Javier and I were married March 28, 2008 in Miami, Florida. From the day he proposed to me to the day we exchanged vows in front of 170 guests were the most exciting days of my life.
Growing up I always dreamed of my wedding day. I could not wait till the day when I began to plan what would be the biggest event of my existence. When Javier proposed to me on February 5, 2007 I savored the moment and soon began to think about dates and times for the wedding. We wanted to get married on what would have been our seven year anniversary, December 15, 2007 but I thought there was no way I could plan a wedding in 11 months. Being that I am a teacher, we agreed to get married during my school's spring break so that we could enjoy our two week honeymoon in France. After searching for dates with the church and asking around at the venues we finally decided on Friday, March 28, 2008. Upon returning home from giving the church the deposit, my grandmother asked me what date we had chosen. When I told her the day, tears ran down her face and I asked why she was emotional. She then told me that what would now be the date my husband and I celebrate as our wedding anniversary was the date her late parents (my great-grandparents) got married. Needless to say our wedding date is even more special now knowing this.
From the moment I told my friends I was engaged they began to help me plan for one of the most memorable days of my life. My great friend Christy soon began to call bridal salons and make appointments for me to try on dresses. My first appointment was on March 10, 2007 and I would never forget the day. I brought my mother, grandmother, younger sister, best friends, and soon to be mother-in-law. I must have tried on over 30 dresses but there were none I was really WOW about. Then the day came! It was April 24, 2007 and the sales associate from Saks Fifth Avenue told me to come in and try on the new gowns that had come in from Amsale. So I went ahead with my grandmother, Mimi, and we began to look at dresses and try them on. She brought out this dress that and I said to myself there is no way I am going to fit into this but I tried on anyway. I fell in LOVE with my dress /Bali/. I did not want to take it off. I dance and towered around in it as if I was a little girl playing dress up. My grandmother then looked at me and said, "It's yours!" I couldn't believe it. I had gotten my wedding dress and I couldn't of have been happier with my choice.
The wedding day was spectacular. I woke feeling excited, energized, and eager to want to go out there and show my beautiful dress while marrying the love of my life. I wore a cathedral length veil (as if I wanted to challenge the late Princess Diana) with a beautiful diamond hair piece. I chose very simple jewelry to compliment my dress. Because of its beautiful lace work on top I decided to not have a necklace. Instead, I opted for diamond tear drop earrings and my mother's diamond tennis bracelet. The finishing touch came with my bouquet. My wonderful and talented florist made me a very simple, but yet stunning, all white bouquet of French Tulips.
I arrived at the church in a very traditional all black Phantom. My bride's maids and family were all waiting there as I got out of the car and made the last preparations before walking in. As I waited outside the church for the doors to open, the church coordinator complimented my dress. She then straightened the train on my dress, adjusted my veil, and told me to take a deep breath. It was then that I heard my entrance song, Trumpets Voluntary, the church doors opened and all eyes were on me but mine were on my soon to be husband.
It was at that very moment that I felt more beautiful than I ever have. We said our vows in what was an emotional yet humorous ceremony. Thirty minutes later, we were man and wife. It is a moment in my life that I will cherish forever. Thank you Amsale, for giving me my dream gown to go with my dream wedding.
Angelica Marie Perez