Yvan and I were married on April 25, 2009. It was a bmpy ride, but overall a really great day :)

The day started out beautiful and hot and sunny. The bridesmaids, my mom, and I had a huge breakfast around 9:00. We all set out for the hair and makeup place at 10:45. Hair and makeup lasted until 1:30. We came back to my mom's place for lunch. The photographer arrived early and we had to scramble to get into our dresses. We did maybe an hour and a half of pictures with my family, the girls, and me alone.

MOH doing up my dress

BM fixing MOH's dress...it slipped a stitch right at the top!

Me in my dress, with BM bouquets.

Me with (L to R): Junior bridesmaid (cousin, Veronica), Bridesmaid (cousin, Emily) and MOH (BFF, Kaitlyn)

Mom and me, and (L to R) my brother Kyle, me, mom, and step-dad Floyd.

Some pictures in my mom's backyard on her fountain, and in front of their house, and one of the guys in front of our venue. 

After the photographer left we had about 45 minutes to kill. The wind picked up and it got blacker and blacker outside. As soon as we were all in the cars and on our way, it started pouring. This is my "grand entrance" into the hall:

The power was out on the whole street. I burst into tears. I was reassured by both my dad and step-dad, my MOH and my BM, that everything would be fine. My dad explained the situation to me: food was still being cooked on gas ranges, and a generator was on its way to operate the music. The bad news: no lights, just candlelight, and I couldn't do my romantic walk down the stairs because it was too dangerous.

Essentially, I'm still not okay about it. I didn't get my moment - that moment where he first sees you all pretty - because honestly it was too dark for him to see me. Also, no walking down the stairs, no twinkling light backdrop...AND the stupid DJ got my walking down the aisle song wrong and just kept playing the BM one. Then of course, despite promises at the rehearsal, my dad stepped on my damn dress. But the ceremony was wonderful anyway, and the sky gradually lightened as it progressed. Both my mom and the minister had those tiny LED flashlights for the readings and signing the registry, and actually it was a little bit funny. Our minister was perfect. Despite the dark, here are the ceremony pics:

After the ceremony, we were scheduled to go to a nearby park. Not happening, with the constant threat of rain and muddy ground. So we stayed at the Inn, doing our best to keep everyone dry and still get everyone in the shot.

L to R: Dad, step-mom, and brother with us; Nanna and Grandpa (mom's side) with us; Yvan's brother, sister, son and mother with us.

Mom and Dad with me; Opa (dad's side) and his "lady friend" Lilli with us. 

After all the family shots, Yvan and I did some with the bridal party:

Then alone (including everyone's favourite: a picture with out generator).

Then we did our "grand entrance" and had appetizers and cocktails; boy did I need a drink by then. It was even lighter still outside so we could see what was going on. The photographer wanted to take advantage of the light, and we did a fake first dance and a fake cake cutting. Just as we went to "cut" the cake, the power came back on, which elicited cheers from the guests and an internal sigh of relief from me.

Dinner was served, and people could see what they were eating! The food was fabulous but there was way too much of it, and I could barely eat anyway. The speeches were short and sweet, and Yvan's was incredble. He talked about things he remembered from us dating like what I was wearing for our first date and the name of the hotel we stayed in on our first trip and things like that. I screwed up the dancing - we didn't take lessons - but it was funny and Yvan is a good dancer so he just led me around. My dad is NOT a good dancer so I cut that one short :) Then the party was in full swing and everyone was having a great time.

People left a lot earlier than I thought. I don't know if it's just because it's an older crowd, or if it was because the DJs were so awful (review to come), but not a lot of people stayed past the cake cutting at 10:30. We were all ready to go, with just my mom and a few friends hanging around, by 12:00, but I was actually grateful because I needed to go to bed!

Yvan and I drove to a hotel in our town (getting stopped by a RIDE program on the way) and we were asleep in an hour.

Because I am a planner, and because I have a small house and limited resources, and because time will become a factor as soon as my classes are in full swing and work gets busy again, I am already planning our Christmas Party.

This will be done with the help of PW girls, mostly DIY, and an eye on keeping it budget-friendly. I intend to invite about 75 people, which is the same as my wedding! It will be open-house style, so no sit-down meal required! Just a lot of finger foods, dessert and wine.

The invites:

Postcard style, ordered from Vistaprint.

The colour scheme:

Like the invites, I will be focusing mainly on blue and gold, but the blue will be more royal because it's easier to find and I have a table cloth that colour :) I will also be adding in the white and forest green. But no red unless absolutely necessary. I've had enough of red decorations.

The date:

Saturday, December 5. This seems early but really, I want people to come and people have so many commitments around Christmas, this made the most sense.

The good deed:

In lieu of hostess gifts, I have asked the guests (as an optional thing) to bring new, unwrapped toys for the Christmas Wish Foundation.

The food:

I will be doing an appetizer buffet as the "main course", with many finger foods, such as:

• Spinach dip and pumpernickel loaf
• Meatballs
• Shrimp ring(s)
• Mini quiche
• Chicken skewers
• Bruschetta
• Spring rolls/egg rolls
• Stuffed mushrooms
• Cheese sticks
• Mini pizzas
• And more

For desserts, same idea:

• Mini cheesecakes
• Squares
• Brownies
• Rice Krispie treats
• Macaroons
• And more

I hope to make as much in advance as I can, and freeze it, to be thawed the week of or cooked that day accordingly.

The decor:

I am going to move all the furniture off my main floor and instead put about 6 bar-height cocktail tables around with a tray of food on each. Then I will have one banquet table in the kitchen for drinks and desserts, and I'm going to cover up the sink area on my kitchen counters (like with a cutting board, then covered with a table cloth) for more counter space for food and bar. I will scatter a few chairs but essentially I think people should be standing the majority of the time as it's an open house.

There won't be room for a Christmas tree, but I'm going to put up green garlands with white lights around the windows and up the stairs. The tables will all have either blue or gold linens, and I plan to have a few hurricane vases filled with blue and gold Christmas ornaments on the main table. We will have a mini tree on the stairwell landing for people to put their Christmas Wish present donations.

The favours:

The cocoa cones found here: http://futuremrsp.googlepages.com/cocoaconediy

So far: Ordered cone-shaped favour bags from Bonbons Connexion Candy. Prepared 50 bags with hot chocolate, twist ties, and put inside second bag. I will wait another month or so to complete them so the marshmallows don't go stale.

To-Do List:

For September:

• Begin guest list, including looking up all mailing addresses
• Begin addressing invites
• Look up rental companies in my city to rent bar-height cocktail tables, one large banquet table, and any necessary chairs or linens
• Pick up supplies (napkins, paper plates, etc.) when I see them at a good price
• Make an excel file detailing all spending, guests, to-do lists, etc. modelled on wedding spreadsheet
• Find some inspiration photos for decorations
• Paint main floor rooms (may go into October)
• Confirm baking weekend with cousin to make cheesecakes and squares for freezer (in late October or November) set for November 13-14
• Begin working on favours

For October:

• Begin baking and freezing food/desserts

Why I need PW:

You guys are amazing at finding inspiration, giving great tips, checking for great deals, and helping keep us control-freak planners sane. I hope you all have as much fun helping me plan this as you did my wedding!

Yvan and I booked a trip last year to Las Vegas, from Feb. 17-21. I had never been to Vegas (and to be honest was only old enough to go six months before the trip) and the family day long weekend provided the perfect opportunity.

The first two days there were great. It was warm but not hot, and we gambled, played Bingo, drank free drinks, and even went to the Hoover Dam. Yvan also taught me the basics of Roulette, which was Yvan's favourite casino game, and is mine as well now.

On Feb. 19 we had tickets to see a magic show. We also planned a visit to the Stratosphere tower on the strip before the show started. We got to the tower, and had to go through a security checkpoint. We were made to empty our pockets and walk through a metal detector before we could go up. Yvan seemed to be taking a long time, but he insisted I go ahead and he'd meet me at the escalator. He would explain later: "I had the ring in my pocket, waiting for the right moment, and they were making me empty my pockets. I didn't want Sarah to see the ring yet!"

After the Stratosphere we went to the magic show, where fortunately I was spared the humiliation of going on stage. We discussed afterwards that it was probably because I had no pockets and a watch with a clasp, because the trick he did involved removing the woman's watch and putting it in her pocket.

After the magic show, we went walking along the strip. We stopped in front of the Bellagio hotel to see the famous fountains. There was music ("Kiss Me" by Sixpence None the Richer) and lights and it was just perfect. Afterward, I asked Yvan for a penny to make a wish, and he threw one in too. We were standing very close, and I could feel him fumbling around in his pocket. I said, "what are you doing?" and he said, "I want to make another wish." He pulled out the ring, got down on one knee, and said, "I wish that you'll marry me." Of course I said yes, and we were both crying (he'll deny it) and then we kissed and hugged for a long time.

DONE:

• Bathroom baskets
• I <3 U decorations
• Guest book
• Card box
• Favours
• Wrap Bridesmaid gifts
• Lawn signs (designed it, but printed by VistaPrint)
• Announcements (also by VistaPrint)
• Rehearsal dinner invites (you guessed it, Vistaprint)
• Memory Vase (engraved it myself with an engraving pen)
• Skittles vodka BM favours (no pics yet)
• Decorate cake servers
• Disposable cameras
• Haiku cards (also by Vistaprint)
• Camera labels for disposable cameras (finally)
• Wallet size e-pics for TY cards and announcements

Cameras before and after:

TO POST PICS OF

• Camera basket
• Seating chart

I paid for all the hair and makeup for the day, but I wanted to add something special for my girls.

So for my MOH, I got her a nice heart-shaped jewelry box with her name engraved on it. I also threw in some monogram notecards from the Michael's $1 bin.

BM and junior BM are getting some nice watches I found, and monogram notecards as well.

Groomsmen and junior groomsman are getting these lighters/USB keys from www.thinkgeek.com. FI had them engraved with each GM's name and the wedding date.

My e-ring is a blue diamond in the middle with regular diamond on either side, in a white gold setting.

My band is white gold with ten diamonds. For anyone who is superstitious, yes, that means I have 13 diamonds total. Oh well! The wedding band is engraved Y&S 2009 on the inside:

Here is FI's ring, a 4mm tungsten carbide band from www.titaniumkay.com. It was a steal at $50 USD, and they can engrave it once you've tried it on and sent it back:

My first bridal shower, hosted by my BM/cousin and her mom (my aunt) was March 28.

This is the cake my cousin made. It was amazing.

One of my presents, which I took a pic of because it was so pretty.

Me in my bow hat (pics above, MOH Kaitlyn on right and cousin/BM Emily on left)

The shower had a tea party theme so we had a few different kinds of tea, chocolate and regular scones, little sandwiches, etc. It was a fairly small shower (8 people) and we didn't play any games but it was still a lot of fun.

So my bachelorette party was planned by my MOH Kaitlyn and our friend Shilo. We all met at Kaitlyn's apartment beforehand for pre-drinking, cake and snacks, then we went to one of the nightclubs in our city. The theme was "Fling Before The Ring".

The window decorations...left side says Fling Before the Ring and the right side is definitely a penis.

My cake! Half was vanilla cake, and the other half was chocolate.

Shots with the girls...here you can see my "Fling Before the Ring" shirt that they made me.

This is what was on the BACK of my shirt :)

One of the games we played was try and construct a realistic pee-pee out of clay.

Mine kept flopping over...that's why I look so sad.

Backseat shot on the way to the bar...

(Almost) the whole group at the bar...poor Patricia got cut off when I took the picture.

Kaitlyn and Shilo...love Shilo's face.

There are no pics of it yet, but I also had a "Two Bucks a Suck" T-shirt. I made about $25 selling lifesavers off myself. I had a great time!

Processional – “Canon in D” - The O'Neill Brothers version

                                “Once Upon a Time...Storybook Love” from the Princess Bride

Please stand as the bride and her father walk down the aisle

Welcome and Purpose

This is a very special day for us all – for Yvan and Sarah; for their families, and for us who are their friends, because we have been invited and welcomed to share the joy they find in being together.

Affirmation and Invitation (to Yvan and Sarah)

Today we recognize and celebrate your relationship together. It is one that already is, and your marriage affirms that your lives are more complete together and hold greater possibilities than they would if you were apart. And it is more than just a partnership, because in marrying each other, you express your faith in the mystery and power of your love for one another; and in this actual celebration, you bear witness to the Spirit of Creation that brings your love to life.

Readings

I Corinthians 13: 1-7

If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.

If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.

If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.

It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.

Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.

It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

The Art of Marriage by W. Peterson (excerpt)

Happiness in marriage is not something that just happens.

A good marriage must be created.

In the Art of 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 every day.

It is never going to sleep angry.

It is at no time taking the other for granted; the courtship should not end with this day, 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 looking for perfection in each other.

It is cultivating flexibility, patience, understanding, and a sense of humour.

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

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

Address

Prayer

Spirit of God, we pray for Yvan and Sarah in their life together. We pray that the demands of their tomorrows will bring them closer; that their future will be rich in times of excitement and serenity alike; that their marriage will be vital and alive with challenges that lift their spirits. We pray their home may be a place of peace where they can laugh and cry together, and where their love for one another will mature and so be a source of encouragement and hope for all the lives they touch. This we pray in faithfulness together. Amen.

Declaration and Vows

Yvan and Sarah, you have made known that you wish to marry each other, and no one has shown any valid reason why you may not. If either of you know any reason why you may not lawfully be married, now is the time to declare it. (silence, I hope)

Yvan, do you take Sarah to be your wife?

Yvan: I do.

Then repeat after me:

I, Yvan, take you, Sarah, to be my wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse; for richer, for poorer; in sickness and in health; in joy and in sorrow; to love and to cherish and to be faithful to you alone, as long as we both shall live.

Sarah, do you take Yvan to be your husband?

Sarah: I do.

Then repeat after me:

I Sarah, take you, Yvan, to be my husband to have and to hold from this day  forward, for better, for worse; for richer, for poorer; in sickness and in health; in joy and in sorrow; to love and to cherish and to be faithful to you alone, as long as we both shall live.

Do you, the families and friends of Yvan and Sarah, give them your blessing, and promise to support and honour them in their marriage?

ALL:  We do.

Exchange of Rings

Jim says something here like “May we have the rings?”? Also we will probably have to repeat this part after him because I don’t think I’ll be able to memorize it

Yvan: Sarah, I give you this ring as a sign of the promise we have made this day. With all that I am, and all that I have, I honour you.

Sarah: Yvan, I give you this ring as a sign of the promise we have made this day. With all that I am, and all that I have, I honour you.

Blessing

May there be truth and understanding between you.

May you enjoy length of days, fulfillment of hopes,

        and peace and contentment of mind.

And may the Spirit of God bless you and keep you forever.

This is our prayer for you.

Yvan, you may now kiss the bride.

Declaration of Marriage

Yvan and Sarah have made this solemn covenant of marriage in the spirit of God’s love, and in the presence of all of us. They have confirmed their marriage by joining hands, exchanging rings, and by giving and receiving a kiss. Therefore I declare them to be husband and wife.

Signing of the Documents – “Signed, Sealed, Delivered” Stevie Wonder

Signs of Affirmation

And now may I introduce, for the first time, Mr. and Mrs. Yvan and Sarah Rodrigues.

Recessional: “Kiss Me” - Sixpence None the Richer

I'll admit it, I used the song 'Kokomo' to pick a honeymoon location...

1. Aruba: too expensive
2. Jamaica: but where?
3. Bermuda: too expensive
4. Bahamas: too vague
5. Key Largo: not exotic enough
6. Montego: hey, that's in Jamaica...

Montego Bay it is!

We are staying at an adults-only resort just outside of Montego Bay; it's actually technically in a place called Runaway bay.

This was our room:

View from the front door:

Swimming in the pool:

Fishing off the pier at the resort (we caught nothing!):

Around town:

Our excursion to the White River, for tubing and ziplining:

Our excursion to Dolphin Cove (sadly the camera died so there are no shots of me kissing a dolphin; also please forgive my ugliness as it was VERY hot):

Our climb of the Dunn's River Falls (it was raining so that's why I'm in a poncho, LOL):

We didn't leave until about two weeks after the wedding, because of work, but I'm actually glad, because we had time to relax and pack beforehand.