After being with Tom for seven years, it's no surprise that we decided to put the wedding together in a matter of just three weeks! We wanted to start the New Year off right, declaring our love for one another and celebrating that union with our family and friends. It truly was a surprise! Guests were invited to a New Year's Day party with a "special event" and "group photo" mixed in. Guests arrived at the beach house in Malibu and were escorted around to the backyard and ocean view, where they saw a giant wedding tent decked with flowers. As she was signing the guest book, my Jenny Craig counselor and long-time friend Kathy even asked, "Is this what I think it is?"

We mixed and mingled with friends for about an hour - I in a long robe and Tom in a sweater and jeans. It was fun to catch up and reminisce before the big event. Then I disappeared upstairs with Roque and my future sisters-in-law, Robin and Angela,  to put on my dress!

For the ceremony, we spent New Year's Eve rehearsing and cutting up. My new step-daughters Andie and Angela had joked about me doing a little "pole dance" around one of the tent poles, with my brother Pat and his wife Stacy egging me on. It was a cut-up - and fortunately none of the photos turned out! 

The moment had arrived: Tom's parents were unable to make the trip due to illness, so we arranged for a live broadcast of the wedding to their home where all of the Vitales in Ohio gathered for cake and champagne. Our wonderful pastor, Phil Toole, of Mountain Valley Church, welcomed the folks watching at home with some personal words. He said that was the part of the ceremony that made him most nervous!

As for the aisle walk, Tom and I really did want this to be a celebration of our families. His kids, Tony, Dominic, Andie and Angela, started off the procession, followed by his sister Angela and brother-in-law Ken strutting their stuff, followed by a beaming best man David Vitale, his sweet wife Robin, and their darling boys. Then my nutty sister-in-law and crazy brother Patrick decided to kick it up a notch by re-enacting a red-carpet walk complete with paparazzi - that's her with the pink scarf. Wolfie carried his puppy Louie, as a four-legged bouquet - just adorable! My handsome groom must have high-fived all of our guests as he walked down the aisle. Then the moment arrived...

We decided to go with Etta James' At Last - fittingly - the violins swelled, and I did take a little twirl around the tent pole at the top of the aisle! My heart soared when I saw Tom waiting for me. I was careful to take my time and savor every moment - in fact, I'd like to thank my friend Amy for allowing me a sip from her wine to help get me through those final few steps! (Just kidding)

The ceremony was a whirlwind of emotion - both Tom and I were teary-eyed throughout. It was the culmination of good times and challenging times and all times in between, with so much waiting for us in the future. I could not wait to kiss my groom.

Afterward, everyone - and I mean, EVERYONE - gathered for a group photo on the lawn. I love this keepsake of all the people who were there to witness this day - from old friends like Pat Harrington and Mac Phillips from One Day at a Time to new friends like Jane Leeves and Wendie Mallick from Hot in Cleveland... from my book group to my Jenny Craig friends... even my ex-husband Ed and his new bride Janie. It was an extraordinary day, and I'm thankful for all of the love showered upon us. I hope you enjoy these photos of this very special day!