here comes the bride


I was a bad bride. There. I said it. I wasn't a nasty Bridezilla, making too many demands. I just didn't get the wedding thing so much.

I wanted to be married.

{Here's a little math for you: I'm not a planner + I'm no-nonsense + I was young and dippy + big events make me nervous = mute and tense jerk Lisa. Not a great combination.}

I even suggested eloping, to prevent my impending nervous breakdown save my family some dough, but we went ahead and had a real wedding, along the Applegate River in Southern Oregon.
weddingguys
Yep, that's Uncle Cam, Greg & Brent


I hear a lot of folks poo-poo outdoor weddings and they have their troubles - too much squinting, wind, getting dressed in a tent - but we didn't have tons of options. Greg's dad was working in India at the time and we sandwiched our special day between his family's llama shows when he was back in town for three weeks. Still, I love this park. It's just a mile or so from where my in-laws live now and I like to wonder down there, even in the winter.
weddingkiss
The kiss

We tried to light a unity candle, just as a breeze picked up and I grimaced as the lighter's flame did the hokey pokey through my fingers. Immediately after the ceremony, we wrapped my hand in ice and I proceeded to hug our guests in the receiving line, cold water dripping down their backs.



wedding dance
Dancing. It's how I knew he was the one for me.

Everything else I could say makes it sound like a flop: My sister-in-law, Nikki, had the stomach flu and had to excuse herself midway through the vows to hurl. Cam had to conquer his fear of speaking in public to give us a proper toast. I caught said virus and gave 'in sickness and in health' brand new meaning. My parents worked so very hard to make it all happen and then I would said dumb things about how hard it was for me. (I was a 23 year old brat, I see that now.)

But take my word for it: It was perfect.

weddingtoastkiss
It was just what I needed. I got the man and the family and the life I have today. Oh to be so lucky.

*****
Greg called me from his hotel room last night, out of town, to ask me how our anniversary was faring this year. Pretty glum, from both accounts. I took the kids to the new Sonic and he worked until late.

We said goodnight and I tucked the kids in. Won't be long and we'll make up for it. Bermuda. Moving and less nights apart.

I fell into a deep calm sleep, the best I've had in weeks.

Thanks Dad for scanning the pictures for me.

Comments

Anonymous said…
An outdoor wedding in Oregon; brave souls you are. Great pictures and congrats again.

Bermuda here you come.

-Stu
Ah, it's Medford. It's sunny and nice usually from April until October. (Their weather is better, hands down.)
Oh the memories that brings up! I don't know if I was a horrible bride or the ideal one...I just drifted through and let everyone else make the decisions. I didn't care about colours or what flavour punch was served...was totally off in lala land. My family worked their tails off, apparently, but I didn't even notice.

I was a bit of an ingrate, actually. Huh. I should apologize for that, eh?

Fabulous pictures. I especially love the sunglasses shot. We have a few of those as well.
oliver rain said…
Happy anniversary. Great wedding photos. You looked happy, brat or not!
Rebecca said…
Great pics! Everything looks lovely! Happy Anniversary!!

Hugs,
Rebecca
Karen said…
Great pictures! I love reading all the wedding stories. I was much like you not really into the wedding part, I just wanted the married and lived happily ever after part.
Congrats on your recent anniversary! and those are some nice photos, it also looks like you had very pretty flowers. I was a mess of nerves on my big day, but I think I did a good job of hiding them. I'm sure everyone can understand if you were a bit of a brat. It is your special day anyway :)
Mrs. G. said…
Such beautiful photos-I'm glad you guys will have fewer nights apart soon.
Wonderful pics & memories! Gotta giggle about the in sickness & in health part! See, it was just MEANT to be!!

Come visit my wedding post when you get a chance!

Stephanie
Angelic Accents
Jennifer S said…
Beautiful pictures--you look so happy. Glad you will be together more, soon.

And, hey, a new Sonic is exciting. :-) (Mmmm, tater tots.)
Jennifer S said…
And happy anniversary!
you look adorable. happy anniversary.
Jess said…
AWw you are so cute! You make me want to get married and have cute babies like yours! shhh don't tell Aunt Katydidnot that I said that, because I didnot.
MJ said…
Happy belated anniversary! I enjoyed reading of the challenges of outdoor weddings! The water down the back would have been very special! LOL!
3rdEyeMuse said…
I've always liked outdoor weddings - and it looks like it was a lovely day for you all. I love that shot of "the kiss" ... being married is the best, don't you think? :)

Happy 14th Anniversary! Here's to many, many, many more!
Janet said…
What a sweet, sweet story. I really like the way you write! Gorgeous shots, too.
Heidi said…
Hi-
Thank goodness for parents who accept us when we are still young and immature, huh?

Thanks for visiting my blog earlier today and sharing your special day with us here (I kind of like the weird wedding story thing- it's a great analogy for life- as life is not perfect anyway, and marriage can be difficult). You both look very happy despite viruses etc...

I have been visiting your blog for a little while, I am happy you are taking a vacation and your crazy commuting life is nearing a completion. I admire you for the hard work of all of it. Having completed a graduate program when I was just out of college, which was demanding enough, I'm always amazed at how people can do it with families.
Take care and have a blast in Bermuda!
Heidi said…
oops, I got you and Oliver Rain confused as to professions. major blog faux paux... so sorry :))
stephanie said…
You are so adorable! And you know what? Greg with hair = Ralph Fiennes; it's uncanny.
Rima said…
Your husband looks like Ralph Fiennes!!! (That's good.)
Rima said…
OK, I just read the comment right before mine. Original I'm not. But it had to be said.
Lori said…
Yes, I remember that day clearly - you were a little "jerky"...but I was 19...what did I know?

Anyhow, I think Greg looks like Nicholas Cage - does anyone else think so? And his voice - reminds me of Jim Rome.
JCK said…
You look incredibly happy in these photos!

I had an outdoor wedding, too.
Great pics! I can't believe y'all had the flu, bummer!
Happy Anniversary!
Nikki
Beck said…
I was a stressed out, miserable bride, forced by my mother-in-law into a huge monster wedding. Happy memories!
Those are some GORGEOUS photos.
Mel said…
There are parts of my wedding day that I don't remember either. What's important was that married the men we love, right? Great pics!
lapoflux said…
Looks like a lovely day - and you two look so happy.
I wanted to elope too - but Marc said no. I was glad after that he hadn't, but I don't think I got the whole bride thing down to be honest.
Suzanne said…
What great pictures. I always kinda wanted an outdoor wedding, but weather is always a gamble. You were brave and it paid off! Congrats to your guys!
Saucy said…
Man, I love outdoor weddings. I'm so glad you posted this for the party. You guys looked amazing. And now... Bermuda! Rock on!
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