Our Wedding Day!

We'd like to send out a HUGE thanks to the talented and caring people who captured these special moments for us!

THE PHOTOGRAPHERS: Karen Berrel and Eileen Leier!

The beautiful photos on this blog, plus many more, were taken by these two wonderful women! (Judy Kelly and Bonnie Miller contributed a few pictures to the blog as well.) Thanks so much!

THE VIDEOGRAPHERS: Uncle Joe (Mason) Doesn't he look like a famous Hollywood director?

and Keith McGuire With hair like that, you just know he's artistic! He also has a very steady arm. We didn't have a tripod for his camera.

They both exceeded our expectations. Thank you! It is so very appreciated!

On Wednesday, March 10th, 2010, our wedding day, Mike and I slept in and had a relaxing morning. I did my make-up on the balcony off of our room with a backdrop of palm trees, beach and ocean. Mike brought me ham and cheese sandwiches so that I had something in my stomach. Then it was time for us to separate until the ceremony.

Mike and Josh got ready in our room. They had a little help from Irene and Judy before the ceremony!

Groom Pre-Wedding:
Judy and Irene ironing the suits.

Jaylene jumped into Maid of Honour mode running back to our room, twice, to grab items I'd forgotten!

The boyz were ready well in advance and lookin' like studs. While walking from our room to the wedding terrace, they received many admiring glances and comments from women along the way!!!

Look at that handsome man!!!

I had the arduous duty of going to the spa where they pampered me and sculpted my hair. Karen Berrel and Bonnie kept me company while snapping photos.

Bride Pre-Wedding:

Tracie and Darren came to visit after their massages!

The wedding coordinator, Lorena, brought me the rose for Jaylene's hair. She also let go of her usual professional air, giggled a little and expressed how much she loved the bouquet!

Jaylene and I moved to Joe and Karen Mason's room to get ready. Conveniently, their room just happened to be right next to the terrace where we were getting married. (Thanks you two for letting us invade your space!!!)

Tracie helped me fix my straps. I was so happy she could be there with me!

Visitors and photographers headed to their seats leaving the final four: the Father of the Bride, the Maid of Honour, the Best Man (and the Bride).

Before the ceremony was about to begin, Josh told us that he was feeling nervous. Jay said, "Me too!" Then Josh asked if I felt the same. I responded, "No, I'm excited." Josh expressed that it was me who was supposed to be nervous, not him, and he felt this was "dumb." Dad and I talked about the fact that it was our family and friends who were waiting for us, and they would love us no matter what, even if we rolled down the aisle. I explained that this was a happy moment and we should simply enjoy it. Josh and Jay nodded, as they usually do when I start rambling on. Then we heard the first few notes of "Tiny Dancer" by Elton John, and I was the one who started to cry. Josh and Jay both looked back at me a little shocked, "Are you okay?" "Oh yeah, I'm fine," I managed. Luckily, I was able to suck back the tears, with help from my dad who made me a laugh as we tried to synchronize our steps while walking down the aisle.

The Wedding Ceremony:

The Wedding March: Here Comes the Sun - Nina Simone version

My mother wore this dove pendant on her wedding day! I'd wanted to wear it since I was a little girl. She sent it to me as an engagement gift! (Thanks Mom!!!) We wish she could have been there in person, but she was definitely with us in spirit!

The Groom's side:

The Bride's side:

The Men:

The Women:

Four Generations:

Three Generations:

The Reception: As part of the wedding package, the Portofino restaurant was reserved for two hours. We ate a four-course meal, including the wedding cake, shared stories, made toasts, and did a fair bit of kissing!

We received some beautiful, and funny, cards and comments!

Some stood up to say speeches or tell stories. Of course, Jay and Josh's speeches started the waterworks.

Before throwing the bouquet, Chester reminded the women that I wasn't very athletic. They moved forward and I managed to throw it over their heads, directly into Josh's hands. Josh caught the bouquet! Dad snagged the garter. In the words of Josh, "'bout time!"

We didn't have any dancing at our little reception, so we used a corner of Hemingway's Bar to have the father-daughter dance and our first dance as a married couple!