I don't even really know how to start this post. Our wedding day was so great, so perfect. After all the events from the previous night, I was able to get a little bit of sleep the night before (I, of course, didn't sleep great, just thinking about the next day-a little bit of nerves, a lot of excitement). When I woke up early that morning to get showered, I woke up to a sweet letter on my bedroom door (well, my niece Jenna's bedroom door-she let me be her roommate the week before the wedding, since I had already moved out of my apartment, and Devan had moved into our new place) from Devan-it was just what I needed to keep myself calm and reaffirm my decision to marry the awesome man that he is. I also received a very sweet and tender email from my Dad. My dad-I sure do love him and look up to him so much. He has been so supportive throughout all my life-making big decisions and always listening to me and giving me advice when I need it-or not giving it when I need to make my own decision about things. But he always has a smile on his face, and rarely, if ever, gets mad. Like I said, I look up to him in every way possible, and I hope to walk in his footsteps.
So, after getting a little teary eyed reading both of those notes, I had my personal stylist help me get ready. RaeAnn did my hair and my makeup and also my bouquet, so the pretty face and hair and flowers were all courtesy of her! I am so grateful to RaeAnn for her skills-without her, my stress levels would've been 10x higher that day. She is awesome and can do anything.
I rode to the temple with my Mom-who was amazing and stayed up a lot of the night doing boutineers for the men in the family. I am always amazed by her and how she can do anything. I didn't want her to have to work a lot during the wedding time so that she could just enjoy her time after all that travel from Ukraine-but she selflessly worked so hard to figure out a lot of the details that needed finishing. I am blessed to have her as my mother, and glad that she was there with me to escort me in the temple. Devan and I met at the temple and did all the marriage certificate paperwork. Then I got changed into my wedding dress with the help of my Mom. Shortly after, we had the ceremony. I can't tell you how amazing it was to walk into the sealing room and see all the closest people I love there, in the temple with Devan and I. It was overwhelming to see the support, and to think of all the people who travelled long distances to share this incredible, special, sacred moment with us. The sealing was perfect-it had a little extra special meaning to me, because the man who performed the ceremony was Patriarch Bateman, who also gave me my patriarchal blessing nearly 10 years before. I am grateful for the counsel and the words that were shared with Devan and I, and that we are able to be sealed for time and all eternity. I am grateful to be part of a forever family. How grateful I am for the gospel and for that knowledge that I have that we can be together forever, and that we have more potential than we realize, or probably ever will in this lifetime. My membership in this Church and my relationship with my Heavenly Father are some of my most prized possessions that I have. I am grateful that Devan shares that testimony and that eternal perspective with me. The time came for us to come out of the temple, and for me to see everyone, including my super cute nieces and nephews, who got their hair done during the sealing. They looked so cute!
My sister, Liz, found the dresses and vests for the kids, and I thought they turned out SO CUTE!! I knew I wanted matching outfits for the young kids, because there was no way I could pick one or two flower girls, and I wanted everyone to be included, so I was so happy Lizzie found these.
All the nieces and nephews!
We had lots of pictures with friends and family afterward. I'll select a few favorites...
And then Devan and I took one or two pictures just the two of us... ;)
After we left the temple, Devan and I did a little photoshoot before the reception with Marcelle. We went to Luther Burbank Park and had a lot of fun! Special shout out to Jessi for transporting me from the temple, to the photo shoot, to the reception. I otherwise might have had to drive myself, which would be hard to do in a wedding dress. :)
Three of my favorites-Seattle, the water and Devan :) If only there was a little sunshine in this picture, it would be perfect!
Thanks again to Marcelle for taking pictures of us!
Now, on to the reception. Devan and I didn't think it could've gone any better. We wanted to keep it simple and casual and just very relaxed. Liz again came through with helping me figure out decorations. She also connected me to our caterer for the event-who was just awesome! The food was amazing, and she handled all the little details like the plates, silverware, drinks, EVERYTHING! I had so much great support for the wedding-I didn't feel super stressed about anything. It was so nice to be able to just enjoy the day and be with friends and family and celebrate. So awesome!
Yeah, we had gelato. I loved having that at our wedding. So, I'm just going to inundate with more pictures. I wish I could post all of them because I love seeing everyone there, but this post is long enough already.
Rawr...
Daddy-daughter dance. Sweet memory.
Our parents spoke a few words at the reception. It was so great to hear what they had to say.
So yeah, we left our reception on a jet ski. It was really fun, and I'm glad we were able to do something a little different, and also save our cars from being trashed...I mean, decorated... ;)
I can't express what an amazing and perfect day it was. I am forever grateful to my family, Devan's family, our friends, and of course Devan, for making it such a special day. Hooray for being married!
