We're Married!

For someone that plans her life down to the smallest details, it was quite unusual that our marriage ceremony was planned in about one week. I knew that we were going to get legally married before the wedding in Jamaica but the date kept on changing because of various reasons. I finally got the logistics down of getting my sister and her boyfriend and J's parents up to Seattle, getting our marriage license and then setting the date with the judge.

Guilty had a question about why we decided to get married now rather than wait until Jamaica and I figure other people would be interested as well. It was actually a mixture of reasons. Legally, it would be easier. Even though Jamaica does not have crazy laws about marriage licenses (getting blood tests, documentation, etc...) I wanted to have our marriage license in Seattle so that I wouldn't have to deal with any sort of confusion later on. The main reason though, is that J and I met and fell in love in Seattle. As much as I complain about the weather here, I adore this city and wanted to mark one of the most important days of our lives here. And the date, well, we happened to choose the same date as J's parents wedding date. They celebrated their 37th anniversary on our day!

OK, enough with that. Onto the pictures!

Off we go to get married!

on our way to the courthouse in J's parents car. We look like we're high school kids going to prom!

J and I didn't really know what to expect, we thought that the ceremony would just be in the courtroom with a bunch of other couples waiting to get married so our expectations were pretty low. I really didn't care about how "nice" it was, I was just anxious to get married.

Let's just say the day went above and beyond our expectations. We arrived with our entourage (the lady at the reception was like "ALL these people with you?") and they put us in the Judicial Chambers which looked more like a boardroom than a courtroom.

I think we look like lawyers here. =)

It also had the most beautiful view of Seattle. The weather was awesome that day so we were able to see the entire city.

As we were waiting for the judge we took family pictures. My family is a picture taking family so they weren't shy with the camera. We have about 1000 pictures but since this is going to be a picture heavy post, I will spare you the family pictures!

When the judge came in and started talking to us, I already knew we were going to like him. He was witty, funny but also very wise and caring. We sat down and he started telling us about the process and then he said he had a few words to say.

This is where the water works began...

ok so this picture was taken before the crying, but I am not sharing my ugly cry pictures!

He started talking about marriage and what it means and what we are doing today. With all the whirlwind of planning my wedding, this ceremony and my crazy work schedule, I never really had a chance to sit and think to myself that I was getting MARRIED. Also because J and I have been together for so long (almost 8 years now) that I never gave it much thought. When the judge started talking, it truly hit me and I was in tears. Happy tears of course, but it was the first time that I felt like "Wow, this is huge, I'm getting married. J is going to be my Husband!" His words were truly amazing and special, he even had my mom in tears. I was so surprised that this man, who knew nothing about us and wasn't required to, took the time to give us words from his heart.

After the talk (which was about 20 mins - it was a long talk!) we got going with the ceremony!

Then the groom kissed the bride. And we were married!

After the ceremony the judge wanted to give me and J some alone time just to be with each other so he took us to the upper deck of the courthouse and we walked out to the most breathtaking view of Seattle. It was something that you could never just do as the space is not open to the public. By that time the courthouse had closed so we basically had the place to ourselves. We loved standing out there just the two of us looking out into the city and having our moment as newlyweds. I will forever remember that moment for the rest of my life.

Eventually our family came up to join us and it was picture mania again. Then off to dinner to end one of the happiest days of my life!

I'm a married woman!

The day was beyond amazing and like I said, exceeded both our expectations. At the end of the day J said to me that if that was all we did, no Jamaica or anything, he would be happy as it was everything he wanted. And you know what, I agreed with him. I had so many misconceptions about "courthouse weddings" and was jaded by the need for a wedding dress, fancy flowers and fancy food, but this day proved me so wrong. The day that we had, looking into J's eyes and telling him that I was his, forever, in front of our families, was more special than any huge party that I could ever throw. J pointed out to me that no one was "missing" like we didn't look back at the day and say "I wish so and so had been there with us." Everyone that we wanted to share that day with us was there and nothing makes me happier. Jamaica is now just icing on the cake. I'm going to let the stress roll off and just be blissfully happy that we get to experience another day of marrying each other.

I truly feel like the luckiest girl in the world.

all pictures are by my dad or J's dad (they did a good job with our cameras!) the last one is by J. I don't know why anyone would want to use these but if you do, please make sure to credit my blog. thanks!

Tweet

Pin It