8.26.2014 was a special day. It seems unreal that time is going by so quickly, and yet we have experienced so much.
ONE WHOLE YEAR.
12 MONTHS.
365 DAYS.
12 MONTHS.
365 DAYS.
I look back on our wedding day and remember a blur of happiness. There were tears in eyes, beaming faces, tight hugs, and dancing bodies. There were sparkling chandeliers, green trees, wood logs, and spray painted mason jars. I wish I remember more of how I felt that day. I had a small feeling of relief that we had finally reached that day, and anxiousness to begin a new life. But most of all, I had an intense happiness that I was now married to the most amazing man, that I was surrounded my family and friends--new and old.
My advice to those getting married: take time on your wedding day to write in your journal. You won't want to. It will feel like a waste of time. But there are few days as important day to document as this one. As convinced as you are that you will remember every little detail...you won't. Write down the advice the temple sealer gave, the love that filled you as you looked across the altar at the person you would spend eternity with, how it felt to exit the temple and see your family and friends celebrate with you. This journal will by cherished by you and your family for generations to come, I promise you.
And though we don't remember all the details, we know that our wedding day was perfect. Nothing will ever change that. I'm sure there were problems that arose, as there are with any big event. But I couldn't have cared less. I married my best friend in the morning, and the rest of the day was made perfect by it.
We never really took the time to write down the details that we do remember. But with us hitting this landmark--being married for a whole year--we wanted to take some time to reflect on the celebration that took place on a beautiful Tuesday.
Our sealing was at 11:00 am on August 26, 2014 in the Seattle, Washington temple.
We kept the wedding small, just family and very close friends. Before we entered the sealing room together (the largest one offered in the temple), Dustan and I were able to spend a few minutes sitting in the celestial room together. We felt so much excitement and peace with our decision :) We were blessed to be married by a temple sealer who was a family friend, someone I had known my entire life. Before he sealed us together for time and all eternity, he gave us a few pieces of advice that can improve any marriage.
- Say "I love you" every single day
- Continue romancing one another
- Hold Family Home Evening each week
- Say sorry when you're wrong and even when you're not
- Give daily compliments to one another
Then we knelt across the altar from one another and were sealed for not only time, but for all eternity :) we kissed and exchanged rings. It was perfect.
After hugging all of our friends and family, I went to the bride room to change and freshen up while Dustan went elsewhere. I have seen a few different bride rooms, and each is so beautiful. I loved getting ready in there with my mom and mother-in-law to support me.
To learn more about temples, go HERE.
To see some pictures and descriptions about places in the temple (like celestial room and sealing room), go HERE.
Word of warning: Only continue if you want to read every little detail about that day and see a plethora of pictures :)
Dustan and I met in the foyer, then we exited the temple together to greet our friends and family. We are so thankful for those who came to support our union, even if they couldn't attend the sealing inside the temple.
After a brief moment of awkwardness where no one moved after we exited the temple doors, it was time for hugs and pictures! And some advice from an old man who no one even knew. These pictures will be down below our portraits before the reception pictures :)
We took some of our wedding pictures the evening before and more after finishing all the group pictures with our wedding guests. Here are some of our favorites--sorry for the overwhelming amount. We just love them all. Also, our photographer was Sara Smith. She is fabulous, and we would recommend her to all in the Seattle area.
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| Our siblings are pretty fabulous |
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| All the friends, not family members...by blood at least. |
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| The Nielson side! |
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| My grandparents minus Grandpa Judd |
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| The Kraus side! |
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| Dustan's grandparents |
Following our hot and face-hurting-from-smiling photo sesh, we went to our luncheon, which was held at the church building just behind the Seattle temple. There we had a delicious lunch of pulled pork sandwiches, fruit, and salad--we were happy to get out of our fancy clothes and eat.
Our next stop was to the reception place. We can't be thankful enough for everyone that helped with setting up for the event--even with all the help, we barely made it in time! (Dustan and I were getting dressed while in the sketchy bathrooms as the first visitors were walking in!) It was held at the Beaver Lake Lodge in Sammamish Washington, right on a little lake. The many hours of searching for the perfect and cheap reception location paid off ($25 an hour was a steal). Setting up the cabin was truly a blur--I remember so many people asking me how I wanted it to look and just giving up because I'm too indecisive. I ended up making everyone else figure it out themselves, haha. This was the only time I felt stressed out on our wedding day.
I made my mom be in charge of the food, which was the best choice. Costco sandwich wraps, spicy sesame noodles, raspberry lemonade, and a TRIFLE BAR. If it hadn't been my own reception and I was required to talk to people, I would have hid in a corner and eaten the whole time. I'm sad to this day that I only got one small helping.
The cake was from a local Kirkland bakery called Hoffman's Fine Cakes and Pastries. The top layer was carrot cake for Dustan and the bottom was princesse torte with marzipan (my favorite but which Dustan thinks is too fluffy). I could have eaten the whole thing myself. Also, my new sister Erin is magical with clay. She made those amazing figurines! I wish I was blessed with half her talent.
Then came the scheduled events. Dustan's roommates had arranged a song for us and we almost died laughing (or from embarrassment on my part). Most (Dustan says all) of the lyrics are actually true about our story of how we met, dated, and got married...
Next, we cut the cake. Talk about embarrassing moments. Who knew cutting a cake would be so difficult?! We struggled. I was terrified Dustan would get it all over my dress--thankfully, he restrained himself and simply smashed my face instead and I retaliated.
Our first dance was to "Wanted" by Hunter Hayes. Though it isn't either one of our favorite songs, it was somehow present for some major stepping stones in our relationship. One night when we first started dating, we went for a walk in Provo canyon. At a clearing, Dustan stopped and asked me to dance. After a few moments, he asked what song we were dancing to, and after some indecision, Dustan decided that we were dancing to "Wanted". That was when we shared our first kiss. Fast forward months, after many more instances of dancing to that song in the kitchen, Dustan took me on another walk after a picnic at Tibble Fork Reservoir, this time through American Fork canyon. Again, he asked me to dance and "Wanted" began to play. That was when Dustan proposed :) This song will always have a special place in our hearts.
Then came the bouquet and garter. Congrats to Shaley and Reggie, who should be getting married any day now! ;) Though not necessarily to each other, haha. My bouquet was so large and heavy that I was a little worried about hurting someone with it.
Infinity to the Infinity
We are going to be together for all eternity. Forever. That is a concept hard to grasp. But we have our entire lives and beyond to continue learning what it truly means. I know I could not have been more blessed to have Dustan, who is truly my better half. Happy one year of marriage, happiness, growing, and love.
