Remembering our Wedding Day

Dallas' cousin got married this weekend, so we went and celebrated with them at their reception. It was nice and beautiful and we're glad we got to go. And, just like every reception we've attended, when we left, Dallas said, "I wish we could get married again." I always respond that we've already been married and we can't have a repeat. Dallas then tries to convince me it would be possible, but eventually, he grudgingly admits that it probably could not happen.

However, he is right about one thing We did have a great wedding day and if it were possible, it would at least be fun to go back and re-live it or watch the day. Luckily we have a ba-jillion photos to help us remember. And today, I am dedicating this post to remembering a few of the events of our wedding day. WARNING: This is super long...we will not be offended if you don't read it or simply skim it. 

Dallas and I decided to get married in the Salt Lake City temple. We chose this temple for many reasons. Number one, according to Dallas, it is the "castle" temple. Number two, it was a very convenient temple location for many of our family members. Number three, we were getting married on my parent's half anniversary and that is where they got sealed, so I figured it would be special to be sealed in the same place. Truthfully, any temple would have worked, because each has been dedicated as a place where we can be sealed together forever, but, these were some extra perks for the Salt Lake Temple.

Salt Lake has its perks, it also has a few downsides. The largest is probably the fact that thousands of couples choose to get married there, especially in the summer. Therefore, we had to call right away and schedule a sealing time. Dallas called in early February and, lucky for us, two slots were still available on the day we wanted to get married. Unfortunately, it was either a sealing at 7:30 a.m. or one at 4:00 p.m. Dallas called to check with me and, since I'm a morning person, we chose to go with the morning sealing. 

The day before our wedding my sisters threw me a bridal shower. It was terrific - I got to see almost all my sisters and nieces and a lot of Dallas' immediate and extended family. Afterward, Dallas and I spent the rest of the day together - which I loved. We had been separated for part of the summer and he had just driven up to Utah the night before, so I was super excited to see him. I don't remember everything we did, but I know we went to the mall and got some more ties for the brothers at the wedding, drank an orange julius, found me a swimsuit for the honeymoon, and just enjoyed being together. Then we went to his grandma's house and made sure we were packed for our honeymoon. By the time Dallas dropped me off at Becky's it was almost midnight....and I still had a few things to do. 

I fell asleep no problem. I crashed on Becky's couch sometime after midnight and woke up around 4:00 a.m, about 15 minutes before Emily and Braden showed up. She helped me do my hair and make-up, which was excellent (because I know very little about either). Since we had to be at the temple by 6:30, we left around 5:30 a.m. Shockingly, for maybe the first time in my life, I arrived before I was supposed to. Even more shockingly, my mom was there waiting for me! With my dad, of course. :)


While Dad and Braden parked the cars, Mom, Emily, and I patiently waited for Dallas. Finally, he showed up. And he looked great! He was wearing his light suit and dashing blue bow tie. A temple worker guided us to a desk where we did something with our marriage license. We then went to different rooms - I went the bridal suite and perhaps Dallas went to a groomal suite? I'm not sure where he went, but after changing into our ceremonial clothing, we spent some time together in the celestial room. This is a beautiful, peaceful room and I think we were both glad for the quiet, together time we got to have there.

After about half an hour in the celestial room, we were introduced to our sealer. He was a jolly fellow...I remember thinking his name would be easy to remember, but I have forgotten it. The ceremony was just as I thought it should be - simple and special. Unfortunately, I do not remember what the sealer said...it would have been good to write it down. When we walked out of the sealing room, Dallas was so excited he clicked his heels. I don't know if that is a customary thing to do in the temple...but nobody said anything, so I guess it was okay. :)

Emily and mom then helped me get into my wedding dress and fix up any hairs that might have gone amiss. I was glad that both of them were there to help me. Emily was a great help and it really means a lot just having your mom with you on your wedding day. The next hour was then spent taking pictures and Dallas did a great job giving his best smiles. Here are some photos to prove it:

After pictures we went to the Joseph Smith Memorial Building to enjoy a special luncheon with our families. My mom and dad hosted the event, greeting everyone and then assigning tables to think of advice or a story to share. This was our first meal as a married couple...pretty great. Hopefully Dallas wasn't expecting all our future meals to taste that yummy. If he was, he is probably currently disappointed. When everyone ate their dessert, we showed a video of photos of me and Dallas, from childhood until we met. I spent a ton of time scanning and editing pictures and putting it together...but it was worth it. Here it is on youtube: Amy and Dallas.

With the sealing, pictures, and luncheon complete, it was time to get ready for the reception. Both our families skidaddled out of the building and headed to American Fork to prepare. Unfortunately, we took our sweet time and didn't realize our keys had left with Dallas' parents until it was too late. To add to the misfortune, not only our keys were gone but also our phones. Therefore, there was no way to call anyone and ask for help. We ended up chilling at the JSMB for a couple of hours until someone happened to find the keys and realize our dire situation. By the time we got the keys, we had just enough time to drop our things off at the hotel and return to American Fork for the reception. 

Since neither of us had lived in Utah for several years, we debated about whether or not to hold a reception. In the end, we went for it and I think that was an excellent choice. We got to see lots of friends and other family members that had not been at the sealing or luncheon. Dallas' family did a fabulous job decorating, playing music, and creating a scrumptious ice cream bar. Unfortunately for us, we did not eat anything except for the little tiny piece of cake we exchanged. I wasn't sure if Dallas would want to do the garter toss, so I checked with him a few days before the wedding. He responded with a big smile and enthusiastic YES! And then sheepishly said, "I mean, I don't care - what do you want to do?" I laughed and decided we would definitely have one. That and the bouquet toss were pretty much the end of the reception. And then, we were off! With only a few more hiccups...i.e. leaving some of my luggage in Emily's car that was already back in Provo. But other than that, the day was complete and we were free and happy as love birds and off on our merry way.