Aukristen's Blog

Part 2: Wedding Ceremony

Aukristen — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 20:26:00 GMT

Here is Part 2 in a 3 Part 3 Series: The Wedding

Let me warn you that the pictures are not in any order - I don't have that kind of patience today.

Here is me and my dad walking in...I was so confused because I didn't realize that I didn't ask for a music change - Note to future brides: arrange for a music change to announce your presence. I'm that good that I had two musicians (actually three because we had a cellist to play Ave Maria - which was BEAUTIFUL)

Here are the group shots afterwards....

Part 1: Preparation

Aukristen — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 20:25:00 GMT

Okay Okay - I knew I couldn't get out of showing pictures (yes I actually got married unlike the girl on the knot who admitted to not being engaged but not even having a significant other). So I'm tackling showing off pictures in stages - prep, ceremony, reception and possibly honeymoon.

So here it is....

Me in my dress

Not only was I uncomfortable - I didn't get the daily requirement of sleep and my sinuses were draining big time. It says something when the photographer says "Now you look relaxed" after the ceremony.

Me with the bridesmaids for group shots

This was probably the only laugh I had going through an entire 12 hour period. Steve, our photographer of record (don't ask) was commenting on the bridesmaids' dresses and asked what color it was when Adrienne (tall BM) replied "Black" - you had to be there.

Bonus! Honeymoon in Disney World

Aukristen — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 20:23:00 GMT

Here is the bonus...my honeymoon pics (they're G and I'm not Paris H - photographing my marital bedroom exploits is not amusing.) I had a great time planning this vacay and my husband really seemed to enjoy it.

Part 3: Reception

Aukristen — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 20:22:00 GMT

Part 3 in a 3 part series (I"m like the Washington Post)

Here is a picture of folks enjoying drinks and appetizers

Family and Bridal Party introduction Pictures

Our table....

Faye? Tropical Storm or Hurricane, I am going to enjoy the happiest place on earth!

Aukristen — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 20:19:00 GMT

So I survived my wedding - much to my OCD nature. I arrived in Orlando/WDW with some interesting insights on WDW - which I will say if you ever need a non beach yet not international vacay - try it. We opted for 5 days/4 nights and meals included - which worked out so well and we got to stay at the Wilderness Lodge - its so huge and beautiful. We hit Downtown Disney for some noshing at Wolfgang Pucks then perused the Virgin megastore where I got some Santana’s greatest hits and Lauren Hill’s classic and ONLY (seriously girl you need new stuff) cd for $10 each.

We got back to our hotel Sunday nite where we had balloons and a picture of Cinderella and turn down service. So nice! Monday, I realized that a hurricane was heading my way but I wasn’t going to let it spoil my fun. Monday we had fun at the Hollywood Studios - where the husband confused the Tower of Terror with the Haunted Mansion and didn’t realize there were two rides that involved fear (he cried). We took a turn on the Aerosmith rollacoster -much fun; visited the Indiana Jones stunt show; had about the best buffet I have ever had. Later we took a boat to the Contemporary Hotel for the Magic Kingdom’s fireworks - where I had a run with Peter Pan (a human portraying a faerie that doesn’t age isn’t cool).

Tuesday, the rain came down - and hard too. We still mushed on to Epcot where we enjoyed Mission Space (its a simulator of flight training - awesome), Test Track, and visited the world pavillion (Mexico has the best Margaritas but eat soon after) Mexico, Norway, Germany (the heaviest lunch ever), Italy (where I purchased Venetian glass), France (where we both splurged on fancy smancy perfurme), and England. Rain aside, we headed back to the hotel early, napped (literally slept), and found food.

Wednesday, more rain but we still headed to the Magic Kingdom. I have been two other times to WDW and I haven’t seen a park this empty ever. We did Space Mountain twice, and easily got on Big Thunder and Splash Mountains. We hit the Hall of Presidents and Its a Small World then rolled out for another after nap and got ready for our adults dinner at the Grand Floridian - so nice and special.

The Boys are Back in Town....

Aukristen — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 20:18:00 GMT

One by one, family and friends came in starting Tuesday with my little sister’s friend - I should have been warned sooner - this girl was a Hippie (I mean attitude and image). Other than the flower child, my husband’s family came in and I had a full house of in laws from Tuesday nite until Saturday when I insisted on having my home back.

One good thing came about - my boss had me leave a day early (I needed it)!

Wednesday, we arranged for my in laws to visit the Smithsonian on the American Indian while my little sister and entourage went to the Holocaust museum. I cooked while my husband and his father hit the Nats game then I welcomed my folks to DC.

Thursday, I carted my family back to my place (a minor hitch in communication happened as I arrived and my in laws were not aware of that - nevermind). I quickly put all available hands to work by assembling the fans my mom threw a fit to have included. Glue, craft sticks, glue, and ribbon later - viola! 150 fans were done. I took my family to Tyson’s Corner, picked my aunt who berated my on not having my nails done (seriously I wanted them done but I couldn’t afford it - more on that later). Got family settled in, then onto to tuxedos - Mens Warehouse totally fudge my dad’s order and we had to scramble around for his. But luckily everyone else looked fabulous including my honey. Later, I had one last family dinner at El Pollo Rico (if you’re in Arlington VA - look it up its worth it!!)

Friday saw the last of the family arrivals and tours of the Pentagon, Capital, and the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. We had a very nice rehearsal dinner at Red Hot and Blue where I paraded around my very expensive and time consuming nails (I was banished from my family after the Pentagon).

I want tapers, sudafed, and sanity!

Aukristen — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 20:17:00 GMT

Saturday (my wedding day) came and I woke up at 4:45 am! I had a minor sinus issue but I had to keep moving. First with hair where my sister tipped 33% - 15% is standard but she insisted. Then makeup which was soooo long because let me warn you if you plan on getting done up at Macy’s, people will want to interrupt to get serviced. My artist had keep telling people that I had to go and I needed to get my wedding.

I got back to the hotel, had a near breakdown when people fail to show up and ready (dad, mom, ushers, MOH, cousins?????) - I hauled to the church where the BMs had to keep my husband away from me while I took pictures and got ready. I got to the church at 12:30 p.m. and it was 2 p.m. before you knew it. I had to constantly ask for tapers (for the moms), there was no music change to announce my arrival, I literally told my aunt to leave me alone (I’m serious - I did), and the priest held a Mass that involved the Eucharist (huh? we didn’t negotiate this). BUT - I loved every minute of it. Seeing my husband, hearing the readings and the homily, saying my vows were so important to me I wouldn’t trade it for anything.

Needless to say, I so relieved that it was over that I literally ran over the photographers ( I ran down the aisle I was told later). Much to my surprise or chagrin - I got a stretch limo (I was like “again I didn’t negotiate this”) instead of my town car and rose petals (thanks to our church members - it was awesome). I took pictures for about 30 minutes, hopped in my limo and headed out.

More pictures at the reception then introductions, prayer (my husband googled dinner prayer for his dad to read - again not kidding), dinner, speeches - where my dad told me in front of 60 friends that he was proud that I didn’t have a kid out of wedlock - huh???? - while my sister caught choked up but told me to “nap” a lot, dancing (my husband did great and my dad was fabulous!!!), and cake cutting (my cake was the hit of the ball).

I will say that my greatest fear did come to fruition. I paid for about 15 guests (at about $50 a head) who didn’t show including:

1) my husband’s former roommate who bitched about coming and including her current and ex boyfriend

2) my coworkers who came to the ceremony but didn’t show at the reception

3) my former roommate

4) my husband's coworker who told me a week before my wedding that she was coming - she showed but her guest couldn’t walk up the stairs - that I can’t help that and we did offer to carry this guest up and down too.

I could understand to an extent about a majority of the no shows but I’m seriously mad about my husband’s guests not showing because of the stink this girl made about it. One of my bridesmaids offered to get people “got” (its from “The Wire”) and I declined.

I kinda felt bad for my coordinator because I had to rush her - my guests got antsy fast and about 95% refused to dance. Again I felt burned but whatever I had a great time. After some more pictures, we gathered our vendors, paid out tips and outstanding debts, hopped in our limo and kicked for home.

Some of my favorite quotes from Saturday:

“Kristen breathe”

“Kristen its okay”

“Were you trying to run me over down the aisle?”

Scene: Outside my apartment with me in my wedding gown...

Guy outside my apartment looking at me while I waited for my husband to return for more gifts, “umm is that your limo?”

Me: “Yes”

Guy: “Are you wearing a wedding dress?”

Me: “Yes”

Guy: “did you just get married?”

Me: “Yes”

Guy: “ummm.... congrats”

My bridesmaids and guy attendants rendezvous and got the tuxes together and I got together with them for my husband’s suit. I had to run all over NOVA to gather crap from family in Crystal City and Tyson’s then home.

Sunday brought packing and my family for one last look at my apartment. I found out where I my wedding cake went too - with them. My mom, aunts, cousins, and sister insisted I cut up pieces for them. Then we bounced for FLORIDA!!!!

I hate shopping but I'm ready to do the Cha Cha Slide

Aukristen — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 17:24:00 GMT

Howdy,

My sister insisted that we hit Tyson's Corner (Seriously she single handedly rebooted our economy)! I'm beat but at least we:

1) Finished the favors

- Yes these are my favors!!!!!

2) Finished the shopping for my attendants and wrapped gifts.

I'm ready I'm ready I'm doing the cabbage patch dance right now...Oh yeah