Today Donnie and I celebrate seven wonderful years of marriage. SEVEN!! "How is that even possible since you're only 22?" you may ask. 😉 Because I love weddings and my hubby {and, let's be honest, I'm kind of Christmas crafted out}, I decided to write a short series of posts about our Christmas wedding; this is part 2. If you'd like to start at the beginning, you can find part 1 here.
Since it took two of us to say "I do," I asked Donnie if he would contribute his thoughts to today's post, too, so you'll be hearing the story from both sides. {His words will be in blue.}
{Abby} On this day seven years ago, I woke up in a hotel, excited and anxious, nervous and just ready to be married. Like our first date, we had a number of small {and not so small} mishaps occur along the way, the first of which being an irritating stye in my eye that didn't seem to want to go away. Thankfully, it was mostly gone by the big day, but I was still paranoid about it.
Attractive, right??
My bridesmaids and I started getting ready early that morning, putting on makeup and taking turns visiting the stylist (who is also a close family friend) to have our hair done. Of course I couldn't resist chatting with D for a few minutes to see how he was feeling and talk about what was to come that day. {Note my awesome flip phone!}
{Donnie} I didn't sleep at all the night before our wedding. When I finally got up, I was super anxious and couldn't sit still. I went for a five mile run, then headed back to my parents' house to get ready. I was fully dressed in my tux, ready to go four hours before the ceremony was supposed to start, and with nothing to do, I just sat there nervously until it was time to go to the church and meet up with my groomsmen. We hung out for a while, and I had no idea that in another part of the church, Abby was in a panic...
{Abby} Panic was an understatement. When we got to the church, the photographer hadn't arrived. We waited and waited. We tried to call him; he didn't answer. I had no back up plan, no contacts with other photographers in the area, nothing. As I got ready, my bridesmaids snapped pictures and were wonderfully supportive and encouraging. Finally, finally the photographer showed up, 10 minutes after the wedding was supposed to have started. He was just lucky that I was in a big white dress and couldn't punch him on the spot. 😀
My mom, my matron of honor, helping me get ready
It was go time! I joined my dad in the narthex of the church and got ready to walk down the aisle. No one told me until the next day, but dad had woken up with the stomach flu and spent a large portion of the day running to the bathroom to throw up. Somehow he made it through the entire ceremony, and I never knew anything was wrong. What a trooper!
While all of the chaos with the photographer was going on, Donnie was just waiting and waiting and waiting...
{Donnie} While the groomsmen seated guests, I waited with the pastor and my best man in a back room. Somehow we got the wrong cue to head out to the front of the sanctuary, and I ended up standing there watching people be seated for almost 20 minutes. It was like torture! I was just ready to be married! Finally, Abby started down the aisle, and I knew I couldn't lock eyes with her or I would burst into tears. I kept biting down on my tongue as hard as I could to keep from crying. (I think I made it bleed!)
{Abby} Yeah! I kept trying to get him to look at me and he wouldn't! I still give him a hard time about that to this day!
{Sadly, our tardy photographer was not great, so most of the photos we have of our day were collected from friends and family who took some pictures along the way. I keep trying to convince D to get dressed up again and have new wedding pictures taken so we can have some nice ones-- I still have my dress, and I bet I could even squeeze into it! 😀 }
Fortunately, the ceremony itself went pretty smoothly.
{Donnie} I remember Aaron (my best man) sang "In Christ Alone" and played the piano; it was really, really good. I remember I jumped the gun during the vows and ended up saying "I do" twice. {I always tease him that he's doubly stuck with me! 😉 } I was happy when it was done. We kissed, we walked out of there. I was just glad that we were finally married!
Saying "I do!" {Twice!}
{Abby} What a whirlwind! After the ceremony, we greeted people in the receiving line, and stuck around for some pictures.
Since it was a relatively nice day for Pittsburgh in December, we even were able to snap some outside. Thank you to our wedding party for sticking it out!
From there we jumped into the limo to head off to the reception, and when we were about halfway there I started feeling really, really nauseous...
To Be Continued...
I link up at Home Stories A to Z and these fun parties!
EyeCandyJunkie says
I can't wait for the next part. Nice series.
justagirlabby says
Thank you so much! Merry Christmas!
~Abby =)
Eva Humblebee says
Your fur wrap is adorable! What a beautiful wedding, despite all the mishaps. I had eye problems at my wedding (seven years ago too!) I had a patch of excema on my eyelid that had to be camouflaged with A LOT of makeup. So stressful.
justagirlabby says
Thank you, Eva! Yeah, what is up with those eye problems?! They can't just hold off until after the big day? 😉 Thank goodness for makeup, right? Have a very Merry Christmas, my friend!
~Abby =)
Kim {Pinspired Home} says
Wow, they say things will inevitably go wrong at a wedding, but funny had more than your fair share! That photographer was lucky that you're such a nice person! Did he give a discount or anything for his error?
Also, I had a stye/blocked tear duct right before my wedding too! I totally understand being self-conscious about it.
I'm having so much fun reading your wedding story (and I love that you got Donny's perspective). Happy Anniversary, you two!
justagirlabby says
Thanks, Kim! Yes, we got a discount from the photographer. I wish we had done more research and splurged in that part of our wedding budget, but oh well! Live and learn. And what is with those blocked ducts? Didn't they know it was an important day?! 😉 Hope you guys have a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!!
~Abby =)
Holly @ Coconutheadsurvivalguide.com says
Hi Abby - Happy tears reading your story... congratulations on making it to #7 and you both look so happy together... I wish you many years of continued blessings and happiness. Hugs, Holly
justagirlabby says
Thank you so much, Holly! It was a fun day, even with all that went wrong! 😀 Have a Merry Christmas, friend!
~Abby =)
Kylie Helm says
I NEED MORE! Don't make us wait too long!
xo Kylie
justagirlabby says
Lol! It's coming soon, I promise! 😀 Merry Christmas, Kylie!
~Abby =)
Bethany the ngnrdgrl says
Happy anniversary! Awwww! You guys are too cute. Poor guy, waiting for hours with nothing to do. We really considered eloping. Just seems like so much work and stress! BUT, we've got to get the family all together to finally meet each other. We are going to try to keep it simple, though. 🙂 Can't wait to read Part 2. And have a happy holiday too!
Hugs!
~Bethany
justagirlabby says
I can't wait to hear about how your big day turns out! Simple is good. And how fun that your families finally get to meet! Hope you have a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, friend!
~Abby =)
Nancy @ Artsy Chicks Rule says
OH how sweet! You were a beautiful bride and what a gorgeous couple. (and it wouldn't be a real wedding if there weren't a few mishaps!! lol...) I love reading your husband's point of view too! So much fun to read about your wedding. Can't wait to read the rest!!
Merry Christmas Abby!!
xo
Nancy
justagirlabby says
Thank you, friend! It was definitely a memorable day with everything that went wrong, lol! We ended up married in the end, though, and that was the goal! 😀 Hope you have a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
~Abby =)
Emma Rushbrooke says
You tease abby! Looking forward to the next installment! Thanks to you and your husband for sharing your personal story. Christmas must be an extra special time of year for you both. It must have been frustrating about the photographer, but in the photos you posted you can see the love and happiness shining out - beautiful! Have a very happy christmas with your family xx
justagirlabby says
Thank you, Emma! Yes, I had to leave you hanging, lol! Christmas is fun with all of the regular festivities + our anniversary + our son's birthday is next week-- busy busy! Hope you have a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, friend!
~Abby =)
Beth Anne says
I love reminiscing with you two about your special day. Even though I know, essentially, "what happens next", I find myself on the edge of my seat, thinking "Noooo.... I have to know how this ends!" I love hearing both of your perspectives -- so sweet! Thankful to know that it ends with a wonderful marriage and two adorable little boys 🙂 Keep sharing. I love it!
justagirlabby says
Thanks, BA! Donnie and I were just saying how it feels like so long ago and just yesterday all at the same time! Can't wait to see you guys SOON!!!
~Abby =)
Renee says
Keep it coming, Abby!
justagirlabby says
Lol, thanks, friend! It was fun taking a walk down memory lane!
~Abby =)
Katie @ Upcycled Treasures says
What a beautiful wedding and your stories are great! Sounds like things going wrong on the big day are the norm, yet it doesn't take away from it being perfect anyway 🙂 Happy New Year!
~Katie @ Upcycled Treasures
justagirlabby says
Thanks, Kate! It certainly was memorable, if nothing else, lol! Happy New Year to you!
~Abby =)