Little did we know when we got engaged, we’d only be engaged for 22 days. Because Oli is from the UK and there were complications with visa’s, we decided to hire an immigration lawyer. After we paid our retainer, he told us we had to get married immediately. Which in the state of Washington means applying and then waiting 3 days for your license.
License application submitted, we went and told my parents the news, thinking it wasn’t a big deal. My dad got so excited and my step mom was honored to officiate. My dad asked where I would like dinner booked for after and what kind of dress I was planning on wearing.
Because my dad got so excited and gave Oli and I a speech on how this was the most important day of our lives, we decided to take it a little more serious, and thought we would at least dress up. I went and bought a $20 dress from a thrift shop, some sparkly shoes from Nordstrom Rack, and we even popped into a jewelry store and bought a simple band and what turned out to be Oli’s permanent wedding ring.
The night before our legal ceremony, we were hanging out with some friends at what is lovingly called the compound. This night had been planned long before our plans for the ceremony for the boys were all playing Magic upstairs and the girls were watching movies and drinking wine downstairs. I casually mentioned to my girlfriends that we were doing the legal ceremony the following day, which was met with squeals of excitement, a few tears, a request to join us the following day, and then a cheers to my impromptu bachelorette night.
Impromptu Bachelorette night was the best and was spent watching the Twilight series, drinking wine, singing into our wine glasses and being really silly with two of my best girlfriends.
The day of the legal ceremony was peaceful and perfect. My step mom made pancakes, Steph & Sam stopped by the grocery store and made me a bouquet and brought champagne, and my dad went to Costco and bought to two most expensive bottles of champagne he could find for after the ceremony.
After breakfast, coffee, and relaxing as a family, the first glass of champagne was poured and Steph, Sam, and myself spent a lazy afternoon getting ready in my parents room. Since I had already asked them to be bridesmaids, I had a few gifts ready that we were able to use for some cute photo ops.
Many giggles and a couple glasses later, my dad walked me down the hallway, through our kitchen, to our back deck that overlooked the Puget Sound, Vashon Island, and Mount Rainier. The deck I grew up on, the view I go to in my head when I need peace, my home, that’s where I married the love of my life.
We exchanged traditional vows led by my step mom, my brother and my dad witnessed for us, Steph took photos, and Sam was by my side. We kissed, we popped expensive champagne and the cork went flying, and we headed to Anthony’s Homeport for dinner and celebration.
Wandering Wild 