Four months ago today, I married the cutest, best, most supportive and loving man alive. His name is Fabio, and now I'm his wife! Eeek! Our wedding was sensational. Seriously, it was absolutely beautiful, and I couldn't have been more excited with how everything turned out. In these past 4 months, I've had a few minutes to catch my breath after the whirlwind that engagement and wedding planning can be. I've had a few minutes to look through our wedding photos for our album (finally, lol) and in so doing have had a few things come to mind that I don't want to ever forget about our day. Blogging is a funny thing. People read your thoughts (there might be like 4 of you who read this in its entirety, lol), and you get to share things that matter to you. I love that its kind of like an online timeline of life. I know that as I write this, it will be archived and stored on some server somewhere and in 5 years, 10, 15 hopefully, I will be able to look back and see what I was thinking today... and remember all those little things about my wedding day that I don't want to forget. My mom singing "going to the chapel" in her car on the way to the hotel, and Chris Arnold making the most amazing pumpkin pancakes in the world, and Lindsay just barely making it to the hotel in time for me to pull on my dress... special moments. So.. here's a peak at what happened 4 months ago today. {All of the professional photos in here were taken from my amazing photographer Joel Eckman Maus at Studio EMP, the rest are courtesy of random friends}
The night before our wedding day we ate the most sensational meal at Fabio's parents. His mother makes incredible authentic Italian food (Fabio grew up in Italy until he was 14, his mom is the real deal!). We sat around the table with both of our families surrounding us and sipped wine and oood and awed at Anna's cooking. It was loud and crazy and full of laughter and well wishing. I was forced to make a last minute speech during which I forgot to thank his parents (oopsie!), and we all said our good nights with hugs and kisses and excitement for the next day's celebration. I left Fabio at his parents that night, and he walked me out to the car and told me all sorts of sweet things...love.
My mom and I woke up the next morning and gathered everything together. I had a big sparkly gold bag full of all my little bridal treasures; jewelery, perfume, my veil, a change of clothes, my nightgown for later, and wedding shoes, the bridesmaids presents, and all sorts of random last minute gotta-have-you's. As I was leaving, I left a card and a little gift for Fabio on my bed since he was heading there for his things on the way down to the hotel. The text message I received 2 hours later was priceless.
All of the ladies planned to get dressed at my MOH's house in Fullerton for hair and makeup and breakfast. Lindsay's husband Chris planned breakfast for us ladies and created the meal around all my favorite breakfast foods. BTW, breakfast is my favorite meal. I love it, so it was the best to wake up and drive 3 minutes over to homemade pumpkin pancakes, fresh fruit, peppermint mocha's and mimosas. There was bacon, and scones, eggs made to order and just all sorts of deliciousness. Lindsay and Chris really spoiled me that morning. All of us ladies took turns with Bree (my awesome stylist) and were transformed into a truly glamorous wedding party. I couldn't believe how incredible my mom looked! I remember reassuring her a few times, as mom doesn't wear much makeup, but wow. Just wow. All of my girls looked gorgeous (not hard for any of them), and we watched bridal movies in the background, nibbled, chatted about the day, and were beautified. It was relaxing, and fun and perfect.
My florist, the amazing Jaclyne Breault from Heavenly Blooms, had been texting me the night before and all morning with flower updates, and I was insanely excited when she told me that she was able to get the two types of flowers I most wanted: anemones (the ones that are white with a black center) and peonies.. dream flower. She incorporated everything I love all into our floral design and should win an award for making it all work so insanely beautifully. (Side note: Jaclyne was recently published for her work in the prestigious Martha Stewart Weddings Magazine here.. so maybe she has won!) 
Our bouquets and corsages were waiting for us as we arrived at the Surf and Sand Resort. I can't say enough about how incredible the Surf and Sand was. We had so many kind and considerate people helping us that day, we truly felt like royalty. Our suite had an incredible ocean view, and it was absolutely the perfect spot for all of my getting ready pictures and many of our portraits and bridal party portraits. I remember my mom bringing us snacks, so at one point I held a Starbucks coffee in one hand and champagne in the other. Joel and Lorelee (Studio EMP) arrived a few minutes after us, and snapped photos of everything that happened; my mom helping me with my bracelet, my dress hanging in the window, my putting the necklace I made my new sister Naomi on her, all of the little details of our ensembles and happenings in the hotel suite. It was fast, but fun.. and then before I knew it, I clapped my hands in excitement and joy because it was time to go and see Fabio.
Everyone but Lindsay stayed back in the hotel suite while Fabio and I had our first look. Lindsay puffed my dress and then gave me a hug and left, and up the hotel corridor I walked to meet my groom. We met up in this gorgeous courtyard, and it was magical. We had decided to see each other first for a few reasons, mainly because we both knew we'd be a crying mess if we didn't, and also for the sake of photos (my love). It was beautiful. I love that we had those unscripted moments together; hugs and kisses and more hugs..
It started to rain just as the whole group joined us, our friends were so awesome, they just went with it. Lindsay's ever planned and thoughtful dad had put a bunch of white umbrellas they had bought for Lindsay's wedding the year before in her car, so Chris ran out to grab them (thanks Richard!!) and they became an excellent prop in our photos later on. I'd been praying all day that the rain would wait until we were inside, lol, but what can you do? In the end, the clouds made a beautiful background for us and isn't rain supposed to be lucky!?
We piled into the car and were off to Seven Degrees in Laguna Beach just a few minutes later. I remember my dress filling up the entire front seat and them some, lol! It was fun. Fabio held my hand as he drove us over, and we all spilled out a few minutes later. I was able to walk through the reception area before heading up to the bridal suite to check out all the details I had created and see the floral designs. I loved it. We really went a totally opposite direction then what is on trend right now {exception: succulents}. It was glamorous, shiny, modern, and high tech; totally not vintage, shabby chic or garden inspired. We wanted something ritzy, sophisticated, and hip, so our "wedding style" was very chic and cool.
What seemed like minutes later {but was actually like an hour and a half}, we were all lined up for a short little walk in front of 140 people. My dad was nervous. I was too, but not as much. It was pretty cute actually. I was so glad I chose the Vera Wang flats, with the rain and the slick floors, and my propensity towards falling, smart move. As the doors were opened and I stepped out into the sea of friends and family, all I saw was candles and Fabio. The girls had told me to look at him the whole walk, so I did. At the end of the aisle, I hugged my dad, and our pastor, Mark Pickerill, introduced us. Fabio and I had wanted our ceremony to be short, but very personal and inclusive. We chose our guest list very carefully, and the friends and family in attendance were all people we love, trust and care about, and who likewise feel the same about us. Mark had suggested that we address our guests before we start, which Fabio and I both felt was pretty genius. So a few days earlier we had written something that Fabio read to our group; we meant every word. The rest of our ceremony was fairly typical, but all very personal. We did write our own vows.. and amazingly, we both held it together. I remember seeing the tears welling up in Fabio's eyes as he read his vows to me with such sincerity. Later he told me that his eyes, full of tears he didn't let out, were a reaction to my own. Quite true. I read my vows in pretty much the same fashion and a few moments later we were saying forever. A good kiss, and then "This will be" started to play and we headed back down the aisle; man & wife.
Back in the bridal suite, we had gin & tonics waiting for us, along with some delicious appetizers. Fabio and I hugged for a long few seconds; excited, but mostly just happy to be together. We relaxed while our guests enjoyed cocktail hour, took a few more photos at the venue, and then met with our coordinator just outside of the reception area. We could hear our live music seeping through the doors as we stood just outside waiting to head in and see all our friends and family. I peeked in to see how everyone was enjoying everything, and Fabio and I held hands, and swayed with the music while we waited. Fabio chose all of the music, I had nothing to do with any of it, and he was very specific. He was really cute about it. I heard my new last name with a Mrs. in front, and Fabio pulled me in through the door. We made our entrance to lots of cheers and music and then went straight into toasts, which was probably one of the most memorable parts of the reception. My best friend of 12 years gave a beautiful toast about "best friends" comparing us to Lucy and Ethel, Romy & Michelle, and all sorts of other besties. Damien, one of Fabio's oldest and best friends, gave one of the most heartfelt and witty but thoughtful toasts I've ever heard, with Matt and Mirko also giving funny and personal toasts about my man and their friendships; truly, sensational friends we have.
Our first dance was to L.O.V.E, played by the JT Big Band, which Fabio actually plays in on a regular basis, so of course it was composed of some of the most incredible musicians. We had insanely talented vocalists Maha Hansa and Sergio Vellatti, and enjoyed the rest of the evening with friends; dancing, taking photos in our photo booth, and just enjoying each other and our time. Fabio jumped in and played a few songs, which was really fun. It went so fast. Before I knew it we were eating the Beverly's cake I'd been dreaming about for months (cake is a close second to breakfast) and running outside through a line of sparklers. We jumped in the car and were off..
I've had all sorts of people ask me how married life is. I've been married for 4 months now, and I can honestly say, I have no idea. So far so good? Lol.. I mean, it really is absolutely wonderful having someone to come home to who is kind and thoughtful and compassionate, supportive and loving, but its only been 4 months! Who knows how our life together will unfold. I love him more everyday, and while I do know that we will have struggles and difficult times, I also know that we love the Lord and that we love each other. If those two things always remain, then so will we... 4 months is only a breath in comparison to a lifetime together.. ask me again how married life is in 5, 10, 15 years. I hope to still say "So far, so good"...
By Jess Spinella