Daniel knows I love the movie "Braveheart"--so he had a friend kidnap me from work...he also had her bring a dress for me to change into, because (supposedly) he needed to take a few pictures of me for a special project he was doing. My friend and I met him and he was dressed normal. He told us to walk on up the trail. So we did, --then, suddenly I turned around to see if he was coming. He was...running towards me full bore, in a Braveheart costume. Ah...be still my beating heart. :)

Daniel does graphic design on the side, and he designed a book for me--a fairy tale, with pictures of the two of us cleverly set up. He also had created a sound track to the story, and gave it to me to listen to (you can see the book behind us on the right)..at the end of our story, a favorite musical score of mine came on, and he kneeled down on one knee and asked me to marry him. (sigh) It was great. :)

Daniel, with his graphic design background, chose to design the invitations, and we printed them out ourselves. This is actually just the graphic that went over the top of a very nice matte and satin finish invite.

We had lots of help on our wedding. Esther is a friend of mine who happens to be a professional hairdresser as well. But it was the ivy wreath designed by my sister that I really loved.

Yes, I chose to go barefoot. I got more comments about that one.

I'm all set--where's my limo?

Daniel started off the ceremony by walking both of our mothers down the aisle. They carried in the candles that would be used to light our unity candle. Then, the bridesmaids and groomsmen followed.

Daniel walking our moms down the rest of the way at Nestldown.

For our processional, we decided to have two gals walk together, then two guys, and so one...when they got to the bottom, they were set up in a semi-circle, boy- girl, boy- girl.

Daniel is not a tie kind of guy...and our wedding was a more casual morning wedding, anyway. So our groomsmen wore Cuba Vera shirts, and no ties, cumberbunds, or rental fees. They thanked us. :)

At only 4 years old, we were worried she might chicken out, but when she saw all the people waiting for her at the bottom, she lit up. She was all smiles as she dropped her petals and was adorable!

I walked in to "For the Love of a Princess" theme from Braveheart.

Entering the Nestldown ceremony area.

A nice picture of my husband's sister, caught unaware. Obviously, I'm something of a romantic (hence, the cloaks and ivy wreaths) but the girls all seemed to get into the theme and enjoy it.

Nestldown is the most gorgeous location I think I have ever seen in my life. It was a dream come true to be married there.

The Bridal Party.

I love being married. Yes, there are adjustments you make, and differences you work out, but I am happier than I've ever been. And it has been over a year.
Daniel and I will be so happy when we past the "newly-wed" mark so that people can no longer shake their heads at us condescendingly and sigh, "Ah, you newly-weds, just wait..." Whatever! Where does this ridiculous myth come from that married people are miserable? And why is this myth perpetuated?
I say, to all of you "soon-to-be-marrieds" let's rebel against that whole idea! We'll prove to the "miserably marrieds" that it DOES NOT have to be that way...years after we've passed the honeymoon stage, we'll keep cuddling, keep kissing, keep being close to our loved ones. It seems a happier way to live. :)