Chris + Patrick | Round 1, Vegas!

Round 1, Vegas!

Its Mother’s Day weekend, Patrick and I are preparing to head out for Round 1, Vegas! The first step in our marriage journey. It really doesn’t feel real at first, but then we get to Chicago and board the plane (only after arriving too early and spending 4 hours in the terminal, I get a little paranoid about missing our flight). It is real, we are getting married in less than 24 hours. Yes! Oh did I mention I have a slight fear of flying?

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Patrick claims I almost broke his hand. Thank you turbulence.

We landed at McCarran around 10PM Vegas time, seriously tired, but we made it to the car rental desk and off to the Palms Casino and Hotel we went. It was only 1AM Vegas time by then, which is 4AM back home. That bed never felt so amazing, really.

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The next day, May 11th was the day. We head off to the marriage license bureau, which is incredibly efficient and easy. I love that they have signs reminding people that if they are drunk they won’t get a license. Marriage, the one thing that happens in Vegas, but doesn’t stay there 🙂

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My incredibly awesome hair and makeup team, Charlene and Cody arrived to the hotel around 1PM, so did my super amazing photographer Jiyeon from The Allens Photography who flew all the way from Georgia for this. Patrick went and did his own thing for awhile while everyone did their magic to make me look pretty.

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When it was all done, I helped Patrick finish getting dressed and he helped me into my dress. I know its “bad luck” to see each other before hand, let alone help each other get ready; but I don’t care. It was so simple, personal, intimate. I loved those moments with him, putting on his (Elvis!) cufflinks and straightening his tie; him zipping my dress.

Insert stupid, silly smile here! 🙂

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We had some time before we had to head out so we snuck around the Palms a bit for some photos, before my friend Jes arrived to go to the chapel with us. I’ve know Jes since freshman year of high school, she works in the arena at MGM doing lighting for awesome stuff like oh say The Billboard Awards. She’s pretty kickass and became so ridiculously invaluable traveling the city finding epic spots for photos.

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The limo arrives to whisk us of to the Wee Kirk chapel, this little tiny “chapel” in old Vegas. Its cute, adorable and cheesy. Perfect.

We get told that they have the ’50’s Elvis for our ceremony and I think Patrick let out a little (or big) squeal. He’s a tad bit dramatic where Elvis is concerned. So apparently the Elvis ceremony isn’t real at all, we have to do our vows before a real minster first then have our “Elvis Wedding” for show. They escort Patrick and I, Jiyeon and Jes to this really small room in the back and we meet the minister and then he asks us if we are ready.

Yes, oh yes.

It was very fast, but very sentimental. Patrick cried. I love that man.

You could see just how happy he was and I am blessed to find someone who loves me that much. Saying those vows, committing to him forever, just perfect. I cannot imagine a life without him by my side and I am not sure how I survived this long without him here.


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Then we were off for the Elvis Wedding, which was just over the top in silliness. Elvis wore gold lamé. Need I say more? I laughed so much my head hurt when we were done. I know it was everything Patrick had ever wanted and I am so happy he got it.

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After we took photos, lots and lots of photos. So many locations! Patrick was a trooper. I mean he just married a photographer, could he expect anything less? We ended the night with our “wedding cake” via Sprinkles Cupcake ATM.

I wouldn’t change a thing about Vegas. It was perfect, romantic, hysterical and the best part of it all is flying home as Mrs. Pendexter. Now we can start the adoption process for Francisco and come together as a whole family.

We are so happy for this time in our lives, now to do it all again in October with our children and my parents.

Side note: Our wedding was featured on Rock and Roll Bride, we are so stoke to share our story with more people and way excited for our amazeballs photographer for getting her (many hours!!) of hard work featured on such a fabulous blog! Congrats Jiyeon!

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Round 1, Vegas!

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Round 1, Vegas!

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