Wedding part 3.......

The following weekend.... we were up and at it again!

May 21, 2010- Our ring ceremony. The weekend before was about us. This weekend was for our friends and family. To show them how much we love each other, and to include them in this big step in our lives. We decided to incorporate some of the traditional symbolism of a "typical" wedding...... flower girls, wedding party, aisle walking, music, and the exchange of rings (which we had not done).  It was very important to us that they felt apart of everything! We felt by doing it this way.... we got that best of both worlds!

Getting ready...... I was still nervous, and still very very excited!!!

My favorite girls in the whole world!!!!

Bride and the beautiful bridesmaids!!! (The rain let up for about an hour for us to take pictures.... how perfect was that??)

Handsome groom.... with his handsome groomsmen

 Our HUGE wedding party!!!!

Montoya gang! I love my family!!

Fitzgerald gang.... I love my new family too!!

Erik's whole family.... cheering us on!!

Us with Grandma Fitzgerald

With Grandma and Grandpa Fiksdal (Erik's mom's parents)

Whelp...... guess we're not quite fit for parenthood just yet....

Us with The 4 most amazing people... our parents!!!

The cute flower girls!

Yep.... I tripped. Leave it to me! And not only did I trip.... I screamed as I did it. Graceful, right?

Jeff Earl performed the ceremony. He did amazing!!!!! Could not have asked for anyone better! I love this man.

Exchanging a few words to each other.....

You may kiss your bride!!

Mr and Mrs. Fitzgerald! Party time....

The venue....

The Cake.... (We literally sent a pictures about 6 months ago to the caterer.... just as an idea of something I liked..... and didn't think anything else about it). We walked into the reception and saw this cake (identical to the picture)...... we were so pleased!!!!! 

 

Toast time!!! Our DJ let the best man (Greg) and the maid of honor (my sister, Rachelle) give their speeches (which were awesome by the way), and then turned the microphone over to anyone else who had something to say. He told me before hand that usually the parents will say something, and then people will hesitate so he moves onto something else quickly. The parents each said something sweet and heartfelt (lots of tears..... I contained myself *shock!!!* but my sweet hubby on the other hand...... showed his soft side). Then we literally had a line of friends and family who wanted to say something to us. Everyone kept it short and sweet.... but it meant so much to us to hear what everyone had to say. We really are blessed with some great people in our lives!

Erik's mom...... who put EVERYONE in tears!!! But quickly had everyone smiling as she told the story of the bride getting left the night before at the rehearsal.

Story: We had rehearsal the day before, and then had to rush off for rehearsal dinner. I was in the house changing into my dress for dinner.... and walked out of the house to see everyone was leaving. I quickly walked around the house so my ride could catch the end of the line and not get lost..... oh wait.... there was NOBODY left!!! No family, no groom.... nobody!! I came with my parents.... but told Erik I was going to change in the house real fast, and was expecting to head over with him (still can't decide who's fault this all was). I slowly walked to the barn where the owner and her workers were fixing up a few things. With my head down, I asked if anyone was in there waiting for me? She started laughing.... and thought I was joking. I said "no really..... I got left!!" She responded in the mists of her laughter "They left the bride??? You have your own car though, right?" Wrong. No car.... stranded. No way of getting to rehearsal dinner...... who needs the bride there anyway, right?? This, of course, sent Johanna (owner) into another burst of laughter. Right then, my phone rings...... It's Erik's mom, "Kimber...... where are you?" She asked in a shaky voice. She said she got a bad feeling in her gut and pulled over and thought "I didn't see Kimber get into anyone's car." I responded as calmly as I could "Wine and Roses..... I got left." She felt terrible and said she was turning around and would be right there!!! So there it was....... Julie (Erik's mom) was looking out for me and took care of me!!! Not Erik..... not my family by blood...... but my mother-in-law!!!! I love her!!! Needless to say, it was quite the topic at the rehearsal dinner. Everyone got a kick out of hearing the bride got left behind!

Cake cutting....

Cake fight..... I'll admit, I got dominated!!! In my defense..... look at how much longer his arms are than mine!!!!

Cake completely up the nose..... he thinks he's sooooo funny!!

Erik with all the beautiful single ladies for his LAST time!!

Bouquet toss...

Oppps........ I hit the chandelier right above me and it landed (with it's pedals scattered everywhere) like 2 feet behind me. Dang it!!!! Can't I do anything right? Sorry ladies.  They need to teach the uncoordinated brides, such as myself, how to do these things!!

Guarder toss..... I have always found this as an awkward tradition..... and this is exactly why!! In fact.... I'm pretty sure I could see my dad through my peripheral vision at this exact moment in my life....

First dance.... "I'll take today" by Gary Allan

Good news...... he still finds me funny :)

Daddy/Daughter....... "Brown Eyed girl"

What would I do without him??

Mother/Son...... "My Wish" by Rascal Flatts

The DJ was awesome and so much fun!! The caterer was amazing and the food was fantastic (stuffed chicken and salmon). The venue was beautiful, the landscaping was gorgeous, Johanna (owner) was a sweetheart. Two families coming together. It was perfect! I couldn't have asked for more. Okay..... So it rained. Oh well.... We were in beautiful Seattle. Small price to pay! Besides..... what do they say about rain on your wedding day??? Life time of happiness? Good Luck? I can't remember.... But I'm pretty sure it's good. Guess we're guaranteed lots of luck through this journey of ours!!