We made our way over to Heritage Gardens around three and I was really confused when I actually had nothing to do. Candice had pretty much everything under control. Jesse's girlfriend Brittany was doing Candice's hair and needed to start as soon as possible so she had to stop decorating. I was busy getting all done up by Alecia so I couldn't really help decorate either. Luckily, Jesse is awesome and went down to help the girls set everything up on the tables and did a great job. And to top that off, even went to the gas station to get my girls the Redbulls that we so desperately needed at this point.
I spent the next two hours or so sitting in the Bride's room getting my hair and makeup done. I wasn't really allowed out of the room. Luckily, my girls were AMAZING about getting things done for me. Anytime I needed something, one of the bridesmaids was right there to take care of it. Along with that, one of the workers at the reception center, Jen, came in and handed me a magic walkie-talkie. She showed me a button that rings to her end and said she would come find me wherever I was and get me whatever I needed if I just pressed that button. I felt like the kid in The Santa Clause and his snowglobe. It was magical. When my hair and makeup were finished, my mom came in to help me get into my dress and get my veil on. Que crying. My sister was a mess. My mom was a mess. Erin was a mess. So obviously, I was a mess. The ceremony was finally starting and all the girls lined up in the bride's room, ready to start heading down the stairs while I'm trying my hardest not to look
puffy and ridiculous. I'll admit, at this point, I peed a little. I was nervous. I stepped out onto the landing when it was my turn and looked at my Dad at the bottom of the stairs. I don't think I will ever forget that moment. I looked at him and he just hung his head and when he looked up, tears were filling his eyes. I completely lost it at this point. I made it down the stairs (without falling, I might add) and took my daddy's arm. I don't think I noticed a single person there while I was walking down the isle. All I was focused on was John. He was crying too. There was a lot of crying to be had at this wedding.I finally made it to the alter and handed my sister the unusually heavy bouquet. Seriously, this thing weighed like five pounds. Luckily, Alecia had thought ahead and had equipped me with waterproof mascara because I could barely see at this point. Origninally, we were going to have Oz perform our ceremony. Unfortunately, his health got the best of him and he wasn't able to do. John's Grandpa, Charlie was happy to fill in and did amazing. Charlie went through the beginning of the ceremony, which I had read through a million times so there wasn't much to pay attention to except for John. Which I was appreciative of. John and I knew from the beginning stages of planning that we knew we wanted to write our own vows. So John started out with his and I cried. And he cried. We all cried. I started mine. And I cried. And he cried. We all cried. It was tough to do. Cameron was a great little ring bearer and stayed by Jim's side for the majority of the ceremony, only sat for a few minutes on Grandma's lap when he got tired. But got right up when it was time to give John the rings.
We lit the unity candle carefully, being sure not to knock it over and start anything on fire. We succeeded and finished off the ceremony with a kiss.
Walking back down the isle, I still didn't really see anybody, except my aunt. Most of you don't know the story on it, but it meant a lot to have my Aunt Gail at the wedding. So I continued crying when we got outside. Candice helped me fix my makeup and then I posed for over 200 pictures for my photographer. When the family was done with the pictures they needed to be in, they were excused to go eat. I was so jealous. The only thing I wanted in the world at that point was some food and a drink. We walked around, posing for pictures while everyone at the wedding watched us. And ate. At one point, TK's son, Joey asked John and I if we needed a beer, while we were in the middle of posing for a picture. Our response was "dear God yes". So we each chugged a beer, I belched in front of all of mine and John's family, and we were back to taking pictures. Luckily, the photographer was almost done. So we finished up and I went to eat. Finally.
I sat down and didn't even know where to start as far as getting food. Thank God for Jeff and Traci who are pretty much the most amazing people in the world. They were all over it. Before I knew it, I was sitting at the table with food in front of my and a beer in hand without having even gotten up. I managed to sneak a bite of food between greeting guests and eventually got two pieces of sushi and a veggie samosa down before I realized I wasn't going to be able to eat much, I had bridely obligations.
