Photo Shoot!

The day of our wedding, Spencer and I didn't see each other all day, but we also didn't wait until I walked down the aisle to get our first wedding sighting of each other. We made a rendevous spot and met there at 4:30PM...well actually, I was late of course...so more like 5:00PM, for our first sightings and some photos together. If you want to see some of those, you'll have to go to our photographer's website to see them (see below)...since it was just the 2 (or 3) of us at the rendevous. After we finished with our photos, we got all of our other photos out of the way before the ceremony so that all we had to worry about afterwards was partying! :) Here are a few of those photos:
Our wedding partyUs with The Rev, JeannieUs with our extremely cute ring bearersJust the boysMichelle and HeatherTiffany and HeatherThe O'Neill FamilyThe Loutsch FamilyHeather and MomMom, Spencer, and PapaThat's all you get for now...if you'd like to see a more extensive amount of posed photos, go to: www.tinyurl.com/heatherandspencer

Getting Ready...The Groom's Side...

*Written by the groom himself, Spencer! :)

The morning of the big day, needless to say, i was quite excited, a little hesitant that the weather might not cooperate, but overly optimistic that the day would turn out perfect come hell or high water.The boys and I (Edmund, Stefan, Alan, Adam, Matt) planned an excursion to the aquarium down the street over a leisurely breakfast at Georgie's. We made it down and spent a good few hours wandering the exhibits and staring at the sky hoping the sun would win out over the clouds. Around 1pm or so, we headed back to the hotel, stopping for a quick bite at the ever glorious Taco Bell. (I knew that taco bell guarantees a good marriage when consumed 4-6hrs prior to the wedding ceremony) Once back at the hotel I took the two hangers holding my wedding clothes, (they were covered with a bag to protect them) and Edmunds shirt and pants, down to Michelle who had very graciously offered to iron them for us. Fifteen minutes later i get a call from Michelle.She said, "Heather says bring your clothes down so I can iron them too." I informed her I already had, they were with Edmunds, Oh no I must be wrong, they aren't there. Well needless to say my heart stopped, frantically wondering if I had time to go hit the high end Walmart clothes section before the wedding started, I said "Are you sure they aren't there, they are covered in a plastic bag, on two hangers, I handed them to you along with Edmunds" ...... silence, then "oh, yeah, here they are". Happily that was the biggest crisis of the day, and a few minutes later, dressed in my pressed and definitely not missing clothes, I was ready to hit the beach, talk our Magnificent Host Dan through his duties and make sure the Rev was all micced up and ready to go. Just a few short hours later and I was married to the woman who makes me the happiest man alive.

Getting Ready...A Bride's Work Is Never Done...

It always amuses me how much longer it takes the girls to get ready than it does the boys. But here are some pictures of me and the girls getting ready!
The biggest project: Yvonne doing my hair!Jenny, Tiffany, and Kari, all ready!Jenny helping me with my eyes...make up is tricky!Michelle getting her hair done by YvonneMy dress awaits me...Kari and Tiffany getting my slip ready for meMichelle in make-up...thank goodness for Jenny's skills!Tiffany and Kari strapping me in to my dress!And tying on my sash for meTiffany assisting Michelle with her zipper...I think...Jenny helping me put my lips onMichelle putting her jewelry onMy beautiful flowers (THANK YOU Tricia!)Finishing touches...orchids in my hair to match the orchids in my bouquet

Bride's Brunch

*Disclaimer: I am not posting blogs on my wedding day...I am back-logged...now posting my memories of these moments nearly a month later, but dating them for the actual day for historical preservation's sake.*

This "Brunch With The Bride" is something I came up with way back in the beginning stages of my planning, when I realized that it was nearly impossible to have any kind of bridal shower before the wedding because all the girls I would invite are scattered all around the country and it would be too much for any of them to come to any one location to celebrate. But I know its important for a bride-to-be to have some quality "girl time" before her wedding, so this brunch was very special to me...probably more than any of the ladies in attendance may have realized. And in retrospect, it definitely kept me a calmer bride on the morning of my wedding. Not to mention it was just fun.Jenny, me, and Tiffany with our mimosas.Christa and our food spreadMy soon-to-be-sisters Chelsea and Chelas, and meJen, Michelle, and YvonneTricia, Kari, and JenYvonne, Tiffany, Jeannie, and meAnd of course with this crowd, there are always shenanigans!*My mommy is not pictured because she is the fabulous photographer behind all of these captured moments!*

Thank you so much for making my wedding morning memorable and special ladies: Mom, Tricia, Yvonne, Chelas, Chelsea, Jeannie, Tiffany, Kari, Jenny, Michelle, Jen, and Christa! :)

Whale Watching, Rehearsal Dinner, Pajama Party, OH MY!

First let me say, I'm EXHAUSTED! This morning we woke up kind of early for breakfast and a few last minute errands and then Mom, Yvonne, Kari, Michelle, Randy, and myself headed to the bayfront to go whale watching. We had a blast! I saw whales in the wild for the first time, held a crab, saw TONS of sea lions and just had fun spending quality time in a place I love (the Oregon Coast) with people I love who had never been there before! When we got back though, the time started flying by WAY too fast and I felt like I didn't have enough time to get everything done...or eat...or relax...or anything. I did my best to tie up all my wedding loose ends and to get organized before the rehearsal without getting too stressed. I'm not sure how well that worked. When I started running out of time, it was time to get ready for the rehearsal and of course, I was late...luckily my groom waited for me and we made our late entrance together. The rehearsal went pretty smooth and very quick and it was SUPER windy which added a little bit to the stress because not only was it annoying during the rehearsal, but it made me realize how annoying it could be if it is that windy tomorrow during the wedding! I HOPE NOT! The rehearsal dinner was fun, and everything came together nicely and it seemed like everyone enjoyed themselves. But I found myself many times just starring off into space and zoning out during it which was frustrating to me because I didn't want it to fly by without my enjoying it. In the end my exhaustion won out, I think, but luckily I managed to enjoy myself first. It was fun to give everyone their gifts and thank them for being there and being a part of the most important day of our lives. After the dinner, Spencer and I spent a moment together since we don't plan on seeing each other at all until right before the ceremony tomorrow. It was nice...and it was hard to say goodbye. He went off to spend some more time back at the restaraunt where the rehearsal dinner was with his family and friends and I stayed in our hotel room and Tiffany, Kari, Jenny, Michelle, and Christa joined me for a little pajama party. We had wine, tons of junk food, and good conversation and it was fun to hang out with them and just relax on the night before my wedding day. Michelle stayed late to help me clean up the room a little bit in preparation for my brunch with all the ladies in the morning. I never thought I'd be doing dishes on the night before my wedding, but it was good...because when I'm jittery I like to clean. In the midst of our cleaning and conversation, I got a text message that said, "I see you." It was from Spencer. He was on the beach taking Tank out and he spotted us through the balcony window. When I went out on the balcony to see him, I got butterflies...it was an amazing feeling to be so giddy about marrying this man, in the midst of what seemed like utter chaos. I loved that moment and won't soon forget it. As soon as I finish typing this, I'm going to go lay sideways on the bed with a blanket from home so as not to disturb our wedding night bed...cheesey yes, but I want to save the comfy made up bed for me and my hubby tomorrow night. Besides the bed is HUGE and I fit sideways just as well as I fit the right way! Even though I'm exhausted, I hope I can sleep. I know tomorrow is going to be crazy, emotional and SO MUCH fun! Goodnight!