Weddingbee Blog

I’m that person who arrives 30 minutes early for EVERYTHING. I have this fear of being late. Even when it looks like we will be a millisecond late for something, my stomach will start to turn and I will get uncomfortable and jittery. So, it came as a surprise to me that I was late for Mr Dolphin’s and my wedding ceremony. I blame Seminole Bridesmaid for making me take off my beloved Skagen watch.

Only kidding! I totally love Mrs. Seminole Bridesmaid, but it was seriously too much fun making this image. I think deep down I’m having Seminole Bridesmaid withdrawals.

photo by Starks Photography, culprit stamping by Mrs. Dolphin

Let me set the stage for a complete groom freak-out.

My bridal posse and I are still at the bridal suite and it’s 5PM (our ceremony is at 5:15 PM). We have NO CLUE who is going to take us to the Clubhouse where we will be transferred (via golf cart) to the ceremony on the golf course. So, my ladies and I pile into our cars and drive our butts to the Clubhouse where the staff starts to bring out cheese and fruit trays, along with drinks, for us to pig out on. We cool off and pig out for a few minutes and then wonder: where are these dang golf carts? Finally, golf carts show up and start whisking away bridesmaids…1 at a time. Cue freaked out groom.

Look how excited Mr. Dolphin looks, thinking I’m going to be there any minute. To my defense, I do see bridesmaids in golf carts in the background. We are trying to get there on time. Mr. Dolphin is walking with our Rent-a-Priest. No, really, we went to Rentapriest.com and found him. We are cool like that.

Out of nowhere my iPhone starts ringing. Yes, I carried my iPhone in my clutch. I’m ridiculous I know. Anyways, on the phone is Mr. Dolphin. He’s at the altar, the trio is playing, and everyone is waiting for me! He says a quick, “You better get your butt over here right this instant,” then hangs up. At this point, my stomach turns and I start to get jittery and uncomfortable. I couldn’t believe I was late to MY OWN WEDDING!!!

I think by the time I got to the ceremony we were running 15 minutes late (although Mr. Dolphin will say it was later). I wouldn’t have felt that bad (as weddings do run late sometimes) but our guests were sitting in the sun on a hot May day in FLORIDA. Our poor guests—good thing we provided them with cute packaged water bottles!

Our guests LOVED them.

Needless to say, Dolphin Dad came to the rescue and got me to altar before Mr. Dolphin had a conniption.

But, not before these sweet young thangs walked down the aisle. Seriously, Little K and B are the CUTEST EVER. B’s suit and vest combo is the cutest thing I’ve ever seen.

And the way B helps Little K down the aisle…adorbs.

Now, it’s Dolphin Dad’s and my turn. I have to admit, at this point I was getting pretty nervous. Nervous to walk on the grass in 3″ heels without stepping on my dress. Nervous to walk through that crowd of people before finally getting to my sweetie. Nervous because the time had finally come (after 8 long years) for Mr. Dolphin and me to get married, and I wanted it to be perfect (and it was).

Dolphin Dad helping with some last minute adjustments and, we’re off!

For me, the walk felt like FOREVER. Our aisle was relatively short, but having so many eyes on my dad and me made me SUPER nervous. I’m not really one to want to be the center of attention, so this was almost more than I could handle. I just held on tight to my dad, took a deep breath, and walked towards my future husband.

Hello Mrs. Dolphin’s nervous face. So glad you could join us during this special moment when a GAZILLION pictures will be taken. Dolphin Dad saves the day by looking so good in his Bond-esque attire.

Nerve-racking moment #2 - not being able to see my groom as I walk down the aisle. I blame the SUN for being so gosh darn bright that day (although I prayed for good weather for 2 years, so my prayers were answered and I’m eternally grateful). Seriously, my eyes watered most of the ceremony (okay, so maybe there were a few tears of joy) because I was staring into the sun during our vows, but I’ll save that story for another day.

Dolphin Dad looked so good on Mr. Dolphin’s and my wedding day. Even with all my crazy nervous bride-ness he always managed to keep a cool head (even showing up to a frantic bride at 7 in the morning with Pepto, Tums and Aleve). I’ll never forget him walking me down the aisle (it’s currently my iPhone screensaver). Dolphin Dad has always been a huge influence in my life. He introduced me to UF and the “order” as he calls is: school, college, marriage, babies. Maybe the new “order” is college, marriage, ARCH LICENSING, then babies. When I would have ideas about doing things out of “order,” Dolphin Dad would always set me straight. And you know what? I’m so glad I listened.

And finally, it’s time to make this shiz LEGAL!

Were you like me? Obsessed at being on time for EVERYTHING, but found yourself late to your own wedding?

And in case you missed it, this is what has happened so far:

• When bubbles attack
• Our first look on a bridge
• A moment with Dolphin Dad
• We got silly with our iPhones
• The girls and I mastered laughing
• I put on that little white dress
• The boys got full of themselves
• I was hung over while getting our hair did
• We rehearsed with yummy BBQ
• The ladies lunched

All images by Starks Photography