Derek and Meghan Get Hitched!

Hello!

Welcome to our new blog that celebrates our new family! Derek and I are so excited to start this new chapter of life together! I wanted to make sure that I write everything down so I can remember it all and I thought it would be fun to share with everyone! Join us on this wonderful journey!

How about a recap of the week of the wedding!?

Saturday August 7, 2010: Family started arriving in Colorado! The first to arrive were Karen and Jeremy from Michigan. When they walked through the door, it hit me, this is really happening, Derek and I are really getting married! Derek did a gig in Pueblo then headed out to the "The Slam" with Matt and Jeremy while I put together gift bags with Mom and Karen then headed home to Miley and Maggie.

Sunday August 8, 2010: As the family continued to arrive we headed to City Park Jazz. A few of us went down to City Park to watch Derek perform in front of 10,000 people with his band "Tuxedo Junction." I had no idea that many people would be there! The parking was crazy and it rained for awhile but it was still a blast! I was so excited for everything to see Derek do his thing!

Monday August 9, 2010: My wonderful bridesmaids started putting things into action. Ann, Beth, Colleen, Karen and I shopped for hairpieces and everything floral then continued on to my second trial hair appointment. The first trial was a disaster. Although my hair did look nice, it took two and half hours and looked like I did it at home. I was a wreck. Luckily, the second appointment was a great success! Grandma Sanders arrived safe and sound at Mom and Dad's house just as everyone headed out to the Aquarium. Derek arrives very shortly after with Miley and Maggie so we could take them to the Doggie Hotel for the rest of the week. I took a short nap while some family went swimming, did a few more projects and headed to bed. Mikey, Dan, Matt, and Derek hung out on the porch together into the wee hours of the morning.

Tuesday August 10, 2010: The madness begins. As I took off for my bridal shower, Derek headed up to our neighborhood for a round of golf with the guys. I couldn't have asked for a better shower! It was amazing! I loved the food and games, and of course the cake! I was so happy that I got to spend some time with my great family and friends. P.S. I was late to my own shower because I almost ran out of gas on my way there!
I was able to squeeze in a nap after the shower before we headed out to Gaetano's, a great Italian place in Denver, to see Derek sing! I put together this event so that Derek could sing for my family. I really just wanted to show him off a little :0) The night was a blast! There was lots of laughing, lots of eating, and some tears here and there!
Once everyone was finished with their meals and Derek was finished singing, the boys jumped into the Stripes Van for Derek's bachelor party! Talk about a day! The party is just getting started!

Wednesday August 11, 2010: I jumped out of bed and headed to my bachelorette party at Antoine du Chez. Karen, Beth, Ann, Colleen, Silver, Mom and I were treated to very relaxing mani/pedis and had a little breakfast as well. Our next task: floral. Derek and I had decided that we did not want to break our budget on something that would die in a matter of days, so the girls and I went to King Soopers and picked out all the flowers we were going to be using to make all the centerpieces, bouquets, boutonnieres, and corsages. I was pleasantly surprised that our Grocery Store has such beautiful flowers! I did not have a specific theme or plan in mind but they turned out to be perfect! I was even more tickled when my Aunt Kathy, a former florist, volunteered to help with everything. Everything looked so professional and beautiful!
Derek was feeling a little under the weather but eventually made it out of bed, ready to encounter his day. At noon the power at my parents house (the location for our Rehearsal Dinner) went out. I had to go check into our hotel so I could get ready for the evening. While I was in a half sleep, I got a phone call from our Pastor's assistant. Apparently he was at my parent's house ready to do the rehearsal that we had all decided not to do! AHHH! Everything turned out just fine. Our Pastor went back home and Aunt Robin and Uncle Ted drove their RV over so we could use the generator if needed! Bobby, Derek's mom, did a wonderful job with the food and it was a great night! At one point, almost my ENTIRE family (the girls anyways) were in the basement helping with arrangements! It was truly fantastic to have everyone there with me.

Thursday August 12, 2010: THE BIG DAY. Everyone helped out with all the finishing touches. Seating arrangements were double checked, pinwheels were placed perfectly through the yard, hair was done, ties were tied and we all managed to make it there on time!
Once we had all arrived at the Franciscan, the girls and I felt that a dance party was in order.

The rest of the day was spectacular! Beautiful ceremony, great food, fantastic music!