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Published: August 12th 2010
I had stayed with three of my girlfriends at Hotel Mar Monte the night before. The lights went out at 12am. I tossed and turned until 12:55am then slept like a rock until 6:20am. As I woke up I knew I needed to get some more sleep and relax before the big day.
Finally at 7:40am I got out of bed and took a nice long relaxing bath to think about the day and soak up every minute. All my friends and family members that have gotten married told me the day would fly by to just stop and soak up the moment when you can.
Around 8:30am Sarah, Penny, Stacy and I went to the hotel lobby to meet up with Sarah's parents, Don and Mary. I went to my parents hotel room to get them to join us for breakfast across the street at East Beach Grill. The quick service restaurant was on the lower level of Cabrillo Pavilion Arts Center where the ceremony and reception would take place. There were ten of us that had breakfast and enjoyed the sun and beach.
While Pete and I arrived in Santa Barbara on Wednesday, August 4th the
marine layer(fog) had stuck around until 12-2:30pm every day then the sun would appear. On our wedding day the sun was high in the sky at 8:30am when I walked outside.
After breakfast Grandma, Mom, Brooke, Sue and I went to the hotel lobby to meet Georgianna, Pete's mom. We went to get manicures and pedicures at Artistic Nails Salon located at Paseo Nuevo Mall on State St downtown Santa Barbara. I had called to get appointments for six of us the week before arriving in Santa Barbara. I also went to the location to confirm the appointment and buy gift cards for everyone joining me as their gift for being a part of the wedding.
Laura, Pete's sister, meet us there at 10am. The doors were locked and the lights were off at the salon. I took a deep breath and told myself there would be small bumps along the way and I had scheduled enough time throughout the day to make up for things like this. At 10:10am the manager arrived with one other worked. I told him "Your making me nervous by showing up late." He had apologized and quickly got us into the Spa
Pedicure massage chairs. All the workers quickly showed up and we finished around 11:30am.
Laura and I, meet Bethany at the nail salon to walk down to Nordstrom's where we scheduled an appointment for the three of us to get our makeup done at the MAC counter. As we walked into Nordstrom's we were greeted with no power and an employee saying we could look around with an estimated time of ten minutes until the power was back on.
We walked to the MAC counter and they suggested setting up our chairs by the outside entrance for natural lighting to do our makeup. I let Laura and Bethany go first as I walked back down to a jewelery store to get my engagement ring cleaned. I figured this was something else out of my control so I might as well be productive.
When I arrived back at Nordstrom's the power was on and one employee had already started Laura's makeup. The makeup took a little longer than we had planned but worked out. The three of us were hungry and I knew that it was important for me to stay fed and hydrated throughout the day. Laura
Makeup all done
L to R Bethany, myself and Lauraordered food to go from the cafe at Nordstrom's. We got the food and were headed back to Hotel Mar Monte around 1:30pm where Stacy was doing our hair in my parents hotel room.
As we arrived at room 304 Brooke, Mom, Georgianna and Grandma all had their hair completed already. Stacy had me sit down and styled my hair while I ate my sandwich and fruit cup. Stacy finished my hair within 20 minutes. Laura and Bethany were next in line as I was going to get prepared to get into my dress.
Chris, our friend and wedding photographer, arrived around 2:30pm to take photos of me getting ready, the dress, rings and my purple shoes. (wink wink I LOVED them) I can't wait to see a photo that was taken of me standing in my underwear with a towel covering my face so the makeup wouldn't get all over my white dress.
Pete and I were both ready to do our "First Look" photos at 3pm and decided to do them right on the stairwell at Hotel Mar Monte instead of at the fountain in front of the Fess Parker Doubletree. I got a little
nervous or probably more anxious as Chris and my mom were working out our positioning and instructions to get our first glance of each other. Pete was at the bottom of the stairs and I was coming down the stairs. I took a few deep breaths to relax before walking down to see Pete. (I did this many times throughout the day to enjoy the moment and not get emotional) There were a few tears that welled up but no crying from either of us all day long.
Although I was told by many that they cried while we said our personal vows.
Chris took photos of the two of us around the property and then it was time for immediate family photos which we took near the venue and beach boardwalk. We rented a 4 person bike to take photos with the family. It was so much fun and I can't wait to see the photos.
It was then 4:30pm, time for Brooke and Laura to be at the venue to start seating guests as they arrived. Mom, Dad, Pete's parents, Doug, Pete and I went into the conference room near the entrance of the venue
to wait for the 5pm ceremony start time.
Dad was AMAZING! Anyone who knows him, knows that he is a calm cool person. He had done this before with Brooke's wedding almost 10 years ago. He was calming Pete and I down along with the other 3 parents. He gave instructions to walk slow, breathe deep and enjoy the ceremony. Also made sure we had something to drink beforehand, water for us but some had sangria. THANKS DAD!!!
Five o'clock came and the processional started with Dad seating Mom, Pete escorting his parents in, then Dad and I were ready to march down the aisle. It was awesome! As I entered the room I remembered to look around and see everyone seated at the tables, smile and then looked at Pete standing at the front waiting for me.
The ceremony went off without a hitch. Doug, our friend and officiant for the day, was great. Grandma Carroll read a poem about love, we said our own vows, Pete's dad, Scott, read a poem also about love and marriage. During the blessing Doug added many personal touches about life, love and marriage. He and Michelle, his wife, celebrated their 3 year anniversary in June this year. Thanks Doug!!
Once Doug announced us as husband and wife we stood at the front of the room, took in the moment and enjoyed our recessional song Signed, Sealed, Delivered (I'm Your's). Then proceeded outside for family portraits with both sides of the extended families.
I will always remember the day and how PERFECT it was. I can't believe we pulled off planning a wedding from China, IL, OR and CA. Thanks to all that were involved especially our parents and Doug. Many people thought we were crazy for planning the wedding abroad but we had great vendors and it all went smoothly.
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Rachel
non-member comment
SB Wedding!!
I bet your wedding was gorgeous. Santa Barbara is the ideal location to hold a wedding-a bride's dream! Your photos look spectacular and you look like one gorgeous bride, what a lucky man! I was recently in a wedding of a dear friend that took place in Santa Barbara. Beautiful ceremony out by the vineyards. Elegant and modern-great time. We all ended up staying at the South Coast Inn (www.goleta-hotel.com). Rich and elegant all at once.