My Wedding Day

It all started out very early, like 5am early, with hair and make-up! It had been a rough last week with the caterer, the photographer and now the make-up artist. She had threatened just a few hours before not to arrive, claiming she had booked another wedding and we would have to match their price in order for her to be able to make it. So we matched her price with annoyance and she arrived to do my hair, while I had chilled metal spoons on my eyes ( a trick I learned from one of my bridesmaids to "get the puffiness under control"). She ran late and had cheated me out of a trial during the week. It was not a good start to the day. She moved on to my make-up but I was not happy and was running out of time. I had asked her for a brown eye shadow and she had given me grey! All in all she was not worth a penny and I landed up trying to fix up her mess, so if any bride is looking at using Anna Mower, my suggestion would be carry on looking! Anna Mower makes regret number one!

The first best thing about my day was driving to the Manti Temple in a Mercedez SL 500 with Lee by my side. Since the make-up artist had made us terribly late, I couldn't blame Lee for race through the canyons at top speed, which of cause was one of his favorite things. I am so grateful I could be with him that morning cause he just calmed my nerves. Unfortunately no picture was taken of us in this beautiful car that had been loaned to us by Kevin Barnes, which really doesn't shock me as the photographer was regret number 2! 

As we drove up and out of the canyon and saw the temple for the first time, it looked beautiful! I had chosen this temple but as soon as Lee saw it he loved it too. It is absolutely gorgeous and it was such a privilege to be married for time an all eternity in this beautiful building! When we arrived we were quickly greeted by some guests and then I was whisked off to the brides room. Unfortunately the make-up artist had made my mom late too so the ladies at the temple were kind enough to help me with my things and get me all dressed and ready. The temple sealing before ours had run a little late so we waited in the brides room for quite awhile. Meantime lee was sitting out front waiting for me, he thought I was never coming and had a few nerves I think; but soon we were walking up the beautiful round staircase together and chatting to our sealer.

The second best thing about our wedding was the sealer! He was great; he had such a great sense of humor and had the nicest way of saying the things we needed to hear. Lee was smiling the whole way through, it was very cute! I am glad that some of our closet friends and family could be in that room with us and share the special things that were said there! Then it was time to put my wedding dress on and say hello to all our guests.

We walked out of the temple ready to greet all our guests, unfortunately we didn't get very far down the line because everyone wanted to take pictures of us, so instead of having photo's of us greeting our guests we have photo's of people taking pictures hahahaha...

We then made our way around the beautiful temple grounds to have some photographs taken. Unfortunately the wind blew like some thing else. It was completely calm when I walked into the temple, then I came out and thought there has got to be a typhoon coming. My veil was everywhere and Lee's hair looked like he had a really bad haircut involving just a ruler and a pair of scissors haha...

...but even with a gail-force wind and a photographer who used the up the nose angle with a crappy camera for all the pictures, I think we got a few good ones!

Once we were done with all the photographs we took the scenic route through the canyons all the way back to salt lake city. We stopped off at the Cheesecake Factory as it is my favorite restaurant and grabbed a bite to eat, making sure we didn't ruin our dinner as the caterer definitely makes the next best thing on our wedding day.

We arrived at the reception and everyone started to help us with the setting up. Thank-you so much for everyone that helped and made the reception look as beautiful as it did. A special thanks to all my bridesmaids, you guys were the best, as well as the groomsmen, Kevin and Shelley and my parents! I think Paige can tie the best bows in the state and I am so grateful for your talent, all the bows looked so good! And thanks to all that participated in hanging the lanterns cause those definitely made my "best" list. Here are some of the reception details.

I wish I had some pictures of the food that the caterer set up cause it was just fantastic! The menu for the night was Beef Sirloin Medallions with feta, Alfredo Pasta and Chicken Parmesan. Lee and I found this caterer at Talons Cove and instantly fell in love with the food. It was our wedding splurge! Lee and I decided to pick our favorite dishes on his menu as we wanted to eat what we loved that night, and it wasn't cheap! And luckily it payed off as there was a time I thought the caterer would land on the regret list. We had lots of problems with the caterer and I wouldn't recommend them just because of all the hassle but the food was amazing! And I am so glad all the guests went back for seconds because there was so much food and it was delicious! The food made the "best things on my wedding day list".

So I would just like to say that my flowers have to be on a list of their own and that is the "Things I LOVED on my wedding day other than Lee!" Our florist was fantastic! I would recommend her to anyone. I absolutely loved my bouquet, it seriously was my favorite thing that day and exactly what I wanted! Laurie Tolbert did a fantasticly, outstanding  job; I can;t sing her praises more. I really wish the photograph had also got some close-up's of the men's boutonnieres but she must have been photographing other things...

We took some time at Noah's to take some pictures with out the wind and against some pretty backgrounds... 

...unfortunately no flash was used so there are shadows on the others but I love these!

It was finally time for the reception to begin and all our guests had arrived. Lee and I had a chance to just sit and relax for a few minutes and catch our breaths while the guests mingled. Everything was perfect, the sun was going down so the patio was filled with beautiful light and Lee and I made our entrance as Mr and Mrs van Deventer for the first time.

We then had a short ring exchange in front of all our guest where we just said a few words to one another. Lee was so cute and actually wrote vows ( like we were supposed to) but forgot them at home on the day, which made me feel better cause I hadn't got around to do anything haha. So we decided we would just say a few special things about each other and the day. Yet again I wish the photographer would have actually gotten a picture of us putting the rings each others fingers but alas nothing...sorry. 

Dinner was served and a couple of speeches were given, but of cause I thought the most heart wrenching ones were given by my dad ( who was so cute the whole night) and my mom, who read the speech that lee's mom had written. I think every one was in tears. It was very touching and his family was missed! But I am so glad he married me even though they were unable to make it.

As you can see Lee and I were very happy to be getting dinner first...haha!

Kevina and Shelly Barnes were able to stand in and given a very heart warming speech to Lee and I.

Soon it was time to cut the cake! My cake definitely went on the "best list" as well as the groom's cake. Lee would always joke when we were engaged that getting married was like getting a ball and chain. So I thought you know what I will show him and came up with this idea for a grooms cake and he completely loved it!

The wedding cake was of cause I little more tradition but still makes it to my " best things on my wedding day list." I had this idea for a cake and the cake lady was able to work with me and I think it turned out pretty good-looking!

The cake had the extra lace from my dress wrapped around it so it had sentimental value, with the lanterns hanging above it in all our wedding colors. It looked gorgeous. Of cause I was a little nervous about this cake cutting business as Lee had been tensing me for months that he was going to get it all over my face. And I had been begging him to just feed me nicely...well that didn't happen!

Lee already has his game face on...

...and I am thinking oh boy...

(He just looks so naughty!)

...and me going no no no and lee going yesssss...

...I give in...

...at this point I am thinking on he is going to be nice, but I guess I am not looking at his face...

...and its in my face and not in my mouth...

...but surprisingly I still love him!

Paige, Amy and I grabbing some dessert...

Once we had cut the cake and the dessert was served it was time to open the dance floor. My dad and I opened the dance floor with "Dance with my father-Luther Vandross".  I know its kinda cheesy but I loved it and thought it was really special.

Then Lee and my mom joined us...

...then we switched...

...and Lee and I had our first dance...

And this also made my "things I LOVED on my wedding day list"! 

I wasn't sure that Lee was going to actually dance with me. I know he doesn't really like dancing but he knew it was important to me so he danced with me all night! He was so much fun on the dance floor it was the best! I loved the dance floor! And so did every one else, which I think is even more surprising because I have not been to very many weddings in Utah where a dance floor actually happens...

So I think I made my point there was a lot of dancing! And I loved it! Thanks for the cyclone ladies and for Rob and his sokkie and especially for my mom and all her fabulous dance moves... It must run in the family or maybe just all South African's love to dance!

My mom looked so pretty that day!

So the night was coming to a close but the fun and games were not over yet! I have not mentioned that there was a big screen at the back of the room and so we were able to play the DVD Marina Vizzini create for us. The DVD had pictures of both of us growing up, which both Lee's mom and my mom collected for her to put together. Thanks its a memory we can play over and over and a big thanks to David Kader who was able to make this play.

Paige Howick,David Kader and Amy Hansen

Another big thank-you to Robert Winson and all the running around he did that night. My third and last regret was not organizing some one to help you. You ran around like a crazy person and managed it in style. Everyone loved your voice and claimed you should be on a radio, but to me you are one of my dearest and longest friends so thanks for making it to my wedding.

Rob also managed to put together this game, which turned out to be very funny. It involved having Lee and I sit back to back and then we were asked a series of questions and we would have to answer if it was more a Caryn thing or a Lee thing by holding up appropriate signs. Questions like who is the bigger spender or who takes longer to get ready? The responses had everyone amused!

Then it was time for the throwing of the bouquet and the garter! I am quite sad there was not too many photo's of Geraldine, but I definitely think this is a good pic of her making an attempt at the bouquet...

Then Lee threw the garter and I have to admit I am so glad he didn't use his teeth, that kinda makes up for the cake business...

All in all I absolutely loved my Wedding Day. It was so much fun and all the planning payed off in the end because Lee and I were just able to enjoy every minute of it. Of cause we have our regrets, but I think they were minimal considering how great the day was and how much of  a good time we had. We are sad that not all our family and friends could join us but I am hoping this blog will make you feel as if you were included in our day by reading about the ups and the downs. We were certainly thinking about you!

All that was left to do was the sparkler exit, which i still think was an appealing attraction.