10-12-2002 The Big Day, part 1

So we set the date of 10/12/2002, again, just six weeks after we had met online.

We decided that we wanted an outdoor wedding, so the search for the perfect spot began....

We really wanted to goto Columbia MO to a winery that was on the cliff's of the Mighty MO...(Misouri River), but being it was October and the folidage was just gorgeous that time of year, it was impossible to get a date. So we started looking at local parks and ended up chosing Weston Bend State Park up in Weston, MO.

We had found the perfect spot, then we talked about finding someone to marry us, what to wear, who we wanted there, who to stand with us, who to take pictures, etc...

I have some very good friends (Carl & Margo) and he just happened to be an Assembly of God Pastor in a small church in Everton, MO. Carl agreed to meet with us and then said he would marry us.

Doug had a dear friend that has the love of photography and he agreed to take our pictures the day of and to give us all of what he took - YEAH! I am a picture nut and loved having ALL of the images, not just what we had money to buy.

We had decided that since we really wanted it to be a small wedding and did not want to pick and choose who we would invite to the wedding that it would be a family only wedding and that we would hold an open house later on.

So now who to stand with us and be our witnesses.... Now this ended up being the most sentimental part of the planning... I talked this over with Doug and he agreed. So our Mom's stood with us. We decided that we wanted them to do this, since they have both been there for us and we wanted their support within ouur future together! I think that they were both very honored to stand with us.

My Mom & Dad decided that they wanted to help a little, so they bought my dress and had a luncheon for us all after the ceremony.

So the day started out gloomy, overcast and a tad bit rainy, but that did not stop us...to be continued