The morning of the wedding was foggy and cool. Okay, a good start. A great start, actually. No clouds in sight (yet) and there was a nice breeze. We started setting up around 8 AM and didn't stop working until 12 PM when the whole bridal group arrived and we all started getting ready. I was so thankful that we had so many friends and family who came early were willing to help with last minute set ups while we were getting ready. I was so scared that we weren't going to be ready on time, but everyone was really chill and helpful and we were all out the door and walking to the front yard by one o'clock sharp.
From the beginning, I was dead set on using a Beatles song to walk down the aisle to. I was able to find an instrumental version of "And I Love Her" and practiced the timing so many times. When the actual walk happened, it was absolutely perfect.
If any of you guys are big 'Friends' fans, then you know that Joey has officiated almost all of the weddings in the show. How perfect to have a best friend lead you through your marriage vows. So we knew we had to ask Mark's best friend, Josh, who was easy going, a great speaker, and a very funny guy, to be our officiant. He went through the whole thing and got his license to marry us, and we couldn't have picked anyone better.
In fact, he was so good, that some of our family thought he was a real minister. Hehe.
The ceremony and vows were short and sweet, but I was still a nervous wreck. I messed up my vows two or three times, saying them out of order and mumbling my way through them. Mark kept giving me little smirks when I messed up, and Josh was understanding and would correct me if needed.
I wasn't the only one who messed up though! Right when we were beginning to exchange rings, Mark's best man, his brother, dropped my ring on the ground while passing it to Mark. Josh, to play it off, dramatically yelled out, "OH! The marriage is ruined. Good Job." Everyone giggled, and we continued on.
Oh, but then towards the end of the ceremony, right before we were pronounced husband and wife, my photographer's husband, who was in charge of the music, accidentally hit the music too soon, and interrupted us. Everyone looked around to see what was going on, so Mark yelled out, "You're FIRED!" at him. After everyone got their giggles, Josh proceeded to pronounce us husband and wife.
"You and Me Song" by The Wannadies
The song we kissed to and walked back down the aisle together, with the bridal party following behind us. We clipped the song just right, so that it could get to the chorus right when we were done kissing. I wish I could fit our video on here so you could see it. It was friggen magical.
This ceremony wasn't perfect to some people, and I'm sure there have been better weddings than ours. But in my mind, it was perfect for me and Mark. It was funny, real, and full of mistakes, but that's okay. We laughed it off and kept going.
So many hugs were shared afterwards.
I can't wait to share more with you! I still have lots to show you, including our very funny group pictures.
Thank you for reading and letting me share these moments with you.
♥
Natty
Photography by
Amber Elaine Photography,
MS Productions, and my mom. ;)
