One Week

It is hard to believe that I have already been married for one week - time flies, and last week was certainly fun.

Last Friday was an unbelievable, surreal day. I actually managed to have a decent night sleep the night before the wedding. I fell asleep just after midnight and woke up at 6am, 6:30am, 7am and finally got up at 7:30am. I was trying to sleep in until 9am, but my excitement and nerves got the better of me.

I met my bridal party at the hair salon at 10am, and we returned to my house afterwards to have our make-up done and get ready. It was sheer chaos in the house: 7 family members, plus 4 bridesmaids, plus one bride makes one crazy household.

By the afternoon the day was starting to heat up. I was the first one ready and so my mum plunked me down on a stool in the front hall of the house, with my bare feet on the cold marble floor, trying to keep cool. I was all alone. Everyone else had disappeared to finish getting ready.

The photographer showed up just after 3pm and we had some time to take photos before the limo showed up a 4pm. We had booked one of those stretch SUV limos - it was awesome, and came complete with leopard print carpet and throw pillows - very fitting (I used to be a leopard print junkie).

We arrived at the Yacht Club around 4:30 and my bridal party and I immediately headed upstairs to our waiting room. The actual name of the room evades me right now.

During the rehearsal we practiced coming down the staircase, the only way down, or so we thought. It was fine walking down in capris and high heels, but I wasn't sure how I was actually going to get down this thing in my dress, while holding a bouquet.

On the day of the wedding we discovered an elevator. Not as glamorous as coming down the steep, winding staircase, but a hell of a lot more practicle, and giving my penchant for clumsiness, I was completely in favour of taking the elevator.

We hung out in the room for just over an hour. I was totally relaxed and sprawled out on a leather couch, while Thalia's nerves were going crazy. All the girls had to block the windows when Colin and his crew arrived, to prevent me from taking a peek. I had never seen him in a kilt before, so I was looking forward to that.

The only time the nerves hit me was right when I was walking down the aisle. But once I was up the front with Colin, I was fine. I had this big grin on my face throughout the whole ceremony, because I didn't know what else to do.

It was over in a flash.

We were married.

After the ceremony, it was on to photos and then on to the reception.

The rest of the evening was a blast. Our guests commented on how this was the best wedding ever, the most beautiful ceremony ever and so on. I didn't want the night to end, as did a lot of the guests. Unfortunately, we only had the Yacht Club until 1am.

It was a amazing night.

Saturday was a do nothing day, which was perfect. Colin and I went to the Bay to pick up some gifts and then spent the afternoon with his family. Later that night we went to celebrate the 30th birthday of one of his groomsmen.

On Sunday my entire family and Colin's entire family met at my parents' house for brunch and gift opening. We received some amazing gifts, which we haven't really had a chance to look at yet. We will be doing that today.

After the gift opening, Colin and I headed up to Whistler for a couple of days. Monday was hot, so we went to Alta Vista and lay on the beach. Tuesday brought the first rains in 30 days, but it was welcome.

Wednesday was back to work, and the warm weather. But it wasn't the end of the gatherings: On Wednesday night we had dinner with Colin's parents and his aunt and uncle who were leaving the next day to return home to Belfast, via a week in Newfoundland. Thursday it was dinner at my aunt and uncle's as my mum's cousins were returning to England on Friday. Today is one last visit with my dad's family as my aunt, uncle and cousin return to England tomorrow and my dad's cousins go back to England on Tuesday.

I will miss them, and miss everything that has taken place these last couple of weeks, but I am really looking forward to returning my normal, everyday life, which includes going to Curves, which I haven't been to in almost 3 weeks.