Show and Tell Linkup: wedding bells ringing

 I'm linking up with Becky of From Mrs. To Mama again this week for the Show and Tell Linkup. This weeks theme? wedding bells ringing.

 

 

Are you married? If so when did you get married, and tell us about your special day. If not? How would you describe your dream wedding?

Yes I'm married and I pinch myself regularly because it feels almost too good to be true. I really did marry my best friend. I know so many people say that but it's true. We got married May 10th 2008. Our ceremony was outdoors and the cocktail hour and reception were indoors. My wedding flowers were mainly white orchids and hydrangeas. My bridesmaids dresses were close to sage green and we had an amazing salsa band. My wedding day was everything I dreamed it to be but since the ceremony is the most important and main part, that is what I couldn't live without. It was perfect. The wedding talk or speach was one of the best I ever heard. It focused not just on us and our history as a couple but on the commitment we were making before God. I don't talk about religion on my blog but it's very important to me. Our ceremony captured that.
 
As for the other details of our wedding, I hate to say that we didn't do a great job at picking a photographer so I don't feel that the beauty was truly captured. I asked him to make sure he got pictures of my centerpieces (they were beautiful) and after the wedding he said, "I didn't get any good shots".  Hmmm, that's funny because that was kind of your job! Honestly, other than the cheesy kissing on the neck kind of pictures right after the ceremony, we barely got any pictures of us and the reception. Sad. My advice to ANY bride to be is, pick your photographer wisely. How else can you look back at all the details and work you put into your special day? Oh, and editing? Nope, my pictures were NOT edited. Nice.

Show us some wedding pictures. Either yours or of some that you love.

We got ready at my parents house. I kicked all the guys out. My brothers? Yeah, they had to stay at a hotel the night before. It was just the girls taking over the house. The upstairs of my parents house was where we all had our hair and makeup done.

 

 

 

 
 
 

 

haha. this one makes me laugh. I was trying to figure out if I liked how I looked.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We had a violinist and guitarist play our ceremony and cocktail hour music. It was magical!

 

 

 

 

 

cocktail hour

 

Sweetheart table

 

1. How about the engagement? Tell us your story. If not engaged, what's your dream proposal?

Let's just say I had been waiting for this proposal for a whileeee. I finally gave up and thought it wasn't coming any time soon. It was around that time that we got engaged. On September 8th 2007 we spent the morning walking down Park Avenue in Winter Park, FL (one of my fave places), we ate breakfast at a cute bistro and just as I thought we were about to finish up to head back to my parents, he walked me into a spa. I wasn't sure why we walked in there but for some odd reason I didn't question it. As soon as I walked in the girl at the front looked at me and said, "Eliza? We're ready for you". "Huh? Wait. What? Who me?" Yep all of those questions may have come out of my mouth. Phillip smirked at me and off I was. He had scheduled a surprise massage for me. And can I just say? It was seriously THE BEST massage I have ever had TIL THIS DAY. So good that when I walked out I felt drunk. From there we went to The Leu Gardens also in Winter Park. We had seperate cars and he got there before me so as I was walking the grounds I found him. He was standing in the Rose garden. We walked and talked for a little and ended up here...

 

 

It was on that landing, looking at that clock that he told me "I want you to always remember this time" as he got down on one knee and asked me to marry him. It was so special, perfect, intimate. Everything I ever wanted my proposal to be.

 

Afterwards we headed back to my parents house. I kept wanting to call my friends to tell them the exciting news but he asked me not to. I was a tad annoyed but I listened to him. When we walked into my parents house it was FULL of all of my friends and family. I was completely shocked and surprised for about the third time that day. The food was great, the decor was beautiful and I was surrounded by so much love and excitement.

 

And to Phillip. You did good babe. You did good.

 
Show us your wedding rings or an engagement photo! If not engaged/married ... show us your "dream" ring.

Tell us why you think marriage doesn't work out for so many? What can we do to make things last
 
Oh man. Good one Becky! I think that so many people just don't go into marriage with "til death do you part" in mind anymore. It's like, once the going gets tough they get outta there! The thing about marriage is that yes, it's soooo amazing when you find the right person but... It's not a fairytale. Even though it may feel that way at times. What I mean is, it's not JUST happily ever after once the i do's are said. 1 Corinthians 7:28 says "However, those who do [marry] will have tribulation in their flesh". This means that sometimes it's hard. Both parties have to submit to someone other than themselves. It takes humility, sacrifice and honesty. Being imperfect, these qualities don't always come easy. We have to cultivate them. But when there are hard times and you work hard to refine yourself, you walk out if it stronger, more connected on several levels and even more madly in love.  
 
With that said, I do also believe that there are some cases that are more complicated. This is just my general answer.
 

This was a fun link-up and one that made me think! The theme for next week will be Fall is in the air. YES! If you know anything about me, you know that I have a slight obsession with FALL so I will definitely be linking up again!