Wedding Day, Written.

The person I wanted to do my hair was out of town, so I scheduled someone else from her salon instead. Unfortunately, that was not as good of an idea as it seemed. The woman didn't seem to know very much about hair, or bobby pins, or how to get them to stay in hair. Especially thick hair, which meant especially mine. She also didn't seem to understand my very simple instruction to do a low, side bun. For instance, her first attempt was a large, straight in the center of my head bun. I looked like a lopsided Princess Leia. And while I like Princess Leia and all, that wasn't quite the look I was going for on my wedding day. The hair appointment ran over. And I still had to get my makeup. And drive to Salt Lake City. There happened to be a wreck, or construction, or both. I should not have been surprised. This was Utah, after all. Needless to say, I was late. Needful to say, Spencer was more late. This was very frustrating at the time, because I had called him to let him know I would be coming late, and was counting on him to tell the temple workers I was on my way. Instead I was left to tell them that I hoped he was on his way. He didn't call. It was also frustrating, because exactly seven days before we had been late for my friend Hediyeh's sealing at the same space. The worker helping me find the correct room told me to make sure my fiance didn't get me to the temple late for my own wedding. Oops. Anyway, after waiting a little while longer, Spencer got there. We signed marriage papers. Our fathers witnessed us signing marriage papers. Our mothers (and my oldest sister) waited nearby. I went to the bridal room, and Spence to the men's room. (I actually have no idea what the men's room is like. Is it just a locker room?) The woman assigned to help me was the least kind person I have ever met inside a temple (i.e., maybe the only unkind person I have ever met inside a temple). She actually yelled at me. Twice. Once for getting a bobby pin out of my makeup bag. "You are not allowed to put on makeup on in this room!" was the first, to which I replied, "Actually, I was just getting a bobby pin, but thank you for telling me." I probably should have asked her why a bride couldn't put make up on in the bridal room. And why she had to scream. It was not called for. There was one other instance, in addition to her constant barking at me to follow her. I was so stressed out from the whole affair. When I finally saw S again, the stressed feelings hadn't subsided. We soon saw our sealer. He is someone we know, Spencer's former Stake President, and neighbor, and the former church architect (aka: a BIG reason spencer is in architecture school). He designed the Bountiful Temple and redid the Nauvoo. Seeing his kind face was sunshine. I was wearing my mother's dress inside the temple, because they ask that it be pure white, and my granny's dress is ivory. (By the end of the day, I had actually worn three dresses--a little girl's dress up dream.) The three of us walked into the room together. We were greeted by the smiling faces of my nearest and dearest friends and some (but unfortunately not all) of my family. The stressed feelings continued to melt. I remember little, if anything that was said during the ceremony. I just know that I said "Yes" to spencer and he said "Yes" to me.

Afterward we took pictures on the temple grounds. A lot of pictures. Then we drove to Provo with Spencer's parents, and ate lunch at my favorite pizzeria. They gave us one of every dessert for free, because we had just gotten married/were wearing wedding clothes. It was nice of them. And very delicious. I was nervous I would get pizza sauce on my dress. At 27, I am still not the world's tidiest eater. Thankfully, all was well. All was white. Next stop: my parent's house, and a kitchen full of nearly every woman I love in my life and about 400 cupcakes. It was a beautiful sight. Truly. There was also a lot of work with the flowers still happening. This also involved woman I love. (Spencer's sister Aunika, who masterfully arranged the bouquets, boutonnieres and large pieces, and my sister Cumorah who arranged the majority of the table pieces.) Most everything was set up outside. And then the wind started blowing. And howling. And threatening to knock things over. Then the rain came, in great gusts. I almost started crying. Spencer and I had to go drop something off for his sister. I tried to be brave. Spencer had more faith than me that things would be fine, and we wouldn't have to move the reception. Right before I left my dad told me that it would rain hard for 30 minutes, and then would be okay. He spoke so certainly. Only later did I learn that he spoke so certainly because he was checking minute to minute weather reports, and they told him that it would rain hard for 30 minutes and clear up. Everyone mad dashed to bring everything that could get damaged inside. Which was most things. (All of their hard work!--it had already been so beautiful.) We were inside on our dropping-off errand. It took almost exactly thirty minutes. We came back. As we approached the house, and the field (which was serving as the party site), the sun broke through the clouds. The wind was gone. The rain was gone. It felt like a miracle. Maybe it was a miracle. There were certainly enough prayers ascending to heaven. I couldn't stop smiling: I felt so grateful. I distinctly remember thinking, "I have never been so happy to see the sun." Everything was brought back out. Everything looked beautiful, for a second time. Guests arrived. We exchanged rings and handwritten vows. We didn't really know what we were doing, but hope that our sincerity made up for any clumsiness. That night we also awkwardly cut a cake, and hopefully less awkwardly danced a first dance, and a second one with our parents (me with my dad, spencer with his mom), and then a third and fourth and fifth with friends and little ones. Spencer's thoughtful cousin would bring us crepes. I would eat only two. There was so much hugging. So much loving. I would also change into my third and final dress (the only one that was my very own) before throwing my bouquet. My tiny niece would get it. There were sparklers. Spencer and I would bicycle off into the distance. The entire way. (I wanted to park nearby, bike to my car and ditch the bicycles, but S said if we were doing it, we were really doing it. Thankfully Meg's beloved husband, and my beloved friend, Jared, drove in front of us, with lights flashing. It is a scary and dark road otherwise. This way it felt safe. And so fun. I can honestly say it was the funnest (most fun?) bike ride of my life. The best part of that day was being surrounded by people I love, who love me too, and of course: Spencer. We had friends and family present from California, Nevada, Colorado, Utah, Massachusetts, New York, and D.C. I felt so honored. Thank you, everyone. Thank you.