June 30, 2007

THE WEDDING

It was beautiful. Spencer and I keep thinking back on how fun it was, how good it was and to see everyone and mostly how wonderful it was to stand in front of all our friends and family and commit to spending eternity with each other. Once in a lifetime.

The hourly breakdown of the day:

8:00 a.m.
I spent the night before my wedding in our new apartment. Spencer popped in early to surprise me. Of course I was awake already. I ran and jumped into his arms. We could hardly believe today was the day we had counted down toward for so long? We were giddy!

9:00-11:00 a.m.
Manicures and hair appointments. One day to act like a movie star.

12:00-1:00 p.m.
By noon my sisters had called me and wanted me to come get ready at the mansion which was a blur of activities. Last minute preparations on the food along with the set up of tables and chairs seemed to be keeping everyone busy. I think I ate something and put on some make up. Then we rushed to the temple. All along during our engagement Spencer has teased me that I’d be late for my own wedding. I was determined to prove him wrong. This included almost leaving my father at the house.

1:30-2:00 Get me to the Church on time
We walked up to the recommend desk at the Salt Lake Temple where all visitors to the temple must show their temple recommend to ensure that they are practicing members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

I had always seen the brides around the temple being hurried from one place to the next. It was very exciting to be one of them. The Salt Lake Temple has a system for tracking brides, veils and coordinating them with rooms, flowers and grooms that the postal system would envy. I think I was number 147. Lacing the strings on my corset took over half an hour but finally they ushered me into a room where Spencer was patiently waiting. Since we walked in the front door we were ushered through Recommend Desk, Meeting rooms, dressing rooms, waiting rooms and then finally the ceremony.

2:20 For Time and All Eternity
I wasn’t at all afraid or nervous. Finally the moment had come and I couldn’t stop smiling and squeezing Spencer’s hand in anticipation. One of the most special parts was that my Grandfather performed the ceremony. It was very simple yet beautiful. I loved holding Spencer’s hand the whole time. I loved looking around the room and seeing all my family and friends. I love that God provided a way for us to spend our lives together. I am so grateful for the ordinance of marriage.

My grandfather said “Mr. Steinmann you can now help Mrs. Steinmann up.” We hugged everyone at the door and then walked out. One moment you are single the next you are married. We couldn’t stop smiling. We couldn’t stop hugging. It was wonderful.

3:30-5:30 The steps of the Temple.
Thirty minutes and three petticoats later we emerged from the labyrinth beneath the temple to the famous door where all brides emerge. I’ve waited for dozens of brides to come out the door at the temple so I was very aware of the procedure as an observer. It is very different to be the focus of attention and I didn’t really get used to it the whole day.

Did Brigham Young know that the steps of the temple would become such a photo op all those years ago? How many brides do you think have been photographed on them? 2 million? 10 million?

We had a German photographer. My father in law Heinz a German native had his childhood friend fly in from Germany to photograph the wedding. Any German run operation can be summed up in one word. Efficient. We have over 1000 pictures. You can only do it once so you might as well remember every detail.

5:00 -6:00 Before reception
I stuffed my self and my dress into a car and rode five blocks up the street to the Mansion. I’d been living in the beautiful Parley-Williams Mansion in the Avenues for a year. My land lord was gracious and allowed me to have my reception in the beautiful old mansion. The mansion was built in 1881 and has over 4,500 square feel. It was beautiful restored by its previous owners. You can read a little about the mansions history here: http://www.hgtv.com/hgtv/rm_restoration_homes_areas/article/0,1797,HGTV_3787_1378902,00.html The main floor has four gorgeous fireplaces. We covered them with flowers and set up tables. The whole evening I felt like I’d traveled back in time to when the mansion was new…standing there in a corset and an evening gown...greeting guests in the parlor.

6:00 – 8:00 The Reception
Thank you to everyone who came! It was so wonderful to see everyone. Contrary to what I’d previously believed you really do remember who came through your line and supported you at your wedding.

We cut the cake, threw the bouquet and did the German wedding tradition of sawing the log to represent working together as a couple.

Luckily at 8:30 Grandpa Allred reminded Spencer that he had other places to go by saying “Don’t you have other clothes to change into?” Bless my Grandpa’s heart!

9:30 The Honeymoon

Under penalty of death no one had decorated our car. After a wonderful day with family and friends we managed to make a pretty quiet get away. We fled the heat of the valley and drove up into the mountains to the beautiful Cliff Lodge at Snowbird. Their surrounded by the beautiful mountains was the most wonderful way to end the perfect wedding day.