This lady here is officially a Mrs!!! :) I have been so excited to update you guys on how the rest of my wedding week and honeymoon went! First off, I have to say that since the wedding, I have felt a bajillion times more relaxed. I didn't even realize how stressed out I was on a regular basis during all that intense planning. I am so happy that I can enjoy the post-wedding bliss now.
Our rehearsal dinner on Saturday night was a blast! And the food was out of this world DELICIOUS. It was so exciting seeing everyone the day before the wedding and talking about our anticipation. It just made me that much more excited for the big day.
The morning of the wedding day was HECTIC. I think that would even qualify as an extreme understatement. I used to imagine sitting around in a robe, sipping on a mimosa while a bunch of people fuss over my hair and makeup. I was wrong... way wrong. Hair and makeup took so long, so of course, we were running behind schedule. Not to mention, it was about 90 degrees and almost 100% humidity. So my curly-haired self was in a hair spraying panic. By the time we got back to my house from the salon, the photographer was already at my house taking pictures. This began the next phase of freak out mode. Bridesmaids were frantically dressing themselves in my bedroom. My mother was dressing my flower girl in the poofiest tulle dress you could imagine while doing her makeup and trying to dress herself. My father was rooting around the house looking for things that needed to go to the reception hall. It was pure
mayhem. I could barely catch my breath! So I said farewell to my calm wedding morning expectations and started to find humor in all the wackiness. I literally did not see what I looked like until I got to the ceremony. WHAT?!
On the way to the ceremony, it started drizzling, which at that point, didn't even phase me. I was just so excited to see Connor! When we finally got to Manhattan College, I wanted to run out of the limo and down the aisle. The anticipation was killing me. But unfortunately 15 pounds of dress, a veil, 4.5 inch heels, and a seriously heavy peony bouquet stopped me. Oh and did I mention, before getting to the chapel, you have to climb a fairly large staircase?....
By the time my dad and I made it to the chapel, my stomach was in knots! I heard the piano start playing my song to signal my procession and all of a sudden, as expected, a waterfall of tears!! It was the most emotional moment of my life. I was so happy, excited and in disbelief that the moment had finally arrived. My favorite part of the ceremony was our love letters that we wrote to each other during the unity candle lighting.
On the drive to the reception, Connor and I drank champagne and relished in all the excitement of being newlyweds! It was such a special time to celebrate together by ourselves. It was so memorable. We finally got to the reception and took a bunch of pictures outside. Luckily, it stopped raining during my ceremony! I was hoping for more sunshine, but I'm told rain means lots of luck! ;)
We danced the night away, ate delicious food, laughed and cried! It was such a special day. My only wish is that it didn't fly by! Everyone kept telling me how fast it would go, but you really don't get it until it's your own wedding. It seems like it was all over in the blink of an eye! All that planning for one incredible, magical, fleeting day.
I will be updating on the honeymoon very soon! :)
Love,
Mrs. Mandy!
The day after the wedding, a major clean up of the house was in order. Our home was a mess from everyone coming in and out, and making bagels and mimosas. My kitchen was gross!! Connor was so sweet--he swept and vacuumed while I washed dishes. We also needed to go the bank, shop, and pack all before leaving for the airport on Wednesday at 4:15am. We spent all of Tuesday shopping and packing and didn't get to bed until midnight to then wake up at 3:30. UGH. Needless to say, I was SO cranky when Connor woke me up! I kept telling myself, "WHYYYYY did we leave all the packing until the last minute?"
We took afternoon and night trips to Old San Juan, which were so much fun! We took tours of the fort, El Morro, and El Castillo de Cristobal. It was so cool to see all the history. It was a little exhausting though with the insanely hot weather! We refreshed ourselves with street ice treats coquito (an coconut icy) and piragua (shaved ice with syrup over it). SO yummy! We also enjoyed all the local restaurants. All the dishes were so tasty. I definitely ate my fair share of yellow plantains (they are my favorite!). One of my favorites was a chicken mofongo dish, which is mashed yellow plantains with garlic and butter and filled with chicken.
By the end of the trip, I was kind of excited to head back to our NY lives as relaxed, tanned newlyweds and see our families again. I couldn't wait to watch our wedding video and relive the day again. I still can't believe it's over, but I'm so happy to enjoy summer as a married couple with no more crazy planning! Now it's time to start saving money, so we can buy a house by the time Connor graduates! HOPEFULLY! I'm staying optimistic.
