Lindsay's Website | Wedding Day

Tuesday, February 26, 2002

Dear family and friends,

I wanted to record the events of this past weekend since it was a very special weekend for my family and me. As most of you know, it was my sister's wedding day. It was a wonderful wedding and everything went so beautifully. :)

The Day of the Rehearsal
Friday, February 22, 2002

9:00AM: Dad, Mom, and I drive over to the chapel to decorate. Stephanie stayed home to finish up some last minute wedding details. We arrived at the Collier Chapel around 9:30am. We unloaded the candelabras and boxes of floral arrangements that Mom made from our van. We used silk flowers. They were so pretty--pink & yellow roses arranged in greenery. Stephanie's bouquet was all silk as well--white liles arranged in ivy and greenery. The bridesmaids' bouquets were pink and yellow roses arranged in greenery. :)

While Mom decorated, she said I could play the piano a bit. I played a few hymns while she was busily tying ribbons and arranging flowers around the inside of the chapel. I played Amazing Grace, Grace Greater Than All Our Sin, Be Thou My Vision, and a few others. I had a lot of fun! (We don't have a piano at home, so I don't know how to play very well, but I do know how to read music. I most certainly did not sound like a concert pianist, but you could make out the melody at least! :))

It didn't take too long to decorate the inside of the chapel. We concentrated on the alter with the decorations--that being our focal point. Once we were pleased with how everything looked (And, oh, it turned out so pretty! Mom did a fantastic job with the floral arrangements!), we took one last look around before going back home. The clock in our car read 12:30PM.

Once we arrived home, we needed to shower and dress quickly as my maternal grandparents were waiting for us. My Grandpa Tom and Dad left to go to the tuxedo rental shop in Dayton, Ohio where we had reserved the tuxedos. (They were picking them up for the next day.) While the men were gone, I finished dressing for the rehearsal, then I sat and talked with my Grandma Rose on our living room couch while we waited.

Upon my Grandpa Tom and Dad's arrival home from the tuxedo shop, we discovered a huge problem with their tuxedos. The coats were different! Stephanie had requested long, cut away tails for the groomsmen, grandfathers, groom, ring bearer, and father of the bride, but once we saw the tuxedos... the coats were different styles! We found out that all of the mens tuxedos were this way; some short tails, some were sportscoats, some one button, some two button, etc. Dad and Grandpa both said they noticed the difference at the tuxedo shop, but figured Stephanie had requested it that way... Needless to say, Stephanie was hysterical... crying and stressed out. She was very upset; we got the tuxedo shop manager on the telephone. We had requested the long, cut away tails more than two months ago upon choosing the tuxedos and now a day before the wedding the tuxedo shop said they couldn't get all cut away tails, so they thought the other coats (that didn't match) would have to do. We were outraged, but tried to stay calm. For your information, the tuxedo shop we went with is one of the largest in Dayton, Ohio: Price Stores. If you want wedding horrors, pick your tuxedos out at their shop, LOL!

To make a long story short, the best man, Nelson, solved all our problems the next morning (the day of the wedding) and we finally got all matching tuxedo coats: long, cut away tails. :) (Phew!)

We left for the rehearsal at 5:00PM and arrived at the chapel at 5:30PM. Our pianist, vocalist, and their families were waiting for us in the parking lot of the chapel when we arrived to unlock the doors. It was a happy reunion seeing everyone again! My best friend, Sarah, was there and we were able to spend two whole days together--what bliss! ;) Our pianist was Sarah's brother, Ryan, and our vocalist, Justin, is the son of longtime friends of my parents.

Rehearsal started at 6PM and everything went very well. We left for the rehearsal dinner at Wallaby's around 7:30PM. The food was delicious! I was hungry since I hadn't thought to eat anything all day! :) I spent most of my time with my best friend, Sarah, and her family at their table.

Everyone started to leave for their hotel rooms (since most came from out of town) around quarter after nine. Sarah had a gift for me (Thanks so much, Sar! I loved every single thing immensely! ;)), so I walked them out to their car. As we were walking out of the restaurant, we caught a glimpse of the limousine that we would be using the next day! It was the first time I had ever ridden in one! Awesome ride, let me tell you! ;)

It was a grand night and everyone was looking forward to the next day....

Stephanie and David's Wedding Day
Saturday, February 23, 2002

7:30AM: We woke up and started to shower, dress, and bag up everything we would need for the day. As maid of honor, I had a bag filled with emergency items such as: super glue (in case a pearl from our earrings fell out, LOL!), toothpaste, gargle, deodorant, curling iron, clear finger nail polish (in case of a runner in someone's nylons), and a whole bunch of other things.... umm... minty chewing gum, fruit bars (in case someone got hungry), etc.

Stephanie came into my room and said quite excitedly, "Good morning!" :)

We left our house around quarter after eleven o'clock in the morning and drove in the limo to the hotel where all the bridesmaids had stayed the night. We picked them up around 11:30AM and made our way to the chapel.

(I will continue on with a brief schedule that Stephanie made of the day's events to help keep everyone in the bridal party on track.)

WEDDING SCHEDULE FOR STEPHANIE & DAVID
February 23, 2002
3:00PM

11:30AM: Pick up bridesmaids at AmeriHost Hotel.

12:00PM: Arrive at Chapel
-Open chapel (turn lights on and heat as appropriate)
-Justin (our vocalist) & Ryan (our pianist) practice until 1:00PM
-Bridal party needs to dress and finish hair, make-up, etc.

1:00PM-1:15PM: Photographer and Videographer arrives
-Bride's Family and Bride's Maids' pictures

1:30PM: Bridal party will leave for designated Bride's room.

1:45PM: Groom, Groomsmen and Family arrive at chapel
-Groom's Family and Groomsmen pictures

2:15PM: Justin & Ryan will light all alter candles except unity candles.

2:30PM: Prelude music begins
-Ask guests to sign guest book (guest book attendant, Martha Sparks)
-Programs will be at table
-Marilyn (David's mother) and M. David (David's Dad) will welcome guests near entrance
-Groomsmen begin seating guests
(Bride's side on left and Groom's side on the right)
-Pastor Jordan, David and Nelson (best man) are in the right overflow area.

2:50PM: Lighting of candles.......... "The Love of God"
-Seating of grandparents
-Seating of parents
-Mothers will light side unity candles
-Pastor Jordan, David, Nelson and groomsmen will take their places
-Judy will set up bridal party for processional
-Matt & Jeff (groomsmen) will pull aisle runner down

3:00PM: Processional music begins.......... "Canon in D"

Bride's maid, Amy
Bride's maid, Jodi
Bride's maid, Becky
Bride's maid, Jessica
Maid of Honor, Lindsay
Ring bearer, Zachary (our cousin, Andy's son)
Flower girls, Laura (our cousin) and McKenzey (our cousin, Andy's daughter)

***"Trumpet Voluntary" begins to play***

Stephanie and Dad walk down.

3:05PM-3:45PM: Ceremony will follow (consult program).

3:45PM: Recessional .......... "Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee"

Stephanie & David
Lindsay & Nelson
Jessica & Chris
Becky & Bryan
Jodi & Jeff
Amy & Matt
Pastor Jordan

3:50PM: Stephanie & David will return down the aisle to greet guests in sanctuary.

3:50PM: Bride's maids will pass out bubbles and directions to reception (if needed)
-Groomsmen will move guests outside

4:15PM: Everyone stands outside blowing bubbles
-Bride and Groom, followed by Best Man and Maid Of Honor, exit to go to the limo

4:20PM: Limo makes a mock exit
-Guests leave for reception

4:25PM: Limo returns and wedding party finishes pictures.

4:30PM: Appetizers will begin at reception.

5:00PM: Close up chapel and all (Mom, Dad, Stephanie, David, Nelson and Lindsay) will leave in limo for reception.

5:35PM: Arrive at reception.

5:45PM: Announcement of wedding party and bride and groom.

6:00PM: Dinner is served.

It was a marvelous day. One we will remember for many years to come.

We heard from the honeymooners yesterday morning. Stephanie called to tell us that their flight went well and they arrived in Naples, FL safe and sound. She said they are having a great time. They had plans to tour the city of Naples that afternoon. They'll return home this weekend. I can't wait to see them both again!! :)

If you would like to send an email to congratulate them, you can send all messages to: dwreid_kjv@yahoo.com

5-23-02: I finally got a few of the professional wedding pictures from the photographer scanned and have made an album. You also might enjoy my Aunt's webshots album.