I will never EVER forget our amazing honeymoon.

Wow.  Cancun.  I tweeted much more than I thought I would, mainly cuz we had free wifi, but I also just HAD to share some of those amazing pics.

Some of the highlights…

The view from our room:

Baby sea turtles that they save, let mature, then release into the ocean at night when the birds won’t eat them:

The beach:

Swimming with dolphins (most amazing experience EVER!):

Just being alone with my beloved:

Romantic dinners (and epic sunburn):

Boating and snorkeling:

Pro photo session:

There were massages, nonstop food and booze, a Jacuzzi in our bedroom, anything and everything you could want.  We had to DRAG ourselves out of there the last day, we SO didn’t want to leave.

Details: Sun Palace Resort in Cancun, Mexico.  Couples only. All-inclusive.  AMAZING.  I will never EVER forget our amazing honeymoon.

Holy crap…I’m married!

So sorry for the delay, good readers.  Our honeymoon was Tuesday to Tuesday after the wedding, and as my blog-writing day is Tuesday, I’m a little behind.  I’ve been dying to share all the details with you, so here we go!

I started my wedding day by waking up an hour before my alarm.  I couldn’t get back to sleep, WAY too excited, so I got up and started my day.  Showered, dressed, ate a light breakfast, etc.  Synced the iPod with reception music…and ran out of stuff to do.  I literally sat on my butt for an hour before makeup and photography arrived.  Who has time to kill on their wedding morning???  Crazy people like me apparently. Got my makeup done, my cousin arrived and we packed up his truck with all our décor and stuff, then the town car arrived to take us to the museum.  We were on the road just after 11 am.

Well, we were supposed to arrive at the museum at noon, which was when they would start letting us set up, but of course we got there at like 11:20.  Oops.  Luckily they let us in a little after 11:30.  We started setting everything up, our team of bridesmaids, groomsmen, and assorted family.  Then it was time for Simon and me to get dressed for portraits.  My aunt assisted me, and it literally took upwards of half an hour to get me in my gown.  Corset back, multiple layers, the works.  Then I’m like, where’s Simon? Setting up the ceremony room, of course.  Finally got him into his tux, and by now we’re actually starting to run late.

We proceed to prance around the museum with our photographer, taking pics with huge audiences of museum-goers.  Especially funny were the kids, as I heard more than one little girl whisper, “Mommy…she’s so PRETTY!”  Melted my heart!  Then back up to the reception room for group photos.  I had given the photog a list, and she called off names.  Of course no one was paying attention and I finally let my Bridezilla side show by barking names and demanding they come have their picture taken NOW.  Hey, we were running late!  ;)

Pictures wrap up, set-up wraps up, and once again I have nothing to do but wait.  Not running late anymore!  Finally, it was time to go to the ceremony room!  The coordinator led us through the museum in our finery, which was as hilarious as it sounds.  We lined up in the hallway, and the music began. My uncle and I waited our turn at the back.  Then, the music changed to the Bridal March…it was time!  We walked slowly down the aisle towards Simon…only I didn’t walk all that slowly, and the aisle was VERY short.  I arrived at the end, kissed my uncle, turned towards Simon…and waited.  And waited.  The pianist tried desperately to wrap up the song without ending it abruptly, but I literally stood there, trying not to laugh, for at least a full minute.  Oops!

The ceremony proceeded, my cousin doing an AMAZING job officiating, just as I knew she would.  I arranged the whole ceremony, but we didn’t write any complicated vows; Simon is pretty shy, so I just had Darcy read them and we said “I do.” It’s amazing what those words can do to a woman.  I started tearing up as he said it.  By the time we got to “With this ring, I thee wed,” I almost lost it, especially when someone in the audience noticed me trying to keep my composure and let out a soft, “Awwwww.”  But I kept myself in check, somehow, and suddenly I was gleefully kissing my husband!

The reception was a blur.  We ate…some.  We drank a little. The best man and maid of honor speeches were AMAZING.  I almost cried during my sister’s.  I changed into my reception dress after only an hour and a half; the beading was chafing my arms something fierce.  The cake was TO DIE FOR.

I had a hilarious Twitter convo with Simon’s boss during the reception:

ginavanderloop - @CelestialAxis are you tweeting at your wedding?

@CelestialAxis - @ginavanderloop I have to, I'm a @TweetMyWedding bride. Obligated. :)

ginavanderloop - @CelestialAxis hahaha. That's very nerdy. I love it. What about the honeymoon? Will u tweet then?

It was a perfect day.  Sure, things went wrong.  I wasn’t wearing any lipstick most of the day.  The mothers never got their corsages somehow.  During the parents’ declaration of support, they all said “We do” like they were supposed to…except Simon’s dad, who said “Yes.”  I walked down the aisle too fast and had a nice awkward time waiting for the music to end.  But in the end, of course, like everyone says, none of that mattered.  In the end, I married the love of my life.  60 of our closest family and friends were there to support us. Everyone had a good time, and many beautiful pictures were taken.  It was PERFECT.  Next week, I’ll bring you my honeymoon re-cap and pics.  Stay tuned!

So my cousin's destination wedding that's 6 months after our honeymoon is in Cozumel, Mexico, directly south of our honeymoon, same resort

It figures.  Right after Simon and I finish booking and paying for our honeymoon, I get a save-the-date from my recently engaged cousin.  They’re having a destination wedding in Cozumel, Mexico, just south of our honeymoon in Cancun, in the same resort family, six months after we get back.

Now, I am very excited for her, especially since she’s over 40 and thrilled to death to finally be getting married.  I can hardly blame her for wanting to go all out.  This is just gonna get expensive!  Obviously, I could say no, but technically we have the money, and it’s my dad’s side of the family, which I never get to see because they live on the other side of the country.  And of course, she gave us plenty of head’s up, as the wedding is in April 2011.

It just figures.  ;)

Simon wonders if we should try to change our honeymoon to her wedding date, but I’m selfish and don’t want to share my honeymoon.  He agreed with my reasons; I’m going to want to see my family while we’re in Cozumel, while on our honeymoon I barely want to be anywhere but bed or the pool!  I’ve never even taken one tropical vacation before, never been to an all-inclusive resort, and now I’m going to two in six months.  Luckily, that means if I’m not at my ultimate goal weight by our honeymoon (which I doubt I will be), I sure as heck can be by that April!  Woo hoo bathing suits!

So that’s my “oh goodness” moment of the week.  What were the chances?

New hair!

http://twitpic.com/ozlhr

Now, my new hair-cut may not seem wedding-related, but it’s the first step in a series of self-improvement beauty techniques I’m employing over the next year.

I’m determined to get my hair all grown out and back to its natural color, which is some sort of dark brown. I dyed my hair black, then got blonde tips. The tips were easy enough to cut off, but the black dye may take a while. It was “temporary” hair color, but black is never temp. Luckily my hair is dark enough that my roots don’t look god-awful, but it needs to be ALL GONE by next October.

See, I’m giving myself to a stylist. I’m finding someone good, and saying to them, “Make me look pretty.” Whatever they think will look best, shy of man-haircuts and pink dye, is what they may do. Layers, highlights, whatever.

I like having long hair, it’s fun most of the time. But long hair is not flattering on short, chubby girls. I had it cut just below my shoulders, and it’s taking some getting used to. Washing and brushing are a breeze now though! I’m growing out the bangs too in case the stylist decides against them.

I’m also taking vitamins for hair, skin, and nail health. I may get facials leading up to the wedding, and possibly a chemical peel a few months prior. I have horrible acne and I just know I’m going to have a break-out the day of the wedding.

Now for my next tweet…

@CelestialAxis: OMG OMG our best man may be gifting us a free week at a resort he's a member of. He gets points and he said we can have it for our h-moon!

Yes, that’s right. Our amazing best man is giving us some of his rewards points, which will cover about 40% of the cost of a week’s stay at Palace Resorts. We chose the one in Cancun. CANCUN!!! Basically we’ll end up paying close to what we had originally budgeted, but now at a MUCH nicer place.

We decided on Sun Palace, which is couples only. Check this place out.

Jacuzzi in every room. Swim-up bar. White sand beaches. Um, can I get married now so we can go???

So that’s all my exciting news for the week. ;)