I'm Married!!!

I can't believe the day has come and gone - it was beautiful! But if I am 100% honest, I'm glad it is over! I know, that might seem like a terrible thing to say - but the day was everything I'd hoped it would be. The family and friends that care about Patrick and I were there to support us and share in our day - it was fabulous!

I won't get into a full wedding recap now, as I'm waiting on our professional pics (which I am really excited about!) but I will give you a little insight on into some of the things that went wrong, and some of the things that went terribly right!

The Great
1. The weather.
Leading up to the wedding day there were predictions of rain and thunderstorms, but on the actual day it was blue skies and a bright sun. The weather was perfect. We couldn't have imagined better. It wasn't terribly hot (as Patrick was fearing) and it wasn't terribly cool (which I was fearing)…it was warm with a slight breeze.

2. Our family and friends.
You couldn't have wished for a better group of people. They were there when they were supposed to be, and pitched in where they saw the need. They were great! The day before our ceremony rehearsal they even braved my one (or at least I think it was my only one ;) Bridezilla moment. Here's what happened: We didn't rent tuxes or suits - we just asked our Groomsmen to wear a black, preferably 3 button suit with a white shirt. For some reason a couple of the guys purchased white SHORT-SLEEVED shirts…you would think that this wasn't a big deal, but for some reason I thought this was the end of the world…lol. I was worried that the photographer would ask the Groomsmen to take off their jackets during the pre-ceremony pics and I was terrified that two out of the 4 guys would have short sleeved shirts - a la Office Space…you know with pocket protectors and such. Anyhoo, after I had a mini freak out with my fiancé he called up the two guys and asked them to go and buy long sleeved white shirts…lol… And being the great guys that they are, they complied with this Bride's request.

3. The Rehearsal Dinner
Patrick's parents did an amazing job. We had a Mexican themed party and it was awesome! They put in so much effort and time into it (from the Mexican Wedding Cake, to the piñata to the handmade cactus)…I will post about it all shortly.

4. The Ceremony
The ceremony was absolutely lovely. We had a Catholic ceremony including a mass (when there is Eucharist). Now, some people had concern over the length of the ceremony as a result…I also think that some were worried that they would be board…well the entire ceremony lasted an hour and it went by so quickly. We were married at a Cathedral so there were tons of beautiful things to look at - it was perfect!

The Not So Great…and down right crappy

1. My Mom
She didn't come to the wedding. This was a total shocker to me. We had made very special and specific plans JUST for her to be able to attend…she has some mental health issues that she has been dealing with nearly my entire life…since I was a year and a half to be exact. I saw her at my Bridal Shower the Saturday before the wedding…all seemed to be fine. I then received a call from my sister on the following Monday night (well Patrick took the call) that she wasn't well enough to come. WTF. I was seriously depressed (and couldn't stop crying) that entire evening and for the next two days. I just couldn't believe it was happening. I would just start crying at random things. We went to the local mall on the Wednesday before to help my bridesmaid to find some undergarments for her dress…and I would just start tearing up…it was brutal. People would ask me if I was excited for the wedding and I would nearly begin crying. At that point I was not excited. Then on Wednesday night I get a call from my Mom saying that she has decided to come and will get a ride… At that point I was so numb and void of feeling, I just didn't care either way. The next day was our Rehearsal Dinner…I decided that I was going to be happy for the people that were with me. At that point it also seemed like my Mom might actually make it to the ceremony - if not to the dinner. We had a fabulous Rehearsal Dinner. The next night we went out to dinner with my Mom's side of the family (they couldn't make it to the Rehearsal due to my Granny needing dialysis). That is when I found out that my Mom wasn't coming - period. At that moment I was in shock, but I put it completely out of my mind. I mean, my Mom has missed nearly all of the important events and milestones of my life, so it almost seemed appropriate that she would miss this one too (to be fair some of those times weren't her fault…but others she could have made the effort). Anyhoo, I still don't think that I've fully dealt with her not coming. I'm sure it will hit me one day…but I'm still trying to keep those feelings on the cusp of my consciousness. It is just too sad. I foresee my future children asking me one day why there Grandma isn't in any of my wedding pictures…it's sad to say that it was because she didn't take care of herself…or didn't care enough to attend.

Okie…on to more superficial things that didn't go 100%

2. Parking at the Cathedral
When my Dad and I arrived at the Church, there didn't appear to be a large enough spot for my Dad to park in. One was supposed to be saved for us in front of the Church…my Dad was very concerned about this at the rehearsal. Anyhoo…it lead to some frustration for my Dad…and in turn my lack of patience for my Dad. I still feel badly for being short with him

3. Reserved Seating at the Church
My Aunt and her boyfriend were sitting in the front pew…the one that was supposed to be reserved for my Dad. This might have been avoided if I had made reserved signs for the front pews. I thought it was common knowledge that the front pews were reserved for parents...apparently NOT. And apparently people let them know this and even suggested they move. My Dad squeezed in anyway…but it wasn't ideal and made for a slightly awkward moment at the end of the aisle.

4. The Receiving Line
Many people are against having these. But, it was very important to my Dad. Well, this was one thing that I didn't organize very well…and quite frankly, I didn't know how to organize. So as a result we didn't end up having one. I think that this disappointed my Dad - I still feel badly about this.

5. The Cake
It was a yummy cake, but it is NOT what I had envisioned in terms of colours. Both my cake maker and my florist (although I still loved all of the other flowers she made) missed the mark on this one. It looked like it belonged at a tropical wedding…lol.

5. The Dance
I think it was kinda bunk. I don't know if it was because we self DJ'd, if it was because the bar was downstairs, or if it was because we started too late as a result of the dinner going to late.

All in all it was an AMAZING day :) Over the next little while I plan on doing vender reviews, and filling you in on all of the DIY stuff that I didn't get to write about.

If you're interested in viewing some "candid" pics received from our guests, here is a link:

www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=129926&l=17dfd&id=658325106

PS I so didn't write the last post about being "Mrs Patrick Harris"…my lovely husband did that for me…we're both keeping our mutual last names…more on that in a future post ;)