I now pronounce you: "Mr. & Mrs. Brian Beavan"

The best day of our lives has come and went. Despite 5 days of rain
leading up to the big day, it went off without a hitch. We moved our
ceremony inside to keep our guests dry. Thanks to only having 65
guests we were able to move everyone inside without overwhelming the
space.

Brian and I stayed separate the night before the wedding. I stayed at
my sisters with my Matron of Honor, 2 bridesmaids, 1 close friend, a
ring bearer and my niece Meredith. We danced and laughed. Perfect way
to calm my nerves. Brian stayed at a groomsmen’s house and I believe
it was just what the doctor ordered for him as well. I received a
message early Saturday morning from my to-be-groom: “See you in 14
hours”. I could hardly wait.

My bridesmaid, Amber and I

The morning of the wedding had arrived, as soon as I arrived at
Avenmar my bridesmaid Jess handed me a letter from Brian. It began:
“hi my beautiful bride”… I lost it. From that moment on every
sentimental moment, every joke and every song caused tears to roll.
Tears of pure joy. I was ready to see Brian and I made that apparent.

 

It was finally 4 p.m. and I was given the que, any minute now I would
be walking down the aisle to the rest of my life. I stood next to my
dad, who was in tears, and knew it was now or never. When we finally
reached the end of the aisle I noticed Brian had tears in his eyes…
SCORE!!! A crying groom. Certainly beats the alternative of a fainting
groom any day. My dad choked up as he gave me away. Our ceremony was
full of tears and laughter. Brian executed his vows flawlessly. What
says “meant to be” like both the bride and groom referencing football
in their personally written vows? Nothing. That’s what. Brian finished
his vows by welcoming me as “Co-Captain of Team Beavan”.

After our introduction to “I’ll be there for you” by the Rembrandts
(Yes, I am a Friends junky) and lighting of the memorial candles
signifying those who should have been with us on this day, we had our
first dance.

My husband surprised me with our first day song, choosing “Everything”
by Brad Paisley. Be still my beating heart. I asked why and he said it
just reminded him of me. I don’t know if it’s the reference to a
“curse word cause it’s Monday” or “stealer of the covers”… but I just
don’t believe it. ;)

I danced with my dad to “Butterfly Kisses” by Bob Carlise and Brian
with his mom to “Perfect Fan” by the Backstreet Boys.

My sisters Matron of Honor speech was perfectly written and didn't leave a dry eye in the room, the best mans was sweet and subtle. They complemented eachother well.

The food was remarkable. Our favorites. We picked chicken with a
mushroom marsala sauce and crab stuffed ravioli with a mashed potato
bar and various other salads and sides. I was warned by other brides
that I would never taste the food and “will hardly have time to eat”…
I cleared my plate. We enjoyed every last bite and took the time to
talk to each other. We made it a point to do this often and I can
honestly say I enjoyed my wedding night with my husband, it was our
day and I wanted to spend it with him, and I did. We talked, we
laughed and we cried. Brian said all of the right things, at just the
right times.

We kept it friendly for our cake tasting, and tasteful for the garter
removal. I surprised Brian with playing “Hail to the Redskins” during
the removal. Brian put the garter around a football that said “You’re
Next” and deliberately tossed to it Tony, his cousin’s long-time
boyfriend - after I purposefully ran the bouquet to her as she hid
behind the other ladies. They were good sports and laughed it off.

Brian and I were asked to dedicate songs to each other throughout the
reception and I chose Pitbull’s “Everything Tonight”. We have spent
many, many nights, dancing away to this song and it just seemed
fitting. Brian picked Brad Paisley’s “Then”.

After dinner the caterers set up our handmade popcorn bar which seemed
to be a hit!

Dinner and snacking complete, we ended the night to “Closing Time” by
Semisonic and headed off to Olde Town Pub in Leonardtown, the place of
our first date.

We sent guests off with CDs of wedding day music and songs that are
special to us.

 

 

 

See our photographers sneak peaks here: www.luluedward.com

One beer later and we were Soloman’s bound to spend our first night as
husband and wife.

Brian’s parents threw us a brunch that Sunday, we opened gifts and
relaxed before heading to Baltimore for the evening for our Monday
morning flight. Our first date that Sunday night was to a rotating
sushi bar (heaven, I tell you!) and to Bateman’s, Brian’s old college
hangout, to watch the Redskin’s sadly lose to the Cowboys. Shockingly,
still a perfect night, he must have meant it in his vows when he said
“come Redskins win, or Redskins loss”. We walked through his college
campus and shared laughs and more tears.

Mexico. Mexico is amazing. Perfect weather, sushi, Miami Vices’, mango
daiquiris, kayaking, massages, dinner on the beach. I could go on and
on. If you have not gone, you must. I could not have asked for a
better first week of marriage.

 

Now, onto our house countdown: 9 days!