JS - I Do [Ch 3]

Here is the last installment of the wedding series! Enjoy :)
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It was June 25th, my wedding day. Today I was marrying the love of my life. I couldn't be more excited and nervous at the same time. I had all my whole family here with me, my brothers were in the wedding. We had a ginormous wedding party. The biggest out the three friends. Our groomsmen included Mark, Eric, Jared, Sidney, Gino, and Cody. My nephew Parker is the ring bearer. Cydney is our flower girl. Lys' bridesmaids were Alex, Natale, Anna, Holly, Dineen, and Kaitlyn. Our theme was purple gold and black. I rolled out bed and glanced at the clock. The guys should be over here in about a half hour. I ventured to the bathroom and stepped into the shower. I thought of Lys. She and the girls should be getting their hair done at her hair dresser, Chrissy's salon. Lys told me she has been going to this lady for years. Chrissy gave Lys her first haircut. I just couldn't be more happy to marry her today! I finished washing up and stepped onto the bathroom rug. Then I heard the doorbell ring. I tightened my towel and went downstairs to answer the door.
"Hey little bro!" It was my brother Mark, my best man. Eric and Jared followed behind him.
"Hey guys." I told them.
"Mom and Dad said they would be over around 11." Jared informed me. I just nodded.
"There's some breakfast in the kitchen if you are hungry. I am going to get dressed."
"Nah I think you should get married in your birthday suit." Eric joked with me. I just laughed and ventured upstairs. I threw on a pair of underpants, shorts and a white tee before bounding down the stairs. When I reached the kitchen I noticed that Sidney and Gino had arrived. There was also a dozen of donuts in the middle of the island.
"Hey Jordan, Alex told me to bring us some donuts." Alex is always taking care of us. She is the mom out of the group. I reached for a glazed donut.
"That ones not yours!" I glanced over the box. Alex had each of the donuts customized. The filled donuts had little tuxes on the and glazed ones looked liked rings.
"She thinks of everything!" I concluded. Then took the designated groom donut. I glanced at the clock and heard the door bell. "That's probably mom." I walked to open the door and sure enough my parents stood on the other side.
"Hey sweetie. Why aren't you dressed?" Mom hugged me.
"Because the limo doesn't get here until 12." I replied. Her and dad were already dressed. I glanced over to the kitchen and noticed that most of my groomsmen were indeed dressed and ready to go. My mother gave me a stern look and I retreated upstairs to finish getting ready. When I came downstairs mother had her camera out and ready. All the groomsmen wore black tuxedos with a purple vest with a gold trimming.
"Big smiles everyone!" Mom took a few pictures with my brothers then with my friends and before we knew it we were in the limo on our way to the church. We were getting married in her church. This is the one where she was baptized, confirmed and raised. We pulled up in front of the Hungarian Reformed Church of Duquesne. Lys and her bridesmaid should already be here. They were using the parsonage to get ready. We walked into the church to see most of the church members welcoming people to their home.
"Hello Jordan!" Barbara, the church secretary, gave me a hug. "It's so nice to see you, is this your family?" I nodded and introduced my family to the church family. Everyone started to mingle and I went to go stand in the office with my best man. All the other groomsmen started to usher people down the aisle. Lys wasn't kidding when she said her church is gets hot in the summer. The 100 year old building doesn't have air conditioning. So Lys and I made some fans for everyone. I was sweating just standing still but I think it could be because of the nerves.
"Where you this nervous at your wedding?" I asked Mark.
"Nervous but excited." he replied. Just then reverend Posta came into the office.
"Hello hello!" he greeted us by shaking our hands. "Follow me." We did what we were told. We followed him down stairs, through the social hall to the back of the stage. He led us through a side door and up some more stairs. When we stopped we were in a room off to the side of the altar.
"That was pretty neat." Mark whispered in my ear. I heard the organist start to play soft tunes and I knew it was almost time to take my place at the altar. Lys had asked one of her friends from childhood, Matt, to play her wedding. Her mother is the normal organist of the church but she can't play and watch! Mark and I followed Rev out the door and stood in front of the altar. Jared escorted mom down the aisle with Dad close behind. Then Eric escorted Cathy. She took the seat next to Lys' grandmothers. That side of the church was completely filled. My side of the church was a bit different. I had about half the people in attendance than Lys had. I come from a big family but boy, she has me beat. Just then the doors opened and out walked Kaitlyn and Cody. They looked so adorable! Next was Dineen escorted Gino followed by Anna and Sidney, Holly and Jared, Natale and Eric. Alex, her matron of honor walked down next. Our flower girl and ring bearer, Cydney and Parker were adorable walking down the aisle. Finally the moment I have been waiting for...the music changed to the bridal march, everyone stood up. Then my heart stopped. Lys looked radiant. Jay looked happy too, carrying his daughter down the aisle. She looked absolutely stunning in her gown. It had crystal beading intricately designed on the bodice and had a full skirt on the bottom. She even had a lace shrug on her shoulders. She looked like a princess and her tiara was placed perfectly in her brown curls. When she reached me I was speechless. Jay gave her my hand then went to join Cathy. We proceeded up one more step to be in front of Rev. He started his welcome speech, then a little sermon after that it was vow time. I pulled out my little piece of paper.
"Alyssa, you are my better half. Before I met you I knew you were the one that I wanted to spend the rest of my life with. I promise to take care of you when you are sick, make you laugh when you are mad and comfort you in all other situations. I will support you and any wild dreams that you have because I believe in you. I love you with all my heart." As I said my vows I saw the tears in her eyes start to form and trickled down her beautiful skin. She sniffled before she started her vows.
"Jordan you are my rock. You are always there for me when I need you. I promise to always be there for you. I promise to support you through what ever changes may occur. I will be by your side always. I will take care of you when your ill, attempt to make you chicken noodle soup." I laughed. "Standby you if you were to be injured again. Hug you everyday. Kiss you unexpectedly. Hold you in my arms. I will love you everyday of my life, through all good and bad times. You bring out the best of me and through you I want to be a better person. I am thrilled to become your other half and walk this journey of life with you. I love you." Wow I don't think there was a dry seat in the house. Lys' vows were absolutely beautiful. I saw Rev even wipe away a tear. We then asked Parker for the rings and exchanged promises.
"I pronounce you husband and wife, you may kiss your bride!" I pulled Lys to me and laid one on her. The whole congregation cheered. We whispered I love you's before walking down the aisle as man and wife! We stopped outside on the landing and waited for everyone to pass. Everyone was congratulating us and Lys was trying to introduce me, and I her, but it really wasn't working. Mostly people wanted to get out of the hot church! I was glad to be outside. There was a little breeze. After everyone was outside I grabbed Lys' hand and walked through the crowd as they blew bubbles at us! We did a little spin and walked back into the church.
"Please everyone is invited down stairs for some coffee and snacks before leaving for the reception hall." Mark addressed the crowd. We made our way to the alter to take photos. Lys allowed herself 3 hours for picture taking. I know she is crazy about pictures. We decided to have a coffee hour so that way the guests weren't sitting at the reception hall for hours on end. So while everyone ate downstairs we were taking photos upstairs. Lys thought of every combination and she made things go smoothly. We took all of my family photos first. Starting with Mom and Dad then the brothers. Then grandparents. Then the brothers and family. My mom and dad stayed while her's got on the altar and it was the parents picture. Then it was just her family. She wanted one with all her first cousins. And then a photo with just her and her grandmas. That one looked so cute! I am sure it will be on display in our home. After families we took the bridal party pictures. Now the families can enjoy something to eat before we go.
"Where is Anna?" Lys asked.
"I think she is still eating." replied Dineen. Lys just laughed. That's typical Anna for you.
"I will go get her" Jared stated and raced back down stairs. They returned shortly and we got on with the pictures. Then we made our way outside to the party bus! The rest of our immediate families will take the limo. Lys had a stop along the way to the venue to get pictures. She wanted the Pittsburgh skyline in photos. So we stopped across the river and took some gorgeous pictures with the skyline behind us. We were there for about 20 mins before finally making our way to the venue. We decided to have it at Consol Energy Center. Saved us a bit of money since we rented the banquet room at a discount.
"Oh boys not so fast! I have a surprise for you!" Lys lead us to ice instead of the banquet hall. In the center of the rink stood the Stanley cup! I can't believe Lord Stanley will be apart of my wedding photos. I just pulled her into a kiss! This was an awesome surprise. It was so great to win the cup again! We all got our skates on and ventured to the center of the ice. The photographer was there ready to take some pictures.
"Oh you know I love you Lys!" Holly stated hanging onto to her partner Jared for dear life! We took a few photos with the entire bridal party surrounding the cup! Then we took a few photos of just Lys and I.
"You should lift it in the air." she told him and I did. She then came and kissed me on the cheek. I bet that picture turns out cute. We did various different shots on the ice. I am sure the photographer got a lot of candid skating shots! I can't wait to see how this turn out. We ventured off the ice. And put our shoes back on before making our grand entrance. I looked at the clock. It was almost 6! Lys couldn't have timed that better.
We made our big entrance and everybody cheered for us! It felt great having Lys introduced as Mrs. Jordan Staal. We walked out onto the dance floor with rest of the bridal party. When the cheers died down the DJ announced it was our first dance. Lys and I picked Sand In Your Shoes. Only it was my turn to surprise her. The music started and Dan came out and started singing on the stage. Gavin, David and Andy soon joined him. Her face was priceless. She couldn't believe one her favorite bands was here. I was happy to make the day more special. We finished the song and took our seats. This Providence would play more songs after dinner. Soft Rat Pack music started to pour through the speakers as dinner was served. Lys hated wedding food so she made the food choices simple. Guests could choose from a pasta dish, chicken, steak and fish. We also had a long cookie table. A bunch of her family members baked cookies for months on end! After we ate we started to make our rounds to talk to each table and take a photo with them. Lys loved her photography. We are going to have a large wedding album. We even had a photo booth with props. I glanced over at it; it seemed to be popular. I noticed her little cousins over there.
"Jordan these are my cousins, Bobby & Beth. There children Amanda her husband Chris, Rachel and her husband Pat, and Zack with his fiancée Shelby." She introduced me. It was nice to meet her family. I was happy to introduce her to my cousins as well. They all seemed to love her. And who wouldn't? After our rounds it was the father daughter dance. She chose "Brown-eyed Girl". It was so cute. Then it was my turn to take my mom for a spin on the floor. I chose "You Raise Me Up" the Josh Groban version. It was a beautiful dance and mom cried. She was the best! Then This Providence came back on the stage.
"Hey David!"
"Hey Alyssa. How are you?" I forgot how many musicians she knows. "Congratulations." He said and he smiled at her. They played about 5 or 6 upbeat songs. Then the DJ came back on so we could do the bouquet and and garter toss. Lys threw her bouquet in the air and it was caught by Anna! Then my brother Jared caught the garter. They would make a cute couple. We danced a set of slow songs. Lys wanted to dance with her grandmothers so in the set she played Neil Diamond’s “Forever in Blue Jeans” and Frank Sinatra’s version of “Moon River.” She ended the set with a Dean Martin favorite “That’s Amore.” She had her whole family on the floor as we got ready for the bridal dance. We gave out shots of whiskey or peach schnapps.
"Alex!" Lys stated. I currently was dancing with my cousin Sam when I glanced over to see Ovechkin dancing with my wife. She was smiling then changed to Backstrom. He kissed her on the cheek when they were done. I was happy to see her cousin Cydney dance with her next.
The next thing I knew Lys was grabbing her mom and grandma to come up on the dance floor. "Sweet Caroline...bum bum bum...Good times never seemed so good. so good so good so good! I've been inclined...bum bum bum..." They sang to the Neil Diamond tune. It was comical! I finally had my wife in my arms again. We started dancing to a slow set. "I love you." She whispered in my ear. "Today has been amazing. Thank you."
"Thank you. Your surprise Stanley cup photo shoot blew me away."
"You inviting This Providence to sing our wedding song was breathe taking." I smiled at her and kissed her beautiful lips. We finished the last set of songs before I lifted Lys into my arms. Everyone cheered as we headed to the elevator and down to the limo. We made out the entire ride home. Once the limo stopped in front of our house I picked her up in my arms again and carried her through the front door. This would now be our home. And once we get back from our honeymoon Lys plans on moving the rest of her things. I didn't set her down til I laid her across our bed upstairs. We made love the first time as husband and wife.
"Good morning Mrs. Staal." I kissed her forehead. I was thrilled that she was my wife. She completes me.
"Good morning Mr. Staal," she leaned up and kissed my lips. "What time is it?" I rolled over to see the clock on the night stand.
"9:43" I turned back to face her.
“Mr. Staal why are we up so early after our wedding?” she asked me and kissed me on the cheek.
“The reason, Mrs. Staal, is that we leave for our honeymoon today!” she smiled and kissed me full on the lips which turned into a little more than making out. By the time we were done making love we were running late to our own luncheon. We were having it at one of Lys’ favorite Italian restaurants Buca DiBeppo! Everyone was in the banquet room when we showed up.
“Nice of you to join us.” My brother Eric teased me. He knew what was going on. Lys and I took our seats at the table with our parents. They were just talking about how everything went smoothly yesterday. We only had a few minor problems but they were easily over looked. I looked over at my wife. She had this glow about her. She was as happy as I was to be married with her. After we all ate, Lys wanted more photos! Of course she did! We took a bunch more.
“Didn’t you take enough yesterday?” Alex asked her. And he reply was ‘no.’ Typical Lys.
“Have a safe flight to Taiwan!” Holly hugged us on her way out when the photo taking was over. Lys and I were headed to Taiwan for a few days then to Hong Kong, to see the Great Wall of China and last to Tokyo, Japan. We would be gone for a total of 3 weeks. She was excited to go and she showed me all these cool attractions that convinced me to go!
“Thank you for everyone who came out to spend this magical day with us!!! See you in a few weeks!” she stated to whom was left at the luncheon before we said good to our families. We hugged and kissed everyone goodbye before we headed back to the house to finish up the packing.
“I love you Mr. Staal.” She kissed me.
“I love you Mrs. Staal.” This was going to the beginning of a great future!

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Comments welcomed!