D-Day

Finally, I'm married now!! What will I do with all this free time?

Let me try to recount my 10/15/2005...
Midnight to 1am-ish - went to the hotel where my family's staying to try to catch some zzz's
2am to 3am-ish - finally caught the zzz's
5am - Bee went to sleep after working on her speech
8:30am - woke up after much commotion in the kitchen/living room
9am - Bee & I realized we forgot to steam our dresses, and began to iron them
10:30am - went to Peter, the hairdresser, found out Vivian never got there (at 10, as planned)
11:45am - went over to Trish MacEvoy at Sak's 5th to discover that Ana, my make up artist had left for Austin, but didn't tell me.
Noon - Sarah & Donna did our make up instead, pretty good job
1pm - Viv arrived at Saks w/ mom to do their make up
1:45pm - Bee & I took off for Wyndham Anatole
2pm - Found our photographer Huy waiting for us already; we checked into suite #2270 (the most enormous and fancy suite I'll ever stay in)
2:05pm - Re-iron the dresses b/c they got wrinkled again during the travelling
2:15 to 3pm - Christine, Karen, Vivian, & Jenelle arrived at the suite to get dressed; my family came in to hang out in the living room area; ate 2 pieces of the Chick-fil-A nuggets
3:15 to 3:30pm - finally started the pictures w/ family & wedding party
4:30pm - wedding party & other family members who will walk down the aisle waited in the Verandah Club
5pm - wedding was supposed to start, but I don't think it started late. I tripped on my dress and my shoes got stuck in the grass while walking towards the altar. One of the photographers Huy brought was sitting in the tree, taking pictures of the processional - my very own paparazzi!!!
6pm-ish - ceremony concluded, more pictures, chit-chats w/ guests
6:30pm - went up to the suite to change into chi pao for the tea ceremony
6:45pm-ish - started the tea ceremony with Bry's family first, then mine. Got a bunch of red envelopes and gold jewelry
7:30pm - wedding party entered the Wedgwood ballroom
7:35pm - Jenelle, Bee & I went back up to the suite to change back into my wedding gown, so I can get my money's worth ;)
7:45 to 8:45pm - Ate dinner (baby spinach salad w/ pancetta, stuffed chicken with shrimp & pumpkin or butternut squash side), but Bry and I ate as fast as we could so we can chat with guests
8:45pm - Bee made her speech, I teared up a bit when she mentioned dad. (It was the only time I had cried.)
9pm - Norton made his speech, and he called me "cheap"
9:15pm - cut the wedding cake (didn't get to eat much of it, but the Red Velvet one was DELICIOUS!!)
9:30pm - danced till the end of time (music by Norm's, Louis', Mine & one other iPod)
1am - retired up to the beautifully decorated suite, courtesy of my pals & Cathy. Chicago peeps came up to the room too.
2am - zzzzz

For some miracle, I was not at all nervous. All the preparation and the stress from days leading up to this day had all dissipated for some reason. I even surprised myself. I just had this feeling of "whatever, anthing that goes wrong I won't be able to do anything about it anyway." It was as if my inner bridezilla/control freak had left me. Even though Bryan hadn't completed his vows until that morning.

I really had a fun day. Just really enjoyed every moment of it. The flowers and decor was BEAUTIFUL!! I was SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO happy when I saw our bouquets and the decorations in the foyer. Everything was beautiful. I had an idea of how I wanted everything to look, but when everything actually came to life, I was SO content and satisfied. The weather was really pleasant too. No mosquitoes like the night before, at the rehearsal. (Which, I later on found out it was b/c my dear friend Rey had fogged the perimeter.) When the music had started, I was so happy with my music choices, and all the singers and musicians sounded fabulous. The rose trees Sahana had done were just gorgeous! I could stop smiling while looking at them. Everything was perfect!

As I was walking down the aisle, all I could think was how awesome that all these friends and families had gathered here today, for US. To celebrate with us! To party with us! It was an amazing feeling. All the time we had spent stressing over this day, and even all the money we had poured into this day was ALL worth it. Sure, my feet hurt like no body's business b/c my shoes weren't very comfortable. Sure, the bottom of my dress was filthy from walking in the grass. Sure, I had no lipstick on half way through the evening. Sure, Bry & I didn't get to have any Kir Royales or Lobster in Puff Pastry. Sure, Norm had called my programs "bulletin." Somehow, they just didn't matter.

Prime objective achieved.

My eternal gratitude goes to my friends & family who've helped with every little details leading up to the day, and during the day. Our wedding could not have been possible with out you. Also, to the ladies who made my vision into reality, you are AMAZING!!! Words cannot express my appreciation and love for you! To our Oasis family, thank you for your encouragement and your countless hours at the sweatshop. To my Chicago family, thank you for "picking up the slack" to make everything run smoothly for me. We owe you a brisket.

Well, we're Maui. Aloha!! Pix to come!!