Part 3: Wedding day

Check out Part 1 and Part 2! And, on a side note, this is my 300th post!

Boys and girls

The morning of the wedding, our party was segregated. Rick had spent the night with his parents and would be spending the day with them as well. Seeing as the wedding wasn't until 5 and the boys had no obligations, my dad and brother-in-law went on a boat cruise to see the Na Pali coast and whales (and except for the part where Chad forgot his camera in his trunks when they went swimming, they had a great time). And the ladies, meaning my mom, sister, the photographers and I, had a fairly relaxing day with only a hair appointment and flowers to pick up.

I wanted to make sure I got up before my roommate left for work so I could talk to her, get giddily excited with the first girl that knew about my crush on Rick. With the one who saw our relationship blossom. When I was there in October we talked about how lucky we both were to come to Kauai for work with no expectations and both of us met our husbands at nearly the same time. No one expects a crazy whim to move across the ocean to lead to happily ever after. And it was nice to be girly giggly with her that morning. I miss having a girl roommate. There's just nothing like it.

I headed over to the B&B where my parents and the photographers were staying. My sister was there (her husband had dropped her off when the boys went to the boat) and she and my mom and I lounged around until breakfast. It was almost too calm, but very nice. The hosts were very eager to make us breakfast as well, even though we weren't staying there, and we had a pleasant breakfast. Breakfast was at 8 and our hair appointment wasn't until 11, so our morning was very relaxing. A perfect way to not get stressed out on my wedding day.

Getting ready

We headed into town to get our hair done late morning. I bought an orchid lei (which we tore apart) to put flowers in my and Allyson's hair. All in all, it went well. I think Mom was a little thrown off with the haircut and 'do she got, but she did demand to look "young and fabulous," and they did a good job. I was nervous about my hair since the lady never let me look at it until it was done, but Sarah showed me a picture of it mid-way through, so I was a little more relaxed after that. It just didn't feel like she was doing what we had agreed on the day before. Allyson and I loved our hair, and Mom wasn't overly happy and a little poofy, but by wedding time she looked great.

We ate lunch at the mall as well. Whenever something big in my life is going on, I have troubles eating. I blame it on genetics; Mom has the same problem. Take for instance the night before I moved to Hawaii: I asked my family to come down to go out to eat. We ate at Texas Roadhouse and I ordered my favorite fillet, though I started crying about halfway through the potato and left most of my steak. My dad and sister were more than happy to finish off my meat. At the rehearsal dinner I managed to eat about a third of my ribs, and my dad was waiting for me to push them aside to finish them. Apparently on the wedding day I tricked myself pretty well. I ate most of my breakfast and got a small sandwich at lunch that I ate so fast I couldn't think about it. Sadly, I had to pass on the ice cream stop after lunch.

On the way back to the B&B from the hair appointment, we stopped at the florist. I was a little skeptical about spending so much on a bouquet I would hold for 10 minutes, but when I saw them I fell in love with them. My flowers were so beautiful (so beautiful, in fact, I took them on the honeymoon as well and had a hard time saying goodbye to them when we left for home). Sorry I don't have any pictures; again, I didn't take a single picture until Saturday. I was so happy with my hair and my flowers, it was a beautiful day, and I was so relaxed it was scary. I was getting married!

As a wedding gift, my parents bought us a print from a local artist Arius Hopman. His gallery is just down the street from where I used to live and I loved his work. Before we left Kauai for good, I purchased this print stretched on canvas--the one place we went that we didn't photograph since you had to get there by kayak--and I love it. We had some time to kill on the afternoon of the wedding, so I took the photographers and my sister with me to help me pick out which print I should get (mom sat in the car holding the bouquets). I think I like this one the best but I didn't want to make that decision without Rick. Update: we're still undecided. They're all different shapes and we want to see where we would put it in the new house before we order it. Would hate to get one that wouldn't fit anywhere in the house.

On the way back to the B&B we ran into Dad and Chad on the road. We picked them up and all headed up to get ready. The boys showered and were done getting ready by 3 and decided to head into town to go shopping. Lihue was 15 minutes away and we didn't need to be at the beach until a quarter to 5, so I wasn't worried. We painted our nails, lounged some more, and somewhere around 3:30 or 4 Sarah did my makeup. Yep, they're quite the package. Not only do they take photos and help pick out what to wear and what flowers and artwork to buy, but they also do make up!

Moment of panic

Well, maybe it was more like half an hour. Perhaps we were too relaxed. We had no concept of time and before I knew it it was a quarter after 4. We were supposed to be at the beach at 4:45 and I thought it would take us 10-15 minutes to get there. Sarah was doing Allyson's makeup at this point and no one was dressed. No one had seen Erin for at least half an hour and she was off with the rings and my dress taking pictures. I freaked out for a tiny moment and then found the dress, asked everyone if we could put it into high gear, and got ready quickly. I was ready first and was hauling my suitcase out to my blue PT cruiser rental in my wedding dress while everyone else was scrambling to get dressed and together. It probably wasn't as dramatic as I thought it was, but it seemed dire to me at the time. I wasn't too worried about being late myself, but Rick is very punctual and about a month ago I was 7 minutes late to a meeting with our realtor and I heard about it for a week. Plus, I knew Rick and his parents were staying mere minutes from the beach, and knowing them, would be there at 4:25, just to be safe (I think that was actually the time they got there). I didn't need Rick worrying and getting nervous because I was late. I was more worried about being late for him, not for me or the officiant or anyone else. I didn't want my tardiness to stress him out. Allyson kept reminding me they wouldn't start without me...

To add to the panic, Chad and Dad were not back yet. I called and they were just leaving town and I wanted to leave 5 minutes ago. I told them to meet us at the beach, knowing well that we hadn't so much as driven them past it since we were all going to ride together. Luckily the beach wasn't that hard to find and the road it was on, though veering at a few forks, was a loop so if they passed it they'd end up right where they started. Try again. I remember telling Dad Ho'ona road (pronounced ho-o-na) and him asking how to spell it.

A crazy drive

All 5 of us ladies piled into the PT and headed out. Come to think of it, I don't think Allyson's makeup was done yet. Sorry. Erin started video taping the chaos, and I can't wait to see the following footage: the B&B was up on a bumpy back road and Mom was holding 2 bouquets as Allyson was finishing her makeup. Mom neglected to buckle up and the car started dinging. I told her to buckle up so it would quit and I held my flowers so she had a free hand. I look up, one hand on the wheel, one hand clutching the bouquet, and a huge truck comes around the corner on this narrow, bumpy road and I veer to the right, talking a million miles a minute, apologizing for freaking out... That will be classic footage.

When we were about 5 minutes away from the beach, my dad called to ask where we were. I told him the clock in the car said I still had 4 minutes. We arrived at the road next to the beach and the guys and Rick's family were there, waiting. I saw Rick and slammed on the breaks and ducked so he wouldn't see me (again, can't wait to see the footage), and everyone piled out like a clown car. Mom ran to Rick and took him off the road down onto the beach to give him his boutonniere and to give me free reign of the road (the road and beach were separated by a wall and homes).

For the record, we arrived at 4:46.

Waiting

I gave Allyson the rings, she put in my veil, and after everyone was given their leis, everyone except Dad, Sarah, and I headed down to the beach. There's a little walkway down to this beach, tucked around the corner, so Dad and I waited there until we were told it was ok to go--everyone had set up at the far-side of the beach. Sarah went to check things out while we talked to Leather Lady (I honestly think she's been there continuously for the last 10 years, also the photographers had promised to get a snap of her if she was still out so I was excited to see her) and other people on the beach. There weren't many people there (yay!) and no one on the end where the wedding was setting up. There was a woman with a wet dog who was really nice and waited until we went one direction or the other so her dog wouldn't shake off on me--thanks!

Sarah came running around the corner asking where the rings were. "I gave them to Allyson." Sarah runs off. Rick's dad was worried about me losing the family heirloom (I have been wearing it for the last year, why would I lose it now?) and I could just picture his face when he heard they were missing. Next Allyson peeks her head around the corner. "I lost the rings." "So I heard." Leather lady laughs and seems concerned all at once. Sarah comes back. Everyone is panicking. Everyone except, oddly, Dad. Allyson looks at him, and he smiles. Allyson and Sarah run off, one towards the beach the other towards the cars. Dad says to me, "I know where they are. No one asked me." Allyson comes back, hand out. "Dad." He smiles, and hands them to her. "Oh, you want these? You left them on top of the car and I thought someone should pick them up." Crisis averted, and my dad in his finest form. Both girls scamper off toward the beach while we wait. Mom comes back moments later, says we're all good to go, Allyson comes back, she walks down. Dad and I wait the appropriate amount of time and turn the corner and walk down the beach, arm in arm. All this waiting, all the excitement built up for this simple barefooted walk along a beautiful beach towards my love.

Perfect.

There's really no other word for it. The ceremony was short but very sweet and very appropriate for us. We had not met our wedding officiant before, and aside from her wearing crocs to the wedding, she was exactly what I expected for a beach marriage. Very kind and simple ceremony. Allyson stood up for me and Rick's dad was at his side. The others stood back, Chad videotaped, and I heard that no one heard much since it was a bit windy down on the beach. Out of the corner of my eye I saw the photographers running all around us, from the sand to the rocks, getting everything. I almost chuckled when I saw one of them actually running--what was going on that needed such speed? I cried and I swear Rick almost cried, but he said his lip was quivering from smiling too much. We exchanged rings and leis and 5 minutes after it started it was all over. I was so happy and it was so perfect. It was exactly what we wanted. So very us.

Photos, anyone?

If I thought we had taken a lot of pictures up to this point, I was wrong. The ceremony was over around 5:15 or so, leaving us a little over 45 minutes before sunset. We took a bunch of family pictures before interrupted to actually sign the marriage license (I guess that's important too). While we were taking pictures family members were running back and forth to the car to get our license, my checkbook, etc. The beach had lots of great rocks surrounding it and we took pictures on the beach, on the rocks, in the water, in the sunset... So many pictures and I can't wait to see them! We were such pros at modeling by that point ;) I thought it was really nice that the photographers suggested everyone get couple pictures as well, for who knows how long it's been since our parents had professional pictures taken together.

Eventually we sent my family off to the restaurant to meet our reservations while we finished up pictures at sunset. A sailboat was passing as the sun went down--that will look great in pictures! The beach had filled up quite a bit for the sunset and as we left, everyone congratulated us and wished us well, told us we looked so happy and beautiful--I was smiling from ear to ear as we left.

We ate at a very nice restaurant called the Beach House where we proceeded to take pictures on the lawn both just after sunset and later in front of the tiki torches after dark. I hear the meal was great (I could only bring myself to get a Cesar salad--that crazy stomach of mine again) and everyone enjoyed themselves. We talked about the day and it's moments, and everyone was so happy. It was the perfect end to the perfect day.

Who has the marriage license?

After nearly 3 hours at the restaurant (yes, we were enjoying ourselves), we all were headed home. We came in 3 cars, but there were 4 destinations after dinner since Rick and I were going to stay in a condo for the next few days. Long story short, I drove my parents and the photographers back to the B&B. Allyson and Chad left the restaurant, starting their honeymoon and saying not to expect to hear from them until they got back to Iowa. Back at my parents' home base, we said our good nights and the girls lingered a little longer. I thanked them for everything, a little sad that I didn't know when I would see them next. It was funny how we had gotten to know each other better over the past few days and the important role they had played in the past few days, not only as photographers but as friends. I was really sad to say goodnight, but so happy that they were there. The next morning they were doing photo shoots with my old roommate and her husband and another couple and were officially off-duty with us. I think they enjoyed their time with us as well.

On the drive back to the condo, I called my roommate and recapped the day. As I pulled into the condo, I was trying to remember where we had put the folder the officiant had given us. I couldn't remember exactly what was in it, but it was wedding related, and I was fairly confident the marriage license was in it. I had a binder that I had been keeping all of our important documents and reservation information in, and it wasn't in there. We scoured the car, not in there. I called my sister, since they and Rick's parents were the only others with cars. She was not yet to her B&B, but couldn't see the folder in her car. I called Dad. No answer. Since the photographers were staying at the same place as my parents, I called Erin. No answer. I called Sarah. She answered and I asked her to go to my parents' room and ask if they knew where the folder was. Sarah was so nice, "The door and shades are closed; do you think it's ok if I knock?" "I don't care if it's ok. We need to find this folder!"

She puts me on the phone with Mom (who I later hear was in pajamas--she's afraid she scared Sarah) who has no recollection of the folder. I'm standing with my dress unzipped halfway, pacing around our condo, Rick's grabbing keys. Everyone remembers seeing it at the beach and no one remembers putting it in a car. Has the tide come in yet? Is there a chance it's still at the beach? Then there's more talking on Mom's end of the line. Dad's on the phone with Allyson and she's asking him if he's seen the folder. Great. No one knows where it is. And then, I hear from Mom who hears from Dad that Allyson just found it in the pocket behind the passenger's seat. Instant relief. We made arrangements with Allyson and Chad to pick it up the next day (I was too tired to drive the hour round-trip that night) and after ensuring Allyson she was not the worst maid of honer in the world (late twice, lost the rings, lost the folder... really, she was great!), we crashed.

Even with the minor setbacks, it was the perfect day. I'll post pictures as soon as there are some to post! Honeymoon recap in the next few days!