Wishes 10/8/11 WP/GF-- Love's First Kiss-- Trip Report Complete

[One_Song]

If you stop posting for the night right here....I may cry.

Honestly, everything has looked amazing beyond belief. Can't wait to see more!

I'm so sorry! If I had seen your post last night, I would have pressed on! I don't have much time now, but I will definitely post more after work tonight! Thank you for reading

Everything is so beautiful!! Those kids are just adorable. I can't wait to see more photos.

Side-note: did you have to pay extra for the sound guy? TIA!

Thank you! No, the sound tech comes with the pavilion. Our guy was Will, he was awesome!

My heart is in my mouth, sitting in the kitchen at work having lunch trying not to cry my eyes out!

Can't wait for the rest

If my day is half as magical as yours is turning out then I will be truely lucky xx

Oh thank you!! You are so sweet. As long as you have your DF it certainly will be!

 

[One_Song]

As I looked into the pavilion, I reflected on two thoughts.

One, this was my first view of the pavilion, and it was absolutely perfect. It was literally like stepping into my imagination. I had imagined it just like this. The flowers were delicate and beautiful, the candles were glowing, and everything was just lovely and romantic.

Two, I couldn’t believe how lucky I was. This really was part thought, part emotion. I knew that not everyone finds their true match. But for whatever reason, I had. I’ve never done anything to deserve to be so blessed, but I am. I’m so fortunate that I found Brandon before someone else did. We could have so easily not met and passed each other by. I met Brandon during a very dark time in my life; I was being harassed by a man in my neighborhood and my only roommate had abandoned me. Brandon made me happy again. Psychologically, he saved me. He really was my prince. I know he will always protect me from life’s low points. And I will always do everything I can to make him just as happy. Nothing brings me more joy than doing something nice for Brandon, even if it’s just a small thing. Anything I will do in life, I want to do it with Brandon. He is my love, my best friend, my partner, my soul mate.

I took my first steps down the aisle, and the intensity of these emotions literally made my shoulders bow down.

 

[Designer Rose]

I just had to comment and say that I absolutely love your PJ and retelling of your day. I must say, your PJ is the first one to make me tear up! I think you seem to accurately capture the mood of the moment so well, and it makes me think about how I'm going to feel on my wedding day. Thank you so much for sharing with us.

 

[MrsDuck]

Everything is so so beautiful! I cannot wait to read more!

You are such a wonderful writer, by the way. Your last post had me tearing up!

 

[One_Song]

I just had to comment and say that I absolutely love your PJ and retelling of your day. I must say, your PJ is the first one to make me tear up! I think you seem to accurately capture the mood of the moment so well, and it makes me think about how I'm going to feel on my wedding day. Thank you so much for sharing with us.

Thank you! I'm so glad that my TR is making others think about their own joy. I felt that reading other brides' TRs, now it feels like I'm part of some Disbrides ritual! Thank you for reading!

Everything is so so beautiful! I cannot wait to read more!

You are such a wonderful writer, by the way. Your last post had me tearing up!

Thank you so much, I'm very flattered. The last post was by far the easiest to write because those feelings are completely genuine. Thanks for reading!

 

[One_Song]

I was so happy to see Brandon, I walked faster than I intended to.

He looked so handsome waiting for me.

I can imagine to a stranger he doesn’t look happy in this picture. But it’s very unusual for him to look this stately; he’s normal a big goof ball. I’ve never seen him stand up so tall and straight. I hope he was standing tall because he was proud.

I stared right at Brandon, until I neared the end of the aisle. Then I wanted to see my moms.

They were crying, which made me tear up. I mouthed, “I love you” as I passed.

Reverend Day had to remind Brandon to help me up the steps. He took my right hand and guided me. He leaned over and whispered, “You look beautiful”.

We took our place in front of Reverend Day.

Aunt's camera

 

[One_Song]

Reverend Day started with a welcome and a blessing. I focused on every word; I wanted to absorb every second of the ceremony. I consider it a joyful but very serious ritual.

After the prayer, Reverend Day announced that our wedding bands would be passed among the family members, so everyone could say a little blessing on the rings. It was quiet for a few seconds, then Brandon whispered to me, “Where are the rings?”

I panicked, but two or three seconds later, Brandon said “Never mind, it’s fine.” I had given the rings to my bridesmaid/cousin at the Polynesian, and she had given them to the ring bearer’s dad to carry in his pocket. It was fine, Brandon just jumped the gun and scared me for no reason!

The rings were passed while the ceremony continued

Then my sister came up to give a reading. Reverend Jack instructed us to turn and face the podium.

She was reading two Bible passages:

Colossians 3:12-15
Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.

John 13:34
A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another.

She did a wonderful job. She has a lovely performance voice.

 

[One_Song]

Then Reverend Day gave the homily.

I am so, so glad we had Reverend Day perform our ceremony. He is just wonderful. He really does try to understand your personalities and your love story, and his service is very sincere and loving. People told me for weeks how much they enjoyed listening to him.

This is my favorite excerpt from the homily:

"When two people pledge to love and care for each other in marriage, they create a spirit unique to themselves, a spirit which binds them closer than any spoken or written words. Marriage is a promise made in the hearts of two people, which takes a lifetime to fulfill."

Then Brandon’s brother came up to give his reading. I wrote Justin’s reading as a very short story. It is something very personal to us that I wanted to incorporate into our wedding somehow. I knew I would get emotional listening to it, so I gently took Brandon’s hand in mine:

“Brandon and Michelle had only been dating for two months when Brandon graduated from college in North Carolina. Because Brandon had been accepted into law school in Ohio, and because they both felt committed to the relationship, they began to date long distance. By the time their fall classes started, living in separate states didn’t seem as easy. They both struggled with loving someone you can’t see often. One night, Michelle confessed to Brandon that she felt overwhelmed by the heartache. She said that she couldn’t sleep when she missed one person so much.

The next morning, when Michelle checked her email, she found a message from Brandon. It was a quotation from the comic Calvin & Hobbes: ‘I think we dream so we don't have to be apart so long. If we're in each other’s dreams, we can be together all the time.’

Michelle has kept the message ever since.”

 

[tinkerbell 766]

Michelle sweetie - This is such a beautiful post!!! I am just off to get a hankie

 

[DoomBuggy0922]

Michelle sweetie - This is such a beautiful post!!! I am just off to get a hankie

Can I have one, too?!?!

 

[mebbradley]

Can I have one, too?!?!

I need one too!

 

[MrsDuck]

I need one too!

Me three!!

So so beautiful!

 

[pixie921]

Wow ... I am just so moved at your photos and the way you're sharing your wedding story with all of us. It's absolutely beautiful, and I'm anxious to read more.

 

[Princess_K]

Every single thing about your wedding has been absolutely beautiful so far. Thank you for sharing your story with us. I feel like I was right there with you!

 

[LittleKittyMarie]

That story is so moving, I'm getting tears too. Beautiful ceremony so far!

 

[One_Song]

Michelle sweetie - This is such a beautiful post!!! I am just off to get a hankie

Can I have one, too?!?!

I need one too!

Me three!!

So so beautiful!

Thank you ladies! I actually kept a little tissue with me during the ceremony-- just in case!!

Wow ... I am just so moved at your photos and the way you're sharing your wedding story with all of us. It's absolutely beautiful, and I'm anxious to read more.

Thank you! Regina captured our day so beautifully, the pictures have really helped me remember some of the little moments. Thanks for reading!

Every single thing about your wedding has been absolutely beautiful so far. Thank you for sharing your story with us. I feel like I was right there with you!

Oh my goodness, you are so sweet, thank you! I am happy to share, I love to reflect on our trip.

That story is so moving, I'm getting tears too. Beautiful ceremony so far!

That email got me through many a rough day. Anytime that I was missing Brandon terribly, I would open it and read it again. I would love to hunt down a copy of it in print and give it to Brandon as a gift. Thank you for reading!

 

[One_Song]

Then Reverend Day told me to hand my bouquet to my MOH. He told Brandon and I to face each other, take each other’s hands, and “hold on tight”.

Reverend Day read us traditional vows.

“Do you take this woman/man to be your wife/husband, to live together in holy matrimony, to love him, to honor him, to comfort him, and to keep him, forsaking all others, for as long as you both shall live?”

Mine barely came out, it was just a squeak. I thought I would be crying during the ceremony, but I didn’t really. A little teary here and there. Mostly I felt overcome with happiness.

Next Reverend Day asked our family and friends if they would vow to nurture and support our marriage. They all responded “We will”.

 

[One_Song]

In some of the pictures it looks like Im laughing. Nothing funny happenedI was just smiling so widely that it sort of broke into a laugh.

Then we repeated the traditional to have and to hold vows. I told Jack Day that I wanted to both these and the I dos, so we just did both! We said our vows very sincerely.

I Brandon , take you Michelle, to be my lawfully wedded wife. To have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, all the days of my life.

Next we exchanged rings.

Brandon struggled a bit to get my band over my knuckle, and Reverend Day whispered Dont you break my brides finger. It made both of us laugh.

I had an easier time with his. I covered his hands with mine while I repeated the ring vow.

Brandon, with this ring, I give you my heart. I give you my promise to share every smile, every tear, and every dream I have with you. I give you all that I am and all that I will be from this moment on. There is no greater gift I can give.

 

[OregonMickeyLover]

Michelle-I have been reading your journal for a few months now, but have never posted as I am not a bride, but I wanted to post tonight for a few reasons. Your wedding, from what I have seen so far, was absolutely beautiful and romantic. What a nice job you did with all of the little details (and the big!) and you created a day that you will treasure forever. I also wanted to post tonight because everyday I visit the boards, and the first thing I do is check and see if you have given us an update (I promise I'm not stalking you ) I have been married 13 years to a wonderful man who I can't believe I was blessed enough to find, much like you. Your writing about your special day has brought me back to those very same moments from our wedding, and I have even brought out our wedding album to show our daughter. Thank you for sharing with us! It has been a good time of reflection for me and I am thankful for that So, enough of my sappy talk! Ever since you mentioned having the wishing well at your wedding, I have waited, and even re-read, to see if you decided to have it. I know it was expensive, but now that I see your actual wedding, I am imagining how beautiful that would be. Just wondering! Anyways, thanks again, and it is very obvious how much you love one another.

Have a wonderful first Christmas as husband and wife I'll be anxiously waiting for more!

 

[TabZ]

I really have to stop reading your updates at work!

I'm so moved by your story telling and your amazing day, and I might have to steal your ring vows, that is exactly what I want to say to my DF on our wedding day, I hope you don't mind!