Whew! We’re finally starting to recover from the wedding festivities that began a week ago! And, the whole weekend was ABSOLUTELY perfect – SO MUCH FUN! I’m currently printing out some pictures of the wedding to fill up the ten million picture frames we have and the Hubby is still sleeping! Anyways, I just wanted to recap our weekend for y’all…
Thursday
My dad came into town to help run errands (Sprouts, Costco, etc.) and help me finish last minute details. So grateful for his help with EVERYTHING!!
Friday
Picked up Natalie at 9:45 in San Diego (her birthday!) then started the trek up to Los Angeles where we picked up a few of my former students (Donnie and Kendrick) before heading to LAX to pick up Erin from Montana! Then began the journey from you know where (considering we were driving in LA on a Friday afternoon). 3 1/2 hours later, we arrived back to San Diego where my Little Sis, Alisha had arrived from Texas.
Got stuff together and then headed to Horizon Park Chapel (my church) where Gabe and Joanna so graciously opened up the cafe and we had an ‘Open Mic Night’ which turned out absolutely fabulous! People shared stories, sang songs, laughed, and even cried a little bit. Fun to get to spend time with the people we love before all the craziness of the wedding!
Saturday
After staying up til 2:30am finishing almost everything I needed to finish, it was nice to sleep in a little bit. We had a beach day on Saturday out at Mission Beach and people joined us for sandwiches, drinks, relaxation, and some games! It was an absolutely perfect beach day and we couldn’t have ordered better weather!
We loaded up and Josiah and I had Saturday night set aside for time with family. We met his Dad and Mari for dinner at Outback and then walked the mall where we were entertained by Josiah riding the mechanical bull and him and his dad going in these giant bubbles. Hilarious! We were supposed to meet my dad’s family at the hotel for some games, but things tend to take a little bit longer than expected. Mom and Jim met us there and then we decided to head to Seaport Village to meet up with the Haskin/Erickson/Ortiz clan where they were enjoying a 9pm dinner! Had some dessert and wine and got some time to mingle 🙂
Sunday
We hosted a pool party at Casa Camden where people got to come and enjoy the fabulous weather once again! Sam hooked us up and grilled all the burgers and we all enjoyed them! Had a great time hanging out with family and friends!
At 4pm, Rehearsal Dinner was supposed to begin….however, the place we were going to have it was full of two other families – one of which was about to host a DJ’s concert and another of which had three jump houses set up. Not the most relaxing or enjoyable of settings when we’re trying to give speeches and such. Quick thinking to the rescue! I ended up running to the deli down the street that was closing in 8 minutes. The employee allowed me to make a quick phone call to the owner where we were able to secure the use of his amazing patio for Rehearsal Dinner! This worked out absolutely perfect because we were able to do actual Rehearsal in the place we were getting married! The entire evening worked out just perfect – with 70 people in attendance!! Sunday night was full of girls and games at Casa Camden!
Monday
The day began with a massage for me and my mom from Mistie! A great way to start a wedding day, if I do say so myself! After getting massages, I made breakfast for the girls (or so I thought, most of them were so busy running around taking care of everything it ended up being a breakfast to go!). My morning was so relaxing. I felt a little strange just hanging out on my wedding day, but I was so calm and I was constantly reminded how this day was all about Jesus. After clean up, I went to join my mom and sister to get my make-up done and my new friend Tara came with to take pictures! Afterwards, it was off to the hair place! Sure, pictures were supposed to start at 2pm, but hair wasn’t even done by then! Haha! I guess many pictures can’t be taken without me that day anyway! Sister and I showed up fashionably late and got dressed. The room was full of music, perfume, make up, girls, mirrors, and LOVE! Beyond what I ever could have imagined (I’m smiling just thinking about it)…
After getting ready, we did round one of photos with myself and family and such. Afterwards, I went into hiding so Josiah could take some pictures as well. Then, it was time! I’m kinda bummed I missed part of my wedding (the part where everyone enters – the groomsmen, my groom, pastor, bridesmaids, and flowergirls…but from what I hear, it was all really cute). My mom, dad, and I pulled up in a 1951 Rolls Royce (a surprise for my man) where they walked me down the aisle. I then had my Flower Friends create my bouquet and then we had a great ceremony. Lots of laughter, lots of affection, lots of words of wisdom. And sealed with a kiss and lots of cheers!!
Picture time afterwards and then it was time for the PARTY! The reception was absolutely wonderful. The food was delicious, the decorations were perfect, the ambiance was incredible, the dancing was fun and all the traditional things were great. It probably could have lasted another hour everyone was having so much fun, but it was time for us to go! My husband enlisted the help of some friends to set up a hotel room for us and it was off to the Dana we went! It was an incredible day all together. I’m not one to have pictured and dreamed about my wedding day my whole life…but I cannot imagine it any better than it was. Seriously. I stand in awe…
We had people from all over: Conneticut, Montana, Texas, Michigan, Northern Cali, SoCal, Arizona, New York, Florida, etc.
We felt so incredibly loved and blessed. Words can’t quite describe (although I attempted here)…
A quote that resonates (from This Momentary Marriage by Piper)
“Welcome one another…for the glory of God. That is God’s word for your marriage. Thank him for it; thank him for leading you thus far; ask him to establish your marriage, to confirm it, sanctify it, and preserve it. So your marriage will be for the praise of his glory.”
The question that remains….
How clear and well-focused is the portrait of Jesus that our marriage is displaying?
Kar's Korner....time for reflection, venting, and fun! 