Blissfully Wedded - The Anticipation and The Ceremony

The ceremony, the most important part! We decided to get married in our lutheran church; the church that prayed for and checked in on me while I was going through cancer treatments, the church that I went to with Dashing's family for Easter only 3 weeks after meeting him, the church that I have taken bible studies with, and the church that is home to the now retired pastor who confirmed Dashing's Dad, married Dashing's parents and his sister and brother-in-law,  and baptized Dashing and his sister. Wow what a history. Before we could marry in our church, we worked with our Pastor and read 2 books - the better of the two was The Five Languages of Love and the other was Men are like Waffles and Women are like Spaghetti. We had read the love languages book before and have talked about it extensively in our relationship - it has really helped us understand one another better. (Like why I can find my shoes by the trash can if I don't put them away - You can bet that I now put away my shoes :) Despite the possible tossing of my wardrobe, we have found that our love is deep and genuine, that we make each other better individually, yet are stronger together. 

While the girls primped in our plush dressing room, the guys hung out listening to music, took photos, and enjoyed some lunch. 

We made the guys boutonnieres out of old book pages from a book called The Wedding!

Above - Dashing with his sister Miss E

Here are the new in-laws before we headed to the church.

The Anticipation - this is Dashing's serious look. 

Maybe we should call is something like Black Steel?

Love this photo! I feel like a celebrity with the paparazzi chasing me into the elevator.

We were leaving the Four Seasons heading to the church! 

I ended up changing out of my dress after bridal photos and re-dressed at the church.

Waiting at the church (above) for these lovelies (below)......

My dad walking me down the isle to Dashing's all-time favorite classical song Pachelbel's Cannon in D.

Dashing taking my hand to hold in marriage.

Marrying my best friend.

You may now kiss the bride!

The recessional.

This is my favorite photo (above).

Just outside the sanctuary...we did it!

Signing the marriage license. Check out how happy our Pastor is in the back!

Then we headed back to the sanctuary with family to take the formal photos.....we had fun too though.

Our church has these air vents in the floor. Usually we scold them because when you wear a dress to church, you have to be careful you don't flash anyone. However, they were perfect for our summer wedding! (above and below, girls just wanna have fun...like Marilyn Monroe!)

This is my favorite photo of my wonderful bridesmaids.

I started getting really warm...the vents were so perfect as we waited to take more family photos.

Dashing's close family. Do you see how many there are?!! I met them all after 3 weeks of knowing Dashing. They were so intimidating at that point, but now they are family and I feel so comfortable with them! (above).

My in-laws. From left, Miss E's Hubs, Miss E, Sara Cate, Dashing, Dashing's Mom, Dashing's Dad

From left: My dad's wife, my Dad, Sara Cate, Dashing, Dashing's Mom, Dashing's Dad

Us with our flower girl and ring bearer. They are just so precious!

A little relaxation before we head to our reception.

On to celebrate our Happily Ever After.

Reception photos are up next!