I can't believe tomorrow it will be a year! An entire year since I married my best friend. I jumped on the blog the other day just to look at the post I did of the proposal, wedding, and reception. And that's when I realized that I completely suck and never wrote about our reception. So here is the post on the reception! 

We decided to have a backyard party at our home. This was a pretty big decision for me because our home is still a huge construction zone. But I think it turned it out great. So please ignore the house that still needs new siding. We rented a big tent, tables, chairs, and a bar. It was complete with lots of Mai Tais and a delicious pig roast. We even had karaoke! Here are the photos in no special order. (All photos were taken by friends, mostly my best friend Danielle)

You can view all the photos in a better quality size on our Flickr. 

Read the Proposal

Read about our Wedding

I was trying to find the best way to show our photos from Maui and not have a huge post filled with photos. So I added the slideshow below. You can also view them here.

I now pronounce you husband and wife. 

After the proposal things moved a little fast and are kind of a blur. We had to drive about an hour back to the hotel to change into different clothes and do my hair. Then drive back to almost the same place to get our marriage license and meet the Minster on the beach. Tony had it all planned before we left for Maui and the Minister planned to meet us at sunset.

Where we exchanged our vows!

The most stressful part of the day was telling my parents and siblings at the same time. I wanted to Oovoo them, but that didn't quite work out because they weren't all together. I ended up calling all of them on 3-way. 

Me: I was just calling to let you know that it's 83 degrees here.... 

Them: laughing & crying... (saying things at the same time).

Me:  It's 83 degrees and we're on our way to get married. 

Pause

Pause

Them: WHAT??

If you know me this "breaking the news" story fits me so well. I loved hearing my family realize what I said and the excitement coming from the other end of the phone. My Dad was a little upset that he would not be able to walk me down the aisle, but was very excited for us.

I didn't bring a dress to get married in and I didn't have the time to find one so I just wore a simple dress I brought with me.  It was less then fifteen dollars on sale at JcPenney. HA! 

After we picked up our marriage license we had a little time so we stopped at Da Kitchen in Kihei for a quick dinner.  We should have shared a meal because I had 2 bites. But it was so good! Make sure to check them out. 

The ceremony started with a lei exchange. This was so sweet and I'm so happy we decided to do this. We brought them home and they are currently drying. Hopefully, we are able to save them. Another sweet part of the ceremony was the Hawaiian ring blessing. I enjoyed it and it's a little something extra that will be a great memory.  

This was the best day of my life. It was perfect. I can't believe that Tony planned this entire thing with out my help. It just makes it even more special.

Us with Rev. Ron Lowery

We stood on the beach saying our vows. The weather was beautiful. Sand in my toes and blue skies behind us. We had whales within a few hundred yards of us. No stress. No crazy expenses. For some the traditional wedding would be their choice and I love that. I'm in 3 this year! But for Tony and I, this was the perfect choice. It will be a story we tell for years. Forever.

PS - Don't mind the crazy hair. I had like 5 minutes to do it and I'm on the beach! 

Read the Proposal

Read about our Reception

It was Friday January 27th and we were in Maui! It was supposed to be in the 80s that day and the wind from the ocean would make that weather perfect. 

We I decided we would go snorkeling and then go to the Haleakala Crater for the sunset. Tony was not really helping much on the plans that day for some reason. It was very early in the morning. Neither one of us could sleep, this was our first full day and the time change is 5 hours behind Michigan. So I told him to pack his things for both snorkeling and the crater. The crater is very cold so we would need warm things. 

Shortly after being on the road Tony mentioned that he didn't want to do the crater today that we would do it a different day. A little confused that we just spent all that time getting our stuff ready I just said whatever and continued to look at the map for places to snorkel.  

The main road we take in West Maui is the Honoapiilani Highway or 30. It runs along the coast and gives you an amazing view of the ocean and the lava formations that you drive through along the road. It also gives you a great view of the breaching whales and the spray from them breathing.  If you go to Maui you must go during whale season!

We pulled off at a stop to watch the whales and they were everywhere! I was looking through the binoculars and Tony was pointing them out to me. He was pointing toward one and told me to "focus right at the end of his finger". Now I'm sure all of you know that at the end of his finger was a ring. A ring for me. However, I didn't know that. And said "Well move your finger so I can focus on the whale". FAIL! Tony put the ring back in his pocket and started thinking of a new way to propose. 

I had planned to go snorkeling in South Maui. I heard there were a lot of amazing spots on the coast to snorkel. We stopped at LuLu's Kihei for breakfast. If you go there get the Pulled Pork Omelet. YUM! The service is amazing also! Our Server, Tony, gave us some more hot spots for snorkeling. 

After we were done eating we started looking for a Snorkel Bob's for our gear. This is when Tony mentioned that he forgot his swimming trunks. Hello? What were you thinking about at the hotel when I was mentioning everything we were doing today?

We picked up our gear and Tony decided he would just swim in the shorts he had on. So we drove to end of the road in South Maui to La Perouse Bay. It was so beautiful. 

We put our gear on and snorkeled out. I was pretty scared because this place was a little murky, but Tony assured me I was fine and talked me into going out farther. 

We were underwater snorkeling and pointing at different fish and coral. One of the times he pointed he was holding a ring in front of me. I responded with "WHAT IS THAT" under water through my snorkel. But it was clear as can be! I thought he found it in the coral or something. HA! I grabbed it from him and came out of the water to look at it. That is when I realized what he was doing. O.M.G! 

It was wonderful. He said a few things (Very sweet I'm sure. I kind of can't remember I was in shock).

I do know he asked me if I would marry him. I said yes. He then asked if I would want to do it in Maui. I said are you kidding me? He said no what about tonight at sunset! After some giggling and are-you-kidding-me phrases I realized he wasn't kidding. I said... Lets do it! 

Read about our Wedding

Read about our Reception

We are back from Maui and have some exciting news! Not only did Tony propose but we also got married. We were engaged for about 6 hours. HA! I was totally surprised. More to come later on all the great stories from Maui. But I just wanted to stop in share the news and share a photo of the rings! 

Read the Proposal

Read about our Wedding

Read about our Reception