Wedding Recap!

As of today, Zach and I have been married 269 days 22 hours and 58 minutes.
& I am just now finishing our wedding recap. Better late than never. 

The morning of the wedding, I spent with my sister; Hayley. I had so much fun talking to her the night before, and Hayley has always been a rock for me. She often is my voice of reason when I decide to be very unreasonable. So it only made sense that she kept me from having a total nervous breakdown/anxiety attack. Just kidding, but seriously she was great and if I could do it over again I wouldn't have changed it just being us that night or morning. She stayed the night at the hotel with me, where we would get ready later that afternoon. I woke her up pretty close to 8 am, I was so excited! We had an appointment with my hair dresser in Fort Worth for our up-dos, and we were in Grand Prairie. I am not the best driver, and Zach constantly reminds me "Keep your hands at 10 o'clock and 2 o'clock", so I wanted to make sure we had more than enough time. After showering, I realized I forgot my razor and Hayley and I were desperate for a coke, Zach brought both to the hotel. Seeing him early calmed a lot of my pre-wedding jitters, and really took a weight off of my shoulders. Zach and I are a team, and was reassuring to see him, solidifying that we were in this together.

On the way back from getting our hair done, I missed an exit. Not only did I miss my exit, but by doing so I went on a totally different freeway, that didn't have a way back to the freeway I needed for like 5 miles. I am SO glad we left early, because we were able to get in with my hair dresser early and in turn we were able to leave 15 minutes early so my 15 minute detour didn't keep my makeup artist waiting at all. My sister said, "I can't believe you didn't lose it after you realized you were going the wrong way." When I got to the hotel, we met my mom. who brought Chick-Fil-A nuggets and food for the girls. My Mom, Sister and Mother in Law all got their make-up done, while I watched and let the feeling of "Holy Crap! I am getting married!" sink in. Then finally it was my turn.

Zach and I agreed to let Braylen (our 3 year old son) stay with him during the day, to try and squeeze in an afternoon nap. For picture purposes, Zach brought him to me so I could get him in his tux. Things did not go as planned, Braylen was completely overwhelmed by all of the people that he wasn't familiar with. And he absolutely did not want Mommy changing him into his outfit anywhere but the privacy of a bathroom.

Like a lot of 3 year olds, Braylen feels more confident when he has a toy or stuffed animal to cling too when he is nervous. Zach and I decided, he might feel a little better about standing in front of so many strangers if he had his favorite Ninja Turtle with him. We bought the Turtle a bow-tie, so he wouldn't be under dressed and hoped it would encourage Braylen to not feel uncomfortable in his tux.

I gave the girls and mom their gifts, and my mom surprised me with a gift as well. She said she wanted me to have pearls to pass down to my own daughter on her wedding day, and she also made a charm for my bouquet with my grandmother's picture in it. My grandmother passed away when I was younger, and I was very close to her. I am so grateful that her picture is in both of my wedding photo's and videos and that her presence was visible on my wedding day.

Finally, it was time to get into my dress. Holy moly!

While I was getting dressed, Antoinette, my Mother in Law took the corsages downstairs to hotel lobby for the boys.

 I love this picture of Zach and his mom. So sweet.

We had a little bit of time to kill after getting dressed, before we had to head to The Oasis and my photographer suggested that we do a first look. I really really wanted to have a first look originally, but didn't opt to have one because I thought we wouldn't have had the time. I am SO glad we were able to make it work. I will never forget that moment, the anxiety/anticipation/relief for as long as I live. The pictures from the first look were some of my favorites from the WHOLE day. 

The whole lobby was cheering, even strangers. It was so surreal. But, we couldn't linger for long. We had a wedding to get to! 

 

 We thought long and hard about the music that we wanted played during the ceremony. We finally agreed on Is This Love- Bob Marley for the bridal party and a Thousand Years by Christina Perri for my entrance.

We also thought long and hard about our vows. Zach and I don't belong to a church, and it was really important that we didn't have a stranger marry us. I also knew that I wanted to include my cousin Ben, in my wedding but I originally thought I would have him be an usher. Someone at my job suggested that I look into having him ordained, and let him perform the ceremony. I called the county clerk to make sure that if he was to marry us that Texas would recognize our marriage as the real deal. I got the green light, and began writing the ceremony script. (posted at the bottom) Zach and I both agreed that we couldn't have made a better choice. Ben was perfect. The ceremony was perfect, and it felt so intimate. I am SO glad he agreed to it.

It felt like we stood up there for 12,000 years, but finally Ben gave Zach the okay to kiss me!

We went outside and took some pictures of my family, bridal party and just us. Seriously thought I was going to melt from the heat. It.was.so.hot. We were going to get married outside at Lynn Creek Park overlooking Joe Pool Lake and at the last minute we moved the whole she-bang to the Oasis. THANK GOD, because everyone would have passed out from heat exhaustion.
Here are some of my favorites, I have the full album posted on my Facebook.

I love love this picture because you can see the restaurant. I toured and hated about 5 billion venues in DFW, but when I walked upstairs into the banquet hall at The Oasis I fell in love. It was so simple and it overlooked the water. I knew I had to get married there.The only concern I had was the lack of privacy we might face due to it being on top on a restaurant, and right smack in the middle of a marina, but it worked out perfectly. Everyone congratulating us, and giving us well wishes was A-MAZ-ING. At one point I stuck my head out of the window and people on a boat yelled out in unison, "congratulations!". It was so bad ass.

Finally we went inside to eat and celebrate! But first things first, I. don't. wear. heels. And I left my flip flops that I was going to change into at the hotel. (along with our marriage license, ring bearer pillow and exit bubbles) So Zach, being the sweetheart that he is, ran downstairs and bought me flip flops from the marina gift shop.

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My mom, sister and Zach's best man all gave toasts.

I danced with my Dad, and Zach danced with his mom.
And of course we danced our first dance as a married couple

The cake was cut, and Zach smeared it on my nose even though we agreed there would be NO cake smashing.

This cake cutter is my great-grand mothers.

Speaking of cakes, I let Zach pick out his grooms cake while I designed the bridal cake.
I very much wanted to include Braylen without it being "over the top". I had the lawn chairs made on Etsy, and I couldn't have been happier with how the cakes turned out.

After the cakes were cut, it was time to party!

Seriously, even after 9 months I still can't believe I am married. It was the best day ever, and it went by so fast. It was amazing to see the months of planning brought to life. It was everything we hoped for. I am so blessed to have the most perfect husband and son.

Welcome! Good afternoon, family and friends Zach and Meagan have brought us together here for an occasion of great joy and a cause for great celebration. Meagan and Zach  would like to thank each of you for being with them today. Although many of you don’t live right around the corner, you are never far from their hearts. You’ve shared in their best and their worst days, and you are an irreplaceable part of their yesterdays, their today and all of their tomorrows. A marriage needs the help of a community, of friends and family who will be there to stand by the couple during hard times and during happy times. Each and every person here today will witness the words that they will speak to one another and the vows that they will make. May we always do all within our power to support the union that will be made here today and to nurture the bond between these two people whom we love. 

Each of us knows that a marriage is not created by a law or a ceremony; rather it occurs in the hearts of two human beings. It grows out of loving, caring, and sharing ourselves with another. This ceremony is not magic, it will not create a relationship that does not already exist and has not already been celebrated in all the commitments Zach and Meagan have made to each other, both large and small, in the days since they first met and recognized their connection to one another. So, in witnessing this ceremony today, we are observing only an outward sign of an inward union that already exists between Zach and Meagan. This ceremony is a symbol of how far they have come together and a symbol of the promise that they will make to each other to continue to live their lives together and to love each other solely and above all others 

Marriage is a bond to be entered into only after considerable thought and reflection. 

After 4 years Meagan & Zach are ready to take the next step, to make this commitment.   Laughter and humor have been two of the key elements that have shaped the foundation of this relationship.  To quote Dr. Seuss,  “We are all a little weird and Life’s a little weird. When we find someone whose weirdness Is compatible with ours, We join up with them and fall in mutual weirdness And call it Love.”  Throughout these 4 years, they have experienced many challenges and changes including new jobs, new residences, the Rangers losing the World Series not once but twice, new family members, and the most important of all these things, their son Braylen.  The one constant throughout this time for them has been each other.  They have learned that things don’t always go the right way all the time but in the end, the lesson has been that valuable experiences and memories are what you get when you didn’t get what you wanted.  This time was not without obstacles which makes today even sweeter.  Keeping all of this in mind  Zach, Do you take Meagan to be your wife from this day forward?  To live together and to comfort her in times of need?  Do you promise to build a life filled with love and laughter, sharing all that is to come?  Zach answers  Meagan, Do you take Zach to be your husband from this day forward? To live together and to comfort him in times of need?  Do you promise to build a life filled with love and laughter, sharing all that is to come?  Meagan answers 

Today, they demonstrate their devotion to each other by dedicating themselves to a life together 

And they show their respect for each other by setting forth to honor the vows they have created 

Today, their lives, which began on separate paths, will be joined as one 

The symbolic vows that you are about to make are a way of saying to one another, “You know all those things that we’ve promised, and hoped, and dreamed – well, I meant it all, every word.”  Look at one another and remember this moment in time. Before this moment you have been many things to one another – acquaintance, friend, companion, dancing partner, even teacher, for you have learned much from one another these past few years. Shortly you will say a few words that will take you across a threshold of life, and things between you will never quite be the same.  For after today you shall say to the world – This is my husband. This is my wife." 

Zach please repeat after me: 

I, Zach take you Meagan, to be my wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish; from this day forward until death do us part. 

Meagan please repeat after me:  

I, Meagan, take you Zach, to be my husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish; from this day forward until death do us part. 

Wedding bands are visible, tangible symbols of a couple’s commitment and of their emotional and spiritual connection. Many people talk about rings as being a perfect circle, having no beginning and no end. But we all know that these rings have a beginning. Rock is dug up from the earth. Metals are liquefied in a furnace at a thousand degrees. The hot metal is forged, cooled, and polished. Something beautiful is made from raw elements. 

Love is like that. It comes from humble beginnings, made by imperfect beings. It is the process of making something beautiful where there was once nothing at all. 

Pedraam (best man) will hand the rings to you. 

Meagan and Zach, let these rings serve as a reminder of the feelings you have in your hearts at this very moment. There are times in life that we tend to focus on the things we have not yet accomplished, there will also be times of great loss. Yet as you look at your wedding band, remember the great gift that you have been given and all that you have in one another. Remember that you have someone to share this life with. Never again will you walk alone. 

Zach, take Meagan’s’ ring, place it on her finger and repeat after me:  I give you this ring, as a symbol of our marriage,   for today and tomorrow, and for all the days to come.   Wear it as a sign of what we have promised on this day   and know that my love is present,   even when I am not.  Meagan, please take Zach’s hand and repeat these words.  I give you this ring, as a symbol of our marriage,   for today and tomorrow, and for all the days to come.   Wear it as a sign of what we have promised on this day   and know that my love is present,   even when I am not. 

May these vows be forever cherished.  May this marriage be full of laughter and every day a day in paradise. May they be a sign of compassion and a seal of happiness here and hereafter. Never forget the joy of this day.  And finally, may you always have enough and may enough always be more than you hoped for. And in accordance with the laws of the state of Texas 

It is my honor and delight to declare you 

To be husband and wife 

Zach you may kiss your bride  

It is my pleasure to introduce to you, for the first time, Mr. and Mrs. Zach Nelson