“He doesn’t speak any English.”
Those, my friends, were the first words Grunt Labor said to me on our wedding day.
There was no “You look beautiful.” “I love you.” or even “Its so hot out here my knees are sweating.” (Which they were.)
Those first treasured words that every bride remembers for the rest of her life, for me were, “He doesn’t speak any English.”
When Grunt Labor asked me to marry him (which by the way, I totally thought he was about to tell me he had cheated, had killed someone, or was gay, rather than proposing to me, but that’s another story) we had already talked about doing a destination wedding. I agreed to the destination wedding before I had seen his childhood church that we would have been married in if we had the wedding locally, but that’s another story as well.
Either way, we ended up in the Dominican Republic. Why the Dominican Republic? Because our favorite resort had a hotel there, a casino, and all booze was included.
The two things you should always base your wedding location on – casinos and booze.
Never once did we stop to think, “Oh, I bet June in the Dominican will be ridiculously hot.”
Not once.
By the time I walked down the aisle, Grunt Labor, Nick, and Brandon had been drug around the resort taking photos and were literally sweating at their knees.
They at least had fun with their photos and took a quick break to put deodorant on each other’s back to combat the sweating.
You think I’m kidding.
I also didn’t realize that the “aisle” I would be walking down was actually just pebbles.
And I had on four inch sapphire blue Manolo Blahnik heels – the kind Carrie married Big in.
That was a fun walk.
By the time I reached the altar, the only thing on my mind was getting in an air-conditioned room and a cold drink in my hand.
When Grunt Labor said, “He doesn’t speak any English,” and nodded toward the priest, I laughed.
Seriously? What else is going to happen today?
Oh, there was that little fact that my hair looked like a blonde football helmet about an hour and a half prior to the wedding. Luckily, that crisis was averted.
The wedding coordinator, who moonlighted as a translator, relayed what the priest said.
Or at least we hope she got it right.
And when the translator asked if we took each other to be our significant other, we said, “Sí.”
What else were we going to say? “I do?” That was so 2009.
And hopefully this post will remind both of us that today is our anniversary.
The first year we totally forgot all about it. Whoops. In our defense, we had just moved into a foreclosure two days prior, and there was a mental breakdown because of a dryer that wouldn’t work.
Happy Anniversary, Grunt Labor!
Thank you for doing all the heavy lifting for the past four years.
And for the cheap beer.
There are more ridiculous stories here.
You know you don’t wanna miss any of this crazy.
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Happy Anniversary, Jenna! Today is also my parents’ anniversary– it must be a good day to get married! You look so beautiful in your wedding pics! Sounds like it was such a fun memory, too!
~Abby =)
Thanks so much, Abby! Happy Anniversary to your parents as well! Yay! You are too sweet – and yes, it is definitely a fun memory!
Jenna, I laughed out loud reading your wedding day post. Thank you for reminding us that it’s okay to be other than “perfect.” Reality checks keep us grounded. Your posts are always an inspiration. Thank you and Happy Anniversary!
Thanks, Paula!! We NEVER do anything perfect around here- we often attempt it – it never ever works out though! haha! Have a fab day, Paula!
Ok now I HAVE to hear the proposal story!!!! Seriously right away! lol
hahaha! Its not that funny, its just that how he was talking to me and what he was saying, I was like, “You did something bad, didn’t you??” haha!
Oh that’s right this isn’t all about me, happy anniversary. lol
haha! Thanks!
Haha this is too sweet… one of those days where everything goes “wrong” but is somehow perfect. 🙂 Happy Anniversary, Jenna!
Exactly, Brandi!! Thanks!
Your stories are hilarious – keep em’ coming!! Love your wedding photos – SO beautiful!
Thanks, Sarah! Its shocking the photos turned out so well when it was so hot!
jenna as much as i love most of your diy posts i love your stories better…. happy anniversary to you and grunt..it seems like laughing is so important to y’all xx
Thank you, Chris! Laughing is definitely important to us and should be to everyone – in my opinion anyway! haha! I love having you as a faithful reader – you never cease to make my day with your comments, gal!
Happy Anniversary Jenna & Grunt Labor! I love reading your stories and I hope we get to see the one about the proposal sometime!! Have a wonderful day 🙂
Thanks, Emily!!
Happy Anniversary to you and Grunt. In all your pictures you always look like you are having such a good time, and when I look at them it makes me smile, and even chuckle at some. Keep the pictures and fun stories coming.
Thanks, Patty! Having fun is what its all about!
Happy Anniversary Jenna and Grunt Labor! Wishing you many more!
Thanks, Sheila!
Happy Anniversary! We just had our 37th, and for many more than half of those, we forgot until my mother would call to wish us happy anniversary. 😉 Looking forward to many more of your stories and DIY.
Thanks, Sandi!! I totally know what you mean! My mother-in-law brought us calla lilies (those were the kind of flowers in my bouquet) the other day and she was like, “Because your anniversary is coming up!)
Happy Anniversary Jenna!
Love the pictures…and your wedding story…:)
-Priyam
Thanks, Priyam!
Happy Anniversary, Jenna and Grunt Labour! You both look so happy in the photos – who cares about the sweat and the language barrier!?!? 😉
p.s. You look gorgeous, lady!
haha! Thanks, Tara!
Love this story! Happy belated anniversary guys!
J.xo
Thanks, Jamie!