We Do

Inside the gazebo, Jeff and I were in our own world.  I don't remember most of the words to the ceremony, all I remember is staring into Jeff's eyes and smiling bigger and more genuinely than I ever have in my life. 

And I remember Jeff, smiling back at me, not taking his eyes off of me for more than a few seconds at a time (and only when the Reverend stared at him so long that Jeff had to look back at him).  I barely remembered our guests out in the audience.  I heard the Reverend's words but couldn't recall his face.  All I knew was Jeff's eyes looking at me, Jeff's mouth smiling at me, Jeff's hands holding mine.  At that moment, he was my whole world.  The only thing I was truly aware of was him.

I do remember Jeff saying "I, Jeff, take you, Kayci, to be my lawfully wedded wife.":

 

I remember repeating vows after the Reverend (though I can't clearly remember exactly what I said):

I remember Jeff sliding the ring onto my finger (nervous that he had the wrong hand, just like he was when he proposed):

And I pretty clearly remember holding his hand in mine as I put on his ring:

It was a real struggle throughout the ceremony to not just reach up and kiss him.  So when the Reverend finally--finally!--said "I now pronounce you husband and wife: Jeff, you may kiss your bride," I'm pretty sure I'm the one who made the first move.  I kissed him and smiled even while we were kissing.  He was smiling too:

The Reverend announced us as Mr. and Mrs. and we turned to face our guests.  We smiled, I took his arm, took my flowers from Jaymi, and we took our first steps together as husband and wife:

I raised my bouquet in triumph as we danced down the aisle:

At the end of the aisle the photographer stopped us for more pictures, but I'm pretty sure I was still dancing:

We were followed down the aisle by Jaymi and Matt:

And then by Danielle, Elisa, and Matt:

My parents just in love at my wedding as they were at theirs more than 27 years ago:

And Jeff's parents smiling proudly as they make their way down the aisle:

Everyone poured into the bridal suite: bridesmaids, groomsmen, parents, grandparents, sisters.  And everyone was hugging us and congratulating us and welcoming us to each others' families.  And I have never in my life felt as loved as I did at that moment.

What followed is a blur.  There was a champagne toast from blue Solo cups, there was beer brought in for the guys (by the awesome MOH Jaymi), and there were lots and lots and LOTS of bridal party and family pictures.  More of those, up next...