Well, it's been 11 days since our wedding and I figured I would post an update. As a background, since I don't post very often, I have 4 skids....SD15 and SD12 with BM1, and SS5stb6 and SS4 with BM2. SDs were bridesmaids, and SSs were groomsmen. SDs seemed to be excited leading up to the wedding. SSs are always excited about everything lol. The wedding was in Philadelphia (where I'm from). DH is originally from London.

Wedding weekend arrived and SDs flew up with DH's mom (who was in from England for the wedding). I picked them up and took them on a tour of Philadelphia, and to see Temple University (SD15 is starting to think about colleges). DH and flown to Texas to pick up SS6 and SS4. The girls really liked Philadelphia and we all kept rapping the "Fresh Prince of Bel Air" theme song lol. We saw the Love statue and took pictures, the Comcast center, the independence center, and went in and saw the Liberty Bell. Everyone had a blast. When DH and the SSs got into town, we all met at Chickie & Pete's, a Philly sports bar, for a nice Philly-style dinner.

The next day, Saturday, we got up and had breakfast at the hotel. Then I took SD15, SD12, and MIL back into Philly. We visited the University of Pennsylvania and Drexel University, then went for lunch at Reading Terminal market (yum!). Then we got our wedding manicures & pedicures. Everyone had a really nice time and their nails looked great. We went back to the hotel to get ready, then Saturday night was our rehearsal dinner. DH took SS6, SS4, and FIL to a car museum and to the Franklin Institute.

Unfortunately, the rehearsal dinner is a very small venue, so we were split into 2 tables. I put the kids and their cousins (ages 23-27) from England at one table, and DH, Me, my family and his family at the other. Dinner was nice, and everyone got along well. We did some toasts, and then presents! I got SDs (and my sister, who was my maid of honor) silk robes embroidered with their first initial. I also got SDs a jewelry box engraved with their monogram. They seemed to really love it! We had a few speeches, then all went back to the hotel. I was so tired so I went to bed early since the wedding was the next day.

Wedding morning, we got up and got all the skids breakfast. DH rented a 1965 Shelby for our wedding car, so he took turns taking us all for a spin. The kids had a blast, and I did as well! After this, I kicked DH out of our hotel room, and our babysitter took SS6 and SS4 to a kids museum. Then me, MIL, SD15, SD12, and my sister started the process of getting ready! I had my friend (who is a makeup artist in California) fly out to do all of our makeup. The SDs and MIL had SO much fun, you should have seen their faces! They loved getting primped and pampered. The makeup girl even put a few fake eyelashes on everyone. Everyone looked so pretty. I didn't even recognize myself! (I normally don't wear a ton of makeup, but I was pretty much airbrushed).

I also had a hair stylist come and do everyone's hair. My mom and MIL got "formal blowouts". MIL beat breast cancer last year, so her hair is pretty short. She never gets to be primped or pampered, so you could tell she really enjoyed it. I told SDs they could do their hair however they wanted. They both chose half up half down with formal twists at the top, it looked great. My sister and I got updos. Then I said goodbye to everyone and my dad drove me to the yacht club, our venue.

DH and I did our "first look" at the yacht club alone (with the photographer). It was nice to have some alone time before the wedding. I know this isn't the norm, but we wanted to do some pictures without all the kids and family, without missing too much of our cocktail hour.

Then we went downtown. We did some pictures at Broad & Spruce in front of city hall, and some in Reading Terminal market. I was starving so we stopped for cannollis at Termini's LOL. After pictures, we went back to the hotel, where everyone was finishing up getting ready. We helped get the boys dressed (our babysitter was pretty lazy and just sat around). Then we headed over to the venue. Some people were already there, so we ran upstairs as to not be seen by too many. As usual there was a bit of pre-wedding chaos. We realized we forgot the rings and our marriage license! Luckily my parents were still at the hotel and grabbed them.

We went through the ceremony with the guy who runs the yacht club, and our reverend. There was a wedding there the day before, so we weren't able to have a rehearsal. Then everyone was seated and the music started...GO TIME!

DH and the reverend walked down the aisle. Then MIL and FIL, then my brother walked my mom. SD15 walked SD6 down the aisle, and SD12 walked SS4 down the aisle. Then my brother (groomsman) walked my sister (MOH) down the aisle. Then my dad walked me. It was all so surreal and beautiful. We got married at a yacht club right on the water. It was perfect weather, the sun was shining and beautiful blue skies.

We started the ceremony with a "rose ceremony" We had a vase engraved with our last name and wedding. DH and I each had a rose, and so did each skid. The reverend said "One flower by itself is the representation of a single soul but a bouquet of flowers is the pure representation of a Family. CBCHarlotte and DH, you are combining your strengths and hopes in this marriage. Your decision to marry will also shape and deeply affect the lives of SD15, SD12, SS6, and SS4. Today we acknowledge and celebrate not only the creation of a marriage, but also the creation of a family. Each of you will contribute your individual blossoms to this new entity, combining your special selves into a rich and beautiful bouquet to symbolize your family. CBCHarlotte and DH please place your rose in the vase…Now GD15, SD12, SS6, and SS4 please place your rose in the vase." It was nice to involve then in the ceremony. No one protested or cried or pouted. Everyone was smiling and happy.

The ceremony went pretty smooth. We were right near the airport, thus under a flight path, which was pretty funny. We had to take some breaks due to the noise! The best part was a surprise to the guests. Shortly before our vows, the manager of the yacht club pulled my two SSs out of their seats and took them with him behind us down the dock. After our vows and when we did our first kiss, the boys shot off a cannon! It was such a cool moment. It was a small cannon, maybe 2 feet long, but still loud! They thought it was so cool.

We did a bunch of family pictures, then off to cocktail hour under the tent. Luckily, our venue had a playground, so SSs and the babysitter headed there. Dinner was inside the yacht club and was delicious. We had all the skids (and the babysitter) at our table. After SSs were finished, they were playing under the table IN my wedding dress, it was so cute. It had a few layers of a tulle like material, which they had a blast in. I took some fun pictures of them essentially making a fort of my wedding dress. We had some speeches; my dad made one, and DH and I said a few words thanking everyone for coming. I gave the microphone to SS6 and whispered "say thank you everyone for coming", and the kid improvs a whole speech!!! It was something like "Thank you everyone for coming. This is so much fun. It's nice to meet you all, I love you all. Thank you" It was possibly the cutest thing ever!

Then we went back outside and did our first dance. We danced to an Arctic Monkeys cover of "Baby, I'm Yours" which was very "us". Then I danced with my dad to Sinatra "I Wish You Love", DH danced with his mom to "Wonderful Tonight" by Clapton. Then, DH danced with SD15 and SD12 to two 45 second or so portions of two songs that have their names in the title. It was very sweet. Then the party began!

Our band was AMAZING!!! Everyone danced all night. We had a photobooth, which lots of people used, and they gave us an album with all the pictures and a USB drive with digital copies. We had the best time. Everything was perfect, and I wouldn't have changed a thing!!! Skids all had fun and behaved, and seemed to be truly happy that we were getting married. Babysitter took SSs back to the hotel right before we cut our cake. At the end of the night, a lot of people took the hotel shuttle home, then DH and I drove home in the Shelby. Back at the hotel, a lot of us stayed out until 2 or so on the outdoor patio by the firepit, hanging out.

Then off to bed

SDs flew home alone the next morning (on the same flight as two girlfriends of mine) and DH flew the boys home early. All in all, it was a perfect wedding day and wedding weekend! I wouldn't change a thing. I'm glad the skids seemed happy and at peace.

Since the wedding, not much has changed besides my last name! We didn't go on a honeymoon....we are going to go to Italy in May. We facetime pretty often with SSs, who live in Texas. SDs and I are just as close, and I don't see any change or weirdness since I married their dad. SD12 still calls me for help with her math homework, SD15 still wants to go shopping with me. Hopefully that will all stay!

Right now, it feels really good to me married; more "legitimate". I'm not just "that older guy's girlfriend" or "dad's girlfriend", I'm his wife. Even DH says it feels so much more "complete". We've been in wedded bliss for 11 days and counting.

Sorry for lots of detail....some people like that stuff so I thought I'd share