We got married in central Iowa amongst the floods of 2008. We really lucked out and had perfect weather the day of the wedding. The flooding, however, was absolutely devastating. Despite our guests having to take a 2-3 hour detour (I-80 was shut down) everything went better than expected.

Rehearsal

Getting Ready

My hair turned out exactly how I wanted it!

Let's do this!

Somehow I ended up tying the sashes

I wore the garter that my mom wore and then bought an ISU garter as the toss garter.

My red high heels

Typical me, being impatient

First Sight

We chose to see each other before the ceremony and we're very glad that we did it this way.

Ceremony

We got married in the church where I was baptised and confirmed and where my parents were married.

Our parents stood behind for the first part of the ceremony. It was something we had never seen before, but it was a great way to include them more.

Exchanging rings

Husband and wife!

I didn't cry until after the ceremony

Martha was our pastor and she did an amazing job!

THE EXIT

LIMO

We bought A LOT of alcohol for the limo. Everyone enjoyed themselves, including my brother who had just turned 21 and fulfilled his duty of being the most drunk person at the reception!

I had an unfortunate incident with some grape champagne. Thank God for tidestick!!! It works wonders.

much needed

OUTSIDE FUN

Not a huge fan of the jumping shot, but this picture always makes me laugh

My favorite

The ring shot

RECEPTION

Details

The gorgeous toasting flutes that my parents bought for us 

We entered to "Go Cubs Go" since we live in Chicago now and Brad is trying to convert me.

Cake

Dances

We danced to Forever by Ben Harper.

Dad and I dancing to You've Got a Friend by James Taylor

B and his mom dancing to My Wish by Rascall Flatts

Bouquet Toss

Something Brad's fraternity does at every wedding

Brad and his fraternity brothers serenaded me.

We like to dance. :)

A fun one

Dad and Brad in front of the pineapple tree that my dad insisted on!

Carrying me over the threshold...

DIY

We bought the placecards from Michaels and printed them on our computer.

CD Favors - Labels from Officemax

We wanted simple programs. I designed our one-page programs in Publisher and had them printed at the local copy shop. My family and I tied the ribbons.

The ribbon tying proved to be too much for my brother. That's BV.

We met in Acapulco and wanted to incorporate that somehow. We decided to name each table after a different place that we went to. I designed them in Powerpoint and had them printed at the local copy shop. I bought the red cardstock from JoAnns.  The table name is 5" X 5" and the backing is 6" X 6".

Honeymoon

We went to the Sandals Regency in St. Lucia. After all of the flight issues we ended having a great time. It's a very beautiful island.

I had a lot of wine this night

The Pitons

No Pressure...No Problems

Beautiful waterfall

After saki bombs at Kimonos

The must-have waterfall shot on our last day. :(

Hair Cut

I couldn't wait to cut my hair. I love it!