Mr. and Mrs. Kirschbaum's big day!

I couldn't believe the day had finally arrived!!!  I got up about 5:00 to get ready to be at her hair appointment by 6:30.  I was running a teensy bit late because I had to get some nylons (don't tell Heidi) and some gas on the way.  When I showed up at about 6:37, she was still sitting in her car, using her cell phone.  She mouthed to me that the girl who was going to do her hair was late and that she was not answering her phone!!  This was totally stressy!!!  I got in Heidi's car and we started deliberating about what to do.  She said that her hair had taken an hour and a half to do previously, so the fact that we were closing in on only having about an hour sort of worried me!  Luckily we were able to find her mom's phone number online and call her house at 6:45 in the morning.  It was such a relief that she was there, but not such a relief when her mom said that she had overslept.  We sat there for at least another 15 minutes, felt more like an hour, and waited for her to get her tired bumb over there!  Luckily she was able to get her hair done in time.  It was nothing short of a miracle if you ask me.  Took half the time as before and looked just as good.

Heidi and I raced to the SL Temple, trying to remain calm.  Parked and ran in.  We walked through the doors at exactly 8:10!!!  It was such a miracle (again, the miracles just poured down through the whole wedding process, planning and shopping and everything... it was such a witness to me that this marriage was meant to be).  We got Heidi and her dress all signed in and then waited.  And waited.  :).  John was late.  I had to keep reminding Heidi that it doesn't mean he is not coming- I had been late for our sealing too, but it was because my hair dresser wouldn't stop doing my hair!  While we waited, I met some of John's family.  His Dad had flown in from South Africa, his cute Grandma and Mom had walked like a mile because they'd parked so far away.  Finally he came then left and came again (he had left the license in the car :) ) and all was well.  Everything from that point on was just heavenly .  Heidi was at peace, they were calm, you could really feel the spirit.  It was a cool thing to be a part of.  I wish I could explain how much it meant to me to be there with Heidi through it all.  To have witnessed the struggle of years of wanting to find someone and not feeling ready, and then to see her in that moment of triumph.  It was priceless.  I loved all the sweet old ladies who know how to make that day special.  We talked about how strange it would be to get married in a place where you don't have all the sweet temple workers ushering you around and treating you like a queen.  It was so neat.  I didn't even recognize the Bride's dressing room without all the people- there was almost nobody there.  So special!  The sealing was beautiful, I loved their sealer, and it was so neat to be able to sit next to her through it all.  Then getting out for pictures... that's my favorite part.  They were so cute and fun.  I got to get some video footage of it all for them, I'm hoping to edit it and put it at the end of their video.  All went so well!

Unfortunately my camera was still set to "Manual" when Kelly took the pictures of them coming out.  I just about cried at the thought that I wasn't going to have that image ingrained in my history.  I will have to steal one from someone else.  These moments are PRECIOUS!

But look how cute and happy they both look!  

This is the one I tried to fix... still not good enough for me.

The kids and I enjoyed following them around for their pictures.  I know we were totally in the way, but I don't think we would have missed it for the world.  That's always my favorite part.  I'm really hoping all of the video footage I took worked out because my pictures sure aren't what I'd like them to be.  

They of course look perfect, but the pictures... not so much. Bummer.

The rest of the day was perfect as well.  Things went so smoothly.  I guess, minus the part where I left my keys in the camera bag that I had sent with Nate after pictures.  I ended up having to drive to the luncheon with John and Heidi.  Felt like their chaperone or something... keeping them from enjoying their first moments as a married couple... keeping them from missing their luncheon too I guess... like some other people I know.  Anyway- I was embarrassed and then it was over.  We had lunch at Olive Garden, courtesy of John's Mom.  I miss Olive Garden!  I wish we could go there more often.  It was delicious, my kids were good- it was fun to look over at the cute new couple... this was the most relaxing part of the day, I must admit.

Then we headed off to get ready for the reception!!  This was the part of the day I was most anxious for.  Not because it's my favorite by any means, but because there were so many things that had to happen just right.  There were a few hang ups in the beginning with the pictures from the temple not being ready when we needed them to be- we had to get back to the Ivy House to start heating up the meat and getting things set up and kids ready... there was lots to do.  I thought for sure I could do it all, but I couldn't.  I wish I'd thought twice about asking Sarah to grab the pictures while she was out.  That was my big dumb move for the night.  She is the photographer.  You don't ask the photographer to stop and get something at the store during picture time.  Duh.  I'm still hating myself for it.  I don't know what I was thinking.... anyway!!   I was frustrated to learn that all but a few of the people we'd asked to help in the kitchen and with the food, were no longer going to be showing up, but we really made it all work!  Things went really well.  I will leave out all the tiny details of that evening because overall it was a huge success.  I loved that it was all about Heidi and John and that we all got to be a part of that time with them.  I will never forget Heidi's, "Well, now I just want to go and spend time with John and cancel the reception!" after the sealing, but I think she didn't regret not cancelling it by the time the night was over.  I got to give a little speech halfway through the reception.  That was nerve-racking. I wish I could have had time to write something up and just read it, because I was blubbering too much, but it was really fun to be the one to (at least attempt) to pay tribute to the happy couple whom I love so much.  I cried.  Oh well.  I hope they got the message.  I love them, and I'm excited for the new life they have ahead!  They quickly cut the cake, threw the bouquet, garter, and danced, and then ended the reception (a little early :) ) with a cute sparkler send off!!  That was a lot of fun.  I have to remember all these cute ideas for later (way later I might add... I shouldn't be needing wedding ideas for a very long time :) just sayin').  I love my sister, Heidi Kirschbaum, and her new husband, John!  The beginning :).   11-21-14

More pics I stole from Heidi