On 17th August, 9 of us made our way to Heathrow Airport for our flight to California. Kevin and I, Maid of Honour Zoe, Best Man Gareth, Kev's parents Mick and Edna, Bridesmaid Beth, Bridesmaid Yvonne and her boyfriend Andy. We had been waiting for this day for so long and couldn't believe it was finally here! So much so, Kev and Gareth stayed up talking all night instead of grabbing a few precious hours of sleep! We all met at the airport, went for a lovely breakfast and got ready for the long journey ahead!
We finally arrived in San Diego, checked in and fell into our beds! We spent a lovely few days exploring San Diego with our wedding day looming.
On the evening of 20th August, Kev and I shared a tearful kiss goodbye as we parted ways, next to see each other at the ceremony! I barely slept a wink that night as Zoe, Beth and I shared a room so Kev and I didn't see each other. Zoe and I excitedly woke Beth up at 5am, much to her protest but we just couldn't lay in bed awake any longer! We went for breakfast, Zoe liaising with Gareth to make sure they didn't go at the same time as us and we then returned to the room to start getting ready!!
At 9am, Helena arrived to do our hair and make up. I loved being made up, I felt so special! Edna gave me a manicure and pedicure and painted everyone's nails....as well as cracking open the wine! :)
We were all just about ready! The car was outside and we gathered our bits and pieces and made our way out, I really did feel like a Princess! It took us half an hour to drive to Coronado Island but it felt like hours! It was hot and I was starting to get nervous and excited all at the same time! I missed Kev and couldn't wait to see him again. We got to the beach and the car was met by our Officiant Renate. She presented us all with our bouquets and I was so pleased with them...beautifully done since they had been organised all over email!
A few pre-wedding photographs and we were ready to go! We had planned the wedding to be a very personal experience and wanted everyone to be involved! First to walk out onto the beach was Yvonne, then Beth, then Zoe and then Edna who we had asked to be ring bearer - she carried our wedding rings in a beautiful oyster shell - a lovely keepsake! Then it was my turn on the strong, supportive arm of my future father-in-law! Mick had been such a great father figure to me and it hadn't taken long for it to become clear to Kev and I that he was the man for the job! I had always been a traditional girl and I so much wanted to be 'walked down' the aisle. By now I was shaking and he held my arm and hand and lead me out! :D
And there he was - my gorgeous Fiance, very soon to be my Husband! As soon as I saw him, I wanted to run and hug him! I could see him crying and that started me off! We walked to "From this Moment On" Shania Twain, such a beautiful song! All I could see was Kevin, it didn't matter that I had a crowded beach full of people watching me...I didn't see any of them, just Kevin - the wonderful man I was about to marry!
The ceremony was absolutely beautiful, very personal and very emotional for everyone! We wrote our own vows and these really opened the flood gates! We had been through so much together over the past 18 months and now we were to begin a new journey! Edna read out a beautiful poem she had written for us which again made everyone cry! It was so lovely to have everyone involved!
We exchanged rings and were soon declared the brand new Mr and Mrs Bruns! That moment can never ever be altered, no one can touch that moment! There have been other equally happy occasions but hearing those words that we were married, I was Mrs Bruns were just something else. Something I never believed would happen, I never thought I would get married or be allowed to be happy but here I was, married to the most wonderful, supportive, gorgeous man ever and the happiest I had ever been! I was very emotional! We walked back down our sandy aisle to this beautiful song....off to begin our new dance together!!!
The photographer took us all over the beach, in between all the sun bathers who would look up, wish us luck and lay back down again! Beach weddings are obviously a regular occurrence in California! He took so many but here are just a few of our favourites:
From the beach, it was onto the Coronado Boathouse for our traditional Wedding Breakfast! It was everything I hoped for - wonderful food, company, view....and the speeches! Gareth and his Best Man speech had everyone in hysterics and then Mick... Since he had agreed to take on the 'father of the bride' role, it was his turn for the speech! It was beautiful...and there I was in tears again when he looked at Kev and said "take care of her Son!" Those wonderful words will never be forgotten!
We cut the cake, drank champagne and eventually staggered out way back to our hotel...
I got carried over the threshold and found our beautifully decorated room! I was drunk with happiness (and champagne!). Through all those day dreams as a little girl, I never once thought that one day I would get my beautiful Californian Beach Wedding. I did, my dream came true!
I felt so lucky, I had a wonderful husband and had married into such a lovely, supportive family! Surely, my life couldn't get any better! I didn't want that day to end......although we knew when we returned to England, we could do it all over again!!! :D
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