Tuesday 4/6/10
Today was the day that the men in my line were supposed to be measured. Aaron and T.J. arrived, only to be told that they did not have the right size jacket and shirt for T.J. and that Aaron’s shoes were missing. Great start I know. My brother was taking Alex and Richard (Liz’s brothers) to grab their tuxes, but the store closed by the time they got there.
Four groomsmen with zero tuxes – not ideal, but we were not freaking out. Meanwhile, on Liz’s side, all bridesmaids were accounted for, they all had their dresses and everything just seemed a lot more calm.
That evening, after the Jazz won a huge game over the Thunder (I don’t know where I am going with this, but it was a good game) I got my inner girl on and hung out with Alex J., Erin, and Liz. We opened presents and ooed and awed. After realizing that I was falling i
nto some sort of slumber party, I decided that it was time to keep packing my place since I had to be out by Friday.
Wednesday 4/7/10
The day before the big day. I woke to “Will You Wait For Me” by the Royal Bliss, Liz’s ring tone for two years now. It was obviously Liz telling me that there were pancakes at her condo and that I should come down. The condo was buzzing the boys playing video games, Lia on the stove, the girls eating and talking strategy with Liz, and me thankful that I took off work since there was a lot that had to get done.
The first task of the day was making sure that I got the tuxedo situation taken care of. I loaded my car with Richard and Alex and headed off to Kings Row. Alex tried his tux on and there were zero issues, Richard on the other hand had some size problems. Kevin showed up during all of this and I had to ask him to run back to the store later that day to get everyone’s tuxes.
Back in the car now, rolling like Tony Soprano in the opening credits, I pulled up to the condo and got out to get back to work. My condo was still scattered and I now only had two days. I call my dad and ask if he had picked up his tux, he hadn’t, and was currently on his way to my place from the airport with my aunt and cousin. My dad dropped them off so that he could get the tux, just in case there were any problems for the next day.
I was very happy to see both of them, but embarrassed that my place was a complete train wreck. At this point I became the greatest juggler ever. I entertained my aunt and cousin, continued to pack my stuff, make about 50 phone calls and somehow get ready to drive up Layton torun through the ring ceremony.
Driving again (this time to Layton), new passengers this time, Aaron and T.J. We caught up and talked about what was going to be going on with that night and the next day. We pulled up to the castle and unload the wedding favors, met Linda (the wedding planner) and had our dress rehearsal. Introductions are made and the guys and girls and we set up with who would be with who. Alex was with Kevin, Erin was with Aaron (I thought this would make it easier when we yelled out their names), Ali was with T.J., Alyssa was with Richard, and Suneeti was with Alex.
After finding out where all of us would be walking, pausing for pictures, etc. it was time to go.
Cruising again now and more jokes being thrown around now in the car than catching up. We pulled into the condo again (wow there was a lot of driving that day). I ran to my brother’s house to store some of my stuff, and I was beginning to push the time limit. I got home and
ironed my new blue shirt while watching my whatever I still had on my DVR. Four lovely ladies then walked into my place, and I know that it is time to go to the rehearsal dinner. I looked at the time and realized the gathering has begun and we are not there.Driving again, new passengers again, Liz, Alex, Erin and Sharla now in the car. Not as much
taking place on my part, (it is kind of difficult to when it is the day before a wedding with four girls in the car). We arrived to Willow Creek Country Club, and it was time for the rehearsal dinner to start.
The spread was amazing, but first Liz and I had to socialize. We went table-to-table and gave hugs and kisses to friends and family alike. After making sure that we saw all of our guests, Liz and I decided that we could eat. I had some salad, then salmon with the dill sauce and then some very tasty prime rare.
There were a few toasts that evening. The maid of honor and best man both gave theirs. My brother made sure that he would make me uncomfortable, talking about how I fell out of a kayak and how the coast guard had to come and rescue us. Alex, on the other hand, went with the “what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas” approach to her speech, much appreciated by Liz and envious to me. My mom then went up to give her speech, which centered around me having a Peter Pan complex at a young age. Joking of course, the message was more about how I said that I never wanted to grow up, and that now I was about to. If I had been giving the speech it certainly would had some sort of Neverland ranch joke in it, I’m really happy that I don’t roast myself (I just have too much material). Liz’s dad then when up to give his speech. The highlight being the story about Liz’s mom following Liz’s bus trips, making sure that she got on and off at the right places and that Liz never saw her. Greg’s toast was extremely emotional for Liz, as he spoke openly about his love for her and how she will always be his little girl. After Greg, finished my dad went up to give a speech. More of the thanking everyone for being there and wishing us the best in our life together.
Shortly after the speeches were over, I feel a tug on my suit jacket. Liz then whispered to me “we have to go up there.” We stood up and walked the catwalk to the podium. I then looked to my right this time and Liz told me “you are the one that is talking”. So I just started thanking everyone and used a bit of wit. At one point, I saw Aaron laughing like everything that I said was gold. I even had to call him out on it. After we were done thanking everyone, the night quickly dwindled down.
Liz and I both went to our separate condos. Liz went to hang out with the girls, while I went to clean. Shortly after being home, Aaron and T.J. came over to my place. I was so happy to have them over, not because they were helping me move though sadly. I was happy that my two childhood friends were there with me my final night.
Thursday 4/8/10
As I am writing this in word document, I am noticing that this is going to be a long post. I am on page three already and this is when I am starting the wedding day, el. So, fast-forward a bit to meeting up with Liz and Lia at the Temple grounds. Liz, Lia and Sharla left for the temple early, as they had to pick up my wedding ring on the way down. Greg and I drove together. The five of us somehow miraculously ended up waiting at the same cross-walk at the same time. Liz ran back to meet me and she was simply bubbling with excitement.
Fast-forward again to coming out of the Temple doors, now MARRIED. Liz and I were waiting in anticipation at the bottom of the stairs until we were finally told that we could walk up. Through the windows I cold see our family and friends gathered just waiting for us.
We went through the doors and heard applause and cheering. We leaned in for a kiss and heard a Full House “ooooo” audience noise. So many people were there, it was so overwhelming. Our goal was to see everyone and make sure that we constantly smiling since we had pictures being taken from every direction.
Picture time continued, but this time it was under the direction of our brilliant photographer, Dustin Izatt. We started taking pictures with the two families, then with the bridesmaids, groomsman, etc. Once we were all done taking the photos with our family and friends it was time for Liz and me to go on our own to take photos.
The group consisted of Liz, Dustin, Tiffany (Dustin’s wife), Amanda (other photographer), and myself. There is not a whole lot to say about taking pictures since everyone can see them soon, so I will try to keep to the highlights.
- Waiting to take a photo by a bench when an old man with radio headphones crossed. Liz and I burst into laughter, and Dustin caught it all with his camera.
- Tiffany giving us rolls from the Lion House mid shoot. We had no idea we were starving until she gave us the rolls.
- A photo with Trax passing while I held onto a pole and dipped Liz.
- Having people stare at us and tell us congratulations as we walked down the streets of Salt Lake City.
- Seeing Liz try to take goofy photos.
- Spending time with my new wife – she let me kiss her multiple times in public!
We then went to Lamb’s Grill for a little bit of food. After leaving Lamb’s Grill, we headed back to the Temple to get our things and then go to the reception hall. While I was driving to Layton with Liz, my bride, couldn’t be happier. Traffic was light, and we were going to make it on time at 5.
We arrived and so do all the members of our bridal parties. Liz promptly sprinted up to the bridal room to pee, as she had been dying and only would let her mother help her do such a thing. The girl can move fast in that dress when she has to pee… goodness.
Linda, the wedding planner, told me that was time to go, and I rallied the guys and it was time to the room. I walked in the room to find our closest family and friends waiting in anticipation. I walked down the aisle as the string quartet played serenading music. After I have taken my place the rest of the bridal party makes there way up. And then, the big moment, the bride was ready to come down the staircase. Once safely down the stairs (her fear, not mine) Liz took the arm of her father and begun walking toward me. I saw the look that I was hoping for, it is that she gave to me when I tried on my suit for the very first time.
Liz took her place across from me and I couldn’t help but want to lock eyes with her the entire time. Luckily, I remembered that we had an audience so I made shifts. Looked at Liz, the crowd, and Liz’s Uncle Mark. Uncle Mark spoke eloquently and made the ceremony very special. Liz and I exchanged rings, Alex took mine from her thumb while Kevin pretended that he had lost Liz’s.
We walked back down the aisle, and after we ran to the other staircase in the room the reception took place. About ten minutes passed and we walked down the stairs to Linda announcing us as Mr. and Mrs. Callen Fry. We begin to dance to Frank Sinatra’s “If”. The story behind the song “If” is that it is the song that I listened to repeatedly the night that I asked Liz to marry me. Our song ended and it was time to turn Liz over to her father. They danced to “Breath in and Breathe Out” by Matt Kearney. Liz was extremely emotional, but that was to be expected.
After the dancing, it was time to move to our cake. Six tiers, beautiful, and we had to cut into it. After we cut the cake, the night turned into a blur. Liz and I become socialites. We talk to friends and family and were happy to see everyone that made it. Time passed quickly, but slowly at the same time. For those who have not been married, I compare the time to the movie Beetle Juice. When Alec Baldwin stepped out of the house for two seconds and comes back and Gina Davis says it has been six hours.
Liz then told me that it was time to throw the garter. Liz begged me to not embarrass her, and I tried my best as I go to take the garter off of her leg. I got the garder off, but Liz was still somehow bright red. I took the garter and turn my back to the crowd of guys waiting for the garter to be thrown in the air. I got with the fling approach that gave some great height, but it did not go very far back.
The story of the Liz throwing the bouquet is much better. Liz went five steps up on the staircase and through the flowers in the air. Much like the garter toss the flowers went shallow. Liz’s friend Leah dove into the stairs to grab the flowers – she never took her eyes off of the bouquet. She arose with a round of applause, definitely a highlight.
The night began to come to a close, Liz and I finally had a chance to eat. We spoke to the friends that waited for us, and quietly danced in the corner. We decided that it was time to leave, and made our way out to the car. To our surprise, the car was decorated; I guess parking it out back was not enough of a hiding place. I put my bride in into the passenger seat, backed out of the parking spot and honked the horn and waved.
We cannot believe that it is all over, and it truly could not have gone better than expected. The day was a dream come true and was more amazing than words can express. Liz and I could not stop smiling for about 48 hours. Seriously.
We cannot thank our friends, family and especially our parents for everything that they have done for us. Thank you everyone for being there for our special day.
Here are some of our faves from the day... Enjoy the wedding sneak peak! ...These aren't even the photos from our photographer... Be sure to watch for those.
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