wedding day [part 4]

Here is Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3.

Eventually someone showed up to unlock the building, which allowed everyone to breathe a little easier.  [And sweat a little less.]

Tim's parents had an amazing lunch prepared.  There were all kinds of delicious things, but my favorite part was the tri-tip steak sandwiches.  [Mmm...it's making me hungry just thinking about it.]

We talked and laughed with everyone and wondered when it was going to start feeling real.

After the luncheon, Tim and I had a stop to make before we headed up to Prescott for our reception.  Bahama Buck's.  We ate our delectable shaved ice as we drove and smiled ridiculous smiles at one another.

On the way up, we kept saying things like, "We're married!"

"You're my husband!"

"You're my wife!"

Once we got to Prescott, we briefly stopped at my parents' house so I could say a decent hello to my grandma and my aunt, knowing I wouldn't have much time to talk to them later.  And after about 10 minutes of talking, we were already out of time.  We headed over to the stake center [church building] where we would be having our reception.

I knew it would be beautiful, because Nicole Mangum was in charge of decorations.

But because I hadn't been there to help set up, I didn't know exactly how it would turn out.

Which was why when I walked in the doors to the cultural hall, my breath caught in my chest and I stopped dead in my tracks.

It was more beautiful than I could have ever dreamed.

I took a few minutes just to walk around and look at everything.  [And now I wish I'd spent even more time so that I could remember every single detail.]

our wishing tree guest book

pictures hanging on doors

centerpieces

 bunting and lights

[See what I mean?]

I started to get nervous, knowing that for the next few hours, Tim and I would be the center of everyone's attention.  I've never been very good at that.  Then I started to worry about making sure everything was perfect.

Then Tim did something he's done for me every day since.  Whenever I get worried about something, to this day, Tim changes modes.  It's the I-will-do-everything-in-my-power-to-make-sure-Katie-is-happy mode.  He calmed me down, took over everything I was worried about, and sent me to change into my wedding dress.

I hunted down my mom [which was no small task] and dragged her into the bathroom to help me change.  She and one of her friends fixed my hair and my make-up, and before I knew it, it was time for the reception to start.

I found Tim and he gave me one of his reassuring smiles.  He put his arm around my waist and led me back into the cultural hall.

I could already tell this was going to be a perfect night.

*Stay tuned for details about the reception!*

wedding day [part 3]

*If you haven't already, you might wanna read Part 1 and Part 2 first.*

We stepped out into the scorching sunlight, hands clasped tightly together, for the first time as Mr. and Mrs. Devey.

[Disclaimer: I have no idea who those people behind us are.]

We were expecting everyone to be waiting for us at the bottom of the steps, as is customary, but because it was so hot, everyone was huddled under any bit of shade they could find.

And even though it was hotter than all get out, our hearts smiled magnificently.

I don't know that I'd ever felt so much love in my entire life.

My dear friend Chantal took all these lovely pictures, and she was incredible at telling everyone where to stand and how to do it quickly so we wouldn't have to be out in the heat for any longer than necessary.  [And believe me, no one wanted to be outside any longer than absolutely necessary.]

Our family and friends.

My lovely bridesmaids.

Our wedding party.

Immediately after taking pictures, everyone scurried to the building across the street, where we would be having our luncheon.  Before I walked over there, however, I needed to get a key from my mother to be able to get all of my things out of my locker in the temple.  But there was only one problem.

My mom was no where in sight.

Tim walked with me into the foyer of the temple while my dad rushed to find my mom.  After about 15 minutes, Tim left to go find my dad.

Which left me standing by myself in the foyer of the temple in my wedding dress.

I could sense the questioning stares from everyone in the foyer.  Why is she here by herself?  Did her groom leave her?  

It was an awkward few minutes, let me tell you.

Finally, they returned with the key and my recommend, which allowed me to gather all of my things.

We hurried over to the luncheon, expecting everyone to be inside the building, wondering where the heck we had been.

Instead, we found everyone waiting outside the building, wondering why the heck the building was still locked.

Continue on to Part 4.

wedding day [part 2]

*If you haven't read Part 1, go here.*

My heart stopped for what felt like an eternity.

As my mom checked her purse again for her recommend, I wondered if there really was a possibility that she might not be able to see me get married today.

She checked her suitcase.  Looked through her purse again.  And then started tearing apart the car.

My heart started pleading a prayer that my head couldn't verbalize.  Please...

"I found it!"

I let out a sigh of relief and almost started crying.

"Let's go," she smiled.

We walked together towards the temple doors that I'd only been through twice before.  Soon after entering them, I saw him.  He smiled, and I thought for the millionth time today that I might start crying.  My heart felt like it might burst with happiness.

We were quickly ushered away to take care of some paperwork, and then we were separated so we could change.  After changing, we were lead to a hallway where we could wait for our sealer.  We held hands and giggled quietly with anticipation.  Despite my nerves, I'd never felt so happy in my entire life.

Finally, our sealer came to talk with us.  He made some small talk at first, then delved into more personal things.  Then he asked if we were ready.  We nodded, not quite trusting ourselves to speak.

He lead us into the sealing room.  My breath caught in my chest; this was the most beautiful sight I'd ever seen.  Family and friends were packed into this tiny room, all glowing and all smiling.  I'd never felt such a strong spirit.  It felt as though angels were right there with us.

It was a simple ceremony.  Simple, but beautiful.  It took every ounce of willpower I had not to cry through the entire thing.

Afterward, everyone lined up and gave us each a hug.  I was tempted to cry again as so many of the people we loved congratulated us quietly.  We spent a few more moments with the sealer and with our parents in front of the mirrors.  The eternal nature of this relationship became very apparent as there was a distinct feeling that those in our family who had already passed on and those who had yet to come to this earth were very aware of this day.

We separated once again to change.  In the bride's room, my mom helped me smooth out my dress and my hair [only giving me a mild heart attack when she left me alone in the room for a few minutes to look for something].  Finally, I was lead back to Tim at the front entrance of the temple.

He took my hand and smiled his heart-stopping smile.

"You ready?"

Continue on to Part 3.

wedding day [part 1]

Remember that time I got engaged?  [You can read about it here, here, and here.]

That was a pretty good time.

But what was an even better time was that day I actually got married.

I told you about the day before I got married.

But I haven't told you very much about the day of, have I?

In truth, writing about it scares me a little bit.  I don't want to leave anything out or get anything wrong or do a bad job writing about it.  But there is a higher chance of that happening the longer I wait, I suppose...

August 5, 2011: The Wedding Day

In theory, sleeping by myself in our new apartment the night before our wedding seemed like a good idea.  But in actuality, it would have been way nicer to have other people there.  For one thing, my nerves were far beyond what I wanted to deal with on my own.  And for another thing, trying to fix a hot water heater by yourself is way harder than it sounds.

Wait...what?

Ok, let's back up a little.

My eyes flew open as my 6:00am alarm sounded, and I realized immediately that I wouldn't even need the other two alarms I'd set.  I took a minute just to soak it all in.  A fresh bought of nerves and excitement hit me and I immediately wished I'd taken Katie's offer to spend the night with me.  Or that my parents had gotten to Mesa early enough for me to spend the night with them.

Promptly at 6:05am, the phone rang.  I smiled.  Tim is always right on time.

"Hello?" I said, knowing full well who it was.

"Hey babe," said a sleepy voice.  "Happy Wedding Day!  Were you asleep?"

"Hey," I said, my smile growing larger by the second.  "No, I actually wasn't.  But thank you for the wake-up call just the same.  I'm so excited!  I love you."

"I love you, too.  I'll let you go so you can get ready.  But I'll see you soon, ok?"

We ended the call, and I walked into the bathroom.  There was a note from Tim.  Of course, I should have known, I thought.  He'd been sneakily leaving me notes in random places, sometimes accompanied by presents, for the past nine days.  Today it was just a sweet note telling me how excited he was to marry me and how much he loved me and couldn't wait to see me.

I smiled again.  [You'll notice this trend throughout the day.]

I went to turn on the water to the shower.  Huh, that's weird, I thought.  The water isn't heating up.  Maybe I'll turn the knob the other way.  Nope, that isn't working, either.  Uhhh...I don't really want to take a cold shower...

I called my dad in a panic.

"How do you fix a water heater?"

My dad groggily tried to explain what to do, but it's pretty hard to explain such a thing over the phone, especially when the receiver knows as little about appliances as I do.  Eventually, I gave up and resigned myself to a cold shower.  [At least it was invigorating?]

After I'd done my make-up and dried by hair, I headed over to the house where I was getting my hair done by the lovely Ashtyn.  [That's right.  She took our engagement and pre-wedding photos and did my hair.  Talent, I tell you.]  I showed up late, but I figured Ashtyn was probably used to my tardiness by now.  She welcomed me graciously and got my hair done with twenty minutes to spare.

During the drive to the temple, I wished for the hundredth time that I wasn't by myself.  I called my mom and begged her to get there as fast as possible.  Once I got there, I sat in the parking lot and tried to be patient.  I called my mom again to see where she was.  I organized everything in sight.  I made sure I had my temple recommend.  I made sure my dress wasn't being squished.  Then I called my mom again.

After what seemed like an hour, my family drove into the parking lot.  [It was probably more like 15 minutes.]  I got out and excitedly hugged my mom and practically screamed "hello" to my brothers and dad.  They told me I looked beautiful, and I smiled.  I felt beautiful today.

"Umm...I can't find my recommend."

I stared at my mom.  "What?"  I said, dumbfounded.

"I hope I didn't leave it in Prescott."

"What?" I said.  [Stress brings out the eloquence in me, obviously.]

If my mom didn't find her temple recommend, that would mean that she wouldn't be able to go into the temple with us.

Which would mean she'd be waiting outside.

Which would mean that my mom wouldn't be able to see me get married.

Continue to Part 2.