Saturday morning, I woke up feeling a little tired but so excited. I was getting married! The day was here. All the planning and stressing was finally going to pay off. I called my mom up to my room to bring me some toothpaste and started to get ready. We had to be at hair and makeup by 10. I went to get Katie and Kristin and quickly realized something was a little off with Katie. She looked pale and sick. I thought she was hungover but that wasn't it. She threw up a couple of times at the hair salon. Then Erin and the girls got there and Allison had a tummy ache. Erin got her hair done and left with the girls so Allison could lay down and Jordyn could take a nap. Then we got a text that Allison threw up. So my matron of honor and my flower girl were puking. They caught some stupid stomach bug on my wedding day! I felt so bad for them :(
Everyone got their hair and makeup done, Katie threw up on our drive to TCC, and Kristin stepped in to help me get the place ready. Thank goodness we had a wonderful room to use that had a couch so Katie could sleep. And later the flower girls took naps, too. My aunt and cousin picked up our flowers so they were already out when I got there and they were absolutely gorgeous! Sam's knocked it out of the park when it came to flowers!! Sheri was setting up the slideshow, my mom and Anne were helping with final touches and Kristin and I were making trips back and forth from the bridal room to the ballroom putting out signs and other decorations. We ordered lunch and then the photographer arrived. It had been such a normal, non-stressful day (except for the puking) and now it was time to get ready. I steamed my dress and veil one last time. The girls were touching up hair and makeup, Erin was doing the flower girls hair. At 4:30, it was time to see Kyle. It was cold outside and barely drizzling and he had to wait under a tree for me to come out. I was all dolled up: hair, makeup, beautiful wedding dress, purple shoes, and carrying my bouquet. The photographer told me not to look at him and walk up behind Kyle and get his attention however I wanted. I walked up behind him, stopped and said "Are you ready?" And then he turned around. He looked so handsome in his new suit and tie. He smiled and immediately hugged me and kissed me. Even though I think we weren't supposed to kiss until we were married but I don't care. After our first look, I saw my dad back inside. He teared up when he saw me. I was kind of gliding around, like I was in a fairy tale. I went back to the bridal room where Katie was awake and looking and feeling much better but Allison wasn't doing so well. I fed her a couple of bites of chicken noodle soup and hoped she would perk up.
Due to the cold weather, I feel like we didn't take nearly enough posed pictures. I realized late that night that I never took any pictures alone. The bridesmaid pictures were so hurried and rushed outside. I'm sure we got tons and tons of great pics, I just felt so rushed and kind of like I was in a fog.
We got to sit down and rest for a few minutes and then my brother walked in and said "its go time!" I wasn't nearly as nervous as I thought I would be. Elaina gave me a kiss, Katie told me she loved me and then it was time to walk out and get ready to start the ceremony!
I purposely tried not to get all hyped up because I didn't want to cry. Somehow I managed to not cry one time the entire wedding weekend! I was shocked.
We were all lined up, it was cold and I told Jordy to run down the aisle if she needed to. Bryan was waiting on the front row with blankets. Henry looked so adorable in his tux and purple tie. He did great and everyone was loving him standing in them middle of the aisle just looking at everyone! Now it was time for me and Dad to walk out. I don't remember being cold, I don't remember being nervous. I don't remember the music. But I remember the moment. I walked down the stairs and then looked up and saw all our friends. Smiling at us, taking pictures and waving. I was waving to people, saying hi, smiling, soaking up the moment. I was walking too fast because I wanted to get to Kyle. He looked so sweet waiting for me. I got to the front, and my legs were shaking. I moved them around a little under my big skirt, hoping no one would see. Steve opened with prayer, and then my dad gave me away to Kyle. We said "I do" and then our vows. We put our rings on and we kissed. We held hands and looked at each other. And I never cried. I chose not to look at anyone, my mom, brother, etc because I knew I would cry if I did that. I remember the wind blowing my veil over my right shoulder. It probably will look pretty in pictures. I remember a siren going off in the background. I remember feeling so happy. The ceremony was short. Which was good because my bridesmaids were freezing & someone told me their flowers were shaking in their hands. Then we were announced as husband and wife. I grabbed my bouquet, held it up in air, faced the cheering crowd and we walked back down the aisle. It was somewhat surreal. We took quick family pictures outside. I almost signed my maiden name on the marriage license! We waited in our little area, waiting to be announced. Except we couldn't find Emily. She was already sitting at a table in the reception. The DJ started announcing us, and we grabbed hands and walked out to bright lights, cheering and clapping!
Then the fun started. We danced, we ate (well, I didn't eat), we drank, we sang. Poor Allison was still sick and she slept in the bridal room most of the night. She did get one dance with her Uncle Kyle though. Lauren was so grown up all night, right by my side. Jordyn was hilarious. She probably had the most fun at the wedding. She was literally running around the dance floor and through the tables. She also danced really hard. She danced with Henry some, she danced alone. The girl got her dance on. Lauren eventually fell asleep with a handful of glow sticks in her hands.
The toasts were perfect. I can't wait to see the video so I can relive all of it! My dress stayed on, never having to tug on it once. Kyle looked dapper in his suit and vest. I drank out of any water glass I could get my hands on. The cake was delicious, the 2 bites I got. My friends did the worm on the dance floor.
I know this seems choppy, but I decided to type things as I remember them. And that is exactly how I remember them, in pieces.
So today, I have been married for one week. I still love looking at Kyle and seeing a ring on his finger. I love hearing him say "my wife". I love getting packages addressed to "Heather Gatewood". I just love it all.
