The Wedding

The wedding came a year and a half after Cole and I met. Sooner than we both thought it would come, but it was definitely the right time to have the party of the year--or at least it was the party of the year for us! I've come to think it's inevitable that the bride and groom have the most fun at their wedding and everyone else is wondering when the cake is going to be cut. We tried so hard to make sure our wedding was fun, so hopefully for everyone else it was. We definitely had a great time.

Since we got married in April (April 12), one of the most important factors in deciding where we were going to get married was that it was universal to all types of weather. I wanted something outside, but it can snow in April--and is well known for snowing in April when you're in Utah. Lucky us. So we decided to get married in a greenhouse that had a connected courtyard, so that if it was nice, there was still some outside portion. Well, as we prepared for snow, it snowed on our wedding day. The day started out okay, but as we closer and closer to the time of the ceremony the sky definitely darkened and heavy rain eventually turned into snow.

Thank goodness we went for a greenhouse!! The bridesmaids, flower girls, ring bearer, and my dad and I had to walk from one building to the outside and then into the greenhouse for the procession. Well needless to say we had an easy up tent set up outside (by my ever so thoughtful husband) so that we all wouldn't be soaked as we waited to take our turn to walk down the aisle. The sweet little lady helping me get from one building to the next dryly kept poking me in the face with her umbrella as she also tried to pick up my train so that it too would arrive clean and dry. After everything, it worked out wonderfully. It was absolutely perfect. 

I think it's important to mention that the song I walked down the aisle to was the instrumental version of "secrets" by One Republic (it's the theme song from Sorceror's Apprentice). You'll probably label me as a nerd at this point--and you'd be right. However, it was still a really cool song. Whether or not you believe me, I didn't choose it because of the movie, but that is the first place I heard it.

There were two bridesmaids, Leslie and Bethia, 5 flower girls, all of Cole's little nieces (my nieces now!), and a ring barer.

Cole's brother Logan performed the ceremony, and he did an amazing job. I think both of our families appreciated the thought and time he put into the words he spoke and the advice he gave. Cole and I definitely are very grateful for the love we felt from him that day. It was very special. Before the wedding Cole and I decided that we would write our own vows. Definitely one of the best decisions we made. It was so cool to be able to tell Cole how I felt about him and promise him things that will last for the rest of our lives right in front of all our family and friends. Cole absolutely blew me out of the water with his vows. They were so sweet.

After the ceremony, of course were pictures. We had a million family pictures that were pure craziness. Thanks to our photographer everything actually went very smoothly and the pictures turned out fantastic. Barbara and my mom don't know it yet, but they are getting a bunch of the family pictures for Mother's Day, and I'm so excited to hear their reactions. They're going to love it. The pictures Cole and I took of just him and me were great. The snow had cleared up and the sun was back out!! The mud completely destroyed my dress, but who cares--you wear the thing one time. The rest of the night was beautiful.

After pictures... talking. talking. talking. and more talking. And you'd think it would have been tiring. But it was so much fun!! We had so many friends and family at the wedding supporting us--I couldn't believe it. We have definitely been blessed and surrounded by good people.

There was also food. I didn't get to really enjoy that part, but it was beautiful!! Cole's sister Sunny put it together and she definitely needs to start a side job as a caterer. It was so well done, I still get people complimenting her on it and wondering what company I had do it :)

We did the traditional wedding activities like toasts, dances, cake, and bouquet toss. The toasts were amazing. My dad, my sister, and our good friend James gave toasts. All were funny and thoughtful and much appreciated by Cole and me.

At the end of the ceremony we danced. And danced, and danced! It was the one thing that Cole really wanted to have serious input about, and I think he was pretty pleased with the results.

All in all it was a beautiful day. One that I am glad we spent a few months preparing for as it will definitely be in our memories for the rest of our marriage. And I'm sure this is only the beginning of a fun and exciting adventure.

For more pictures: http://www.emilylesher.com/utahphotography/2012/04/30/amy-cole-wedding-utah-wedding-photographer/