Speech! Speech!

We ate and mingled and had a lovely time for a while and then I was informed by my DOC that it was time for speeches.

Nick's best man started things off & got a little teary when talking about Nick. There was also a mention of homosexual gnomes that apparently is a private joke between the two of them (yeah, I didn't get it either).




Then it was my maid of honor's/sister's turn. She didn't have a speech planned, but it was cute and funny anyway.




And finally Nick thanked our families for helping and everyone for coming and we drank again.





Source: YouTube

Our beautiful cake was ready to be cut and eaten now that everyone wasn't so full of food. Nick and I weren't really sure what we were supposed to do, but thanks to our experienced photographers, we got everything figured out.


My turn to feed Nick first...

and I missed his mouth the first time. Luckily the cake fell back onto the plate and not onto our white clothes.

Take two was a success!


Then was Nick's turn and he didn't miss.




As fun as shoving cake in the other's face can be, it wasn't for us, especially since we were both wearing white and the cake had raspberry filling.

Stay tuned for our bouquet and garter tosses. Lots of fun!!

Note: All pictures were taken by our photographer, Jessica Lemmons, and her assistant. Check out her amazing work here!

Oh, and happy Friday!!

Here we come!

We kind of had a funny moment before we arrived at our reception when we had no idea what time we were supposed to head over! I didn't have my cell phone with me and Nick had his, but I didn't know any cell phone numbers that would actually be turned on! Nick finally got a hold of his best man and we were told that everyone was there waiting for us so we headed over.

When we got there, we were greeted by a couple of my coworkers who couldn't stay, so it was nice to catch them on the way out and thank them for coming.




Our DJ came out and greeted us too, since we hadn't met him yet, only talked through email.




We were announced and tripped our way into the reception...seriously Nick tripped over the door jam and almost face planted...and made our way up to our table.


Our photographers took a bunch of guest shots, so I'll share those as we walk up to the table.


This is my mom's cousin's baby and he is adorable!!










We ate and schmoozed and then it was time for speeches...next time!

Note: All pictures were taken by our photographer, Jessica Lemmons, and her assistant. Check out her amazing work here!

Nick's gift

For Nick's gift, I jumped on the boudoir bandwagon and had pictures taken of my scantily clad self. I had a lot of fun and wasn't nervous after the first few pictures were taken. If you are looking for a personal gift for your husband to be (or even your already husband) I would highly recommend boudoir pictures! They are very tasteful (or trashy, it's your choice) and will last forever.

Here are just a few of my favorites










Nick loved them, especially the picture I had taken with his Christmas present, a nerdy book.

My pictures were taken by Schona Kessler, if you live in the Vancouver, Washington area, check her out here!

The part everyone really goes to a wedding to see...

The Kiss!!

I love this part of weddings, especially mine!!

These pictures are all post-jumping up and down (bummer didn't get pictures of THAT huh?) Seriously, after our officiant said, "You may now kiss the bride" I jumped up and down and threw myself at Nick. Haha!


Notice the missing veil? It fell off when I threw myself at Nick. Oops :-)



I am pleased to introduce Mr. and Mrs. Nicholas Thompson

Hehe, cheesey grin!

Over the Rainbow - Israel "IZ" Kamakawiwo'ole OFFICIAL VIDEO from Mountain Apple Company on Vimeo.

And from there we were out the door to spend a few minutes to ourselves (and get something to drink since we were both super thirsty). I gave Nick his gift at this time, I will explain in my next post. ;-)

After we left, our party trickled down the aisle to head to our reception.

So cute!







Here's an interesting tidbit. Our whole ceremony last only 19 minutes!! So, in all actuallity, we spent about $1,000 for less than half an hour, but I'm not complaining! I was ready to be married and go to a party and the faster the better!!

Note: All pictures were taken by our photographer, Jessica Lemmons, and her assistant. Check out her amazing work here!

Vows, leis, and sand oh my!!

We wrote our own vows to each other (I had mine done before even asking Nick if he wanted to write them) and I really liked how personal it made our ceremony. Not that I have anything against the repeat after me vows, it just wasn't for us.



Nick's vows:

Samantha, it took some time for us to figure out we were going to work well together.
I like that you have a spiritual guide to follow for living your life.
It is an instrumental part of who you are and a part that I will continue to support as we move forward together.
I promise to keep you grounded when your thoughts are running wild.
I apologize for the times when I will kiss you just to make you forget everything you know.
I will always listen to you, I will always laugh with you and I will always be there for you.
Now as we walk the future together, I promise you love and honesty.





My vows:

I have been waiting for this day since I knew God had someone special for me.
He gave me a big heart and you have filled it completely.
My heart belongs to you along with all of the love, honor, and respect it can hold.
I want to spend the rest of my life laughing with you, crying with you, and sharing your dreams.
I will trust you even when I don’t understand, and be honest and faithful to you for the rest of my life.
I look forward to any challenges we encounter because I know we will face them together and come out on the other side stronger than ever.
I love you and will walk beside you, from this day forward, as your wife.

After drying a few MORE tears (had a tissue hid in my hand) we joined our officiant up on the actual stage for our lei and sand ceremonies and to sign our marriage certificate and become legal.


Source: YouTube

Let me explain this section a little bit, the lei exchange was something we wanted to do to recognize his Hawaiian heritage. Normally the bride and groom exchange leis with their families as well, but Nick and I just wanted to do this by ourselves. It was Nick's job to get the leis and he did a great job picking them out. They smelled so good!! Nick's lei was made of Maile and mine of Pikake (my new favorite smell).





(Nick did too, I promise, there just isn't a picture of it)





We stood and just stared at each other and talked while our best man and maid of honor signed.

Love this picture

Note: All pictures were taken by our photographer, Jessica Lemmons, and her assistant. Check out her amazing work here!

Our ceremony

Walked up the two stairs to the stage, being careful not to snag my dress on any corners, and proceeded with the ceremony.


I loved that we got to face each other during the ceremony. I always hold Nick's hand when we're together, so it was neat that we were able to then too.


Besides, who wants to stare at a pastor? I'd rather look at Nick any day! Haha, just kidding.





Don't remember what was so funny here.

The guys behaved nicely despite Nick's warnings.


Group shot


Sanctuary shot





Haha. She was trying to get her mom's attention

And the girls behaved too


Before we said our vows, our officiant read a poem I had picked out.

Union by Robert Fulghum

You have known each other from the first glance of acquaintance to this point of commitment.
At some point, you decided to marry.
From that moment of yes, to this moment of yes, indeed, you have been making commitments in an informal way.
All of those conversations that were held in a car, or over a meal, or during long walks – all those conversations that began with, “When we’re married”, and continued with “I will” and “you will” and “we will” – all those late night talks that included “someday” and “somehow” and “maybe” – and all those promises that are unspoken matters of the heart.
All these common things, and more, are the real process of a wedding.

The symbolic vows that you are about to make are a way of saying to one another, “You know all those things that we’ve promised, and hoped, and dreamed – well, I meant it all, every word.”
Look at one another and remember this moment in time.
Before this moment you have been many things to one another – acquaintance, friend, companion, lover, dancing partner, even teacher, for you have learned much from one another these past few years.
Shortly you shall say a few words that will take you across a threshold of life, and things between you will never quite be the same.

For after today you shall say to the world –
This is my husband. This is my wife.



After wiping a few tears, it was on to our vows that we had written for each other.

Note: All pictures were taken by our photographer, Jessica Lemmons, and her assistant. Check out her amazing work here!