Planning a wedding is so much more stressful than I ever thought it would be until it was my turn to plan. It all seemed like it would be so much fun- picking out the dress and the flowers, choosing the flavor of the cake,and picking out the songs. Don't get me wrong, it was so much fun, but I didn't ever really take into consideration how many different choices there are and the infinite number of details that need to be planned. I can't tell you how thankful I am to all of my family members and friends who stayed right there with TJ and I and helped us plan out the most perfect wedding we could have asked ever asked for.
All of the planning began... well, to be honest the first wedding plans happened on our flight home from Alabama in a little notebook with the light on above us. :) The planning continued in that same notebook but really began on Thanksgiving Day when we went up to Idaho so TJ could ask my dad for my hand in marriage.
(Side story insert here: TJ and I drove up to Idaho to spend Thanksgiving with my family and so that he could "meet my family", or so my dad thought. When we got there it ended up just being my dad and Katie left at home, the rest of my siblings had already headed to the big Thanksgiving dinner. I introduced him and I remember my dad pulled me aside and talked to me about how I felt about TJ, which made me nervous because I didn't want to take over what TJ was going to say but wanted to assure him that I knew this was right. After we got done talking TJ sat down with him and proceeded to tell my dad how he felt about me and then asked him for my hand in marriage. Considering that we had just gotten there and my dad had just met him minutes before- he took it very well and gave him permission along with some words of marriage advice. We then headed out to my cousin's house to meet up with the rest of my family and announce the news there. This is where the story continues...)
TJ and I sat down with all of the women in my family and began to make plans for the reception we wanted to have in Idaho. Normally you would call that the Open House as we were married in Utah, but I wanted to have more of a reception like-evening with those I know and love in Idaho so that's what we made it into. The reception was held in February and I was able to wear my wedding dress and TJ his wedding tux, it was a very special, beautiful night with so many friends and loved ones there.
TJ and I were married a couple of weeks later in the Salt Lake Temple on March 5th, 2011. The day was perfect- sunny and warm. Actually the warmest day of the week, even month! I drove to the Temple with my cousin Amanda and her husband Jack, Amanda had beautifully done my hair that morning and was wonderful to get me to the Temple on time. TJ drove up with his family and left his Temple clothes, our marriage license, and the rings in the car so his dad had to run back the car a couple times to get everything. He wasn't so happy about that but I had to laugh :) The wait to go into the Temple seemed like forever and yet went by so fast, maybe that was because I was so nervous.
An hour or two later TJ and I came out of the doors to the cheering and paparazzi-like amount of pictures from our family and friends. We hugged everyone and I will admit to some tears being shed, especially when I hugged my best friend, Kiri, as we had talked about that day all throughout high school. We all arranged ourselves up the temple stairs and took A LOT of pictures, my lips were hurting by the end :) Time was running out so we all hurried to our cars and headed back to Spanish Fork where the reception was held. I had a puffy skirt underneath my dress that covered my entire view of the road, I'm sure that gave the passing cars a good laugh.
The reception was wonderful. We started with a slideshow of pictures that TJ had put together the night before. The best part of that slideshow was a surprise video inserted by his parents of Tanner, TJ's brother serving a mission in Florida at the time, giving his speech and telling TJ how much he loved him. It made both of us cry, it was one of the most special parts of the night. After the slideshow all of the groomsmen and bridesmaids gave a speech, most of them weren't aware that they were going to have to do that but they all did a wonderful job. The night continued on with a lot of dancing (I don't think I have danced that much in my entire life), the cutting of the cake, and the dance with my father and TJ with his mother. We had our first dance, which we had previously choreographed, and finished the night with our last dance. Everyone created a tunnel that we went through on our way out and cheered as we got in the car, waved, and drove away.
As we left for our honeymoon, about a mile down the road our tire went flat. TJ called his dad who drove out to help us out as we unloaded all of our luggage and sat on the side of the road. What a way to begin our honeymoon, huh? John (TJ's dad) traded us cars and we were off. Our honeymoon was taken in Las Vegas, we had so much fun! Swimming every morning, riding on all the roller coasters, seeing all the sights and stores along the strip. When we got home we happily opened all of wedding gifts and cards, we were so grateful for all that we received.
So that wraps up the story of our wedding, the reception, and our honeymoon. It's been almost 2 years since that day yet it still doesn't feel like it was that long ago. I married my best friend and will be ever grateful that we have each other for eternity.
