"to love and to cherish..."

OUR BIG DAY!!

30 September 2006

He was in the other room. I swear! He spent the night with his Bestman, Neil, and I spent the night with one of my Bridesmaids, Sanel (aka Bokkie). I wanted to say good morning, to chat to him, make sure that we had the rings, etc organised. I wanted to give him a great big cuddle and tell him I love him. But, sadly, tradition says no! Tradition petrifies me. Especially wedding tradition as I was, and still am, rather clueless. I wanted to see if Steven was as nervous as I, and I gathered through our muffled, forbidden, through the door conversation that his flutterby's were just as big and fluttery as mine. That was comforting!

So I gathered my gear, and headed (with much help from Bokkie) to the guesthouse where the girls were staying. The girls being my beautiful friends, and other bridesmaids, Shelly, Janine, JoJo and Kitty. Gill was there, waiting with camera held high, ready to use her photography skills. Gill and I met in Florida, and though we haven't had much contact in the last year or two she is very special to me. There was plenty of hurrying, scurrying to and from shops to grab all the last minute things I'd forgotten whilst being in fairyland. Janine, my fairy godmother, did my make up and hair, transforming Cinderella to a princess within an hour!! All contributed to my getting ready and my wedding nerves in their own special way and I most certainly couldn't have done it without them! It's difficult to know how to thank them and let them know how special they are to me! My other bridesmaid, Emma, my new sister, was missing in the early morning action since she has a very cute little one to take care of...my new nephew James! I am happy that she was able to bring the little one on a six hour journey to share our special day!!

Bokkie was kind enough to drive me to the Register Office in my little old rusty stuttering red Rover Metro, Daisy! I think I almost passed out from nerves on the way, and I almost had a panic attack when I realised that the door at the back of the Register office was not open as they said it would be. I paced up and down semi-hyperventilating for a few minutes, till Steven came and put his arms around me. Steven looked so handsome in his lilac shirt and tie, cleanly shaven with his curly hair, kind eyes and gentle smile. Steven always looks handsome and smiley and kind! Together we headed for the front door and I hope I greeted everyone through the haze that was in my head. We had to have a quick interview with the Chief Registrar and then we were ready to walk into the room where our 30+ guests were seated!

Steven & I chose to enter the room together. As we sat down I tried to smile, but my whole body, including my mouth, was shaking. (As some of you know, I have a massive fear/phobia about speaking in public...and I knew there was no way out of this one. At school I used to refuse to do orals in front of the class, pleading with the teacher to give me nil and not force me to do it. ) Everything went blurry for me for a while as I knew that after Steven had said "I know of no legal reason why I, Steven Andrew Mackay, may not be joined in marriage to you Sharon Dawn Sobey" it was my turn. Thankfully the woman who married us, broke it into 3 words at a time to repeat after her so all I had to do was copy her. After we exchanged our vows and rings, we were declared Mr and Mrs Mackay. It was an awesome feeling to know that the man standing before me truly was the man I wanted to and am going to spend the rest of my life with!! I was overwhelmed with love and happiness. Nothing has ever felt so right! To not have one teeny weeny doubt that I'm doing the right thing is an incredible feeling! Our favorite song, Samson by Regina Spektor played as we signed our certificate, making our unity formal. (Click here and then click on launch radio, fastforward till you get to Samson if you want to have a listen.) Other songs that played before, during and after the ceremony were: Nella Fantasia by Summer, Wonderful by Josh Rouse & Us by Regina Spektor.

After the ceremony, we were showered with confetti and love and hugs and kisses, and we scooted off to Gylly Beach Cafe for lunch. The restaurant is situated on Gyllingvase Beach, so even though the sky was cloudy, we still had an awesome view! When the sun came out we raced onto the beach for photo's...and just in time because another bride got caught in the rain about an hour later! About 30 friends and family joined us for lunch, which I didn't eat since I was still feeling rather overwhelmed, although beautifully happy! We were so lucky to have so many special people join us! Neil and Jodene made lovely speeches. Jo read a part out of The Prophet by Kahlil Gibran that I really like. It's about marriage. Click here if you want to read it, it is beautiful! Steven made the most beautiful speech...he thinks i'm an angel....don't try to convince him any different, ok?(*wink*) I think that HE is an angel, and I have to be the luckiest girl in the world! I wanted to make a speech too, and though I prepared one beforehand what I wanted to say was just not enough for the way I was feeling! How do you put a mind blowing, life altering feeling of love into words? I cannot imagine life without him now, and he knows it! Thank you all for your love and support although it must feel pretty surreal to a lot of you!! I'M MARRIED!!!

After lunch, I was reminded by my bridesmaids that we still had a wedding cake to cut! We'd had the meaningful words "If love beckons to you, follow him..." (from The Prophet, by Kahlil Gibran) written on the cake. We had a little giggle when cutting the cake as we had not really even thought about this moment before! I am happy that I haven't been planning and stressing about these little details for the last year or something!!

The rest of the day was lovely. A few friends joined us at our house in the afternoon, and at about 6pm we headed for a bar in town, where we met the rest of our friends and family. We ended up dancing at Falmouth's only fairly decent club until about 1am, after which Steven & I were very happy to go home and have some time alone!

Most of our guests came around on Sunday morning as they were all leaving for their homes in the early afternoon. Steven and I got some time alone with Mom and cousin Shay. We took them to have a Cornish Cream Tea on the way to taking her to Truro Station.

Gillian sent us the photo's she took as well as a beautiful, home made photo album. She is very talented and i think she makes an excellent wedding photographer!!

Our wedding day was slightly tinged with a sadness and longing. My family was missed. I know they don't like to be mentioned on my blog, but they are a part of me and I cannot deny my feelings!

Let's not end on a sad note though...we had the most wonderful day, filled with friends, laughter, love and a whole new family.

Steven..."You are my North, my South, my East and West, My Working Week and my Sunday Rest" and I do intend to have and to hold you, for better or for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish; until death do us part. I love you endlessly!!

To view our online album click HERE. Click on "View as a slideshow"

Lots of love xoxo