Jamaica: The BIG Day! (or... Day 3) PART 1

<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #999999;">**for all pictures, click for a larger image to see the details :) ** </span></div><br />We woke up bright and early on Saturday morning, anxious to get our special day started.  I thought I would feel odd seeing Joel on the day of the wedding, when tradition states that you shouldn't see the groom beforehand.  However, it was no big deal.  We enjoyed a nice breakfast together in the morning, as Joel professed his nerves to me.  It was sweet, though I wasn't nervous at all.<br /><br />I was set for hair/makeup at 9 AM.  I scheduled a 60 minute Swedish massage for Joel at the same time.  The massage was the perfect antidote to relieve Joel's nerves - he said it was one of the best he's ever had!<br /><br />Meanwhile, I was busy being transformed into this:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihTvanmmqW-4MHNfVv7ta_YqTFhHHbpr8rhVU36DR13ibDFw9673yw_d3Gfjw756r3QjNZCY8uigy-KmlVFl3WE1sF157CMA9dcFO2302VbkwdiiXUbHCFYwm7AaPnPIItCAecVT6R0HU/s1600/hair.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihTvanmmqW-4MHNfVv7ta_YqTFhHHbpr8rhVU36DR13ibDFw9673yw_d3Gfjw756r3QjNZCY8uigy-KmlVFl3WE1sF157CMA9dcFO2302VbkwdiiXUbHCFYwm7AaPnPIItCAecVT6R0HU/s400/hair.JPG" width="283" /></a></div><br />A special thank you to Wendy for doing an outstanding job on my hair and makeup, and to Marla for giving me a beautiful mani/pedi.  Wendy was like a magician - translating the hair picture I gave her for inspiration into exactly what I wanted.  At this point, I was truly feeling like a bride!  <br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIfDcd0dmyej_D3-I2JKhkg0ZN-MFmYO7wUQMwDxkPzwoubJ4xqyOxjlfpFjOsydlUGydGncphauPDVZE0jGdn7QdF4wrKicJQ9vni4wviHo_AQvfAZz2xisH0Cxltn6if-VcltAt9WJY/s1600/hair+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIfDcd0dmyej_D3-I2JKhkg0ZN-MFmYO7wUQMwDxkPzwoubJ4xqyOxjlfpFjOsydlUGydGncphauPDVZE0jGdn7QdF4wrKicJQ9vni4wviHo_AQvfAZz2xisH0Cxltn6if-VcltAt9WJY/s400/hair+2.JPG" width="383" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wendy & Marla</td></tr></tbody></table>By the time I was done with the glam fairies, the time was approaching 10:30 AM and our wedding was scheduled for 11 AM!  I was getting a little nervous at this point - mainly because I didn't want to be late for my own wedding.  Joel had finished with his massage around the same time and only had about 10 minutes to get into his suit so that I could get back to the room to begin getting dressed.  In his anxious haste to exit the room, he ended up forgetting the wedding bands :). Oh, my nervous little groom.<br /><br />My dress assistant, Shantelle, picked me up at the salon to escort me back to the room where she assisted with the process of tying me up:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWTnW6o6ZVzmSZTFGGnglTziIOcPZrsmcjgbthLoPQlRc3hXw6CczkWySXFkdzi1kM4vzfKVjKAPFHyJyok2ynbRD9DbL3-jLOMsfXjeQ6N11NmbnOQZxnR15vF5n6piO_1mjTLcE7Pv8/s1600/corset.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWTnW6o6ZVzmSZTFGGnglTziIOcPZrsmcjgbthLoPQlRc3hXw6CczkWySXFkdzi1kM4vzfKVjKAPFHyJyok2ynbRD9DbL3-jLOMsfXjeQ6N11NmbnOQZxnR15vF5n6piO_1mjTLcE7Pv8/s400/corset.JPG" width="265" /></a></div><br />Believe it or not, she had me all laced up and ready to go within 10 minutes!  I couldn't believe how fast she got me dressed and how awesome of a job she did with the corset.  It was flawless!<br /><br />As the photographer and videographer snapped and filmed away, I applied the finishing touches. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibFeKi_7kdpoqlfbJN7n8k62ZaUe-VCI-DnqlPVdeYHcRSUSGqS96lnuU4s5PN5GYTeF9qnhUPwcgK22dKyXXtDVaNCc1vor6Gx8MFcLGJ3tjPfPXzTXm_DaeM3vYW5usfYI3rYPq5aqc/s1600/jewelry.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibFeKi_7kdpoqlfbJN7n8k62ZaUe-VCI-DnqlPVdeYHcRSUSGqS96lnuU4s5PN5GYTeF9qnhUPwcgK22dKyXXtDVaNCc1vor6Gx8MFcLGJ3tjPfPXzTXm_DaeM3vYW5usfYI3rYPq5aqc/s400/jewelry.JPG" width="287" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDQMSmfoQMFeuM7Gf95_fOTbHsa-nTdVCxMV3SYrtF9q_i-lCgg45-IL-hu-qNvyVoeE6uPICEj_vJXXgO8e-dz7xMkTwuvccH5i_uh2vo46MXi9z-poU9EPb7ZLM414iRr6vCyUEMkQo/s1600/jewelry+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDQMSmfoQMFeuM7Gf95_fOTbHsa-nTdVCxMV3SYrtF9q_i-lCgg45-IL-hu-qNvyVoeE6uPICEj_vJXXgO8e-dz7xMkTwuvccH5i_uh2vo46MXi9z-poU9EPb7ZLM414iRr6vCyUEMkQo/s400/jewelry+2.JPG" width="283" /></a></div><br />My earrings and bracelet came from <a href="http://www.silpada.com/">Silpada</a>.  My veil came from eBay for $25!  Sure, David's Bridal had a perfectly matching veil for my dress..... for $180!  I am SO GLAD I only spent what I did for my veil because as we speak it is hanging up with the dress right now, probably never to be worn again (unless a daughter would want it).  <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz9ayZM6dVgyc-kp90ahPkSEbFGCmsN3J9SudNRyeUTowYdwO4JKUdbKaurmrWTy5gVk5sYwf99FhW7xJKM5RYMVzUHu5u2mVvqoh5HooXNqZhe1dBBwwkJuU6u-Y9u-swbPAQk-rjGPA/s1600/veil.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="307" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz9ayZM6dVgyc-kp90ahPkSEbFGCmsN3J9SudNRyeUTowYdwO4JKUdbKaurmrWTy5gVk5sYwf99FhW7xJKM5RYMVzUHu5u2mVvqoh5HooXNqZhe1dBBwwkJuU6u-Y9u-swbPAQk-rjGPA/s400/veil.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div style="color: #999999;">(By now you can see <a href="http://the-big-weight.blogspot.com/2012/05/jamaica-mun.html">which dress I picked</a>.  I wanted a vintage and lacy style dress, but I never imagined picking one that was so form fitting.  I couldn't help it - the minute I tried it on I loved it.)</div><br />I had something old (my grandmother's wedding band on my pinky), new (my dress) and blue (my underwear!).  And in a flash, it was time to walk down the aisle.  I was beyond excited at this point, and ready to run down the pier to meet Joel halfway.   <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLppnT4eSrhwTUI5IATOo2lP5Cuu8xaOEhiI7eMM46GPqL1ONFiRr4sowDuZKu-rg6qyGh6kB3j5MHPiroDuZZKrMLUQlWAUTSRUxjHfNUYM4FEeGZ_m-yTz5oXPaG8aXE5_eJiwglX2o/s1600/waiting.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLppnT4eSrhwTUI5IATOo2lP5Cuu8xaOEhiI7eMM46GPqL1ONFiRr4sowDuZKu-rg6qyGh6kB3j5MHPiroDuZZKrMLUQlWAUTSRUxjHfNUYM4FEeGZ_m-yTz5oXPaG8aXE5_eJiwglX2o/s400/waiting.JPG" width="267" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqR8ayaBxNLhW5be9o9GpJNm1HDXfEnoDf63yRaIujDFrB0RjCf7UsbCYlH1NhUPWrI17d6Dr4Wmt8r8tcU4Gshh7U_CUXwTwGH9ALOCdiQJH9b4jcB4Wrr7-Vj4Lv5XUXN2HmoYWM928/s1600/joel.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqR8ayaBxNLhW5be9o9GpJNm1HDXfEnoDf63yRaIujDFrB0RjCf7UsbCYlH1NhUPWrI17d6Dr4Wmt8r8tcU4Gshh7U_CUXwTwGH9ALOCdiQJH9b4jcB4Wrr7-Vj4Lv5XUXN2HmoYWM928/s400/joel.JPG" width="265" /></a></div><br />Our wedding day was fortunately and unfortunately the windiest day of our trip.  It was great because it helped cool us off, but bad because my hair was blowing everywhere.  My veil also started to come lose from my head, so Venecia tucked it into the back of my dress for the ceremony.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5wkfuIxhN1WuG9M6Hxbl8XkqKf0REfbP-68FdOsMgee32xJUC2ef6qbWuf0t1JwSnx70TjxAQ_xuGsMX1NnCekz-g0pbW9v1QT-IhD7-UvqZVn3ab8K6IgJgI5rP0hXNtAY9lHIrgbbA/s1600/meet+joel.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5wkfuIxhN1WuG9M6Hxbl8XkqKf0REfbP-68FdOsMgee32xJUC2ef6qbWuf0t1JwSnx70TjxAQ_xuGsMX1NnCekz-g0pbW9v1QT-IhD7-UvqZVn3ab8K6IgJgI5rP0hXNtAY9lHIrgbbA/s400/meet+joel.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5JO2lAgbNrvFLGpX8PmVyWu0lyBZxZzSTgPPtA9JFO0rEZIZrTd_CHqNTzO-0oYFc-VzQWPTLXdEMe9k0emOf5z2-G1t_wHZpRhL2FqFygeUqG3_TGoShBCxvm4CaSEmU1p9j16l8DVY/s1600/walking.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5JO2lAgbNrvFLGpX8PmVyWu0lyBZxZzSTgPPtA9JFO0rEZIZrTd_CHqNTzO-0oYFc-VzQWPTLXdEMe9k0emOf5z2-G1t_wHZpRhL2FqFygeUqG3_TGoShBCxvm4CaSEmU1p9j16l8DVY/s400/walking.JPG" width="298" /></a></div><br />As much as I didn't want to spend the money to have a video filmed of the ceremony, I'm so glad we did because I don't really remember much about the actual vows.  I was distracted by the wind, my hair blowing in my face, the veil slowly coming loose, and worrying about how the pictures would turn out to really remember what was going on.  <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY56PpbBWlkG8Mofn4lGRo0pZG_Wa8o8c7jje5dMbrmMBB3tLZecz0RczAFru4LDkxXhgtiAbyjX_xWX6ADJzH-KZS7FT_0ukkmCw9KLz5Qe9xVban1U5pad9TJeaVcqCYVLs9aBD4pBw/s1600/022_22.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY56PpbBWlkG8Mofn4lGRo0pZG_Wa8o8c7jje5dMbrmMBB3tLZecz0RczAFru4LDkxXhgtiAbyjX_xWX6ADJzH-KZS7FT_0ukkmCw9KLz5Qe9xVban1U5pad9TJeaVcqCYVLs9aBD4pBw/s400/022_22.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />And just as past brides warned me, the ceremony seemed to go by very quickly.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhswBIVx_Pa-MDp4IPJxKNzHMgOnoqPp4Mh2oaA4ookeL9JtvkOVMVzCIFT5d9H83nZMMC5dJWTx_tTuWd7G0O6r8iR_BAmhbZSExkUeBlj0Vf1gbVLp2HDVvTi5uV1z9CPIcw_IIY1XtQ/s1600/026_26.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhswBIVx_Pa-MDp4IPJxKNzHMgOnoqPp4Mh2oaA4ookeL9JtvkOVMVzCIFT5d9H83nZMMC5dJWTx_tTuWd7G0O6r8iR_BAmhbZSExkUeBlj0Vf1gbVLp2HDVvTi5uV1z9CPIcw_IIY1XtQ/s400/026_26.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />But, pictures are priceless moments in time.  Sitting here writing this I tear up looking at these photos, especially these next few.  It was such an emotional milestone in our lives - exchanging our vows before God and each other in a lovely setting.  It was perfect.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh51TyiARjr5M30vZZ-woJT89altqMnjEQTW-IdupJEFzmkBrHXvxjRks0QEavXWYaiBaoS5RoexDXobGjyTc1e1pT4gy0VIYRdFB3qPZ3rE922lfp2K7YMpGMXzk-AEYc_Dbrh9A6V0cw/s1600/027_27.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh51TyiARjr5M30vZZ-woJT89altqMnjEQTW-IdupJEFzmkBrHXvxjRks0QEavXWYaiBaoS5RoexDXobGjyTc1e1pT4gy0VIYRdFB3qPZ3rE922lfp2K7YMpGMXzk-AEYc_Dbrh9A6V0cw/s400/027_27.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>  <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic2MSdr7iXKmxyhl0RgW4LM5bYCZ9QWjtaSYKrJmUPvwVnrV0aiZ7GMNjt3Zstj720-Rta7Lb20ZYpALNrTrAWjPD9vU68oUjIk3ORn3FHTQTSacObqNtRd6VJCaYbyjFiW6au5pWPELk/s1600/029_29.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic2MSdr7iXKmxyhl0RgW4LM5bYCZ9QWjtaSYKrJmUPvwVnrV0aiZ7GMNjt3Zstj720-Rta7Lb20ZYpALNrTrAWjPD9vU68oUjIk3ORn3FHTQTSacObqNtRd6VJCaYbyjFiW6au5pWPELk/s400/029_29.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />And before I knew it, it was time to pronounce us Mr. & Mrs. Joel Busbee!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX3dY-MAjSEjRHGw4XnHehrX17b5hJXWJzHfA6SzIubi3pCcds1YRftBLQdqIOTcXEmXXx3GuQvCs0n42h5w8O-CH13AnkMvC2p37u1XHXf6djLUZA9vZYl9zcUTNRCT8Ha_OlqPYbu08/s1600/first+kiss.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX3dY-MAjSEjRHGw4XnHehrX17b5hJXWJzHfA6SzIubi3pCcds1YRftBLQdqIOTcXEmXXx3GuQvCs0n42h5w8O-CH13AnkMvC2p37u1XHXf6djLUZA9vZYl9zcUTNRCT8Ha_OlqPYbu08/s400/first+kiss.jpg" width="235" /></a></div><br />I think the pictures clearly demonstrate my emotions of how I felt in this exact moment.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIXCt87HQTSp7MflzA_MYLmPX3RX14ejKt1EUmLK1lGiebQf7wzE4sjD3FPkI2R-H8m_RukZfwQzQI8kP3Nl0jsII9SWOztos9KN7ZZLkXyCFjGAfiDP7HVko_-xwIU5WRwBzaDtNWa4A/s1600/032_32.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIXCt87HQTSp7MflzA_MYLmPX3RX14ejKt1EUmLK1lGiebQf7wzE4sjD3FPkI2R-H8m_RukZfwQzQI8kP3Nl0jsII9SWOztos9KN7ZZLkXyCFjGAfiDP7HVko_-xwIU5WRwBzaDtNWa4A/s400/032_32.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />We walked back down the aisle to <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w_DKWlrA24k&list=FL5_Klc2e7_Pv9iRZlVzY-YQ&index=2&feature=plpp_video">Somewhere Over the Rainbow by IZ</a>.  I lived in Kansas City, MO for work right at the very beginning of our relationship.  The Wizard of Oz became our little "thing" and I had always said I would wear ruby slippers on our wedding day.  Well, I didn't wear ruby slippers but we did walk down the aisle to that song, and it was so fitting.  The song is sung with a Caribbean/beachy/Hawaiian feel to it. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmnb_x1JAXIKcz6_pvr7Xo4QW4mlue9VoMk0GBUgNh5Z-8ZKOCySUAM6Y9aeOPpOiAyKdxa05GFNgM6mq9tFS5gAtmOYMj1ZbekOp92SJu3HMlrQ-xmF8sdPY58rAtoR_9aoMM8i2d9g0/s1600/035_35.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmnb_x1JAXIKcz6_pvr7Xo4QW4mlue9VoMk0GBUgNh5Z-8ZKOCySUAM6Y9aeOPpOiAyKdxa05GFNgM6mq9tFS5gAtmOYMj1ZbekOp92SJu3HMlrQ-xmF8sdPY58rAtoR_9aoMM8i2d9g0/s400/035_35.JPG" width="265" /></a></div><br />After our walk down the aisle, we signed our marriage documents to <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U6tV11acSRk&list=FL5_Klc2e7_Pv9iRZlVzY-YQ&index=3&feature=plpp_video">Here Comes the Sun by the Beatles</a>.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu6vbce_oF8kLMQ0mD3rfaGpN7R5eDR8O2pno5ckALLvPOcdhlVCzAKvCDv7tYh2tdhZ8JSrnmtJQLADdCiwpdWMNnehXmC_i7mDtoCqyXoDxD4nsrsN_POuPLSPfKEHU18U1F1tTgpZw/s1600/041_41.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu6vbce_oF8kLMQ0mD3rfaGpN7R5eDR8O2pno5ckALLvPOcdhlVCzAKvCDv7tYh2tdhZ8JSrnmtJQLADdCiwpdWMNnehXmC_i7mDtoCqyXoDxD4nsrsN_POuPLSPfKEHU18U1F1tTgpZw/s400/041_41.JPG" width="265" /></a></div><br />Roderick, our photographer, captured many moments on the beach before we proceeded to the cake cutting and first dance.  I am a person who loves pictures and I wanted to ensure that our official pictures were as perfect as possible.  I knew I was going to get sweaty, so we carried around napkins to blot my face and I instructed Joel on how to fix my hair.  Unfortunately, the Roderick didn't much care about those details, so many-a-picture was taken with hair plastered across my sweaty forehead.  Thankfully, I have Photoshop skills!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEanitav4oV-BV-MjV1Yu_lIdBgnrExR4TKqh2Cxx0U8AnxGiME7T2iLIRbkvWIxr2ez-k1a5eLKmDpDuACJdoWCmrCU7YfPzlTXZ8hxD31nG6fqlaopgqaMMBiDcDsVrTVG6IzDRJW4g/s1600/048_48+%282%29.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEanitav4oV-BV-MjV1Yu_lIdBgnrExR4TKqh2Cxx0U8AnxGiME7T2iLIRbkvWIxr2ez-k1a5eLKmDpDuACJdoWCmrCU7YfPzlTXZ8hxD31nG6fqlaopgqaMMBiDcDsVrTVG6IzDRJW4g/s400/048_48+%282%29.JPG" width="265" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlWiGTDo1H4nR8qShaxCXiO0csj9lETSuolJo2r2KsrArW7ZcF9B4C3pdrqk666yt1q5VZvmn3RXxU2Veqly1FY9nxTWsvQaMESNF2lH85LaHkKo59DaR3_ylgjWBOVOUf4dgNhd6LTAw/s1600/051_51+%282%29.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlWiGTDo1H4nR8qShaxCXiO0csj9lETSuolJo2r2KsrArW7ZcF9B4C3pdrqk666yt1q5VZvmn3RXxU2Veqly1FY9nxTWsvQaMESNF2lH85LaHkKo59DaR3_ylgjWBOVOUf4dgNhd6LTAw/s400/051_51+%282%29.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />This was Joel's favorite picture:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfoDGAAGvuu-KrOOlTWphFc_obZiVUc0nxEvTRPQiquAtWtNXHmhUegKq50QGD-ZIqAlF9TKdXvzGeqJCaDqwLbSGtWqvFsB_jF_doZB2E3nHoP7aw2H6jMOaLd5nncOt_X9LcTnxWyQU/s1600/054_54+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfoDGAAGvuu-KrOOlTWphFc_obZiVUc0nxEvTRPQiquAtWtNXHmhUegKq50QGD-ZIqAlF9TKdXvzGeqJCaDqwLbSGtWqvFsB_jF_doZB2E3nHoP7aw2H6jMOaLd5nncOt_X9LcTnxWyQU/s400/054_54+%25282%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />I cannot wait to show you MINE! ;)<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR27lA276Hb5qEUTm3GupedCA4X_ZAWDt3-AVBzphyphenhyphenYFzH8QQ2ecVAMUs2h8r3zBpQRG7yrLpqMn0nfIG0GYT7_HbIRaciJL2lxSlo4acIGdsxUY9L-7PDDhAoYFAzBc9Auqb114PUiXs/s1600/050_50.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR27lA276Hb5qEUTm3GupedCA4X_ZAWDt3-AVBzphyphenhyphenYFzH8QQ2ecVAMUs2h8r3zBpQRG7yrLpqMn0nfIG0GYT7_HbIRaciJL2lxSlo4acIGdsxUY9L-7PDDhAoYFAzBc9Auqb114PUiXs/s400/050_50.JPG" width="265" /></a></div><br />I am an "attention to detail" kind of person.  In fact, that trait alone caused me madness when planning the first wedding.  I wanted every little thing to be perfect for <i>me</i>, nevermind that others would not necessarily notice.  It made me crazy!  Even though our Sandals wedding was pretty much taken care of for us, I still had opportunities to insert my own ideas into the day as well.  Take my wedding shoes for example:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU4PtdvN5zGKctkLQ28dnzS3RCZFZ2I7K_k1rGzRYjaE25Az2xtQq_Q27XmX0-7ymw5GlZSOQy2LWr-BuKOXUxJXFOkHVaje5T1M2jJYAvWOV8Alv-vWX61OobP48nelCTmplY1VFMxEQ/s1600/052_52+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU4PtdvN5zGKctkLQ28dnzS3RCZFZ2I7K_k1rGzRYjaE25Az2xtQq_Q27XmX0-7ymw5GlZSOQy2LWr-BuKOXUxJXFOkHVaje5T1M2jJYAvWOV8Alv-vWX61OobP48nelCTmplY1VFMxEQ/s400/052_52+%25282%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>I also chose to paint my nails purple, rather than going with the traditional French manicure, in keeping with the colors that I would have chosen for our first wedding.  Not only that, but purple was my grandmother's favorite color and the color of her wedding dress when her and my grandfather wed on Halloween oh-so-many years ago.  <br /><br />I also had 2 wedding bands - 1 in rose gold and 1 in white gold.  The resulting 3 band look symbolizes God, husband and wife.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i style="color: #351c75;">.....A cord of three strands is not quickly broken. ~Ecclesiastes 4:12</i></b></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVXjtFX_i_UOyMly-Uj1_FaaKTgHH7e6d3YGddK9Go-cnhIde9rFd6RAOgYlEd_KZUv3DkIks2pNlQUO0MjQYH6b2_qf0odVMa2ZHU8MzjzIt9zslRDqbK5eqNH2Cd7OZ9FJGWrytXjdU/s1600/053_53+%282%29.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVXjtFX_i_UOyMly-Uj1_FaaKTgHH7e6d3YGddK9Go-cnhIde9rFd6RAOgYlEd_KZUv3DkIks2pNlQUO0MjQYH6b2_qf0odVMa2ZHU8MzjzIt9zslRDqbK5eqNH2Cd7OZ9FJGWrytXjdU/s400/053_53+%282%29.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />We had our first dance to <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1GpXYKp7_Qw&list=FL5_Klc2e7_Pv9iRZlVzY-YQ&index=1&feature=plpp_video">Keith Whitley's version of When You Say Nothing At All</a>.  This is kind of a joke for us because Joel hasn't quite gotten over how much I love to talk yet, even after 5 years together.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd-xWA-YOPu6GSSKhGde6kYzFRy7R9OJjcMRV_oCWl1ob_qwUxk1Obqm9592wDeliBAWz6Gnbv1D65vligbzVpgnt15TGQEDfz8GostXXwJiiSOGSQ63K6ZhCqVjxfQumAdNv8Dk3nv4Q/s1600/056_56.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd-xWA-YOPu6GSSKhGde6kYzFRy7R9OJjcMRV_oCWl1ob_qwUxk1Obqm9592wDeliBAWz6Gnbv1D65vligbzVpgnt15TGQEDfz8GostXXwJiiSOGSQ63K6ZhCqVjxfQumAdNv8Dk3nv4Q/s400/056_56.JPG" width="265" /></a></div><br />Then we cut our Carribbean fruit-flavored cake!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0RWYvZF1P6fGXQcI_M6O4waoZAvrfmOuUZMSjEsSXytEfOdE-f7PFn60bNVq3izuFjatXePyJzJt3jBg6QzTQsyLVk5mS_TTPGEipKWDbYTlhM0MMrrA45E9m9RXbEcv9u0sBkAsfX-k/s1600/063_63.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0RWYvZF1P6fGXQcI_M6O4waoZAvrfmOuUZMSjEsSXytEfOdE-f7PFn60bNVq3izuFjatXePyJzJt3jBg6QzTQsyLVk5mS_TTPGEipKWDbYTlhM0MMrrA45E9m9RXbEcv9u0sBkAsfX-k/s400/063_63.JPG" width="265" /></a></div><br />And honestly, I didn't want to select a picture of me being fed.  Even with a wedding photo, I don't really like capturing moments of me doing something that I'm not proud of!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9MFB1Bet2MAwFCbcq_yESfF8GkDwYAg6LbKDwNL-P8JQ27UbroCNkLA4YvBjTZ_tRoV0IzfyZ1Uo_Ii5kEmrxitRLsi0OpPIgLzUu5Is_AqU93y-ppNr0pK_VI6zYTPBb4_-D2uurvYc/s1600/cake+feeding.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9MFB1Bet2MAwFCbcq_yESfF8GkDwYAg6LbKDwNL-P8JQ27UbroCNkLA4YvBjTZ_tRoV0IzfyZ1Uo_Ii5kEmrxitRLsi0OpPIgLzUu5Is_AqU93y-ppNr0pK_VI6zYTPBb4_-D2uurvYc/s400/cake+feeding.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />I was definitely okay with some champagne though :).<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN1N2STDrtf56WmubGXw22Obu8QWHnm80vvUk2iketokIbbV5amPzA_lRHh_5lnFFjRnEaIyTTc1CtFEY-ghCIL6Z0SKdEsosoLQVoMsHl497Ui4EgvSXVtB2VikJko4Folp3VHJhR2N4/s1600/cake+cutting.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN1N2STDrtf56WmubGXw22Obu8QWHnm80vvUk2iketokIbbV5amPzA_lRHh_5lnFFjRnEaIyTTc1CtFEY-ghCIL6Z0SKdEsosoLQVoMsHl497Ui4EgvSXVtB2VikJko4Folp3VHJhR2N4/s400/cake+cutting.jpg" width="257" /></a></div><br />We were served hors d'oeuvres, more champagne and a slice of our cake before we continued with the rest of our pictures. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxr3aSO6GuhAP3SZpRDExHF4rTxqdcusvTgl4YcinDylNgMM8xfumhAxiDOvWooUhUUyxQcNx7ibQiH5Lwf3iPf21TA5-bVGHpYHuXEmZRTy3a24h7L_RdXxaIEg1PpZL09s-bdT7WppY/s1600/eating+time.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxr3aSO6GuhAP3SZpRDExHF4rTxqdcusvTgl4YcinDylNgMM8xfumhAxiDOvWooUhUUyxQcNx7ibQiH5Lwf3iPf21TA5-bVGHpYHuXEmZRTy3a24h7L_RdXxaIEg1PpZL09s-bdT7WppY/s400/eating+time.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />

Jamaica Montego Bay Sandals wedding Jamaica: The BIG Day! (or... Day 3) PART 1

**for all pictures, click for a larger image to see the details :) ** We woke up bright and early on Saturday morning, anxious to get our sp...

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Jamaica: Day 2

Friday morning we woke up with a small agenda for the day: meet with the wedding coordinator and go for the trial run of hair and makeup.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLWjzaQNSaEwgMTNLTt7ZlbspyaPgTp1nLke377n2ulQHAbg2J43ARzTYwZDrQoXO0M6ppVi1cjF0493fdm4lQmkPCcetkectdu8sDfQpdg4StM4AUyk_1oq7l1-RPggsaj-9ViuQlL4o/s1600/Jamaica+2012+010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLWjzaQNSaEwgMTNLTt7ZlbspyaPgTp1nLke377n2ulQHAbg2J43ARzTYwZDrQoXO0M6ppVi1cjF0493fdm4lQmkPCcetkectdu8sDfQpdg4StM4AUyk_1oq7l1-RPggsaj-9ViuQlL4o/s400/Jamaica+2012+010.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><br />Venecia was our awesome wedding coordinator at Sandals.  She had a vibrant personality and sense of humor and truly made us feel special and important in her presence.  Even though Joel and I were set on having our ceremony on the beach, she had us visit a few other wedding sites on the resort to consider as well.  In the end, we chose to have our ceremony in this gazebo:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOLHbuGXJaaDpGTjsvFkF6OUB0bwfIzVjWOkgr8jCpPzh5hxTeYlrn9uIB4gNapOWMMlEZ0N921ADhEAWFkTwqU38pWNGN5PCxu5aFzUSYYiFymYL0EHqs6SepMQwqZVL3MvNoF1RzDrI/s1600/sunset+wedding+gazebo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOLHbuGXJaaDpGTjsvFkF6OUB0bwfIzVjWOkgr8jCpPzh5hxTeYlrn9uIB4gNapOWMMlEZ0N921ADhEAWFkTwqU38pWNGN5PCxu5aFzUSYYiFymYL0EHqs6SepMQwqZVL3MvNoF1RzDrI/s400/sunset+wedding+gazebo.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />Jamaica offered a level of "hot" that I had never experienced before.  Even hotter than FL in July/August (and I've been there during both of those months!).  By having the ceremony in the gazebo, we would have some shade which would alleviate some of the heat, as well as prevent squinting for the pictures.  Plus, it offered a beautiful backdrop!<br /><br />While we discussed other details of the wedding, including song choices for the first dance, etc, we also got to do a cake tasting!  YUM!  Our flavor choices were vanilla, chocolate and Caribbean fruit.  Truth be told, my favorite was really the vanilla, but we went with the Caribbean fruit to honor our setting.  This flavor tasted somewhat like gingersnaps with hints of rum.  Don't get me wrong, it wasn't a terrible flavor, but the vanilla certainly was delicious, especially with that fondant icing... holy moly!  It was only because Venecia was watching that I did not inhale all 3 samples.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR0FG8vusyyzmGzxuceSDigEHS5mpDDY-4DMlm3Cb4z8-WGmOS4oTuDhEpqvL91ViU3SPqiKpB_OZU4MDRobkaM4qHdUfJf_obBidwX2Q-qPOQu7ABFWhiRT61U0Z6MtFN_gI5AuvYDU8/s1600/cake+tasting.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR0FG8vusyyzmGzxuceSDigEHS5mpDDY-4DMlm3Cb4z8-WGmOS4oTuDhEpqvL91ViU3SPqiKpB_OZU4MDRobkaM4qHdUfJf_obBidwX2Q-qPOQu7ABFWhiRT61U0Z6MtFN_gI5AuvYDU8/s400/cake+tasting.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsQgEDWmNGQmEo0pMikZpQiyBnIkgEsP9oDC1-8mO8WI8IX7-jYAMfcWVTGtoejCtBPshWmYvfrzJnUFb5XNE1vn36ZoLYE9DYRYdCpN7d4KUOfWTdxC1ePXsQmSYWLd6GRgJQ1bwunEo/s1600/cake+tasting+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsQgEDWmNGQmEo0pMikZpQiyBnIkgEsP9oDC1-8mO8WI8IX7-jYAMfcWVTGtoejCtBPshWmYvfrzJnUFb5XNE1vn36ZoLYE9DYRYdCpN7d4KUOfWTdxC1ePXsQmSYWLd6GRgJQ1bwunEo/s400/cake+tasting+2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Joel tried it first</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga5HLltGYjRHovkRh9ftgzU74hVYmFETRQV0y1VkHnMgSHsdieo_eu_cl5Sdhb8jSlL6qMwdFZG-O0v7sF6HRpOJyK4JjuaU7Pq5mw5QYhEFZdMV9Dm67X8WqBR1St4fl2wsJUI42Czeo/s1600/cake+tasting+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="273" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga5HLltGYjRHovkRh9ftgzU74hVYmFETRQV0y1VkHnMgSHsdieo_eu_cl5Sdhb8jSlL6qMwdFZG-O0v7sF6HRpOJyK4JjuaU7Pq5mw5QYhEFZdMV9Dm67X8WqBR1St4fl2wsJUI42Czeo/s400/cake+tasting+3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgoDOFadJZbPpcfA6TaSO4EWwHlZ0N1CCfah5d3AzTb7kbZcA8U4OvLq1r9zbiyxMr_V0bGI20N52pzNPb_TMjyxDz7ZvKVSOBexrnjJJpfvC5KAqQo0Z14rPgvk_cN5hoi4iOO3meZQo/s1600/cake+tasting+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgoDOFadJZbPpcfA6TaSO4EWwHlZ0N1CCfah5d3AzTb7kbZcA8U4OvLq1r9zbiyxMr_V0bGI20N52pzNPb_TMjyxDz7ZvKVSOBexrnjJJpfvC5KAqQo0Z14rPgvk_cN5hoi4iOO3meZQo/s400/cake+tasting+1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the key to my heart is obviously through sweets</td></tr></tbody></table>After our wedding meeting, we took a quick detour to the beach.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI8OzJomU810uABJhe_bBRaCCrsMQnml-wODlMnl8ZOGuTeKIs2dDZK7sQhDzfACXTCwjqtz1SKJulxLDgFiZLx7CDzXEE0TfMzDafSxEXLM7f898ut44LzG0mqv2hyBYm6TpZIn5QonM/s1600/Jamaica+2012+036.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI8OzJomU810uABJhe_bBRaCCrsMQnml-wODlMnl8ZOGuTeKIs2dDZK7sQhDzfACXTCwjqtz1SKJulxLDgFiZLx7CDzXEE0TfMzDafSxEXLM7f898ut44LzG0mqv2hyBYm6TpZIn5QonM/s400/Jamaica+2012+036.jpg" width="255" /></a></div><br />Again, I began devouring Fifty Shades and working on my tan as much as I could before the big day. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrwrnCXnHUkfap9hEueNf2aqana-34SSOaDAAtmHM-EocVB0R5xt7ep0J0B51qikhhpUmmNl6KUR_JlpMDAMCzR8CZ_MjJh4DJ5rNFemRsxlfhAJxwRWvvYN6g1hzVWrOk7AMwxYQ45Zw/s1600/Jamaica+2012+043.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrwrnCXnHUkfap9hEueNf2aqana-34SSOaDAAtmHM-EocVB0R5xt7ep0J0B51qikhhpUmmNl6KUR_JlpMDAMCzR8CZ_MjJh4DJ5rNFemRsxlfhAJxwRWvvYN6g1hzVWrOk7AMwxYQ45Zw/s400/Jamaica+2012+043.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />Before I knew it, it was time to set off to the Red Lane Spa for several hours of pampering.  I got a mani/pedi and my hair and makeup done.  Everything turned out perfectly!  My stylist, Wendy, even tore my hair out once she was done so Joel wouldn't know what it would look like.  I secretly wanted to keep it though - it was so nice!<br /><br />We finished up another day in Jamaica with a delicious meal all the while savoring the sunset.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTyLAd8X0-T2LhlQ0-hZb6m8ahFS-W7VjAo1xsyaz-AM4dp5Cwl_LqdopMGOBmH3mDpjUnZbuVdEyv5JTzObqGbpdwWBWAl2TU8z__a_9PSz_9EXtMjv5hpQK88R4hzjrCXXWvg82J3IY/s1600/Jamaica+2012+053.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTyLAd8X0-T2LhlQ0-hZb6m8ahFS-W7VjAo1xsyaz-AM4dp5Cwl_LqdopMGOBmH3mDpjUnZbuVdEyv5JTzObqGbpdwWBWAl2TU8z__a_9PSz_9EXtMjv5hpQK88R4hzjrCXXWvg82J3IY/s400/Jamaica+2012+053.JPG" width="266" /></a></div><br />That night, we would go to bed for our last night as singles.  Little did we know that the next day we would awake to a dream come true!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVgk9r9kcghhm3PZy6XI4CYEsRSKV1Pdl7aPuRBHNd9vcL496FmprgBdsMo2x2GRDi-uS8qsmd_CYfCLWb9wgTAuYsc_L5xRQpc1Dy4SM8JqLX9SvkYbLRI-ExTB_03VjnJbMyUGWBn5Y/s1600/038_38.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVgk9r9kcghhm3PZy6XI4CYEsRSKV1Pdl7aPuRBHNd9vcL496FmprgBdsMo2x2GRDi-uS8qsmd_CYfCLWb9wgTAuYsc_L5xRQpc1Dy4SM8JqLX9SvkYbLRI-ExTB_03VjnJbMyUGWBn5Y/s400/038_38.JPG" width="265" /></a></div><br />

Jamaica Montego Bay Sandals wedding Jamaica: Day 2

Friday morning we woke up with a small agenda for the day: meet with the wedding coordinator and go for the trial run of hair and makeup. Ve...

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I Now Pronounce You....

I'm back mon, and I'm now a Mrs!<br /><br />On Thursday, June 7, Joel and I left our condo in the wee hours of the morning to make the hour drive to Baltimore-Washington International airport.  While I was armed with Ativan, Joel decided to be brave and forgo the meds.  We boarded the plane with nervous anticipation of what was to come, both with the plane ride as well as our upcoming nuptials only two days away.  After a smooth 3 hour flight, we touched down in Montego Bay, Jamaica, cruising in with a view of crystal clear blue waters.  I was in immediate awe.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB97S6QYdCcagaJz4XxXn1tNjqihC28PflTTebCN8TAfJPP1gHt52qhHTAEUoIce8A5_XANruYY5DeHiuqW5EGbrcDKqx_B9E-o2DpH4o-47_JNTjlWvF_oV01kxcW2ipz9nBMO5OnNlw/s1600/Jamaica+2012+001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB97S6QYdCcagaJz4XxXn1tNjqihC28PflTTebCN8TAfJPP1gHt52qhHTAEUoIce8A5_XANruYY5DeHiuqW5EGbrcDKqx_B9E-o2DpH4o-47_JNTjlWvF_oV01kxcW2ipz9nBMO5OnNlw/s400/Jamaica+2012+001.JPG" width="266" /></a></div><br />As my cousin forewarned, we were treated like celebrities as soon as we made our way through Jamaican Customs.  Sandals had a special room at the airport for their arriving guests where we could enjoy a beverage and relax as we awaited our transportation to the resort.   Once we got to the resort, however, our room wasn't ready, so we were escorted to the beach to enjoy a late lunch.  It didn't take us long to indulge in the "free" drinks. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-CM3UZd9qQDnx-LljvWwYuq1soCH0O27aoOY4qYTmNDQHS0bGPB-eXuA1KuuW2IjXxhn62e8SRSR9kdtkOQ52ImiDwiaDqt0cmqWgLI0YY80-fmsdMitamdEeUTM_VdsCUbxcZcp5vak/s1600/Jamaica+2012+007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-CM3UZd9qQDnx-LljvWwYuq1soCH0O27aoOY4qYTmNDQHS0bGPB-eXuA1KuuW2IjXxhn62e8SRSR9kdtkOQ52ImiDwiaDqt0cmqWgLI0YY80-fmsdMitamdEeUTM_VdsCUbxcZcp5vak/s400/Jamaica+2012+007.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />I am sipping on a Jamaican smile, which tasted like strawberries and bananas with a subtle undertone of coconut rum.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBLG43s4NrSx-cHrruOsnNkX75XmAVlyq8eksYQEgsYKw2xEDPzyri7ihVO8RZVzi3oXPgVJhVHbcReCowbo8qnO1oQWdkX0fp-JrXnDUVts6Lq7MlwJQv1ZelUMlQeE_UwVH8gYBD0dc/s1600/jamaica+smile.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBLG43s4NrSx-cHrruOsnNkX75XmAVlyq8eksYQEgsYKw2xEDPzyri7ihVO8RZVzi3oXPgVJhVHbcReCowbo8qnO1oQWdkX0fp-JrXnDUVts6Lq7MlwJQv1ZelUMlQeE_UwVH8gYBD0dc/s400/jamaica+smile.jpg" width="267" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTcJMadZgkrzhaPVZifDFb4hFlqLyxP6WmwFSJvodfN5rt5JccKdtFVeabPw9z99ehdR0DQib9r9_bsLyMPnQ7sX_s-JPu_7ssi0VHhzQNe9vGM59GJ2cmCs4YdbhUH3zyqST3HoW-1iM/s1600/Jamaica+2012+012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTcJMadZgkrzhaPVZifDFb4hFlqLyxP6WmwFSJvodfN5rt5JccKdtFVeabPw9z99ehdR0DQib9r9_bsLyMPnQ7sX_s-JPu_7ssi0VHhzQNe9vGM59GJ2cmCs4YdbhUH3zyqST3HoW-1iM/s400/Jamaica+2012+012.JPG" width="266" /></a></div>As anyone trying to watch their weight, an all-inclusive resort can induce anxiety rather quickly for us.  However, by day 3 of our 7 day WeddingMoon, we were so over the sugary drink mixes.  And believe it or not, I didn't gain a single pound on this trip!  I'm sure the two days of working out helped a little :). <br /><br />Still, our first day was nothing short of perfect!  Once our room was ready, we quickly changed into our bathing suits and hit the beach for the rest of the day.  And I immediately sunk my eyes into Fifty Shades of Grey!  Joel sunk his eyes into something else...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzEvymTTJ9eeHlSG3-3oY4Au9RPCEvFgdoGe0h7KK_wfMlW8bdZXjUUQsTdYEM26EmX2zzfZc5KExaShQ_SuUFXpU3F2boenB1CIoiZGB1WivaJgVK8El9Vv1DeS4dCWcW1qrm8y3U0Bc/s1600/Jamaica+2012+026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzEvymTTJ9eeHlSG3-3oY4Au9RPCEvFgdoGe0h7KK_wfMlW8bdZXjUUQsTdYEM26EmX2zzfZc5KExaShQ_SuUFXpU3F2boenB1CIoiZGB1WivaJgVK8El9Vv1DeS4dCWcW1qrm8y3U0Bc/s400/Jamaica+2012+026.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />And so began a lovely and glorious week for Joel and I.  A week of many firsts, including my first time wearing all dresses on a vacation and actually feeling good about it!  But there was snorkeling, Hobie sailing, and let's not forget the most important event: the marriage!  It was perfect, and I look forward to recapping it here for you to share in the memories with me :).<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmPkQb0XPwBiWr8h9hu-XLJ6QB0DVFycTyXMLSiVgyurZQxpybCMiq18puv_VhZQX5HgiiEJPEN0XoOGdnIX5Msr0CVDyjrOlO2kkSBSqErFAdobKasIL6VWImqu63He4oyVU7DU3ylxo/s1600/night+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmPkQb0XPwBiWr8h9hu-XLJ6QB0DVFycTyXMLSiVgyurZQxpybCMiq18puv_VhZQX5HgiiEJPEN0XoOGdnIX5Msr0CVDyjrOlO2kkSBSqErFAdobKasIL6VWImqu63He4oyVU7DU3ylxo/s400/night+1.jpg" width="277" /></a></div><br />And after a very long day, our first night in Jamaica ended like this - with a breathtaking sunset over clear blue waters.  I feel so incredibly blessed to have experienced this amazing part of God's creation.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCgspRdX7D4fWrJFIl6PpOEViMeyaGWEKrorziH0lOWyAhEzGiPvzMay5Pi73rAL4sCAxshC7zqMflgZKtIgVeBN5tgBomRfgKXYWbiB-7ISz5KxJl_u1GAHBMWMGIRSv6sTMKckj05gE/s1600/sunset+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCgspRdX7D4fWrJFIl6PpOEViMeyaGWEKrorziH0lOWyAhEzGiPvzMay5Pi73rAL4sCAxshC7zqMflgZKtIgVeBN5tgBomRfgKXYWbiB-7ISz5KxJl_u1GAHBMWMGIRSv6sTMKckj05gE/s400/sunset+1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><br />I will leave you with this sneak peek... ;)<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLwlhlxDoshSIeW4WvZaHM7j2LqTMGpzRyv7gArthod2OpAZ9vCk_VRiXcNfdKUpfpdjE96ElZk6w4Q5J_wbPKl8mrAFIhK3vargiz-LfPQzrymzBCRbG1iKJ2rL_SPs-5T5LXCFCypLk/s1600/052_52+%282%29.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLwlhlxDoshSIeW4WvZaHM7j2LqTMGpzRyv7gArthod2OpAZ9vCk_VRiXcNfdKUpfpdjE96ElZk6w4Q5J_wbPKl8mrAFIhK3vargiz-LfPQzrymzBCRbG1iKJ2rL_SPs-5T5LXCFCypLk/s400/052_52+%282%29.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><br />

Jamaica Montego Bay Sandals wedding I Now Pronounce You....

I'm back mon, and I'm now a Mrs! On Thursday, June 7, Joel and I left our condo in the wee hours of the morning to make the hour dri...

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Being a Plus Size Bride - Part 2

I have to be really honest here. <br /><br />When it comes to weight loss, I am not a person who is motivated by pressure, at all.  I've always admired those people who can have total self control when it comes to reaching a goal by a certain period of time - whether that be for a class reunion, wedding, birthday, whatever.  They can decline offers of alcoholic beverages, desserts, appetizers - you name it - all without blinking an eye it seems.  "I'm sorry, I can't have that - I'm watching my weight for 'X'."  My problem? I cannot say that two letter word: <b>no</b>.  <br /><br />I can remember being in various friends' weddings over the years and vowing to lose x-number of pounds by their wedding and I failed...every. single. time.  Of course, I've done this to myself many times over the years, not just with weddings.  Surely someone can relate to this madness!<br /><br />Now, I'm not here to make excuses for my failures, I'm just trying/learning to recognize what works/doesn't work for me on this weight loss journey.  Case in point - my own wedding!  You would think that your own wedding would be enough motivation to "once and for all" remove the weight.  Sadly, no.  <i>Very</i> sadly, no.<br /><br />I tend to have a self sabotage approach when things aren't going my way in terms of weight loss.  It is almost as though I don't want to let myself be successful.  I will completely lose all eating inhibitions and just do what I want when the pressure is on, instead of really cutting back and being extra picky about what I put into my mouth.  In some ways, it's an all or nothing mentality.  If I cannot do it right 100% of the time,why do it at all.   "It" here is staying within my DPT and WPA.  While pressure motivates others to focus on their goal and have total self control, pressure for me causes me to unwind and act like I don't care.  Anyone else feel this way?  <br /><br />I remember before we got engaged, I told Joel that I'd hoped to be at or near goal before he popped the question so that I wouldn't have to deal with the pressure of losing weight during an engagement.  I knew this would happen!  Last year around this time I was getting into the zone with weight loss, and feeling good about taking a "slow and steady" approach to it.  Slow and steady = no pressure.  I was starting to realize that I didn't need to compare my journey to everyone else's - i.e. running races, lifting weights, doing whatever "everyone else" seemed to be doing.  No!   This is my journey and I was going to proceed how I wanted to, not how "everyone else" was doing it. Repeating a rendition of that mantra over and over really helped me stay focused.  <br /><br />Do I want to be 233 when I'm 30 years old? No.  But I have PLENTY of time to meet goal between now and then.  Honestly, while I'm not wishing the wedding away, I'll be happy to get back to a sense of normalcy where I won't feel so much pressure about fitting into a wedding dress as well as how I might <i>look </i>in my dress.  You could argue that once the "guilt pressure" goes away, I might lose all inhibitions and regain the 30 lbs I lost.  I don't believe this will happen though.  I'm proud that I've managed to maintain that 30 lbs loss, but I still have a long road ahead of me!  Right now my goal is simple and small - to lose another 30 lbs by March 4 of next year.  That means I only need to lose 3.3 lbs per month between now and then.  Definitely doable as long as I remain focused.<br /><br />I cannot wait to marry Joel this Saturday, plus size bride or not. <br /> I'm just looking forward to getting back to the "slow and steady" mentality.

wedding Being a Plus Size Bride - Part 2

I have to be really honest here.  When it comes to weight loss, I am not a person who is motivated by pressure, at all.  I've always adm...

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Weekend Recap

As it turns out, I took a road trip to the Motherland (Pennsylvania) to spend time with my niece and nephew this weekend.  Yes, I had a ton of plans but time spent with the kiddos is rare.  I missed both of their birthdays this year, and I wasn't sure when Joel and I would have another opportunity to get up there this summer.  <br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaUOaX4wALeqqUrsGS8Mu7w6qhUow1PdL5N8u8S4kIO6Qh_4chz95uR6cUYakuPy65b-kP8CfP8MXy7i2vppoKRnS2ZLD1r9XySeq_abWD4EBjBkc3D1xtl8G1M8rZtSq7gvEk6nYPeGM/s1600/grace+and+rexon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="275" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaUOaX4wALeqqUrsGS8Mu7w6qhUow1PdL5N8u8S4kIO6Qh_4chz95uR6cUYakuPy65b-kP8CfP8MXy7i2vppoKRnS2ZLD1r9XySeq_abWD4EBjBkc3D1xtl8G1M8rZtSq7gvEk6nYPeGM/s400/grace+and+rexon.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">1 year old & 4 year old - both already incredibly intelligent!</td></tr></tbody></table>I was still able to accomplish much on my to-do list.  My sister and I went shopping and I found some dresses at Old Navy and JC Penney.  I plan to model them for Joel when he gets home to get an accurate assessment on whether or not they look good.  I definitely appreciate his honesty when it comes to what I wear.<br /><br />I only managed to get in 1 day of activity this entire week!  One is better than none, but <i>still</i>.  The single day of activity came this past Sunday when I babysat my nephew while the others went to church.  We took an hour long walk around the neighborhood.  The poor guy has suffered lots of pesky illnesses since his birth just over a year ago, and so everyone thought it best to keep him at home and away from the children at church.  This time he has a rash that the doctor's were unsure of its cause.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKoJ9GsOATG3mw2fi1Hx2oQpduygzFucPYc3eNQvMrA1-jO_AgbG7lfKOkH-PuyM4ZhBuXe2Kv4iXeGSTvSv3wXkjvl3BB4lCSfzPRZSUeYrsa7NiypBGWY2yukeGiB0ecw1AGObMHa1U/s1600/rexon+walking.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKoJ9GsOATG3mw2fi1Hx2oQpduygzFucPYc3eNQvMrA1-jO_AgbG7lfKOkH-PuyM4ZhBuXe2Kv4iXeGSTvSv3wXkjvl3BB4lCSfzPRZSUeYrsa7NiypBGWY2yukeGiB0ecw1AGObMHa1U/s400/rexon+walking.jpg" width="377" /></a></div><br /><br />Things that were accomplished this weekend that I <i>can </i>feel good about: <br /><ul><li>hair is freshly dyed and cut</li><li>bought some clothes and a bathing suit for Jamaica</li><li>dropped my wedding bands off at the jeweler today for sizing</li><li>finalized some last minute details with Sandals in regard to the wedding ceremony</li><li>my veil arrived!! bought on eBay for the sweet price of $25!  AND, it's great! </li></ul>All I have left to get is a garment bag for my dress to carry onto the plane.  I've been told to go back to David's Bridal for the bag.  Your thoughts?<br /><br />Another thing to consider.... would you invest in a wedding video?  It looks like the base price for one at Sandals starts at $500 and I just don't know what to do.  Did you do one for your wedding?  Is it worth that price?<br /><br />I asked on Facebook for "can't put it down" book recommendations for the trip.  Joel and I are both not the bravest flyers.  In fact, we visited the doctor last week for some "happy" pills - I got Ativan and he got Xanax.  I need something to occupy my mind without fail during the 3.5 hour flight!  So, I bought the Fifty Shades of Grey trilogy and Weight Loss Boss (by the WW CEO).  Anyone read these? <br /><br /><b style="color: #351c75;">Are you a fearful flyer?  If so, what gets you through a flight?  If not, why not??   </b>  <br />

wedding Weekend Recap Weekend Recap

As it turns out, I took a road trip to the Motherland (Pennsylvania) to spend time with my niece and nephew this weekend.  Yes, I had a ton ...

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Weekend Plans

This week is going to be interesting for me.  Joel leaves tomorrow for a week for his bachelor party.  They're going fishing - big surprise! :)<br /><br />I, on the other hand, am interested to see how life proceeds without Joel around.... life in terms of weight loss.  It'll be a good experiment and one that I'm hoping yields some good last minute weight loss for the upcoming nuptials. <br /><br />My weekend plans include a hair cut/color (today!) in preparation for the wedding, as well as lots of shopping for our trip.  I might even buy a dress or two - gasp!  Typically when we go to the eastern shore of MD, I'm usually packing "bum" clothes, which are usually gym outfits.  What do I need to look nice for?  I'll spend most of my time on the beach indulging in a book.  But in Jamaica, I think it's going to be a lot different and so I need to be prepared.  I'd also like to snag another bathing suit as well.  Any and all clothing suggestions are welcomed!<br /><br />Since it is a long weekend for us feds, I fully plan on taking advantage of that time to get in at least 3 days of activity along with 3 days of sun :).  I want to spend as much time as possible at the pool this weekend so that I can work on my tan for the dress (yes, I'll be wearing sunscreen!).  I've been using the Jergen's sunless tanning lotion and that's working pretty well thus far, but I know sometimes it has a tendency to make me look a little on the orange side, and I don't want that happening for the pictures. <br /><br />I'm also looking forward to cooking for the upcoming week and doing some major meal planning that I hope will help me lose some more weight before our trip.  <br /><br />I wish all of you a happy and safe <b><span style="color: red;">Memorial</span> <span style="color: blue;">Day</span> </b><span style="background-color: white; color: black;">weekend</span>!  May God continue to bless those who serve our nation, those who have served, and those who will.  Freedom isn't free - thank you for keeping our country safe!<br /><br /><b style="color: #351c75;">What are your weekend plans?</b>

Jamaica wedding Weekend Plans

This week is going to be interesting for me.  Joel leaves tomorrow for a week for his bachelor party.  They're going fishing - big surpr...

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Jamaica Mun!

I tried my best to mimic the Jamaican accent through the blog title.... perhaps a fail?<br /><br />Either way, I have some fun news to share with you all today:<br /><br /><div style="color: #351c75; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Joel & I will be getting married June 9, 2012 in Montego Bay, Jamaica!</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">That's right!  In just a few short weeks, we will be touching down in paradise....</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjciBk2k-UY2IFyOQfQKfH7YPR43x7K7pANJTl04anwcLHu2mGX63BKlXwdZZp4mYCZmc_XQOnvTgWgwmX2mwKRolj8xbiMl8mzMo1SaK-CJ7k6p2BnxSxDYSTtOzXD1Dmkf29QLNdjv7Q/s1600/sandals.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="203" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjciBk2k-UY2IFyOQfQKfH7YPR43x7K7pANJTl04anwcLHu2mGX63BKlXwdZZp4mYCZmc_XQOnvTgWgwmX2mwKRolj8xbiMl8mzMo1SaK-CJ7k6p2BnxSxDYSTtOzXD1Dmkf29QLNdjv7Q/s400/sandals.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">We chose Sandals Montego Bay to host our intimate wedding ceremony.  </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6IWxg_IPIxLhjVs-5HbDbY7N8po4FHWiPWaqenvta224n8pIWGCTKD2xBLLMvXCfgedNtamSDWzbwdoJxaPFXdAD-5DoyxXm36j3F2D8jX9h9iR-Cn5_K6dtLJkcrTZ2dYEIMA9cmxs4/s1600/sandals+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="203" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6IWxg_IPIxLhjVs-5HbDbY7N8po4FHWiPWaqenvta224n8pIWGCTKD2xBLLMvXCfgedNtamSDWzbwdoJxaPFXdAD-5DoyxXm36j3F2D8jX9h9iR-Cn5_K6dtLJkcrTZ2dYEIMA9cmxs4/s400/sandals+2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I'm pretty sure this is going to be a trip of a lifetime!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrHRlYu66193vGk1YUIKvARf5E13jdzlla-xSctbY5C-SBxYsCnW4btaBHbapfC3TbeZOm2bx4-6uShfH3F9xN0BObL5HYJGBeLUu6jl8tvCRO07Il4nVGfFMRlV8a45UNw9jJ4_JmIJw/s1600/sandals+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="203" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrHRlYu66193vGk1YUIKvARf5E13jdzlla-xSctbY5C-SBxYsCnW4btaBHbapfC3TbeZOm2bx4-6uShfH3F9xN0BObL5HYJGBeLUu6jl8tvCRO07Il4nVGfFMRlV8a45UNw9jJ4_JmIJw/s400/sandals+3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi03kGWsI0h7zihGXVM3zw1f0uuxb7H8TT3r39wIn6-bw-faS7AbRuEVaOhYz3H5o-O4LjnBsUPFZw9_SuyVAVfW7BVGqR6biLYxjuDCtt6OI5dUbM7QLHTYloxMyUnCGh8olnyjcWb4oo/s1600/sandals+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="203" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi03kGWsI0h7zihGXVM3zw1f0uuxb7H8TT3r39wIn6-bw-faS7AbRuEVaOhYz3H5o-O4LjnBsUPFZw9_SuyVAVfW7BVGqR6biLYxjuDCtt6OI5dUbM7QLHTYloxMyUnCGh8olnyjcWb4oo/s400/sandals+4.jpg" width="400" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUGfXwN8IxI-SvtVHZ84U2ntEbn2h4Dsbh9G2FdchvSZLMT3MEJ2TxF6sIyWikPbxhZ1_r_29YrsmpuQyDFACpoYiZQE_6NqEM8zTA2OFgY5P62aA_VA6LzRClLwzhoBiPumO2HuIBZqo/s1600/sandals+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="203" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUGfXwN8IxI-SvtVHZ84U2ntEbn2h4Dsbh9G2FdchvSZLMT3MEJ2TxF6sIyWikPbxhZ1_r_29YrsmpuQyDFACpoYiZQE_6NqEM8zTA2OFgY5P62aA_VA6LzRClLwzhoBiPumO2HuIBZqo/s400/sandals+5.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I cannot wait to lounge here with a book!</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #999999;">(all pictures courtesy of sandals.com) </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We both love the beach and couldn't think of a better place to get married.  While Joel and I did have a hiccup in our relationship back in February (for the new readers), we have worked through our differences over the past several months and continue to honor each other every day through our commitment to one another and to God.  We love each other, and that time apart taught us a great deal.  We chose to do an intimate destination ceremony because neither of us enjoyed the stress of planning a traditional wedding.  Planning our Sandals trip has been so incredibly easy.  We're doing it just for us, and that's all that matters.  This is <i>our </i>wedding.  Not our parent's.  Not our family's.  Not our friend's.  That has been a very tough pill to swallow for some, but we want what <i>we </i>want and we know <i>this </i>is it!              </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I will, of course, wear a traditional wedding dress.  Joel will wear  a cream colored suit with a purple shirt - as keeping with the theme of our original decor for the "first" wedding.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I went dress shopping a few months ago with two of my closest friends in the DC area, Racheal and Meghan.  I couldn't have done it without them.  What surprised me most about wedding dress shopping was that I actually enjoyed it :).  Below are some of the dresses I tried on... and THEE dress is pictured.. you'll just have to guess which one it is :).  I went to <a href="http://www.davidsbridal.com/" target="_blank">David's Bridal</a> and <a href="http://www.curvygirlsbridal.com/" target="_blank">Curvy Girls</a> Bridal.  I have to say, my experience at <a href="http://www.curvygirlsbridal.com/" target="_blank">Curvy Girls</a> was nothing short of a <a href="http://kleinfeldbridal.com/" target="_blank">Kleinfeld's</a> <a href="http://tlc.howstuffworks.com/tv/say-yes-to-the-dress" target="_blank">experience</a>.  They really know how to make a bride <i>feel </i>like a bride!  The facility was clean, fancy and luxurious.  I loved it and am so glad I went!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I was going for a dress that had a vintage feel that wasn't form fitting, but yet wasn't a ball gown either.  I also didn't want satin, but knew I wanted ivory, even though some of the dresses I tried on were in white.  Despite what my intentions were, I came home with a dress that shocked even me!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtIMkLUC6x1Qt4_X6SNPhHlDK9KgB9zPWGdLFh9-PV2OCw5MgXCJX56PLDe1VCWtsmAdOX9OAbWODQj1PgGT8wRAWuEU1Gh5E01V2NCFDCheKW6wC5vSVcD1qf54IjN45qjRhjC1yy-NM/s1600/wedding+dress+1+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtIMkLUC6x1Qt4_X6SNPhHlDK9KgB9zPWGdLFh9-PV2OCw5MgXCJX56PLDe1VCWtsmAdOX9OAbWODQj1PgGT8wRAWuEU1Gh5E01V2NCFDCheKW6wC5vSVcD1qf54IjN45qjRhjC1yy-NM/s400/wedding+dress+1+copy.jpg" width="203" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dress 1</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Dress 1 had very pretty detail on the back and chest area.  It definitely offered the vintage look up top!  I also thought it was a flattering cut.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXE947mraZEDYj2kQaAzp09NOVI0am7IAo2fowsE-o-uyZiCwNcl1QqTMLt29R9EkUJNJ_RyKkWU-nOBxQz6pKFB-Lwh8P8KElIAqSzM6hh8y8Oi498syyz88w4hx19ZfnyqVlUDzCbXE/s1600/wedding+dress+2+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXE947mraZEDYj2kQaAzp09NOVI0am7IAo2fowsE-o-uyZiCwNcl1QqTMLt29R9EkUJNJ_RyKkWU-nOBxQz6pKFB-Lwh8P8KElIAqSzM6hh8y8Oi498syyz88w4hx19ZfnyqVlUDzCbXE/s400/wedding+dress+2+copy.jpg" width="262" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dress 2</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I thought dress 2 looked great on me as well, accentuating my waist with the wide band of fabric.  It was very flowy and definitely a perfect beach-style wedding dress!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLU0xnoNrviu_2sBF96e9vs2YKlVrmH59Jp16n2w-vIwfiyKc3d_ofqymRgf7ASFkrxWnAEH2_gA-cdGMt_PF4KBMORHrsTyfW9zt3gous9IRlOu_Fabm2cGkB8pCHMWkUgWziZlUn0TY/s1600/wedding+dress+3+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLU0xnoNrviu_2sBF96e9vs2YKlVrmH59Jp16n2w-vIwfiyKc3d_ofqymRgf7ASFkrxWnAEH2_gA-cdGMt_PF4KBMORHrsTyfW9zt3gous9IRlOu_Fabm2cGkB8pCHMWkUgWziZlUn0TY/s400/wedding+dress+3+copy.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dress 3</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Dress 3 is all lace with great beading detail on the chest, back and down near the top of my legs.  I like how it really gave me a waist when it was pulled in tight.  This is definitely a vintage style look!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOubP0VdjjNe62RTZnDCRbrw-h827GLmaD0gFzJGm5EvTsqKhApRdNM51dmBGgunfegqDtf4wjKNo68dxdarLJi4X7y2ALz3KrFV3qHUqJhOJbyX0TdIqxY5MW0OXrvXKkE9FgMU-I3fM/s1600/wedding+dress+4+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOubP0VdjjNe62RTZnDCRbrw-h827GLmaD0gFzJGm5EvTsqKhApRdNM51dmBGgunfegqDtf4wjKNo68dxdarLJi4X7y2ALz3KrFV3qHUqJhOJbyX0TdIqxY5MW0OXrvXKkE9FgMU-I3fM/s400/wedding+dress+4+copy.jpg" width="247" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dress 4</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Man, when they put that veil on you, it kind of seals the deal, right?  My legs got a little shaky thinking, "Holy crap I really am getting married!"!  Dress 4 was a typical ballgown with the sweetheart neckline and wide, glitzy belt of jewels around the middle.  The cell phone picture does not do it justice!  The fabric felt amazing as well... silk taffeta I think.  </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgICL7hsyUJ_Xjc0xgeuMIt4Ql2xZ1XSXkWNlg4_aZQcxM5bcbnkiDPW9mvephamN-45_zQc83j3hOQkey3P2DVHsG3NhqmsC3doAHmRCE0Fj5Q_amvIifgcErYGCIkEBC6gcw515qCxh0/s1600/wedding+dress+5+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgICL7hsyUJ_Xjc0xgeuMIt4Ql2xZ1XSXkWNlg4_aZQcxM5bcbnkiDPW9mvephamN-45_zQc83j3hOQkey3P2DVHsG3NhqmsC3doAHmRCE0Fj5Q_amvIifgcErYGCIkEBC6gcw515qCxh0/s400/wedding+dress+5+copy.jpg" width="241" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dress 5</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Dress 5 was another cool fabric, though I don't remember the name.  It was shiny and felt sooo nice on!  I liked the ruching/criss-cross detail of the top with the sweetheart neckline and jewel detail near the top of my leg.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy6cGsFITGHTnoH2THa7cQm0qt_FBsHNq8AU6-OYSF-Iut0i0eoGT3zPjj8OAwu7Y9xtH70NwPSpLRhfxEF4p6_6-sQgZgC2Eyl1ve3ZmDvIR8qFhUlNRpjutAkbGU2ccJdTdhoYDSzno/s1600/wedding+dress+7+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy6cGsFITGHTnoH2THa7cQm0qt_FBsHNq8AU6-OYSF-Iut0i0eoGT3zPjj8OAwu7Y9xtH70NwPSpLRhfxEF4p6_6-sQgZgC2Eyl1ve3ZmDvIR8qFhUlNRpjutAkbGU2ccJdTdhoYDSzno/s400/wedding+dress+7+copy.jpg" width="241" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dress 6</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Dress 6 offered a combination of dresses 4 and 5: traditional ballgown style, sweetheart neckline, ruching/criss-cross top with the detailed jeweled applique.  Again, poor quality picture due to the cell phone.  I hate when they don't allow real pictures!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJNflahV20XcHwLzsSv0mirOaUZ9x6VE62qHWXe8z9jO6W1PV16WqYvbVTvfWznXLwj11tTjOR5wKV9HXXPyDQfzjJVXtEyxWuPiAc91zgMRh8dsh7IPjLB60ZtQtzAgeuDDMi7D3xcIU/s1600/wedding+dress+8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJNflahV20XcHwLzsSv0mirOaUZ9x6VE62qHWXe8z9jO6W1PV16WqYvbVTvfWznXLwj11tTjOR5wKV9HXXPyDQfzjJVXtEyxWuPiAc91zgMRh8dsh7IPjLB60ZtQtzAgeuDDMi7D3xcIU/s400/wedding+dress+8.jpg" width="251" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dress 7</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And last but not least, dress 7!  I guess you'd call this a drop waist style.  This one, again, offered features of dresses 4 and 5 - ruching on top, sweetheart neckline and beading detail all over the skirt.  I tried this on in white but would order this in ivory!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #351c75; text-align: left;"><b>Any guesses on which one I took home????  Any favorites??  I will be happy to share the answer with you very soon! :)</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>

Curvy Girls Bridal David's Bridal Jamaica Montego Bay Sandals wedding Wedding Dresses Jamaica Mun!

I tried my best to mimic the Jamaican accent through the blog title.... perhaps a fail? Either way, I have some fun news to share with you a...

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