Marriage Meme *Photo Update*

I have a confession to make... I didn't plan my wedding.

I know, I know... doesn't every little girl start planning her wedding at the age of 4 and dream of the glorious day she has a legitimate reason to buy a copy of Emily and Martha's Ultimate Wedding Planner for Dummies: Every Bride's Essential Guide to Planning the Dream Wedding Everyone Will Remember Forever All For Under $500?

Sorry.

I am the only daughter of two people with rather large extended families who ALL expected to be invited to the shindig. Add to that the fact that there was some contention involved owing to my parent's recent divorce and, well.... all I wanted to do was get married!

My wedding day was to be endured, not necessarily to be enjoyed. Doesn't that sound terrible? Let me assure you though that my marriage has been completely enjoyable and I wouldn't change a thing about it!

We made all of the decisions for the Mass and put our foot down on a few items. Everything else...guest list, colors, food, flowers...was planned by my mom. I let her, I admit it, because she seemed to really want to and me?...I just really wanted to marry my guy!

1. Where/How did you meet? In college. He spent his first two years at college in Ohio and transferred to Texas for his last two.

2. How long have you known each other? 12 years

3. How long after you met did you start dating? We started dating about a month after we officially met (as opposed to the college unofficial "who's that cute guy" thing).

4. How long did you date before you were engaged? 6 weeks (Yep...I said weeks!)

5. How long was your engagement? 13 months (My father asked that I finish college first so we set the date for 2 weeks after graduation.)

6. How long have you been married? almost 11 years

7. What is your anniversary? June 1, 1996

8. How many people came to your wedding reception? 200...maybe 250? The only daughter...what can I say?

9. What kind of cake did you serve? The wedding cake was a 5-layer white with a raspberry filling and the groom's cake was chocolate, chocolate, chocolate!

10. Where was your wedding? South Texas

11. What did you serve for your meal? Turkey, rice & green beans...I think. I didn't choose it, so I really don't remember..not sure if I even ate any.

12. How many people were in your wedding party? Best man, Matron of Honor, 2 bridesmaids, 2 groomsmen and one flower girl.

13. Are you still friends with them all? All except for 2.

14. Did your spouse cry during the ceremony? I don't think so.

15. Most special moment of your wedding day? I agree that being called his wife was an amazing moment, but the most special moment for both of us was one we didn't find out about until much later. When we got our pictures from the photographer we found one that was so endearing we have it framed in our bedroom. The photographer was not allowed to take any pictures in the altar area during the Mass, but she snapped a picture of "the kiss" from the back and you can see the smiling face of our beloved priest and friend hovering just above our heads. The look on his face is priceless! We love him so much. He has baptized all of our children and BigBoy is his namesake.



16. Any funny moments? Finding ourselves completely alone in the parking lot of the church with only a vague idea of where the reception site was (did I mention my mother planned our wedding?) and how to get there. Also... a friend who was taking some back-up photos stepped on my veil as we were walking out of the church and almost pulled it off my head.

17. Any big disasters? The organist! I had met with him prior to the wedding to choose our music. I had even given him sheet music for the songs we wanted played to make sure he got it right. On the big day, he played nothing I had chosen!

18. Where did you go on your honeymoon? Seattle, Washington and some of the little towns around Seattle. We stayed in a bed and breakfast for a few days and then a cottage on the bay for the rest of the time.

19. How long were you gone? A week.

20. If you were to do your wedding over, what would you change? Don't get me started.

21. What side of the bed do you sleep on? Right side as you look from the foot.

22. What size is your bed? Queen

23. Greatest strength as a couple? We talk and talk and talk and talk.

24. Greatest challenge as a couple? Finding time for just us.

25. Who literally pays the bills? Husband is the sole provider but I keep the books.

26. What is your song? Graceful Ghost composed by William Bolcom, performed by George Winston.

27. What did you dance your first dance to? Well it was supposed to be Graceful Ghost by William Bolcom performed by George Winston but I put the wrong CD in the case for the DJ and he ended up playing Keeper of the Stars by Tracy Byrd. I'll be joining Theresa for some wine later. We've got the cheese covered.

28. Describe your wedding dress: Candlelight white shantung silk with bell sleeves and a ballet neck line. Lace on the bodice and arms, but no decoration on the skirt. Bustled train in the back. I wore my mother's veil that had been made by my grandmother. I am not sure exactly how long it was, but she said it was only a few feet shy of Princess Diana's veil.

29. What kind of flowers did you have at your wedding? I carried white roses and white stephanotis surrounded by tons of greenery. The attendants carried white daisies.

30. Are your wedding bands engraved? His 3 are (it is a very unusual design); mine isn't.

31. How old were you when you got married? 21

I know that weddings can sometimes be sensitive subjects so I am not tagging anyone specific. I think a lot of people will want to do this meme if they haven't done it already so just leave me a comment if you decide to tag yourself!