did a reception line (boring - don't do it) and had some food (deli stuff), champagne, did the cake - visited with everybody and then things went downhill - pushy grandmother insisted we open gifts. So into the house and hours of small talk and fake smiles over woks and crockpots with old folks and family while our friends were outside digging on the tunes I had spent days compiling on tape and getting drunk and having a blast. (there were later several arrests and hotel evictions - we missed ALL the fun!) Eventually we escaped, tossed the bouquet and split in his old 70 International pickup for a night at a local hotel. A few days later we took the autovia (single train car/engine in one) from Nogales to Guaymas (NOT San Carlos)and stayed in this great old hotel for a week - that was a blast. We need to go back. Its been 23 years two sons and a niece and countless other dogs now. We have our ups and downs but took the promisses made seriously.

[prolesunited]

51. I'm getting all teary-eyed just reading this thread

I don't know how I'll ever make it through the day.

Thanks to everyone who shared such beautiful and touching stories.

[grannylib]

53. You'll be fine! It'll all be good. Even the 'bad' stuff that can happen

will be hilarious later...
We had almost all our guests at the park get ticketed for parking with tires on the grass (they were trying to be THOUGHTFUL, the roads at the park are narrow...)
On the way to our two-night honeymoon at a hotel up in the Cities, we realized we had forgotten one of the coolers (we were going to try to get by pretty cheap on food, so we were taking a lot of leftover reception food: hot beef sandwiches/rolls, potato salad, cole slaw, devilled eggs, etc., but we only grabbed one cooler in all the excitement, so we had fruit, wine and cake - that's it!
Then at the hotel, we went down to the pool, had the place all to ourselves. So we got a LITTLE frisky (no nudity or anything, but lots of making out and whatnot in the pool.) Right after we got changed from the pool we went down to the bar for a couple of something-other-than-wine drinks, and discovered that what we thought was a window in the pool was actually two-way glass into the bar! We were pretty sure anyone in there would recognize us, even in street clothes, so we did an about-face and headed down the street to a different bar *lol*

it was all good...
You'll have a great day and a great marriage! Best wishes and many blessings to you!

[tigereye]

69. aw Proles, soon you will have more of your own great stories!

:hug: I love weddings, I'm so psyched for you guys!

[prolesunited]

72. Good wishes

are certainly appreciated. We always can use them.

[BamaGirl]

55. We got married, on leave, by a judge

named William Faulkner (no shit, in MS no less ;)), had lunch, then went home.

[China_cat]

56. The preacher was late

his ratty shoes kept peeking out from under his robe, the sound system with our music died and we had tourists.

[malta blue]

58. spectacular

We had about 25 people come out to Las Vegas a couple of weeks ago and help us celebrate. The best man's 4 y/o daughter made the toast. She said she liked the way we kiss.

[Magrittes Pipe]

59. We stood on a sheer slate cliff overlooking Lake Erie...

...with the best view of downtown Cleveland imaginable. 11 other people were there, including the officiant. Then we went to Tom's house and ate (and drank). Then we went bowling (and drank).

[prolesunited]

66. Saw the pictures

It looked fabulous. So, are you still in the honeymoon stage?

[Magrittes Pipe]

75. We were in the honeymoon stage a year ago.

Now we're in the paying the bills stage. ;)

[Tikki]

61. Back in "The Summer of Love"...

It was a very hot August day....we were very young.


We were married in my husband's mom and dad's home. There was alot of the family packed into a small living room for this wedding.
My husband's grandpa was a minister...he was very elderly, but insisted on performing the ceremony. We are so glad he did this for us.

Mr. Tikki and I had dated each other all through school and after we graduated from High School we just decided to get married.

The shoes I was wearing are at least one and a half sizes too small. I was also wearing a loose style dress, but, was not expecting...just the style of the day. Mr. Tikki was wearing his uncle's heavy wool suit...it was very, very hot outside that day.

Because Mr. Tikki was under the age of 21, he had to get written permission from his parents to get married.

We were 19 and 18 years old....we will be married 39 years next August.


The Tikkis

P.S. Mr. Tikki is the love of my life.....

[trof]

62. Monumental hangover.

Practically blinding.
I threw up in the men's room at the church minutes before the ceremony.

During the service I dropped the prayer book and was afraid that if I leaned over to pick it up I'd pass out.

The day was a blur.
That was 36 years ago and we're still together.
Bad beginnings make for good endings.
;-)

[NewJeffCT]

63. Which one?

The day I married my ex-wife was a nice September day - upper 70s & sunny. It was in a small historic church in southern NJ. Reception was at a hotel on the boardwalk in Atlantic City. (her family was from south Jersey)

The day I married my wife was late November 2001, I don't remember the weather, and it was a justice of the peace & his wife, along with my parents and my grandmother. It was in our living room. (my wife held a gun to my head that day... just kidding!)

My wife & I had a more formal wedding ceremony in May of 2002, as her parents were able to come from overseas. It was a beautiful May day, around 80 degrees and brightly sunny after a week of rain. It was in our backyard, and we had a tent set-up and maybe 30 people total. The same justice of the peace & wife were at the ceremony, which was also translated into Chinese by a friend of my wife. My wife was soon pregnant after that!

Then, last September, we went to China so I could meet the rest of my wife's family (our daughter was now 18 months old) and we had another kind of wedding thingie there. We spent all day (literally about 9 hours in sweltering humidity) trucking around Nanjing China taking pictures at various famous locations in different formal costumes, from the Western white wedding gown to the traditional red Chinese qi pao dress. (well, my wife wore those things, I was in various styles of tux)

[Justpat]

64. Quaker ceremony held on the beach at Captiva Island, FL

It was late afternoon so the ceremony ended with the sun
going down in blaze of glory behind us.

The ceremony was held in silent worship style with people
getting up to speak if moved to do so. Then after a while
my husband and I joined our hands together and spoke our
vows to one another, promising with the help of God
and our friends to honor and love one anther till death
do us part.

Pretty nice. There were many people on the beach who ended
up joining the ceremony on the outside of our circle of chairs
who said afterwards they sensed what what going on and wanted
to be part of it.

[Extend a Hand]

65. on top of Signal Mountain in TN

We rode the incline to the top. We met the mayor of Signal mountain, a photographer, and the florist who made my bouquet and the wedding arrangements. Very relaxing. Total cost < $500 (and that included a beautiful white skirt suit that I for years afterwards.

[KitchenWitch]

68. It flew by...

[miss_american_pie]

70. Over too quickly

We had the big princess wedding I had always wanted, and a great party afterward.

I did all my crying at the rehearsal and just really enjoyed the day, but it flies. Take a few moments just to stop and absorb it all.

[purr]

71. Aug 7 2004...

Woke up at 5 am to go to hairdressers.. My stylist gave me zoloft to calm my ass down so I wasnt so uptight and anxious.

Had to call the police due to my husbands ex threatening to show up and cause havoc because she didnt want us to get married and their son in our wedding. Had my f-i-l come to my house and wait for her scrungy ass to show up and cause troubles - shes scared of him. She sat at my house for about an hour trying to call the police, her lawyer, etc.. (we know the chief so they told her tough luck lady), and she even brought her fling of the week for intimidation. She left in tears and thought she was going to show up at the hall - thank god she finally just gave up.

Got dressed.. had pictures taken outside my grandmothers house which really turned out nice.

Headed to the church and theres me thinking somehow the crazy wacko ex got my husband arrested and ruined my wedding. I was all nervous and kept asking people if he was upstairs.. He didnt show up until 10 till and I was sweating like crazy by then.

It was all good from there on out. Got threatened by my mom if she saw me with a beer and a cigarette hanging out of my mouth she was going to beat the crap out of me in front of EVERYONE.

The day before tho, my best friend decided she wasnt going to be in my wedding because my priest (serbian orthodox) asked her to take out her nose ring and she flat out refused as i had to take my tongue ring out so i didnt think it was a big deal. So I had to get my cousin to run up to davids bridal get a dress and be a last minute bridesmaid.

[distantearlywarning]

73. Got married a week before Christmas.

Ceremony was at night in a non-denominational chapel, the most amazing chapel I've ever been in, with checkered stone floors and these huge arching ceilings and dark wood everywhere. We didn't have any decorations except what was in the church for Christmas already (fir wreaths with gold ribbon and two trees with white lights). It didn't snow, but was cold with clear skies and lots and lots of stars.

Both of us wore white, and my bouquet was very dark red roses and ivy. We only had a Maid-of-Honor and a Best Man, and we had about 40 people in attendance. A good friend of ours got ordained on the Internet and did a non-denominational ceremony for us that we had written ourselves and included some traditional vows and some non- traditional stuff too. We had a brass trio playing Christmas carols and some other classical pieces for the music. Of course, I'm biased, but it was the best ceremony I've ever been to. Very simple and elegant and emotional in a good way. I think I smiled through the whole thing, except for the part where I almost cried when I was walking in because I was so happy and the music was so beautiful.

We had a reception across the street in this nice old hall. No DJ or bouquet tossing or anything like that. Just all our friends dressed up really nice and cocktails and fancy hors'douvres and a jazz guitarist. Our cake was just a plain white buttercream with more red roses on top. Nothing fancy, but looked and tasted great. When we were walking across the street to the reception, all the cars stopped and honked at us - everybody was so happy for us and it made me feel really good.

Several of the guests came up afterwards and said it was the best wedding they ever went to - low key but elegant and fun at the same time. The husband and I had a great time too. I loved every minute of it and didn't want it to end. It was one of the best days of my life.

We left for Vegas the day after for the honeymoon and had a fabulous time there (it's very cheap to go there at Christmas!)

It was a huge pain in the ass planning the whole thing, but I would do it again if I had too. The day was worth it, and I really had a great time. We're coming up on our 1st anniversary in December and are still very much in love and still as happy as we were on the honeymoon. :-)

[supernova]

76. I was still planning up until the day of

I still had to go out and get... a cake knife. So I had to go shopping. I didn'thave any friends, so I had to do a lot of the work myself, which I didn't enjoy. I didn't enjoy it because I didn't know anything about event/party planning then and it was my wedding I was practicing on. Because I had to get a cake knife; I got to the church late and the ceremony started about 15 minutes late.

My fiancee was a kind of child who expected stuff to just materialize in front of him, so he was no help when it came to planning or checking off the To DO list.

TOO MUCH STRESS!

We had it at a church which was fine. I didn't have to mess with buying alcohol, which we couldn't afford anyway. There were about 40 people.

But people didn't listen to me about what I wanted:

I had plans just to have a light reception, finger foods and punch. Mints and peanuts. My m-i-l didn't think I had planned enough and brough two 2!! Honey Baked Hams, which weren't needed. If I had let her, she would have turned the event into Her Show. SO that tension was another source of stress.

Because none of my family could come, other than my immediate family, I requested that they NOT sit people "bride" and "groom" on each side. That didn't happen. When I walked down the aisle, I saw all of his family on one side and my mom sitting by herself on the other side. :grr: :grr:

I'm over it; I've learned to let it go.

But, to this day, I don't want another wedding. I'll be happy to participate if a friend wants me in their wedding party. But I don't want that for myself ever again. If I ever get the urge to marry again (Ha!) it'll be a justice of the peace and over and done with in minutes. I might, MIGHT, have a party at the house afterwards.


edit: Sorry to be Debbie Downer, proles. I'm sure you're day will be lovelier than mine was. :hug:

[prolesunited]

80. Lots of differences, thankfully

because we wanted to avoid stuff like that.

We're getting married at a resort in Mexico and we have a wedding coordinator, so basically, we just have to have our papers and attire in order and show up. It's just the two of us, so no family to contend with. Heck, we didn't even tell our families until a few weeks ago! They weren't surprised at all, though, just basically waiting for the announcement.

We decided we just wanted it to be a day about us.

Sorry your day wasn't better. :-(

[RetroLounge]

77. Which one?

My first was a blur, as I was drunk by 11am and was trying to pick up the bartender at the hotel bar and show her the wedding suite. Yeah, I was a sick fucker back then...

The second one (MrsRetro) was absolutely perfect. It was a warm October day and the weather behaved for us. Although we are not religious, we had the ceremony in the Unitarian Church on the east side of milwaukee. A very dark, gothic, Germanic type building. We decorated it with all homemade flower holders and had tons of bright flowers everywhere. We had a jazz trio playing before, during and after the ceremony. Our entire families and friends packed the place. There was lots of laughter and hugging and smiles and love all around. Afterwards, we went to the reception which was held in the Bocce Hall of the Italian Community Center, and there was great food, drinks, dancing and we got to play Bocce ball! Our first dance was "She's No Lady" by Lyle Lovett (just because we thought it funny) followed by "Head over Feet" by Alanis. Also, my 90 year old Grandmother was there and got to see me truly happy before she passed away. Oh, and Grandma got really drunk too :D

RL

[TheProphetess]

78. It was wonderful - I wish we could do it again

It's only been about 2 months but the day was better than I could have imagined. It just went by so quickly!

The weather was perfect - sunny but not too hot.

The ceremony was beautiful - very short but very personal since the Prophet's mother performed it. It was really touching when she started to describe how she noticed a change in him after we met (she said she heard a "smile in his voice"). I could see him getting choked up which made it harder for me to fight back the tears.

The reception was a brunch with about 80 people - friends and family (this is a very small wedding for my Italian family but a very large wedding for the Prophet's family). The food was amazing, the country club was unbelievably gorgeous (we aren't members but a friend of mine is and the club gave us a deal we couldn't pass up).

After the reception, we invited our friends to come to our apartment for "cocktails and conversation" - that lasted well into the evening and it was lovely to spend quality time with our friends who had traveled from out of town.
Overall, the day was terrific. I'm so thankful that we are together. :loveya:

[mopinko]

81. the one that stuck

cook county court, in front of a judge, 2 witnesses, because we thought you had to have them. my in jeans and a sweatshirt, he was dressed in his work clothes, because he only took the afternoon off. had some good mexican food afterward. some of our friends knew, and were mad we didn't have a big party.
it was funny, because the judge was kinda lecturing some of the other couples. asking why they were getting married. she asked us, and we said, we are just here to write it in the big book, we are already a family. she did not have anything to add to that.
we did not tell our families. 20 years later, a couple of people know. it is just a piece of paper for us.

the first one was the usually girlie idea of the ritual required for happily ever after. it lasted 2 years. i, too, was standing in the back of the church crying, knowing i was screwing up.

[newspeak]

82. was near the spring equinox in 1976

my hubby and I went to the same highschool, our former teacher's spouse was justice of the peace. Hubby's best friend and my best friend were the only witnesses along with my teacher. We had the ceremony at my teacher's house overlooking the lake--afterwards we had a reception with all of our friends and family. After the reception, we forgot to set up the clean up crew, so guess who cleaned up the hall? Afterwards, we went to a mediocre motel by the lake for one night. I think the people next door was having more fun than we had because the walls were paper thin and you could here everything. We've been married almost thirty years and have never had a real honeymoon. Oh well, maybe one of these days.:eyes: Hubby was one of my friends in highschool and we both were on the rebound (married once) when we met again.

[BlackVelvet04]

83. I got married

on a beautiful spring day on a mountain in Arizona. We were married outside on the deck of an historical building. Flowers lined the deck and the birds were singing and it was a beautiful day. We had a "best dog" who sat quiet as a mouse during the ceremony beside the best man. Everyone was encouraged to dress as pleased them and to be comfortable and have a party. The only music we played was "I Want to Know what Love Is".

The ceremony ended with the magistrate reading:

Now you will feel no rain,
for each of you will be shelter for the other.
Now you will feel no cold,
for each of you will be warmth to the other.
Now there will be no loneliness,
for each of you will be companion to the other.
Now you are two persons,
but there are three lives before you: his life, her life and your life together.
Go now to your dwelling place to enter into your days together.
And may all your days be good and long upon the Earth.
(Apache Wedding Prayer)

What made the wedding most poignant was the fact that this was the same man I had married 21 years earlier, divorced after a miscarriage and after years apart had found again. We both realized how unhappy we had been without each other and are living happily ever after 10 years later.

[m_welby]

84. too long ago too remember...

just kidding, actually we were very young and foolish (and pregnant). It was a short ceremony by a judge (friend of my mother in law) who was later thrown off the bench for corruption.

The reception cost less than $100, low key, informal, and everyone seemed to have a great time.

After the reception we went to a Frank Zappa concert together (with most of my family) and then went on a low budget honeymoon. we're about to hit 25 years together now, perhaps I'll write a full fledged description and post it when the anniversary rolls around next week.

I still wonder every day at how we get along so well.

[prolesunited]

85. 25 years! That's wonderful.

Since I'm already 42, I kid him that he won't have to put up with me that long. I'm pretty sure we'll make it to 67. I don't know about 92. ;-)

[lady raven]

86. Here's my soap opera

First wedding (I was 19):

We secretly married against my dad's EXTREMELY vocal objections. Planned in 3 days, in a church but not the one I went to. I was literally physically ill that day and was so nervous that I thought I would die. I realize now that It was more dread than anything else. I went through with it and it went just fine. It was actually romantic and I thought it was such a great start once I got over my nerves and went through with it.

We divorced after 4 years of abusive hell.


Second wedding (I was 26):

In October, but originally planned for December 26. My dad approved all the way on this one, but he was VERY ill and we moved the wedding up because he was nearing the end and we wanted him to be there so he could take me down the aisle (in a wheelchair). In a cruel twist of fate, he died the morning of the wedding. We almost postponed it, but at the advice of my mom, my grandmas, and the pastor, we went through with it.

My eyes were puffy with bags the size of golf balls (Thank heaven for cucumbers! They really work!) and I had to take medication (librium) to get through the day and do what I had to do to get ready for the wedding.

We planned a last- minute tribute to my dad during the wedding. It was one of the most surreal days of my life- One of the worst in the beginning and one of the best in the end. Despite the heartbreak from earlier in the day, it was an incredibly romantic, evening formal candlelight wedding (small- We only sent out about 50 invitations).We just celebrated our 7th anniversary and are still madly in love and have a wonderful child.

Sometimes those things that start off badly end up just fine.

[prolesunited]

87. Sounds like your dad was a very wise man

And I can't imagine losing him the morning of the wedding. I don't know how you got through the day. I'm glad it had a happy ending.

[Shell Beau]

88. Perfection!!

This pic says it all for me!!