Well the Las Vegas version anyway. There is a gorgeous waterfall behind us here. I’m not sure if they have one of those in Venice, Italy…
(But it looks so real, right? Like we are really in Venice. Not like we are in the middle of a mall indoors in Sin City. My kids cannot wrap their brain around the fact that this was indoors. That really looks like a sky but it’s a painted ceiling. Wild, huh?)
We got married on a gondola at the Venetian in Las Vegas. Our Gondolier sang to us after we exchanged our vows. It was in Italian so we had no idea what he was saying, but it was absolutely lovely.
Pastor Jack took a picture of us as we took a romantic ride down the canal. It was beautiful, and we could not have been happier!
Jim and I have been wanting to get married for a long time. This last year has been full of trials and tribulations for both of us and our families. We finally had a small window of time when he was going to be home on leave from his job in Iraq for a few days and we took this opportunity to get married.
It was sudden and we didn’t have time to plan for anything to include the children or friends and family, so we intend to have another ceremony when we move eventually and we can have a wedding there that will include everyone.
In the meantime, Jim is in danger in Iraq every day, getting bombed all the time, and we just wanted to have the peace of mind to know that we were officially married while he was overseas.
Jim and I have been together, as a couple, for over a year. We thought we would have been married by last Christmas. But after all the disappointments we have had to endure, it feels great to finally be married!
Jim and I have been friends for years. I never would have dreamed that I would have ever gotten divorced, or that he and I would have wound up together. But I truly believe that God has a plan for us.
I never imagined that at 40 years old I would fall in love (like a teenager) with my best friend. Or that he would love me back so much or that his heart would be big enough to love my four kids as well.
Now that Jim is finally divorced and we have gotten married, I will occasionally write about our story on the blog. (My hands were tied a bit before) We now have a blended family with two sets of twins. He has twin boys (11) and I have twin girls (8). I also have a 14-year-old, and a 10-year-old. Together there are 3 boys and 3 girls, like the Brady Bunch. The kids all get along quite well, and they look forward to living in the same place so we can all spend time together as a big family. My son may be the happiest about all of this because he has lived with 3 sisters all his life and he will now get 2 brothers to play with - he IS THRILLED! And so far the kids like both step-parents. SO FAR. (We know that won’t always be the case.)
Our cake was made by the famous Freed’s bakery in Las Vegas. They make extraordinary cakes and ours had their delicious Bavarian creme filling. It was divine, and so pretty. Jim just asked that it taste good. (I love a man who leaves the wedding details up to me. )
The Venetian is such a beautiful hotel. I love the architecture. Had to include some of these pictures just to show you how divine it is.
This is my favorite picture because of the ceiling.
I followed the something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue tradition and wore a pearl ring that one of my twins loaned me. She told me her older sister gave it to her. I thought that was so sweet. You can see it on my right hand here.
Readers, what stories can you share with me about weddings? Second weddings? Vegas weddings? Stepfamilies? I’m so excited to hear from you about anything that strikes you…!
Congratulations, Katy and Jim!
.-= Wade Kwon´s last blog ..Sidewalk 2011: That’s how they roll =-.
Congratulations! I hope you will always be as happy as you are right now. You both look as though you are about to burst with joy.
Hugs,
Marsha
Awwww, what gorgeous photos!Y’all look so beautiful, handsome & HAPPY!! God bless and keep you and especially keep Jim safe in Iraq!!Congratulations to you both! Will you still be living in Fairhope?
.-= missjulep´s last blog ..Recess time… =-.
Awww, congratulations! You had a gorgeous wedding, and you both look so happy. <3
Thanks y’all!
Miss Julep, We will have to live in Fairhope until we sell our farm, but eventually we hope to move the farm to Kentucky where Jim’s boys live so we can all be together. That is so important to us!
Congratulations, Katy – may God bless your new life together, keep Jim safe, and blend your two families seamlessly into one, over time, as you all grow together. Much love and prayers from Texas…
.-= Cindy Telisak´s last blog ..The Very Busy Puppy =-.
Well Congratulations!!! Don’t the two of you just look over the moon with happiness.
.-= DebbieQ´s last blog ..I Am SO Going To Do This =-.
What a good looking couple and what beautiful photos of your very special day!
Thank you for sharing!
I am so so happy for you! I know you’ve been waiting so patiently & so thrilled to see it work out. That is quite the lovely scenery for a wedding…making note in head to recommend!! Good luck to you both & bless hhim for serving our country!!
Oh Katy! I am so happy for you, Jim and your family. I know what it has meant for this day to come and I am glad that you had a beautiful wedding to remember. I am glad that Jim is home safe and in your arms. May you both have many years of happiness with all of your children but especially with each other. Big hugs to both of you xoxo
.-= Wonder Why Gal´s last blog ..WIP Wednesday – Shelter =-.
Congratulations to both of you, Katy and Jim. Looks like you had a fabulous wedding and hope your new life together works. Blended families can be trying but also a lot of fun!!
Katy,
You are inspiring……..love…faith…..and the energy it brings. The best of wishes and positive thoughts for the next Chapter of your lives. It’s a beautiful thing.! Congratulations. Love is a beautiful thing!!!
Sincerely,
Fellow Blogger
Tammy
Katy,
Take care…December will be here soon. Love, Pam
Love the pix, dear! I’ve been checking your website, then Jim e-mailed yesterday saying they were up. You did a very nice job.
Great photos !!
.-= Shahar´s last blog ..How to photograph and survive the wedding day =-.
Congratulation Katy and Jim! Then anyway the place is Very impressive the MEGA STRUCTURE in copying Venice Italy, the Venetian Vegas! I really love the place where both of you got united in the name of LOVE! I’m Happy both of you! GOD BLESS and MORE POWER..
.-= Vernon´s last blog ..Dekaron Review =-.
I just saw! Haven’t been on Twitter recently–whole ‘nother story.
SQUEEEE!!!
Yay!!! Beautiful!!! Finally!!! Congrats!!! Delirious with joy for both you and Jim and “The Brady Bunch”. So happy for you, you looked so beautiful!!! Such a lovely wedding!!! (It may take me days to calm down!!! SQUEEE!!! sigh.
I, too, just saw this and I couldn’t be happier for you guys!!!
David & I got married in Vegas— always said we’d have the big wedding later— but just never bothered
It’s been almost 19 years now!
May you both ( and the kids) all continue to live in love and happiness!
.-= Jenni´s last blog ..Left Over Love =-.
These are beautiful pictures Katy!! You and Jim look so happy!!!! Best wishes for many years of happiness!
.-= Kathy´s last blog ..Buttercup no 2 iPhone cover – USD $40.00 =-.
Jim and Katy,
We’re happy for both of you and your families. Both of you deserve happiness and we think you’ve found it! Can’t wait to meet Katy and her children and to see Jim home safe. All our love – Jeff and Ellie(Jim’s uncle/aunt)
CONGRATS KATY & JIM!! So glad to see your dreams are finally coming to fruition! Good luck and stay safe and together! -Leslie & Delaney