A Wedding Story

Thursday night, September 4th.

6:00pm: I say goodbye for the night to my fiancee. Him and the boys are off to a hotel to spend the last night of freedom. The next time I see him he will be my husband.

6:30pm: Julianne and Sarah come over for “the final fitting”. I’m feeling a little nervous that maybe my dress won’t fit and holy shit, then what will I do?

6:35pm: The dress fits.

7:00pm: Karen and I are starving and we finally get to eat. We decide on Arby’s, pick it up, come home, the phone rings.

7:10pm: Guy’s sister informs me of the extended members of the family who are not only planning on coming to the wedding that there is no room for them at, but they are also bringing a handful of children. Panic begins. She assures me she will take care of it.

8:00pm: Karen and I settle into the living room to catch up on so much. We haven’t seen each other in a year which isn’t bad considering the last time we went almost five.

10:30pm: Karen: I should let you go to bed. Tomorrow is a big day. Me: No, I’m fine. I can’t sleep without Guy.

11:30pm: Karen: I should really let you sleep. You’re going to be so tired. Me: No, I’m serious. I can’t sleep without Guy.

Friday September 5th

12:30am: Karen: Okay are you sure you shouldn’t go to bed now? Aren’t you tired? Me: This is not a joke, I really can’t sleep without Guy.

2:00am: Karen decides that maybe if she goes to bed that will inspire me to do the same and maybe without the distraction I will fall asleep. She is so wrong.

2:30am: I fall asleep on the couch.

2:50am: I wake back up.

3:00am: I decide maybe I should just go to bed like a big girl. I lay in bed and text Guy. Are you asleep? No. Me either, I can’t sleep. Me too. Are you excited? Yes.

4:00am: I fall asleep again.

4:45am: I wake up again. I think to myself, screw sleep, I’m up for good. I take a shower and watch a little t.v.

5:15am: My heart begins racing. The nerves and lack of sleep have overcome me and I think I may have a heart attack.

5:30am: I call and wake my mom up to tell her I’m having a heart attack. She assures me that I’m not. She offers to pick me up and whisk me to Mexico. I decline the offer.

7:30am: Sarah comes to pick Karen and I up. We load up all of the wedding stuff and go pick up batteries, donuts and Starbucks.

8:32am: I get a text message from Guy that brings tears to my eyes:
“Good morning love of my life. We are only a few hours away and I can’t wait to see you in your dress. I missed you last night. Love you.”

8:45am: We go to the salon for our hair appointments where my hairdresser tells me she can’t do what I’ve asked for. Julianne meets up with us. Hairdresser comes up with something else.

10:00am: Everyone’s hair is done and we hit the highway to head up to the venue.

11:00am: We all arrive at the venue and unpack everything as fast as we can. We set up the chairs, place fans and bells on each of them, and roll out the aisle runner. This is really happening.

11:30am: My mom and bridesmaids and I meet the photographer at the hotel where the boys stayed the night before. The boys leave before we get there and head to the venue.

11:45am: The great Becca Spears is snapping pictures and we all crowd around the hotel mirrors and apply our makeup.

12:15pm: The time has come to put on my dress. The girls help me squeeze into it and zip up. I am grinning ear to ear. I look at myself and realize this is what everything has lead up to. The meeting, the knowing, the loving, the learning, the growing… all of our years together has led us here.

12:30pm: My dad shows up to the hotel and the bridesmaids wish me luck and head to the venue. My mom and dad and I sit in a room together for 20 whole minutes. I can’t remember the last time that happened.

12:50pm: Its time to go! Dad and I hop in his super shiny sports car and drive off. He tells me how much he loves me and that he will always be there for me. He asks me if I’m nervous.

1:00pm: The ceremony starts. The attendants walk down the aisle and then dad helps me out of the car and untangles my dress. We start to walk down the long aisle. He asks me again if I’m nervous. I’m not.

1:10pm: Guy and I exchange rings, vows, looks, smiles. I’m so happy.

1:20pm: We are now one. Forever and ever I will stand by you. I love you. Mr. and Mrs. Nieman.