This post is part of my wedding recaps. View the other wedding recap posts: Engagement Photo Session, Getting Ready, First Look & Portraits, Ceremony, and Reception.
I’ve written quite a bit about our wedding ceremony already: Our Wedding Ceremony Script, Our Wedding Ceremony Video, and Reflections on our Wedding.
There’s still room for a proper recap with beautiful photos, right?
Between our portraits and the ceremony we all hung out together at the house doing last minute details and just chilling. Aka, watching football and drinking beer for most of the guys and my brothers. As guest started to arrive I greeted a few and remember friends saying the wedding at the house was a good idea because it was less intimidating than a church/cathedral wedding. That feeling set me into a good feeling and I felt more relaxed than ever.
Our ceremony was so special to me. It was the most important part of the whole shindig and it’s what I cared about most. Even with all the care and attention I gave it the ceremony still had flaws. As an example, our friend in charge of the ceremony music couldn’t figure out how to use Kepa’s laptop. He ended up playing and restarting the bridal party’s song 3 times before I went over and played my song to walk down the aisle myself.
It was all worth it to fix the technical difficulties and walk out to see this.
I don’t even remember making the face below (awesome catch from the photographers!). I do remember being SO EXCITED to see Kepa and everyone that made it to the wedding.
You are probably supposed to take your time going down the aisle in “your big moment” but I made it down in record speed. Walking by myself all I wanted to do was get to the end.
Because that’s where my best friend was!
The ceremony flew by. I could tell my mom was in the front row crying and most people were smiling a lot – just like I was. I tried to focus on the words that were being said and what they really meant because it was such a profound moment.
We had two readings, one of which Kepa picked. He picked the song from The Wedding Singer so I had assumed there would be some sneaky singing going on (especially when he asked my friends for a guitar) but he managed to really surprise me when the whole bridal party was singing!
That was hilarious and wonderful and the best surprise possible. I just was so surprised when the groomsmen started and even more so when my bridesmaids joined in behind me.
There were a lot of other great moments in the ceremony, like when Father Ken explained the Ring Warming and when the rings finally made their way back to us.
I obviously wasn’t paying attention to who had the rings during the ceremony but I could almost feel the love and wishes and prayers that came back with the rings. It made the ring so much more valuable to me.
The ceremony wasn’t too long and I made it through without getting anxious at all. I was too happy for any negative emotions. I even made it through saying my vows without a problem – a major deal for a girl with stage fright!
The wedding couldn’t have been more perfect for us. After it was over that’s what our guest kept telling us too. It was real, not stuffy, beautiful, and unique to us. It wouldn’t be right for everyone but it was right for us.
Immediately after the ceremony we took a photo with everyone who came to the wedding. I love these shots because it has so many of my favorite people together all at once!
Here’s the video of the wedding ceremony. It’s worth a glance if you like weddings or you like me and Kepa.
When we watched the video of the ceremony afterwards we noticed all the stuff we missed during the ceremony. I hadn’t even noticed Father Ken waving his yay flag when we kissed and dancing during Kepa’s song. It was fun to laugh about all those things that were so cute but I hadn’t even noticed in the moment. I’m so grateful that we have our ceremony on video.
A celebration of love with the people I love. What could be better?
Check out the other wedding recap posts:
- Wedding Recap: Engagement Photo Session
- Wedding Recap: Getting Ready
- Wedding Recap: First Look & Portraits
- Wedding Recap: Ceremony
- Wedding Recap: Reception
Photos by Amy Hutchinson.
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
Congratulations!!!!!
Trish @I_am_Succeeding recently posted..Sunday Scale Time ~ 2.12.2012
Tu meke Kepa and Merry. Congrats on your beautiful ceremony. It was so honest and seemed so “you” I even got a little teary eyed when Kepa and the bridal party started singing.
It is awesome to see another US/Kiwi couple happy and in love. I’m a kiwi myself from Kapiti Coast/Wellington (Make Kepa take you there, it’s beautiful) and my hubby is from San Diego :)
You have both had an amazing journey to get to where you are and have an incredible story to tell your pepe in the future.
Wishing you all the blessing and happiness.
Arohanui,
Allana
PS – I have a fitness/weightloss blog and would love to interview you both as a couple. YOur story has moved me as I’m sure it will others too. Please get in contact with me at the above email if this would be something you would be interested in doing.