A Montana Girl's Adventures in the Big City!: We Got Hitched!

The day that was about 8 years in the making was worth every second! It went by so fast, just like everyone said it would. I’ll do my best to recount the events for those of you who couldn't make it, and bring back some memories for those who could attend!

Owen and I flew in on a Tuesday night and, as is usual protocol, we had to stop and stuff our faces in a big pine tree and look at the stars before we could go to bed. We woke up early the next morning and nervously made our way to Hamilton, where we applied for our marriage license. I loved that Owen, worried that a wrong answer would prevent approval of our marriage, repeated half the question back to the clerk and always closed with “Yes, Ma’am!”

The days leading up to the wedding were literally a blur- we were constantly driving somewhere to pick something up/drop something off and had very little time to just sit and relax. Thank goodness for all of the help we got from our family and friends.

Rehearsal Dinner: “They” say that its good luck if it rains on your wedding day, but I think that’s just what “they” tell hysterical brides to calm them down. We had the whole troop helping us set up for the wedding and a giant thunder storm rolled into the valley- the rain punched holes in the paper lanterns we had just finished hanging. Like maniacs, we grabbed a ladder and started cutting down as many as we could. I prioritized which ones would be saved like it was an episode of Survivor.

1) Really colorful awesome ones: these lanterns are the ones people will be looking at. Therefore, they win.

2) Medium, solid color, not as fancy ones: these ones had some holes punched in them by the time we got to them. The color had also started to bleed from the top down and they were taking on an Ombre look. Very in vogue.

3) Mini white ones: these guys dissolved like toilet paper. Good thing they came in packs of a million.

We saved as many as we could and sacrificed the others to the Wedding Gods in hopes that it would prevent a thunderstorm the next day. Turns out, the Gods were very pleased with our sacrifice.

Rehearsal dinner was AWESOME. If you find yourself in Victor, MT, stop by Cowboy Troy’s and have yourself some BBQ.

The nerves were kicking in during rehearsal dinner. Owen and I were trying to introduce each other’s family and friends to each other, trying to remember names, and trying to make sure our guests had a drink in their hand and food on their plate. Thankfully, Holli, my dear friend and bridesmaid, came up to me and said, “you need to calm down and enjoy this or you are going to regret it.” Heeding her advice, I grabbed some wine and took a seat. Before I had my first sip, Kaydence (KK), my niece, came barreling into the dinner yelling, “Olivia’s heads stuck and a horse is eating it!” All of the adults went running toward the horses where we found Olivia-her head was most definitely stuck, and the horses were investigating what this squirmy, sobbing little thing was invading their enclosure. Meggie, Olivia’s mom/my sister, was holding Kylee, the newest Baby Raymond. Now, I’m not saying she threw the baby out of panic (she totally did), but I am saying that Kylee caught air. Obviously, someone caught her (not sure who it was, everyone was scurrying to save Olivia), but it was a pass that should go down in NFL history or something, because I don’t think she even woke up.

Wedding Day: I genuinely feel like our wedding day lasted for 15 minutes. Before I knew it, I was tugging on Owen’s jacket telling him it was time to go. Meggie and I had hair appointments, and that was probably the first time I really felt like it was happening-we were gonna have ourselves a wedding! Our awesome photographer, Terri, met us at the hair salon to capture some candid moments. As soon as we left, I had one thing on the mind- that right, lunch. Here is where I insert my advice to future brides: Everyone will tell you that you have to make sure to eat on your big day. This way, you avoid passing out or general hangriness. I took this advice very seriously and ate leftover potato salad, marinated vegetables, and pulled pork from the night before. Such a savory meal in combination with a sundry of nerves = 8 pepto bismol tablets and non-stop, not-very-lady-like burps. So, future brides, eat a sandwich and call it a day!

Owen and I decided not to see each other the day of the wedding, which is non-traditional but I’m so glad we stuck with it. We had a great group of bridesmaids and groomsmen to help make sure our paths didn't cross until they were supposed to!

While getting ready, we had a celebratory cocktail or two...or seven (looking at you, Meggie and Dad!) These two, were a party... Meggie, with two little kids, doesn't get to go out at all. She fully enjoyed herself (and Fireball) and she deserved it. Every time I looked at her she was dancing TOWARD me...walking was not an option, she had to dance. Dad, well, no explanation is really needed. He was giving his last kid away- so, there's that.

The Ceremony: I'm going on record saying that Owen cried, he did. He'll try to deny it until his dying day, but let it be known that he cried- which made me cry as well. It was beautiful. My dad and my brother walked in front of me until we were at the end of the aisle. At that time, the each stepped aside and I grabbed their arms and we continued down. I was worried that it would be awkward walking down the aisle with everyone looking at me, but I have to say that Owen was the only human I was aware of at that point. I couldn't get down there fast enough.

We asked our good friend, Zach Honey, to officiate our wedding. He even went and got ordained, so our marriage is legal and stuff- thanks, Zach!

Here is our Ceremony:

Welcome everyone, friends, family, as we come together today to join this man and this woman together in matrimony.

Kandi and Owen's relationship is a tale as old as time. A real-life Beauty and the Beast, except in this tale there is no beast, so it is really just two beauties. So in some ways it isn't like beauty and the beast at all. But their story is just as touching.

For Kandi and Owen, their journey started young. Owen, a bright-eyed Freshman, a world of opportunity ahead of him. Kandi, a wise and knowledgable Sophomore. During this time, Kandi was a Resident Assistant in the Dirty South, with Owen as one of her residents. By the decree of the University, the University we love, Go Cats, their love was forbidden! But they would not let the tyrannical laws of the University, Go Cats, come between them. So in secret they spun the first threads of their relationship.

(And I have held that in and kept their secret for seven years. I believe the statute of limitations is up, but if I do get you in trouble, Kandi, that's my bad).

The next year, free from the ever watchful eye of the University, Go Cats, Kandi and Owen continued their relationship while living apart. Kandi took residents in a birdhouse (true story, look it up) while Owen lived in the dark depths of a dungeon which his landlord swore he could rent legally (though we still question those claims). And in their year apart, they grew closer.

The next year marked the start of Kandi and Owen's lives together. They moved in together and used their spare room to house drifters and homeless, many of whom are in this wedding party. They would also welcome a lovable cat into their lives as well as a cat bred of pure evil, both the very same cat.

Fast forward to today and Kandi and Owen have formed one of the strongest relationships two people can form.

For while their relationship has remained strong, it hasn't always been easy. But love is not something that comes easy. It is hard. Love takes work. Because love is not something found. And, contrary to popular belief and the age old saying, love is not something fallen into. Love has to be made. It takes sweat and it takes tears. It takes building and carving and molding with bare hands.

The love forged by Kandi and Owen's is something I believe is truly unique. Because of the longevity of their relationship and their natural open hearts and personable natures, they have attracted friends from all circles. And as a result they have become the hub of many friendships that never would have existed otherwise.

There are no two people who deserve each other more than Kandi and Owen. They have built this relationship with sweat. They have carved it with tears, and with bare hands they have molded it. And now gather here today as we all get a chance to come together and take part in Kandi and Owen's love making.

It is my honor to be here today, to join you two together as you take those next steps into the long and happy future.

I'm willing to bet, that there has never been another wedding that had as many "Go Cats!" as our wedding had! Our friend, John Darr, gave us both some handy advice and read some beautiful scripture, and our friend, Katie Wagner, read us the parable of the Potato and the Tomato. The whole dang thing was beautiful.

True Love

Our Vows: I vow to put you before myself at all times. I vow to honor you as my wife/husband, my best friend, and partner for life. I am marrying myself to you in body and spirit. Every story I tell with my life, I want to tell it with you. Every hard time we endure, I want to endure it with you. Every good memory we make, I want to celebrate it with you. I want to bless you with all that I have and serve you in every way I can. Before our family, friends, and God: I, ______, take you, _______ to be my wedded _______; to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death do us part.

I also vowed to cheer for the Broncos, during good seasons and bad. Owen vowed to check every closet and under the bed after every Ghost Hunters episode for the rest of his life. True love.

The rest of the night flew by! Reflecting, we both feel like we talked to our guests for 2 seconds each, and we apologize if that was actually the case. We had such a great time and will never forget the memories we've made! At the end of the night, we simply tossed the keg on the shuttle back to the hotel and kept the party going!

For Photos: Check out Terri Rene Photography's website to see a teaser of the wedding photos. Click on "Featured Wedding Blog" and start scrolling through!

The Cake: Homemade, chocolate, gluten-free button cake! Thanks, Mom!