Honeymoon Haven...

Our first night at the Doubletree Resort, and cruise to the Mexian Riviera with Carnival Cruise Lines was just that - a Haven!

The first night we got a steal of a deal on a room but when we arrived it had 2 double beds. We told our "bellhop," "What the heck, we can do seperate beds one more night. We've done it for this long." :)

Just a few minutes later he returned with a luggage rack and upgraded us, for free, to the Penthouse Suite! It was incredible.

Then the next morning we boarded a plane for Long Beach after only a few hours sleep. Our cruise was late boarding, but once aboard all we did was lounge, eat, lounge some more, and got to see a few sites, including an incredible horseback ride!

What a dream this was!

Ben was thrilled and so was I - we'll take the Penthouse suite for FREE any day.

Headed to Long Beach, and waiting for the cruise to load!

Getting on the boat! So gorgeous. And we were seriously sunburnt from being on the sidewalk waiting to load all day. :)

Our first dinner and towel animal was the most incredible treat!

Our first stop was quite an adventure. We walked, and walked, and walked. Then had one seriously delicious meal.

Back to the ship. Welcomed by a towel animal and an incredible meal.

Our second stop we went on an excursion with an incredibly funny bus driver and some slow moving horses. What a day!

We met a couple from CA that got married on June 14 too!

Then we were welcomed by yet another cute towel animal.

Our Mazatlan day was spent on board the boat, enjoying a quiet day on a quiet ship.

Dinner in the formal dining room was the highlight of our days. And of course the towel animals were cute too!

Showing off our **BLING**!

This day in Cabo San Lucas we went into town and did some shopping. We ended up with some beautiful porcelain pieces. And much to Alex's delight, a much desired and colorful butter dish.














More delicious food, served by wonderful people. Our favorite dessert was the chocolate melting cake!

A towel elephant welcomes us home.

On this night the crew made an incredible food display and we were wow'ed. Good thing we like food.




















Then off to BINGO and a show!

Our final night, saying "goodbye."

On our way home!

We were so ready to get back to our dogs, families, and home as "The Jacobsons."

Fabulous Fortunes

Our first date...

Our first date began with lunch, then a video shoot for newlife youth, and resulted in a a dinner date, and time of worship, and late night conversation.

One of the highlights of the evening was when we had completed our LARGE meal at The Mongolian Grill and we opened our fortune cookies. Ben's held the fortune, "The evening promises romantic interest."

There was a semi-akward momment when both of us didn't know what to say, then we both errupted into laughter.

It didn't take long and yes, the evening was very romantic.
Fortune cookies have become a tradition for Ben and Alex.

We also incorporated their fortune cookie tradition into the wedding. The wedding favors were fortune cookies stuffed with their original fortune ("The evening promises romantic interests") and other love quoatations. The tags read, "Sharing our good fortune with you. Love, Ben and Alex."

Wedded Bliss

We believe a picture truly is worth a thousand words. So here is our wedding day in 1,000 words.

Engaged December 29, 2007 we wed six months later on June 14, 2008

We poured our hearts and souls into the preparation and each detail was thought out.

Laterns hung, candies of all kinds, and the aisles were lined with ribbons and brooches each hand selected by us.

The favors were a tribute to our first date filled with fortunes of love. Including our first fortune, "The evening promises romantic interests." They hung from willow branches that Michael, Alex's Dad, scrounged up for her.

The bridal party was made up of family.

Best Man - Rich Jacobson (Ben's dad)

Groomsmen - Elliot and Luke Jacobson

(Ben's brothers)

Maid of Honor - Tonie Duchemin (Alex' sister)

Bridesmaids - Emily Jacobson and Erin Harper (Ben's sister, and a friend that sticks closer then a sister.)

Junior Bride'smaid - Molly Lemmon

(Alex's "little" sister)

Here Molly's hands hold our fortune cookie box purchased after a month of dating, our original fortune, and our rings.

(Left) Alex made a special memorial for her maternal granfather. (middle)The guest book was filled with polaroid photos of guests and each placed a rock in our unity sand vase to symbolize their friendships being foundational to our marriage. (right)After the ceremony Alex and Ben ate together at their sweetheart table, lovingly created my Auntie Toni.

All the flowers were done by Aunties and were more than I could have dreamed of.

The Michael Jungkeit family graciously shared their home with us on our special day. Thank you Mike and Kelee!

Our programs were handmade by Alex and friend Court Johnson. The back page (right) had 4 different designs created by Emily Jacobson.

We did not see each other before Alex walked down the aisle! So special.

Pictured here is our friend and pastor Jonathan Stone at the ceremony site.

Most of the ceremony was very traditional. Alex's Uncle Tom welcomed the couple and guests followed by Jonathan's leading us in the vows, unity sand, prayer with our parents, and finall THE KISS!

After the ceremony we looked at each other and said, "We did it!" (Left) and then huddled and screamed with our bridal party, we were overcome with joy.















After a quick photo opportunity we returned to the altar and while close friends Sara Stone, Ed Kerr, and Rich Jacobson led us in worship Ben and I wanted our first act as husband and wife to be serving communion to our family and friends.

This was such a special time - and we got to make eye contact with every guest!

Sisters ~ Brothers (yes, they got to wear Converse All Stars!)

Our families!

Erin and Jeremy Harper came all the way from Bellingham and brought along our "honorary flowergirl" Colee. Pictured here before she was even born.

The ladies.

Ben with the ladies.

Alex and Ben with "The Men."

We had a great, and brief photo shoot with photographer Amy Snyder and got some of the most precious photos in God's beautiful creation!

Here we are looking back at the reception site.

Family and Friends pigged out while we finished our photos. Such good food, thank you to family and friend Deb Gaboriault, Mallory and Josh Phillips, and Jenni and Richard Waldron for making it possible.

The toasts made by the dads, and sister Tonie were so special. Thank you for all your words, they meant so much.

Then came the cake and dancing. Here we are during our first dance as husband and wife to the song by Joy Williams, "I'm in love with you."

Our cake topper was an Irish Clauda which symbolizes friendship, love and loyalty. It was the symbol on Alex's promise ring that she wore since she was sixteen. Alex's dad removed it and gave it to Ben at the start of the ceremony. True purity is a gift from God. We are so blessed.

WE SURE HAD FUN!

AND MORE FUN!

My folks figured we might need a napkin before signing the marriage license!

Our witnesses were our two sisters - Tonie and Emily.

Garter Toss - Boy oh Boy! Was that fun.
Bouquet toss.

Our departure was a VERY special part of the day. Alex saw her dream come true, she wore her Mom's wedding dress as we left and we left under a tunnel of light! Ben also saw a dream come true since we got to leave through Liberty Bay on an incredible boat. Heading to our honeymoon!

Ben's wedding gift to Alex was a set of pearls. You can see the ring, necklace and earrings in these photos where she is also wearing her Mom's wedding dress.

Genesis 2:24
Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh. "This day I will marry my friend, the one I laugh with, live for, dream with, love"

These photos capture the emotion behind the day!

We are best friends and lovers. How lucky we are.