The Wedding

Woke up at 7:30. Showered blow-dried hair and put make upon.
8:30 Aunt Darcy gives me a hair-do.
10:30 We arrive at the TEMPLE!
12:30 We were sealed. I don't think anything could compare to the feelings I felt in that magical room. The moment we held hands. The sealer spoke his sweet words and the onlookers wore smiles and tears. All I could think about was the color of Trent's eyes. My hands were really but I couldn't keep my eyes off my soon-to-be husband. He was beautiful and at the moment we were perfect.
1:30 We came out of the temple and the madness began! Pictures with the whole group, bridesmaids, groomsmen, my extended family, move, another whole group, family, Trent's family, bah!!! I don't think I could stop stop smiling...which certainly helped the pictures!








After the picture session, Trent and I drove with my dad to the luncheon in the relief society room of the church. Sandy made some awesome chicken noodle and butternut squash soup. This was the only time the whole day I ate because I just felt so relaxed and relieved. I was married already! When lunch was over Trent, and I took a moment to say our first family prayer. Then it was time for the reception:



We started with a procession. Miranda walked in with Leila (so cute). Did I mention my Bridesmaids made all their dresses?! Then Bishop Galuka gave a message and we exchanged rings. Dinner was then announced and the line seemed like it would go out the doors. I HEARD it was delicious. In the meanwhile, Trent and I visited from table to table. It was so nice to see all my school, church and dance friends there supporting me and my new husband.


We cut our beautiful cake (we finally found a baker one that would make it in a day). After that we engaged in all the traditional festivities like the first dance (You and I by Michael Buble), guarder and bouquet toss (I had the throw the bouquet twice because I, as many of you know, do not have any sort of hand eye coordination) and, of course, the get away (we used rice like I've always secretly thought of, like in Cinderella)!




So a job well done, a event well planned, and a fight definitely won. Being married is the best. Those next two nights we spent in the Westin hotel. It was so so wonderful.

CHRISTMAS and and before the wedding (in Washington)

Side Note: I forgot to mention how at the beginning of November we surprised my dad and went to Las Vegas! I will never forget how Trent and I jumped in while dad was in a missionary meeting and all he could say was "what are you doing here?" Typical dad. Wouldn't have been surprised if he threw in the "dad" face too :}. We went to Fleming's and saw Cirque Du Soleil LOVE! What a memorable weekend. Of course we were busy working on wedding details as well such as bridesmaid fabric, invitations, and "the dress."

But back to the story, finals were over and we were driven by Sean (Trent's friend) to Las Vegas. There we enjoyed a leisure break amidst all the chaos of wedding planning (we still were trying to figure out seating arrangements, burning CD's as give aways, and finding a stupid-little-cake topper...not to mention a baker to make the wedding cake). While there, Trent and I worked out with my dad, ate at Roy's in celebration of the end of the semester, and did a lot of relaxing!

After five days of Sin City the family flew to Richland for Christmas Eve and Christmas with the Christensen's. It was so fun to see their happy little family blooming. Christmas dinner was delicious as always. The Orlowski's cannot make anything less than amazing in the kitchen.

Here are some pictures of our favorite presents.















































The following day we drove to Bellevue where Trent and I celebrated Christmas with the Hartman's! Oh how exciting it was to anticipate actually being part of their family. The children were so cute and the reunions very alive.

While in Bellevue we set the finishing touches for the wedding. Trent had his bachelor party with his buddies playing boy games like glow-in-the-dark dodge ball, the 2-liter challenge, and sledding. I had a second bridal shower at Sarah's (best friend ever) with the help of Cheryl Ann and LeeAnn. Small mishaps occurred (still not having a cake bakers, topper, guarder, dress zipper breaking flower miscalculation, etc) but my mom and I handled everything pretty well. More than anything we were so excited for our opportunity to get married in the temple. At the days end, taking in my endowments and the sealing were all that mattered to us.

Trent and I still tried our best to make the most of our trip in Bellevue. We ate dinner with our friends Tyler and Denis and course I made time for hand shaven noodles and a trip to cheesecake factory with my best dance friends. We spent new years with my sisters, their husbands and Amy at Ray's Boathouse. It was sooooooooo delicious. Yes, my family certainly enjoys good food. Later that night we tubbed it up with Jordan and Sarah in their jacuzzi. New years evening we ate dinner with my extended family (I was already getting jitters and barely could touch my food). Next thing you know it was the wedding!


But we'll save that update for tomorrow.

Before the Wedding (in UTAH)

Being engaged was probably one of the best times of a my life. Everyone asking me to tell my love story, asking about plans, telling me I'm beautiful all the time. Talk about a self esteem booster! It's a time where it's ok to be a little conceeded and no one can tell you otherwise. Why? It's YOUR wedding. It's YOUR ring. It's YOUR (parent's) cash; And they've gotta be nice to you for that.

November went by incredibly fast. Trent and my schoolwork load tide us down pretty tight. My band, the Lucky Crickets performed in Fiddle Fest, a folk festival put on by the BYU music department. We really rocked the night. My roommates and I still managed to make time and throw a "kids" party where we watched the never ending story, ate PB&Js (without the crusts) and walked around in our Pajamas. Trent, Jake, Lauren and I when on a double date to play pool. The next night we went to a concert where my two of my friend's bands played. The provo music scene is so fun when you're friends with the bands.

































We went to Nana and Fa's place for Thanksgiving where I helped in make the bean, yam and pies. After eating at there we went to his Aunt Laurel and Uncle Kim for pie! I love thanksgiving. The one day in the American calender where we celebrate through food alone. That, my friends, is certainly something I am thankful for.

December was anything but boring. The first weekend my girlfriends, Sarah, Bridgette, and Rachel threw me a bridal shower at the Balkman's house it was so fun to be with and see old friends from Bellevue, the dorms and college. That next weekend was my Birthday and my girlfriends Lauren and Bridgett threw a bachelorette party. It was so much fun! The girls made me walk around with my newly bought lingerie and we had to accomplish certain "tasks" like get a piggy back ride, practice walking down the isle with a stranger, get a number (Rachel won in that one). Lauren made a fantastic video of the evening for a keepsake.

My band played several shows in December including a fireside at the Provo tabernacle and a mansion party for the film department. We also recorded 6 songs 3 of which were children's songs that I burned onto a CD and gave to my sisters as Christmas presents.











































Finals was a really tough time for me because not only did I have IMPOSSIBLE classes to study for but also was driving to Salt Lake and back almost daily for wedding dress fitting. All I can say is, "it was worth it!" The dress was perfect, modest, and beautiful. I felt so lucky to have such a perfect Demetrios dress.

Our New Apartment

Excuse the clothing on the bed. I was packing for our trip to Richland.

Our bed! We love the beautiful bedding

Our "other room" as Trent and I like to call it. We use it to play Wii and watch TV. Big shout out to Kris and Alex for letting us use their couch covers! Trent and I have a great story with this particular couch but we'll save it for another day...

Kitchen table with painting Trent had made for me while he lived in Vietnam. Also notice the cute butter dish from anthropology (my biggest vice)

Kitchen rug also from anthropology :)

Trent sporting our shabby kitchen apron.

I am just itching to update this blog so I thought I'd post a few helpful links.

Elise Photography Blog -Blog showing the beautiful picture from our wedding

All Hartman/Orlowski Wedding Photos -If you would like to see all the pictures from our wedding day.

New Blog # 3

As you can tell, I (Stephanie) am a little indecisive in choosing my blog web domain. I finally figured out the perfect one and will not be changing it again. For those of you who would like to find my previous blogs here are the links:

http://trentandme.blogspot.com/
http://angelofmusic007.livejournal.com

I will hopefully update later this week after I finish my STATS test. Blah.