Wedding Recap Part II

Continuing where I left off...

Saturday morning my sister and I were up at 5:30- I set the hotel room clock as well as two of my cell phone alarms, just to be safe.  Fortunately, I was able to sleep the night before (having gone to bed after midnight, it was only five hours, but at least it was five good hours!)  I suppose I have my sister to thank for that!  I mentioned at our nail appointment that I was worried about not being able to sleep, and she suggested I take something.  Over-the-counter sleep aides like Tylenol PM and Benadryl do nothing for me, so she practically forced me to stop by the house to pick up one of my prescription sleep medications (which I weaned myself from several months ago, but luckily did not dispose of).   R was surprised and happy to see me for the minute that I ran into the house.  His sister and brother-in-law and E had already left for the night, so he was by himself winding down, just as he hoped he would be (when we talked earlier he said he was planning to "kick everyone out" by 7:00 or 8:00 pm).  J waited in her car as I ran into the house, then followed me in my car over to the hotel.

Fast forwarding back to Saturday morning-- everything went as planned.  My sister made me coffee and we split an Optifast shake for breakfast.  Before long, my good friend and bridesmaid A was at the hotel ready to start applying her own makeup.  Soon, the hair stylist was there, and began with A's hair.  While she did that, my sister began my makeup.  At some point, the photographer arrived, and then the florist stopped by with all of the flowers.  Soon it became a scene of happy chaos: my brother-in-law arrived with my niece and nephew and they changed into their attire, my mother arrived and got changed, and the photographer set about busily arranging my shoes and gown for photos.  My makeup was almost done when the stylist started with my hair, which took a while.  When she finished, I had only to get into my wedding undergarments & gown and put on lipstick.  The shapewear/ "girdle" that I bought when I wasn't sure which dress I'd be wearing didn't work with my gown, so I had to do without it.  No big deal, really, but putting it on, followed by the gown, then having to take it off and put the gown back on again- well, it slowed down our exodus from the hotel slightly.

Unfortunately, we didn't stay on task in the morning.  We had been hoping to have photos taken before the ceremony, but we ran out of time.  I did call R to let him know we were running late, but in the end we didn't make our revised ETA, either.  He later told me that while they were waiting, the minister asked him if he had a "runaway bride" on his hands!  But my entourage and I did arrive before the ceremony was due to start.  When we pulled up into the parking lot of the Bell, R, his best man, and the minister were standing beside a vehicle, ready to sign the marriage license. The old school friend of mine that I invited somewhat last minute was standing by as well, and I have to say that it was a comfort to see her, even though it had been years.  As the witnesses signed, the miscellaneous guests who were lingering made their way ahead of us,and then we (the wedding party, minister, and photograper) made our way down the path to the Bell. 

There was a significant amount of fog in the sky- the Bell was visible but the ocean beyond was not.  Still, it was quite pretty.  As we got closer, the Bell itself blocked the guests from view.  The photographer had my bridesmaids and I hang back so that the men could get into place, and I began to hear the sound of the violin and cello duo playing adjacent to the Bell.  We hung back for a several minutes, then got into order.  At some point I let down the bustle of the gown, and we began to make our way single file around the Bell and into place.  We were in plain view of all of the guests, but it was fine- for me to remain hidden I would have had to walk across very wet grass, so it made more sense to reveal myself early.  The gown proved to be pretty tough to walk in, so I scooped it up.  I don't remember if I held my own bouquet or not.  Finally, we were in place on the back side of the bell- E first in line, then A, then J, then the kids, then me.  The duo began to play Pachelbel's Canon and we slowly began the procession towards the waiting men.  When each person got halfway there, another would start.  I remember telling my niece and nephew when it was time for them to go, and reminding my niece to scatter her petals, but she was already out of earshot.  I had to walk slowly because of the length of my gown- despite my high heels, it was still dragging slightly.  I'm sure I made an interesting bride, trying not to trip over myself!  Before I knew it I was at the front of the small crowd.

No tulle, few petals, and they were blowing in the breeze...  but it wasn't cold!