WEDDING DAY BLISS

Well, we are hitched!

It's been a while since I've posted, and that's because I wanted my next post to be about the wedding. From this point onward though, I will be posting more.

Hopefully.

Maybe.

WEDDING DAY CREDIT:
Photos:  Natalie

Hair: Chickie and Claire

Makeup: MAC

Wedding dress: Polina

Venue: Gerber Gardens

Flowers: Tammy

Cake and desserts: my sister in law Kristie

Mocktail bartender: Brian

Decor and life-saver: Allison Smith

Videographer: Jared

Life-savers: Jared and Stevie

Anyways, I got all the wedding pictures back and I'm so excited to share them!

So the day started with breakfast with my mom, sister, Bri (the MOH), and my brother in law.

After that, my bridesmaids and I got our makeup done. This might sound dumb to some, but good makeup was important to me. And I've heard some brides say that they want to look better than their bridesmaids. I understand that to a point, I wanted to look good, but I wanted my bridesmaids to look good too. So they all got their makeup done and I was SO happy with how everyone looked.

(I hate the color purple, and it's Stranton's favorite color. So yes, I'm wearing a purple shirt and yes it is Stranton's)

Getting our hair done

My Maid of Honor, Bri, helped me get ready and tried to help me shake off my nerves

 

OH MY GOSH MY FLOWER GIRLS

My brother Evan walked me down the aisle

Stranton and I said our vows.

(Jeremy is our friend that married us. I've literally known him (from church) my whole life. But he became good friends with Stranton a couple years ago and we agreed that we wanted him to be the one to marry us)

Married!

THE RECEPTION

(While we were engaged, I thought it would be funny to reenact the proposal and propose to Stranton with his wedding band. I had a fun little detail added to the inside)

We then had dinner: Spinato's pizza and mocktails

After that, the MOH, Bri and Best Man, Sage gave their speeches

I had my dance with my brother and Stranton had his with his mom

Stranton and I had our first dance (yes, it was to Halo)

Ever since we were dating, I have asked him to show me the haka. The haka is a Polynesian traditional war cry that men do. It used to be used to scare enemies, but is now used in special occasions. I've heard it's supposed to scare the new family member to "act right" in the marriage. Anyway, he wouldn't show me the haka. But he did it for me for the wedding.

 

Next, I performed the tau'olunga. This is another Polynesian tradition. The chief's daughter would do this dance on special occasions. It also has evolved and is now performed at weddings while guests give money for the honeymoon. I learned mine from Emerald.

(Emerald was my best friend in high school. Stranton is her cousin, but I never met him until a couple years ago. After we met, we found out he had met and knew my cousin David. Small world, guys)

Then we cut the cake

We broke the knife

Then, the best part: dancing and dessert

 

Sparkler send off as we headed to Mexico for our honeymoon

Thank you everyone for coming, supporting, and loving us. As we drove away, we looked at each other and agreed that it was the best day ever and that we couldn't ask for anything more. We love you all and appreciate what you all did to help us. (Thank you cards will be sent out.. hopefully. maybe)