Rehearsal Dinner

Rehearsal & Dinner

Here are the pictures from the wedding rehearsal and rehearsal dinner. Click on the first photo to see the entire album. Most photos by Ann Marie Walts, a few are from relatives. Sanjoy, our pastor, did a great job of organizing everyone and taking the stress off of us! From the time the rehearsal started til the end of reception the next day the only thing I had to focus on was smiling and looking great for my husband. :) After months of planning, everything finally came together. Thanks to everyone who helped out, we couldn't have done it without you!

So how long are we gonna have to stand up here for tomorrow?

The worship team practices

Joe-Joe, Jen & Heather

"Can you believe we're getting married tomorrow?"

Wedding Pics from Ann Marie Walts

Wedding Favorites

Here's our favorite pics from our photographer, Ann Marie Walts, as well as several taken by family and friends. We had over 1000 pics to go through just from Ann Marie! She was everywhere. Click on the top picture to see the whole album. Hope you enjoy!

Wedding Vows

Here are our wedding vows. They were inspired by the Bible, in particular the Song of Songs and Ephesians Chapter 5.

Duarte:
Behold, you are beautiful, my love, behold, you are beautiful!

You have captivated my heart, my sister, my bride; you have ravished my heart with one glance of your eyes,

It is in the presence of God and these witnesses that I, Duarte, in Love, bind myself to you, Heather, in all circumstances. For better, for worse. For richer for poorer, in sickness and in health.
Yes, I vow my life to you. I vow to serve you, protect you, support you and carry you all the days of my life..

I vow to value and nurture all facets of our love. Our friendship, our intimacy, and our undying devotion.

You are my new Jerusalem in human form. You are my precious inheritance.

You are mine and my desire is for you ( SOS 7:10)

Set me therefore, as a seal upon your heart, as a seal upon your arm, for love is as strong as death.
I am jealous for your love with jealousy as relentless as the grave.
My love burns like a blazing fire, yes it burns, It is the very flame of the Lord.

Heather:

You are fairest among ten thousand. You are the one my heart desires.

It is in the presence of God and these witnesses that I, Heather, in Love, bind myself to you, Duarte, in all circumstances. For better, for worse. For richer for poorer, in sickness and in health.

Yes, I vow my life to you. I vow to serve you, respect you, support you and honor you all the days of my life.

I vow to value and nurture all facets of our love. Our friendship, our intimacy, and our undying devotion.

You are my lover, my leader, and my friend.
I am yours and I know that your desire is for me( SOS 7:10)

I will set you as a seal upon my heart, as a seal upon my arm,
for love is as strong as death.
Many waters cannot quench this love, floods cannot drown it.
I will go with you to the ends of the earth.
I am ready to arise, for I am yours and you are mine.

Duarte & Heather

 
Duarte & I on Christmas

 

Duarte's surprise Christmas gift - princess cut diamond necklace to match the ring

 

At the Haughton's house - thanks Greg for the picture 

Finally Together

After 11 months of being so far away, I'm finally in the same time zone as my fiance Duarte! We got engaged on July 20th via long distance, and after five more months of waiting he picked me up at Logan airport on Dec 20th. I had been travelling for 20 hours after having woken up at 4am in Manchester to catch a 7 hour long bus ride to London Heathrow, being delayed at Victoria station and then being delayed in London due to fog. My flight arrived an hour and a half late, but when I came out of the gate with my 120 lbs of luggage (wedding stuff), Duarte was waiting for me with a single red rose. He had one foot up against the wall and a huge smile. It was so amazing to hug him after 11 months! We wandered around the airport going the wrong ways and walking towards the wrongs exits for a while cause we were both in a daze that we were finally together in the same place. Eventually we found where he parked his car.

I was incredibly tired, but Duarte managed to keep me awake til 6am Boston time with a whole evening he had planned for me. While I got ready, he cooked up a gourmet meal. He made me close my eyes and led me into the dining room, which was set up with candles and another red rose lying on the lacy white table cloth. Romantic jazz music was playing in the background. He had found my favorite flavor of hummus, sun dried tomato and basil, and set it up with green and black olives. There was also Portuguese cheese, crackers, and Portuguese red wine. Next were the baked stuffed tomatoes and the tossed salad with homemade dressing. I barely touched the tomatoes and the salad because I was really enjoying the hummus and crackers. Then came the main course, filet mignon with mushrooms and carmelized onions. Mmmm! I didn't know he was such a good cook. :)

Dessert was strawberries dipped in dark chocolate. This was followed by another surprise. Duarte, who is not a dancer (yet!), had collected a selection of salsa music (my favorite) and made space downstairs that we could have a little dance floor. After a few latin songs he slowed down the music. He had set up candles there as well. I was deliriously tired but there's no way I could have fallen asleep after waiting so long to see my future husband. Since we had already talked in July about how we felt about each other, and decided to get married, he had gone to meet my parents and found out about what kind of engagement ring I would like. So now, five months later, while we were dancing, he took out the ring and slipped it on my finger while reminiscing about the day we had gotten engaged.

See pics of us togethere here:


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