Real Long Island Wedding: Kristen and Ricky

Ricky and I met on my first day of my new job at a small promotional products company. This was my first position in the 'real' world, and was very excited about the new prospects of my future. Meeting a guy was the furthest thing from my mind at the time, so it was ironic that when we were introduced, there was an instant connection we both felt. Fast forward 2 1/2 years later and we went on our first vacation to Disney World in FL. We were sitting by the pool at the Boardwalk Hotel when we started talking about our future together, and how he can see this being a tradition every year and us becoming one of those 'Disney Couples' we see walking around smiling ear to ear. And speaking as an avid Disney lover, I couldn't agree more with him. Then he began talking about bringing our future children here every year, and I jokingly mentioned how the only way that would happen would be if we were married (I'm an old fashion kind of gal). After a shot of tequila for encouragement, the next thing I knew he got down on one knee and asked me to marry him. While I did about the ring before the proposal, I was not expecting him to propose in Disney World of all places. Of course I said yes, and we spent the rest of the vacation reveling in the fact that we were officially engaged!

During the planning process, we were going back and forth with what we wanted our wedding to be like. After picking our venue and springtime date, we decided to go with a peacock theme after reading a passage about the spiritual meaning of a peacock. Peacocks represent fidelity, good luck, harmony and serenity, so it was only fitting that this was the theme for us.

Instead of going with the popular purple/peacock trend I've seen online and TV, I decided to go with the unique teal color that is in the eye of the feather. Blue is both my husband and I's favorite color, so it worked out perfectly. The bridesmaid dresses were an 'oasis' color, along with the vests and ties for the groomsmen. I decided to play off my hall's decor and stick with the cream, gold color- also the colors of a peacock feather. Our centerpieces were a gorgeous mix of cream roses and yellow roses, mini gerbera daisies, and green stock overflowing with the feathers. They were perfection in my eyes.

For my dress, I decided to stick the tradition my mother followed for her wedding, and chose an ivory dress. I found the perfect one while shopping with my mother, both of my grandmothers, and my maid of honor. It truly was a special moment in my life that I will never forget.

The day of my wedding also happened to be the wedding day of Prince William and Kate Middleton, so I got up super early to watch the festivities. It was a world-wide event, and the fact that everyone on the entire planet was thinking thoughts of love and happiness due to the royal wedding, was overwhelming for me. I couldn't help but think of the loved ones we lost who pulled some strings up in heaven to give us the most magical day of our lives. The weather was perfect, a cool 65 degrees and sunny. Simply beautiful compared the downpour of rain just the day before. I was a picture of calm, just floating around not believing this was the day I've waited for my entire life. It's pretty unreal if you think about it. That one day every little girl dreams of, and today was that day!!!

After getting dolled up, and sneaking a peak of my handsome soon-to-be husband going inside for the reveal, all of my bridesmaids started walking down stairs to the lobby. I walked alone to the elevator, with ginormous butterflies flapping in my stomach, and proceeded to walk down the hallway to my husband who had is back towards me. I slowly walked to him and just stood there, took a deep breath and tapped him on the shoulder. He turned around and the only word out of his mouth was rather long 'WOOOOWWWWW', which instantly made me tear up. We hugged, kissed and were off to take pictures before the ceremony.

Everyone was lined up, when the ceremony music started playing. One by one the groomsmen began to walk out, along with the grandparents and then the bridesmaids. When it was time for me and my parents to walk out, that's when it became real. All the preparation, months of planning and appointments, gluing and glittering- it was finally time for it to all come together. The music started playing, and off we went; floating down the aisle, holding on to my mother and father, anxious to begin the new chapter in my life.

The ceremony was like a dream; I felt like I stepped out of my body and watched it from above. Everything was perfect, and when that ring was placed on my finger and we were pronounced husband and wife, I was in pure happiness. Finally, I met the man of my dreams and I was his wife!

The most important piece of advice I can say is to never forget why you’re getting married in the first place. When others project their opinions on what you should do/how you should it (and believe me, they will), just remember that this wedding is about YOU and YOUR HUSBAND. It's celebrating the deep love you have for one another and sharing it with everyone that you care about. The day goes by in the blink of an eye, so take time on your wedding day to sneak away, and just be alone with each other and revel in the fact that you are husband and wife!!