We got married 4/17/10. It is super hard to believe that it has already come and gone so quickly. I wanted to write a detailed recap so I would never forget all the details, thoughts, and emotions that went through us this day. It was a day full of happiness, bloopers, and overall love!

Our rehearsal was a blast. All of my ladies got our nails done together in the morning. My flower girls were amazingly adorable during the nails. Ellie sat with me for the whole hour while I was getting my false nails put on. She asked me question after question after question. So Cute!!!

We rehearsed, we ate, and we drank. It was a blast. If anyone is in the San Diego area you should check out Pizza Nova on the harbor. It was delicious and gorgeous!!

Right on the harbor!

Our final family picture. It had to be goofy!

So serious =) I wore my grandmother's wedding dress.

Wedding Day

I woke up bright and early around 5am. I was up every hour all night. I was nervous, excited, and just overwhelmed. I had been waiting for that feeling the entire wedding process. It didn't HIT me until I woke up. I showered and I couldn't shake an yucky feeling in my stomache. I decided that I needed to go for a walk. I woke my sister up by jumping on her bed yelling "I'm getting married!!" My sis walked with me reflecting about life and the importance of this one moment. I was so overwhelmed, but still not feeling quite right.

The day was GORGEOUS! Not too hot, not too windy, juuuust right!

We were sooo tired still haha!

After we got back from our walk we got up all of our other gals. All four of my bridesmaids stayed with me in my bridal suite, which was GORGEOUS by the way! We headed off to breakfast before we went to get beautified!

We headed to the hair salon. I chose to book at the local Paul Mitchell beauty school. I have been going to the school for a very long time. I chose my gal months before. On the bright side I LOVED my hair!!!! On the down side... it took FOREVER! No really forever like four hours of forever. I budgeted for three so we were definitely behind. AND I still didn't feel good. I still thought it was nerves! (Ps if you haven't guessed... it wasn't nerves!)

Practicing my vows and I couldn't get past the first line without tearing up.

My girls, mom, and cousin all joined me at the salon getting beautified! It was amazing to have all of them there keeping me calm and sane.

All the while the boys were having a blast in their hotel room. I bought DH a PS3 for part of his wedding present. So they played and had a blast getting ready.

They couldn't figure out the pocket squares =)

Ya my hubby is hot! =) He would die if he knew I posted this!

Another wedding present!

He is soooo dreamy!

Opening the B-pic book!

I, as you know, was WAY behind schedule so I was rushed to put on my makeup. But I still did a careful job. I just look a little pissed. haha. I was just overwhelmed with everything. Luckily, Matt (DH) was able to calm me through text. I loved my makeup so much!! It stayed all night and my hubby thought I looked gorgeous!

Then it was time to put on the dress so I could still do my first look with the love of my life! BUT!!!!!!! My dress freaking broke! I couldn't believe it! I had told my seamstress that I felt like my zipper was a problem. SHE even had trouble zipping it up, but said it would be fine. It snapped on the way up and got stuck up. There was no way to get it back down. So mom sewed me in! So all of the pictures have her in the background sewing me in. I think at this point everything was feeling WAY overwhelming. I was getting ready for my wedding, I was WAY behind schedule because of my hair, I was feeling super icky, and then my dress broke! Ugh I was just whew! Only you gals would know!

Before the dress broke

After!

Sewing me in!

So nervous!

Reading my card from my hubby to be.

Such gorgeous diamond earrings! They were PERFECT!

When it was time for our first look all my emotions shifted. My heart swelled while waiting. He waited down a long walkway at the hotel. It was such a special moment and I would recommend it to anyone! I was calmed and overwhelmed with happiness to just be with him for a little while. With everything that had gone on I NEEDED him! It was so special. We were able to drive together to the ceremony which allowed us to calm and breathe and discuss the day. It was one of the best parts of the day. Just US time.

Patiently waiting

SURPRISE! =)

Then came the ceremony. It was perfect! PERFECT! I wrote the whole thing with help from my cousin who officiated.

My dad and I sharing a final moment

I had the most ADORABLE flower girls!

Matt was waiting open armed with lollipops for the girls! It was so precious!

Such a special moment for me.

Taking it all in. A moment to look at our guests!

The last minute aisle runner design.

Getting teary eyed.

Trying to get my ring on =) Fist pump for getting the ring on! =)

Taking a moment to remember my grandpa. This was super special to our whole family.

Now onto the formals. I think me feeling sick was still overrun by adrenaline at this point. I loved capturing my loved ones.

Reception Time! Here is where things got interesting. I thought I would start feeling better because the whole time I thought I was just overwhelmed with nerves. Well those nerves never settled and I ended up throwing up in the bathroom halfway through dinner!! Ugh! Luckily my mom and sisters were in the restroom when I ran in. They were able to talk me through it and laugh about it. The best part was that I felt sooo much better! I definitely had some sort of 24-hour flu. I was down and out the next day as well! YUCK! But the reception was wonderful. I had so much fun dancing and celebrating.

They had me sit down on our best man =) it was super cute. DH arranged our flower girl to hand deliver the garter to my sister's (MOH) now fiance (guess it worked huh???). She was adorable and he loved it!

The shoe game was a blast and our guests loved it!

The details!

Paper flowers a labor of love!

I carried my grandmother's bible down the aisle. She carried it at her wedding and so did my mom and our aunts. It was such a special tradition.

I loved my shoes!

This moment was one of the most amazing of the day. I loved having this alone time with him. If you have the option... DO IT!

aww that look kills me.

Hanging with our flower girls =)

Before getting beautiful!! =) Still gorgeous.

Entering the Reception!

First Dance

Matt's Dad gave a Dinner Blessing. It was perfect

My dad gave the first toast.

Then we had a great time listening to our bridal party toasting our marriage.

Daddy Daughter Dance- Wildflowers by Tom Petty and the Heart Breakers

Mom/Grandma Son/Grandson Dance- Stand by Me

The shoe game was a hit with our guests!!

Cutting the Cake

Bouquet Toss- Caught by Matt's Cousin's Daughter

The Garter Toss- Matt's Best Man was told to get down on hands and knees to be my seat =)

Matt secretly told our flower girl to hand deliver the garter to my sister's boyfriend and now FI (guess it worked)

=0)

Dancing Fools

I met Matt through a mutual friend. Jon, our friend, lived across the hall from each other in the dorms our first year of school. Matt and Jon went to junior high school together and have been friends ever since. I had met Matt in passing before but it wasn't until a end of the semester celebrations that I really got to know him. That night Matt and I hit it off. He asked me to go to his Christmas party for work that weekend. We went to the party and hit it off completely. I was seriously smitten. Then, he took me dancing that night where we had our first kiss. We have been absolutely inseperable ever since. I fell in love with him instantly. He is the only man for me forever. When I think of Matt I think of becoming what my Grandma and Papa are for each other. I love this man!

Matt did an amazing job on planning the engagement. He did everything sooo secretively and I had no clue. It was the perfect surprise on the perfect day with the perfect man. It all started with him telling me that I had to be home at a certain time, he actually made me move my meeting with my principal to accommodate. Which was not that weird because it was our two year anniversary. So I didn't think anything of it. He left a bouquet of flowers on my car, so sweet. I was still oblivious (which will be the theme of this blog). We went for a hike up our usual mountain hike with our two doggies. Matt didn't seem to be acting weird or uncomfortable. Of course I was wearing my workout pants, sports bra, and tank which of course is everyone's ideal outfit to get engaged in right? Well Matt, being the amazing man that he is, packed me a cute dress to wear. We were getting close to the top when he stopped and told me there was a dress code at the top of the mountain. I thought it was adorable and assumed we were going to have a picnic or something up there for our anniversary. He left me to enjoy the perfectly clear day. It had rained the previous three days and Matt seriously willed it to be clear for that day. Side Note: he was obsessing about the weather days before, I didn't think anything of it. Matt finally called me to join him on top of the mountain. He had set up a whole picnic area with a table, chairs, plates with cute salads, wine, flowers, candles the whole nine yards. I did notice his hands were shaking a little bit, but it was pretty cold so I was STILL OBLIVIOUS! I just thought he was being his amazing self and setting up something wonderful for our anniversary. He had carried up a 100 pound backpack with a table and chairs tied to it that morning. He is seriously amazing!! After eating a bit of salad he asked me what I had planned for the next day with my students (I teach 4th grade). I told him what I was doing yada yada yada. Then he pulled out a kiddy movie and said I could show it to my kids instead. I was puzzled and asked why?? He told me I would probably be really tired the next day. I was confused and totally not catching on. I assumed he was talking about us going to dinner or something. OBLIVIOUS!!! Then, he got down on his knee and told me all sorts of sweet things and then asked me to be his wife. My jaw dropped, I think I put my head in my hands, I was soooo super shocked and excited. I cried, he cried, and it was the most amazing moment ever!! He picked out the most amazing ring in the world. I love it so much. I guess he had it in our house for over a month. He had shown all of our friends and asked my mom and dad on Thanksgiving (he and my mom both cried then). He is seriously the sweetest man alive and I feel so blessed that he is going to be my man forever and ever!! AMEN

My beautiful band..

Here are some FUN ring shots!

MY DRESS!!!! La Sposa Galilea

On my wedding day =)

My amazing bustle!

EDIT: I picked up MY real dress on August 28th. I love love love love it all over again. I can't wait to wear it in 7 1/2 months =)

I was so excited... can you tell?

Cait's reaction

Grandma's Reaction

Auntie Sheri's Reaction (she cried awwww)

Mom was so stoked.

I fell in love on my first day of shopping. It was absolutely everything I had ever imagined and more. Plus there was no way my sisters, mom, or cousin was going to let me leave there without ordering it. I can't believe I have to wait till August to get it again. I am seriously in love!!!

We are getting married April 17th, 2010 at the Admiral Kidd Club in San Diego, CA. It is on the Anti-Submarine base on the bay. It is sooo beautiful. Our ceremony and reception are at this location. We will get married on a really cute little lawn with a cement isle that drops off into the bay water. There will be ships passing by, the city skyline in the background, and the sunset as well. We are getting married around 5 pm and our ceremony is a stone's throw away. It is absolutely everything and more than I ever dreamed!!

Here is our wedding at the Admiral Kidd Catering and Conference Center. Best Location EVER! =)

Pros: The final product

The Bouquets

Paper Ceremony Flowers

Boys Flowers

Reception Flowers

I was brainstorming theme ideas and I got inspired by a fellow PWer who made the most gorgeous coffee filter flowers. So I decided that I am going to go with an all paper flower wedding, paper centerpieces, bouquets, boutonnieres, pomanders, invitations, and all over decor. I love the idea because April is a really springy time of the year. Also I love that paper flowers will be unique and different but still elegant and beautiful. I have a year (and 3 days) to pull it off so as long as I get started early I believe that the undertaking of making thousands of paper flowers won't be too bad. I think the result will be very worth it.

Here are some of my inspirations... I will update with my own trials when I do them.

I love these for the colors. I think they would look great in a bouquet, boutinneer, corsage, or just scattered down the isle or on the tables.

I would love to wear something like this in my hair or have them decorate my card box or wish tree. Or I could go big and hang them on the walls or from the celing.

These would make gorgeous bouquets!!!

I love the idea of something like this as the big alter pieces or as centerpieces or... =) options are endless.

I love how dainty and beautiful this is!!

So gorgeous and SUPER EASY!

Can you say wish tree?

Another beautiful example of paper flowers.

I love love love these.

How cute for favors!!

THE REALITY!!!!!

My origami flowers. I think I will use them for pomaders and possibly place cards. They take quite a while to make but I think they are so fun and gorgeous!!

These are all of the tissue paper flowers. I love them but they are ultra fragile so I am not quite sure how I will store them once I start mass producing. But I am thinking of using a combination of tissue paper and crepe paper flowers for my bouquets and boutineers.

These are my crepe paper flowers. I know they are the wrong colors, but it was just a trial from a kit. I love them, so I will use white and blue crepe paper instead. These belong in my bouquet and possibly centerpieces. I haven't quite figured those out yet.

Credit goes to AshleyP she had this fabulous idea to set out anni cards on each table and instructions to have our guests write us notes for the future. I love this idea. My MOH will seal them up and then we will keep them until our first anniversary.

Here is what the instruction sign will say:

"Please take a moment to write us a note in our anniversary card. Your table number represents how many years in the future the card will be opened. -Mr. and Mrs. Walsh"

I love the idea of doing a candy buffet. So we are going to make this our favors to our guests. We are going to have some sort of bag or box with a sticker or stamp to make it more personal. Here are the vases and scoops (thanks for selling the scoops VA09) for my sweet treat candy buffet!!

We have two of both big containers and a few more scoops.

The Real Thing =)

This is me thinking.. .why does this have to be soooo hard!!

I loved this dress. It had a huge elegant bow in the back that I fell in love with.

This is me saying good bye to this lovely dress. I was sad =)

Now I think to myself... why didn't I go with this dress. hmmm....

Thanks Pinkyjane!!

We had a laid back pool party for our engagement party. It was just family and a few friends. It was perfect!!

My mom created these cute duckies!!

The boys pitching in!

My sister and cousin decorated this cake for us!

My lovely sisters!!

My future niece, Eliora. It was her birthday!

My other future niece, Regina. She loved the pool! Eliora turned three that day!

She was soo excited for cupcakes.

Focused!

Our gorgeous toasting glasses!! Such a great gift!

It was a great day!!

Our amazing photographer Jamie Lawler did an AWESOME job!!

this one is extra special because it is where he asked me on our first date!

This one is out.... it was too blurry when printed.

The print on all of these ended up being too small. So I went back and re-designed each one with larger font and with a different font. So now I am printing each option and trying to figure out which ones I like the best. I think I might send out different options. Unless I can eliminate another option.

Here are the new options with larger print...

Jamie Lawler- Photographer extrodiarre!!

All Around Mobile Sound- DJ father-son team. Such friendly and wonderful gentlemen!!

Cassidy Event Creations- Coordination AMAZING taste and sensibility!

Edeliwess Baker- Yummy Yummy cake at a great price!!

Ok I made my decision and here is my gorgeous headband!!

Ok here is my dress again.... and the detail on the dress.

Here are my earrings and veil. I am kinda doing a rhinestone/pearl type of thing.

Here is the broach I am going to wear in the middle of my sash....

Ok and here are the two options I am debating on for my headband....

Option 1: I love this one because I feel like it would compliment my earrings really well. And it's beautiful =)

Option 2: I love this one becuase I think it would really compliment of my sash and the jeweled part is swirly like the lace in my veil and in my dress.

So which one is better with all my other accesories??

Oh and I found one exactly like the second headband with a thinner ribbon... would that look better??

Pros:

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  Processional
 
 

  Introduction

On behalf of Matt and Robin, I would like to welcome you here on this special day. This is a day of celebration, and Matt and Robin are so happy to be able to share their most extraordinary day with their friends of family. By your presence, you celebrate with them the love they have discovered in each other and you support their decision to commit themselves to one another for the rest of their lives.
 

  Giving of the Bride and Groom

Who gives this woman in marriage?

Parents: We do.

 (Father kisses Bride, then sits)
 

  Recognition of Parents
Before we go on to say more about love, it is important to recognize from where love comes in our lives. Of course, someone first loved Matt and Robin. Someone cared for them as children, showed them what love, compassion, kindness, and care is. Of course we are speaking of their parents. The work of our parents is critical in preparing us to be the loving adults we are, so today, Matt and Robin want to make special recognition of their parents, for making today possible. I speak for everyone here when we say “Thank You Jim, Gail, Russ, and Vicki for beginning in Matt and

Robin something so special.

Words on Love and Marriage:

You have come here today, Matt and Robin, because you believe that by being together your lives will be better and richer than they would be apart.

In marriage a new perspective is created by the joining of your two individual views of life and the world. Marriage is a beautiful and everlasting partnership where each partner becomes stronger, wiser and more loving.

But marriage is a garden that needs to be tended every day: the benefits we receive through marriage are only achieved through dedication, understanding and thoughtful, careful attention.

If we do not make time to tell our partner how much we value what we have together, we will begin to take each other for granted and lose the very special quality that we originally united to enjoy.

As you travel through your life together, always remember that...

A good marriage must be created.
In marriage the little things are the big things.
It is never being too old to hold hands.
It is remembering to say, ”I love you" at least once a day.
It is never going to sleep angry.
It is standing together and facing the world.
It is speaking words of appreciation, and demonstrating gratitude in thoughtful ways.
It is having the capacity to forgive and forget.
It is giving each other an atmosphere in which each can grow.
It is a common search for the good and the beautiful.
It is not only marrying the right person— it is being the right partner.

  Reading #1-

Introduction-I would like to invite Peter and Meghan Vu to read a poem selected by the bride and groom.

Meghan and Peter Vu

i carry your heart with me

i carry it in my heart

i am never without it

(anywhere i go you go, my dear; and whatever is done

by only me is your doing, my darling)

i fear no fate

(for you are my fate, my sweet)

i want no world

(for beautiful you are my world, my true)

and it's you are whatever a moon has always meant

and whatever a sun will always sing is you

here is the deepest secret nobody knows

(here is the root of the root and the bud of the bud

and the sky of the sky of a tree called life; which grows

higher than the soul can hope or mind can hide)

and this is the wonder that's keeping the stars apart 

i carry your heart 

i carry it in my heart)

<!--[if !supportLists]-->·          <!--[endif]-->Exchange of Bride and Groom Promise

Matt and Robin have prepared their own promises to each other that they would like to share with each other today.

Matt goes first

Robin goes Second

  Exchange of Rings & Vows

Matt and Robin we now come to your vows. May I remind you that saying your vows is one thing, but nothing is more challenging than living them day by day. What you promise today must be renewed tomorrow, and each day that stretches out before you. Will you now please turn and face each other and hold hands.

Matt, if you wish to take Robin as your wife, then please repeat after me:

I, Matt, take you, Robin, to be my wife, my partner in life and my one true love.
I will cherish our friendship and love you today, tomorrow, and forever.
I will trust you and honor you.
I will laugh with you in joy and cry with you in sorrow.
I will love you faithfully,
Through the best and the worst,
Through sickness and health. Through plenty and in want,
Whatever may come I will always be there.
As I have given you my hand to hold
So I give you my life to keep.

Robin, if you wish to take Matt as your husband, then please repeat after me:

I, Robin, take you, Matt, to be my husband, my partner in life and my one true love.
I will cherish our friendship and love you today, tomorrow, and forever.
I will trust you and honor you.
I will laugh with you in joy and cry with you in sorrow.
I will love you faithfully,
Through the best and the worst,
Through sickness and health, Through plenty and in want,
Whatever may come I will always be there.
As I have given you my hand to hold
So I give you my life to keep.

Exchange of Rings

Do you have the rings?

The wedding ring is the outward and visible sign of an inward and spiritual bond which unites two loyal hearts in endless love. It is a seal of the vows that Matt and Robin have made to one another today.

May these rings always remind you of the vows you have taken and the promises that have been made.

Matt, please repeat after me:

Robin, I give you this ring - that you may wear it - as a sign of my commitment – to our love. I pledge you my love and respect - my laughter and my tears. With you I will walk my path – from this day forward. With this ring, I thee wed.

Robin, please repeat after me:
Matt, I give you this ring - that you may wear it - as a sign of my commitment – to our love. I pledge you my love and respect - my laughter and my tears. . With you I will walk my path – from this day forward. With this ring, I thee wed.

Engagement Ring Presentation:

Matt, please take Robin’s engagement ring. The engagement ring is a symbol of promise and intention. Now the intention is realized and the promise fulfilled. Please place the engagement ring on Robin’s finger over her wedding band to symbolize that the love that brought you together will always protect and sustain your marriage.

(Matt places engagement ring on Robin’s finger)

The expression of intent and consent

Matt, you have chosen Robin to be your wife. Will you love and respect her? Will you be honest with her always? Will you stand by her through whatever may come? (Answer: 'I will')

Robin, you have chosen Matt to be your husband.  Will you love and respect him? Will you be honest with him always? Will you stand by him through whatever may come?  (Answer: 'I will')

And do you both promise to nurture and guard to promises and vows you have made today in order that you may live in a harmonious relationship together?  (Answer: 'We do')

Blessing of the Marriage

Matt and Robin, remember to treat both yourself and each other with respect, and remind yourselves often of what brought you together.

It will take trust, to know, that in your hearts, you truly want what is best for each other.

It will take dedication, to stay open to one another—and to learn and grow together.

It will take faith, to go forward together, without knowing exactly what the future brings.

And it will take commitment, to hold true to the journey you both have pledged to today.

May the love which has brought you together continue to grow and enrich your lives.

May you meet with courage any problems which arise to challenge you.  

May your marriage be one of ever-growing depth and meaning.

May you always respect the uniqueness of each other.

May your communication always be clear and honest and may your relationship always be one of love and trust.

May the happiness you share today be with you always and may every word you have pledged here be a living truth in your lives.

Reading #2

Shannon

I would like to invite Matt’s sister, Shannon, to read a poem about the art of marriage.

ART OF MARRIAGE

A marriage must be created.
In marriage, the little things are the big things.
It is never being too old to hold hands.
It is remembering to say "I love you" at least once a day.

It is never going to sleep angry.
It is at no time taking the other for granted;
The courtship should not end with the honeymoon.
It should continue through all the years.

It is having a mutual sense of values and common objectives.
It is standing together facing the world.
It is forming a circle of love that gathers in the whole family.
It is doing things for each other, not in the attitude of duty or sacrifice,
but in the spirit of joy.

It is speaking words of appreciation and demonstrating gratitude in thoughtful ways.
It is not expecting the husband to wear a halo
or the wife to have wings of an angel.
It is not looking for perfection in each other.

It is cultivating flexibility, patience, understanding
and a sense of humor.
It is having the capacity to forgive and forget.
It is giving each other an atmosphere in which each can grow.

It is finding room for the things of the spirit.
It is a common search for the good and the beautiful.

It is establishing a relationship in which the independence is equal, dependence is mutual and the obligation is reciprocal.

It is not only marrying the right person,
it is being the right partner.

  Couple Unity Activity
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Sand Ceremony

Matt and Robin, you have just committed yourselves to one another through sacred vows. Your lives are no longer two, but one. To symbolize this joining, we ask that you and your mothers each pour some sand into this frame.

(Gail and Vicki go first, then Matt and Robin: Each pours some sand from the jars into the frame. )

Gail and Vicki as you pour your sand into the container you are symbolizing the foundation of love you built in Matt and Robin from a young age.

Matt and Robin as you pour your sand into the one container, please repeat after me:

 “As these grains of sand merge together as one,

 I merge my life with yours.

 Please take my love throughout the sands of time.

My heart is forever in your keeping.”

Matt and Robin as these grains of sand are joined together, so are your hearts, your bodies and your souls in marriage.  

  Pronouncement of Marriage
Matt and Robin... In as much as you have each pledged to each other your lifelong commitment, love and devotion, by the authority vested in me by the State of Caifornia, I now pronounce you husband and wife.

Matt, you may kiss your Bride!

After the kiss, GROOM and BRIDE turn to face their guests.

Introduction of the couple

It is my personal privilege and a great joy to be the first to introduce Matt and Robin as husband and wife.
 

  Recessional
 
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