Eileen & Scott

Their Wedding Story

Scott proposed to me on April 5, 2003 and we planned our wedding for May 29, 2004.  So, we had a little over a year to plan our and found that the timing was perfect.  We were able to get most of the planning done in the summer time (2003) and were able to relax and work on the “small minor” details throughout the year. We learned that it was best to book the bigger things (i.e. DJ, Church, Reception, Photographers, Videographers) as early as possible, due to getting a better chance of them being available. 

          Our family and friends started arriving 4 days before the wedding. As they started arriving, we were getting more and more excited, but surprisingly we weren’t nervous.  We were able to spend time with everyone, the guys went golfing and the girl’s got massages.  Our Rehearsal was the evening before the wedding and that’s where everyone learned where to stand and what to do.  It was nice to be able to practice with everyone there and walk through all the steps.  It was a “non pressure zone” and of course everyone was laughing and joking around.  We had our Rehearsal Dinner at a very nice Restaurant, Cabernet, in Alpharetta which was conveniently located between the church, Alpharetta Presbyterian Church, and the reception site, Alpharetta Marriott, where most of our guests were staying. The restaurant made up special menu’s for our party and gave excellent service. 

          Scott and I had decided not to see each other the day of the wedding until the ceremony began.  However, we both woke up early and “text messaged” each other to say “good morning”.  The girls then met to go get their hair done.  It wasn’t until I was in the chair and the hairdresser put my veil on, that I got even more excited.  Something about looking into that mirror and seeing myself all “done up” with the veil felt great.  I had several friends there with me that kept me smiling, laughing and comfortable. I do remember that my veil was in so tight, or should I say too tight that my head was pounding and hurting very badly.  I asked the hairdresser several times to loosen it and she tried but the pain kept coming back.  I was very uncomfortable with that and ended up taking a ton of Advil to make the pain go away. We then went and got Chick-fil-A on the way to the hotel where we were going to do our make up.  I saw a few guests in the lobby and they just “lit up” when they saw me in regular clothes, with a veil and carrying a Chick-fil-A bag.  I guess I did look kind of silly.  The lady at the front desk remarked at how together I was and that she had never seen a bride so calm before.  I couldn’t decide if it was actually because I was calm or just quiet because my veil was still hurting me!  Once we were done with our make up, we had time to sit and talk for a little while. 

We then made our way to the limo which was waiting for us, to take us to the church.  While riding in the limo my maid-of-honor, Traci, got a phone call from Scott.  He was asking her to ask me where my insurance info was because he had been driving my car and someone had rear ended it.  After finding out that he was ok, and him promising he would still be at the church on time, I was fine.  However, when we arrived at the church, the doors were locked and the flower guy had been waiting for 45 minutes.  We were all talking about what to do, and before I had time to panic, the wedding coordinator of the church showed up. (Late) Without apologizing, she unlocked the doors and we were able to get in and start putting on our dresses.  While getting ready, I got a “taste” of what it would be like to be on a reality show with video cameras following you around.  It was a little weird at first, but then, I learned to “block it out”.  After, we all were ready the photographers showed up and were impressed that everyone was ready on time.  They told us they had never arrived somewhere ready to shoot where everyone was ready to go.  We then began taking pictures (inside, outside, look straight, right, left, smile, don’t smile, pictures alone, pictures with friends, etc.)  Luckily, our photographers were not pushy at all and they did an excellent job of taking several pictures.  Throughout the picture process, all I could do was smile.  I was so thrilled that in just a couple of hours I would be married!!

          After all the girls’ pictures were done I was able to take pictures with the Guys (except for Scott). I waited for them in the sanctuary of the church and as I saw the first guy, Shawn, walk in I started to tear up.  I was like, “Okay this is it…there are Scott’s closest friends and they are here because we are getting married.”  It was almost like I felt they were officially “accepting” me into their group of friends.  Needless to say, they were laughing and joking throughout the picture session. 

          When I was done with my pictures, I went back to the room where we were getting ready.  The girls then left to take pictures with Scott and I had a few moments with my mom and a friend’s mom.  Scott and I had written letters to each other right after we got engaged that we were not allowed to read until our wedding day.  We wrote about our feelings and what we would think the past year being engaged would be like and what we want our future to be like.  I used this time to read the letter and had to break several times to I didn’t mess up my make up from the tears.  It was a very sweet letter and it just reassured me that we were in this together and it’s going to be forever!!

          Soon, the girls came back and it was time to “change” rooms.  I had to be taken to a different part of the church, so the guest wouldn’t see me beforehand.  We waited in another room and this is where my dad and Scott’s parents saw me.  My dad is one of my best friends and I knew it was going to be a sad, yet, joyful day for him.  He told me I looked beautiful and that he was happy for me.  My dad is a prankster and made me laugh a few times while waiting for the ceremony to begin.  When we lined up and I heard the music begin I felt calm, as the line got shorter and shorter my heart started beating faster and faster.  My dad then emerged from the back part of the room with a toupee on his head and a sign that read “I love you” (which had been an old time joke).  He eased the “tension” in the room, made me laugh and I had to collect myself once more.  After my niece, the flower girl, began to walk, they closed the doors so no one could see me.  Again, my heart started beating as fast as it could and I was taking some pretty deep breaths.  My dad was on my right arm and I never turned to look at him fearing that I would start balling.  I heard the “church bells” and knew it was my turn.  I said to my dad “this is it” and took another deep breath.  The doors opened and we began to walk slowly and steadily down that aisle.  It was a strange feeling, having everyone stand and stare at me, but it was nice at the same time.  I’ve never been one for much attention, but on this day I deserved it!  I locked eyes with Scott as soon as I could and stayed focused on him while tuning everything else out.

          When I reached the top of the aisle and was faced with Scott, Michael (our pastor) and my dad, all I thought about was “don’t lock my knees” (if you do, you have a better chance of passing out).  I remember Michael beginning to speak but I didn’t hear everything he said at first.  I was too busy rocking back and forth on my legs trying not to lock my knees.  It seemed (and was) much longer than in rehearsal for my dad to shake hands with Scott and have a seat.  Once that was done and my hands were being held by Scott’s, I felt an instant connection.  I think just having the feeling of his hands around mine and looking into one another’s eyes made nothing else in the world matter at that moment.  I then listened to Michael and the things he said.  We had two readers during our ceremony and I remember after lighting the unity candle while one of the readers was speaking, I looked over at Scott and asked how my car was.  (Since it had been in an accident and I already knew HE was OK) J  We laughed for a second and then collected ourselves to finish the ceremony.  When we said our vows, we were facing one another and looking into one another’s eyes and I was thrilled that I was able to get them all out without messing up, or breaking down crying. Before the wedding we had pretended to practice our “vows” when we were with each other, but we always ended up laughing!  However, this day was different.  When you have all of your family and friends watching and you know it’s for rear, there is no joking around.  What we said was true and powerful.  We then exchanged rings and continued with our promises to one another.  I felt like “this is fun…. I’m FINALLY getting to put a ring on HIS finger” (that had been a joke for the past year as well…me wanting him to have a ring so everyone would know that he’s TAKEN) Soon after that, came the “You May Kiss Your Bride” line and he just reached out for me and pulled me close and planted one right one me! (That was practiced before hand too) J  We were then turned to face our family and friends and announced Mr. & Mrs. Scott Kuhn, the best feeling in the world!  As we walked down the aisle I was still in my “zone” and didn’t really remember seeing who was sitting where.  I was too wrapped up in Scott at that moment. 

After existing the sanctuary and making it to our “holding room” while the guests lined up for our exit into the limo we were swarmed with the wedding party and close family.  Everyone was congratulating us and giving us hugs and kisses. I have never felt so loved by so many people at one time.  It was amazing and I loved every minute of it!  We then staged a “mock” leaving by walking through a line edged with our friends, family and former students (I’m a teacher) who were blowing bubbles.  We got in the limo and the limo drove around to the back of the church to let us go back inside for more pictures.  During those pictures I was thinking, “WOW, I’m married now, this is great”.  After pictures, the whole wedding party got into the limo’s and went to the reception site.  We used a side door entrance to keep “hidden” from our guests while we got situated.  That is when our DJ met us and went over the order of how things would run, asked last minute questions and prepped us for our BIG PARTY!

          The wedding party was soon announced into the reception and that’s when Scott and I shared our First Dance, Cross My Heart.  The song was only about 3-4 minutes but it felt like forever, because everyone was watching us.  After the dance, Todd, Scott’s brother and Best Man gave a toast, as well as, my father.  They both did an excellent job and made us feel welcomed in each other’s families. 

          After that we attempted to eat dinner, but didn’t get much down.   We had put together a video for our family and friends to watch and we enjoyed watching their faces and reactions.  We then tried to get around to each table to thank our guests for coming, but the room was huge and there were a lot of people so we didn’t make it to every table.  It was time for me to dance with my Dad.  The song was Butterfly Kisses, which had been our song for years.  I thought for sure I was going to cry through the whole thing, but we started talking about the day and how the evening was going.  I remember asking him during that dance, if he could tip the DJ for us because we had forgotten to leave money out for that. J The only part of the song I remember listening to was the part about the wedding day.  It was really special to me and I assured my dad that he wasn’t losing his baby girl!

          The party quickly began after that and the time flew!  Soon people were telling us goodbye and they had a great time and we were like, “What?  The party just began”, but it was pretty late so we started making our rounds to say good-bye.  We had our guests circle around the dance floor as we played our last song, I Hope You Dance, and we danced for the first couple of verses.  We then decided to go around the circle and thank our family and friends for being there to help us celebrate.

          Since we were staying in the same hotel where the reception was being held we didn’t have to leave in a limo.  Instead, all of our guest lined up and leaded us towards the elevator. It was cool to see everyone one last time before being swept away for the night.  Once we got up to the room, Scott had gotten red rose pedals and spread them through the entire suite.  He had a bottle of champagne and chocolate covered strawberries waiting for us too.  It was such a sweet way to end the night with yet another romantic gesture! The rest of the night was history!! 

And That Is How It Is Done!