Wedding Pictures

Dearest Readers,

Again, please excuse yet another long pause in our posts! But we got something exciting last Saturday, our wedding pictures! We just got the disk, and haven't made any prints. But here are some pictures as promised, enjoy!

DJ's Wedding Day Story

I remember our wedding day like it was yesterday. And it started off horrible for me. I could not catch an hour of sleep to save my life the night before, so I was more than exhausted due to my lack of sleep and also an increase in nervousness and excitement.
I remember as I was getting ready at about 5 AM that I noticed water on the floor of my bathroom. Which alone sounds very odd and out of place for such a story. But I remember looking at it, and being very puzzled as to why it was there. I came to the realization that the bottom of my toilet bowl was leaking. Out of any day, hour, or moment, it picked my wedding day.
So to start the day I pulled out the tools I received as a birthday gift from Tay's dad, and began the process of trying to fix the leak. It didn't work, out of severe lack of sleep I just shut it off and decided to deal with after the honeymoon. Again, may seem out of place for this story. But it was a sign to me that today was a day where I had to choose to not let the little things get in my way of being happy. 

After the morning incident I finished packing and getting everything together. Multiple times. I feared forgetting something, and today was a day I knew I couldn't forget anything. The time finally came, and I got in the car and drove up to Salt lake to pick up my clothes from Taylor's house.
I wasn't allowed to see my bride before we were sealed together. So as I arrived to Taylor's house I was greeted by Rhiannon, who handed me my things and sent me on my way.
This led to me deciding to try and find a store or somewhere where I could change. I couldn't really think of any seeing as I am still somewhat new to the area of Sandy. So I ended up taking the strangest route to the Salt Lake temple I could ever imagine. In fact I could not redo the route I took if I tried.
Anyways, I finally got to the temple and decided to park below the Joseph Smith Memorial Building where our Luncheon was to be held after the wedding. I then got my things together and made my way for the temple entrance. Come to find out (and this is a great lesson for all of you non married men) Girls take a very long time to get ready. And the words "on time" actually means "when I show up".
I waited, and waited, and then called to no avail. Finally my bride arrived and we checked in. We were really doing this, we were about to be married. After my nerves had calmed that was I was being left by a runaway bride (crazy thoughts happen as you wait, and wait, and wait.)
We were escorted into the temple where we were happily married. It's not appropriate to mention the sacredness of the temple ceremonies, but just know, it went great. And yes, I did screw up the kiss your bride part (story for another day). 

After the wedding was over we did the ritual of taking pictures. I am not one who finds enjoyment in picture taking. But as I learned that very morning, I had to choose to not let the little things get in my way. So I forced myself in finding some enjoyment, and it actually turned out to be not nearly as bad as I thought. Although, the same can not be said for my bride Taylor, (who had shoe & dress malfunctions)

The picture time came and eventually went.
And it was time that I had been most nervous about, the luncheon. The luncheon was a thorn in my side for a very long time to get set up just right. And I had feared of how it would turn out. There was the issue of the food, where people would be sitting, and oh yeah, I was the center of attention on the head table. The food and people turned out to be just fine with no issues to speak of.

Now if you don't know who I am. This next part will mean nothing to you, but I found to courage within me (just like my drive here, I have no idea how I found it) and I stood up to give my wedding speech, and I was more shocked that I was making words that made sense, let alone that they were still coming out in English due to my heightened nervousness. I got out what needed to be said, and then sat down. 

I did it with a smile on my face and I somehow lived to tell the tale. 

The night moved forward and the reception time arrived. It was a standard little reception, but it was very much the best I could of imagined it. The receiving line was not as bad as predicted. And the food that was served was divine. But my worst fear was before me, dancing.
I. Don't. Dance. Period. But somehow, I managed to find a way to dance that didn't result in a broken toe or needing to have a hip replacement.
 Maybe it was the fact I was exhausted for the long day, maybe it was the fact that I was being watched by many, many people. Or maybe (and I think its this one) it is because I was able to stare in to the eyes of my beautiful wife, and I knew the little things like dancing didn't matter, and I just let go of all my fear, and I danced, and have an amazing time.

The reception wrapped up pretty soon after I smeared my wife with cake. And I mean smeared ( I still am finding pieces in her hair). And we left with a bang through a line of sparklers into a recently vandalized car. Off to enjoy the sights of Southern California. 

My wedding day was not even close to being the biggest, the loudest, or the most expensive. But I got more out of it than I deserved. I got a bunch of great new family members, amazing wedding gifts, and most important, a beautiful wife who loves me for who I am.

Taylor's Wedding Day Story

Dearest readers,
Every "Happily Ever After" has a beginning...
And ours officially started on May 19, 2012 when we were married in the Salt Lake City Temple forever & always. It was a beautiful, perfect day. But it went by so fast, we decided we wanted to make a post about it so we could always remember our beginning, especially the little details.
So, as always, ladies first....
The night before the wedding, I had been sent to bed early by my bridesmaids, but I was having a hard time sleeping. So I watched Chandler & Monica's Wedding from the TV show FRIENDS, which is a show that DJ and I both love and watch together.
I finally fell asleep, and before I knew it, it was clear blue outside, and the sun plus birds chirpping outside my window woke me up.
I jumped out of bed and ran upstairs screaming "It's my wedding day!" To noone in particular. I had some cereal with my little brother, and then my good friend Ashley arrived to do my makeup. 1 hour, 4 shades of eyeshadow, and 2 different waterproof mascaras later: I was finished. Ashley left to go help the other bridesmaids with their makeup, and my mom did my hair (half up with a braid across the top).
I changed into my church clothes (Black skirt, white lacy top.. pretty simple!) and then my best friend, Rhiannon, came to pick my mom & I up for the temple. I grabbed my temple bag and dresses, and headed out the door.
The drive to the temple with my best friend and mom was a wonderful one. We talked and laughed, and it certainly calmed my nerves. We found a parking spot, and went inside the temple. I can't go into detail about the temple (as it is sacred) but I will say that there is nothing to compare it with. It was beautiful. Kneeling across the alter from DJ I felt at home, and at peace like never before.
Meeting DJ after I had changed into my dress and before we made our "grand exit" was like a scene from a romantic movie. I peered around the corner, and there he was. I approached him and we hugged. He kissed the top of my head and we just looked at each other, smiling. After, we climbed the stairs, met with the photographer, and then opened the doors and walked outside.
From this moment on, everything was a blur. We did pictures for a few hours, then walked across the street to the Joseph Smith Memorial Building where we had our luncheon. It was breathtaking. White tablecloths with gold napkins, fancy china, with the building overlooking the temple below. We had delicious food (soups, salads, and New York Style Cheesecake) and made our wedding speeches.
After the luncheon, everyone went to freshen up and get ready for the reception.
The reception was beautiful. For the first hour, DJ and I greeted guests, then we cut the cake, (DJ shoved it in my face, and all over my face!) and we danced.
With the couple dance, the sparkling lights above our heads and the candles on the tables added to the romantic effect as DJ and I danced to our song "With Or Without You", by U2. It was amazing.
After our sparkler exit, we drove off for our honeymoon, (not before stopping to get a burger, we were starving) and there you go!
Here are some of the details about the wedding:
Date: (Saturday) May 19, 2012: A beautiful day outside, with clear blue skies.
Colors: White, Baby Blue

Brides Dress: White a-line ballgown with a lacy top, no beading, cap sleeves, and simple blue sash (that I wore off and on)
Flowers: White roses, peonies, lilies, and babies breath
Bridesmaids/Flower Girls: (Rhiannon, Rachel, Ashley, Hallie, Caitlin, McKenzie, Allison, Annie, Jacey, Kira)
Groomsmen: (Jeramy, Ryan, Trevor, Ely, Jaden, Eric, Quinton)
Wedding Venue: Salt Lake Temple, Luncheon: JSM Building, Reception: Stake Center
The wedding didn't go without flaws, but to me, it was perfect because I married my true love...And that's the best part of the story.