We're Married!

Wedding Recap

The events began on Friday night for the rehearsal.  It went well with a little chaos.  It can be challenging getting the attention of that many people for more than a minute or two.  We then celebrated with an incredible dinner hosted at the beautiful home of my DH's parents'.

Set-Up:  We caravan'd down to the hotel Saturday afternoon (day before wedding) with all of my DIY projects, wine, etc.  We spent the evening setting up the ceremony area (DIY fabric backdrops and Persian spread "sofreh").  A few times, I took a second to look around.  It was really an experience to remember.  Seeing our parents and siblings coming together like that for our wedding was so special.  I stayed at the hotel with my Mom and my MOH while my DH went home for the night.

The big day:  I was surprisingly calm and collected throughout the entire day.  A huge relief for me was having my DOC there.  Once she arrived I knew that I didn't have anything to worry about.  My girls and I all got ready in the suite my Mom and I had stayed in.  What seemed like a spacious suite quickly turned into a small space and a bit chaotic once my girls and "beauty team" arrived around 11am.  It was strange, almost like an ordinary day...until I opened the card(s) from my DH.  He had sent over with my BM a stack of cards.  Each one represented different parts of me and us as a couple.  The last one was a picture of a sweet elderly couple.  It clicked...we were finally getting married and building the rest of our lives together.  The emotions were huge.  Thankfully it was before my makeup had been done :) 

Pre-Ceremony Pics:  We had decided to do pics before the ceremony.  I'm so glad we did.  The "Wow" moment was still very much there.  As I came down the glass elevator I saw my DH as his back was toward me.  The anticipation was incredible.  Our BP, parents and grandparents stood close by.  The look on his face as he turned to see me will forever be in my mind.  For another 20 minutes or so, he couldn't stop repeatedly saying, with a giant smile, "Wow!"  Here's our "first look":

Ceremony (traditional Persian spread "Sofreh"):  The ceremony was breathtaking!  It felt like forever as I stood there with my Dad waiting for my DOC's que.  The BP had already gone down.  The music changed.  Our DOC pulled back the drapes for us to walk through.  Our closest family and friends looked back at me while we made our way down the aisle.  The room was gorgeous, romantic, warm and elegant.  I felt the emotions building.  Just before I lost it, I locked eyes with my DH.  He was standing there so proud with that giant smile still on his face.  The officiant was so eloquent.  He combined Persian and American traditions so beautifully.    Our guests have all mentioned how special and personal the ceremony was.  As our officiant pronounced us as "Husband and Wife," we practically did a victory dance back down the aisle.  During the cocktail hour, we took a few minutes to get a few pictures of just my DH and I before joining our guests for the remainder of the cocktail hour.  The reception was so much fun.  The food was good, the cake was delicous.  The highlight of the reception was definitely the music and dancing.  The dance floor was packed the entire night.  My DH and I hardly left the dance floor ourselves.

The new Mr. & Mrs.

The Reception:

Some of the details:

Next day "brunch":  A lot of our guests stayed the night at the hotel.  The next morning we all joined for breakfast.  It was really fun as they all cheered as we entered the restaurant :) 

Overview:  We definitely met our goals for the wedding.  We wanted an intimate ceremony and a FUN reception.  There is no way to fully explain the joy and excitement throughout the day.  I felt more close to my DH than ever before.  We lived together for some time before getting married, so we thought things wouldn't feel much different once married.  To our surprise, things have changed.  Its slight, but definitely different :)  My DH described it best as a great sense of calmness.