So since it's been over three months now, I figured I should finally document the happiest and craziest day of my life.
It actually all started the night before at the Wedding dinner. It was so amazing to be surrounded by so many people we love, getting ready for such a happy day to come. It also helped the time go by a little faster.. ;) haha we ate at Ruth's Chris Steak House and honestly, I could hardly eat because... anxiety. Not even for getting married or for preparing for the day that was to come, but for giving my speech. haha I hate talking in front of groups of people, I'm much better when I have scripted lines or a song to sing. But we made it through. :) Jonny just may never get over the fact that we missed the combined concert of Lady Antebellum, Sam Hunt and Hunter Hayes that night.. sorry babe!
Then we went home and went to bed in separate homes for the last time for the rest of our lives! Luckily all the preparations and excitement had exhausted me so I was indeed able to sleep... there's also the fact that I had to wake up at 4:30 am to make sure I was showered and ready to go get my hair done. Alayna has been my hair stylist since I was in Junior High so it was a lot of fun getting to be with such a great friend before the big moment. She was willing to wake up super early for me AND it was on her anniversary as well. The funny thing is that we share the same birthday and now the same anniversary.
And although there were so many little things to take care of... like hair and picking up mom's dry cleaned dress and having my makeup bag ready....
The wedding day is really about a groom...
And a bride...
Entering the temple to be sealed for time and all eternity.
We got to the temple right when we were supposed to but it felt like we had to wait forever. It was such a great experience being with my mom in the bride's dressing room getting into my temple clothing... and then it was incredible to be with my almost husband in the Celestial Room for probably 30-45 minutes (which actually felt like an eternity... I guess it is the Celestial room after all right? haha) and then we were sealed for time and all eternity. We were so grateful to have both family members and friends there with us in the temple. It was especially cool because every single member of both of our immediate families were endowed so everyone was there in the sealing room with us. It was also very special to me that my Grandma had promised me that she would be there in the temple when we got sealed, and I could feel her there. I know she was there and it made that day even that much more special.
So we exited the temple. And if you can't tell by this picture, we were super stoked.
Jonny even got a little bling showing off there with his pals. hahaha
Sadly, I (being a typical bride) took a little too long getting dressed into my Wedding dress and some people didn't stick around for pictures. But we had the majority of the group there and got some pretty great shots!
Yeah I know it's surprising and disgusting that married people kiss... haha
I just have to say... Peter and Jenny look so hot in this picture.
The Kirkham clan, minus a few others that couldn't stick around.
The Stuart Clan
Bridesmaids and Groomsmen... in other words the lifesavers of the day.
The girls working it!
This picture is too hot not to post. These guys know how to work it! Especially that one in the middle ;)
Jonny Byrne doing work here. (pictured as the toe holder)
Building my muscles by holding his butt... hahaha
Then the in between stuff happened. We had to stop for lunch somewhere and the quickest place we could think of was the food court at City Creek. A lot of our party went to some nicer Mexican place. But Jonny and I? We wanted Chik-fil-A. First meal as a married couple. Classy. hahaha
Also here is the first picture of our rings together :)
Then all the craziness happened. We ran home and started setting everything up for the reception. We had pictures to hang in the tree, tables to set up, tablecloths and runners to lay, flowers, flower petals, sparklers, candles, mirrors, chair covers, bows, easels, enter and exit signs.... and everything else I'm forgetting. It got so insane that we almost forgot to have the cookies picked up. They were gratefully delivered by two awesome groomsmen just in time. In the mean time, Jonny realized that he left his tux at the temple and had to drive back into Salt Lake to get it. But who really made it all happen were the families and the bridesmaids and groomsmen, Kathy and Jenny! Man. I can't express my gratitude enough to them for all the help they put into getting everything set up. They made everything perfect and helped the entire reception run so smoothly.
Right before the reception we took some photos. Our photographer, Kelly Samson (Gallery Photography) noticed our cute neighbors' path next door and so we were grateful for them sharing their beautiful garden!
This photo honestly just blows me away that we are standing on my deck, and yet, Kelly made it look like we were in some green wonderland. It is so beautiful!
Then of course we had to get some family pictures: The Kirkham family.
The Stuart family (love that even the little boys are looking in this photo!)
And both of our families combined :)
Then the Kirkham siblings/me and my best pal!
The Stuart siblings
The bros
And the sisters!
Of course one with all of my girls. Who are all practically my sisters.
And of course we had to get a Bridesmaids picture just for Callie.
The boys requested photo for the night. I must explain: These boys all became best friends during the show Seven Brides for Seven Brothers. One of the lines from the show says something about how the girl married seven brothers when she married the main character. This hatchet is from the show and engraved on the side it says "I married seven brothers" and it has all of their signatures on it. The longer I'm married to Jonny, the more I have realized this statement is true. Not ever having brothers growing up, I love having so many awesome men to call family.
You can see the engraving in this photo a little better.... plus I look like a little nicer of a wife here... ;)
We will fast forward through he part where my mom made Baby Zach and Chase carry the Chaise longue down from my parents bedroom and the resentful bride had to pose on it. Just for mom.... I must love you mom.
But then the reception started! If you've made it this far in the post.... we're just getting started. ;)
Guests entered through this archway decorated with the most beautiful floral arrangement done by Monika Hawker. The giant puzzle that Jonny used to propose to me with and a photo of the proposal were stationed to the left of the arch.
Monika did all of the flowers for the day. Here is a closeup of my beautiful bouquet.
Guests signed in here with our photo signature book.
And gifts could be set on this table. Cards were kept in the birdcage.
We filled this tree that was in the center of the yard full of pictures of us from when we first met in high school, different shows we were in, photos throughout our dating period and engagement photos. As you can see, this tree was extensively wrapped in Christmas lights. I can't remember the exact count but I think there were more than 60 strands of lights on this tree. And lots of hard work went into... especially by Jonny.
Here he is working the night away. I'm not going to show you the scary pictures of him literally climbing the tree.... me hoping he's not going to break his leg and die.
For refreshments we had different kinds of soft-serve. And when that says Pineapple Dole Whip... yes, it is the same exact Pineapple Dole Whip from Disneyland. Thanks to the lady we worked with having a husband who works for Disney. For a Disney lover, it was the perfect touch of my Disney love... and love for Dole whips too.
As you can see, I wasn't the only one who thoroughly enjoyed the delectable dole whips.
And the cookies that almost didn't make it to the reception! Parson's cookies. Only the best for the people we love and are so willing to support us!
Thanks to all the help from the set up, the tables and chairs looked beautiful.
With these as the centerpieces. (We spent so many hours trying to decide what to do for the centerpieces. I think they turned out beautifully!)
And our cake was done by Kathy Driggs who also doubled as the event coordinator of the night. She did an incredibly beautiful job in making the reception run smoothly and also with the lace decal and flower arrangements on the cake. Plus it was delicious! Can't wait to have it again on our anniversary!
Then the sparkler table
And the banner hanging over the exit.
Sadly, we had to end the line early so we walked our way down and quickly greeted those that hadn't made it to us yet.
We then cut the cake... but didn't realize that we should have taken the ribbon wrapping the bottom off first... so we basically just dug a hole in the cake and pulled out what we could. hahaha
Pictured here: Jonny and Angela trying to act natural and stay calm as everyone watches them not being able to cut the cake.
Cake shoving...
...Sweet kisses
And cake in my hair... hahaha
Then moving along to the bouquet toss
And how much I love Danielle's face in this picture.
And then the most horrifying and awkward moment of the night....
As you can see here... I hoped to just hide from the world for this moment.
Skipping past all the horribly embarrassing pictures.... the garter toss everyone.
Then to the most emotional part of the night: dancing with my Dad. We danced to Stealing Cinderella which fit so well since I have actually been Cinderella.
And the mother-son dance. They are so adorable.
And then our first dance to Still Fallin' by Hunter Hayes.
"After all this time you'd think I'd be used to the pull of your gravity. After flying so high for so long, who would think I'm still learning, still burning, still fallin'."
And yes... I do have to crane my neck all the time just to kiss him or to look at him. Welcome to my life of feeling like I'm sitting on the front row of a theater.
Then the epic dance party
Pictured here: the wedding party getting low.
Then we exited through a tunnel of sparklers... which was actually slightly terrifying. I thought I was going to catch on fire, hence my eyes closed tightly.
But there's always time for one more kiss.
And we rode a limo to our hotel full of unspeakable things thanks to some groomsmen.
I was so grateful for all the work and help that went into our wedding day. We had so many people come through to congratulate us. It was so fun to see so many people we love. But really, the most important part of the day was the fact that we were sealed in the temple. We started off our marriage in a gospel centered way which centers our lives together on God. I am very grateful for those moments we had in the temple together. They were more memorable than all the little details that I stressed over for the reception. The temple was what really mattered most.
P.S. does this photo not belong on the cover of the Ensign?!
So many people told me not to stress so much about the little details, but I did anyway because I have to stress and micromanage everything. But, if I could give advice to anyone preparing for the big day: focus your excitement and preparations on the temple sealing, not on the reception. It is nice to have a reception to see so many people you love, but the more memorable, most valuable and my favorite part of the entire day was sitting in the Celestial room and then entering the sealing room with the love of my life. Please make the temple a priority and the center of your wedding day. It is the most beautiful part by far.
So many times I wish that I could relive this day over and over again. Everything was perfect and I felt pure joy and pure love. But then I sit back and think about all the days that have happened in between now and then. And I wouldn't trade those days for anything. Everyday he shows me how much he loves me and I love him even more. I thought that I wouldn't ever be able to love him more than I did on July 30, but I do. I'm still fallin'.
Love,
Angela Stuart
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