Our emotional morning was interrupted by a swift knock at the door from our wonderful hair stylist, who had arrived right-on-time to begin fluffing the locks of both my future-mother-in-law and mother. As the ladies chatted excitedly about the day ahead, I hopped in the shower to prepare for my own pampering sessions. Just as I was slipping into my gorgeous silk Victoria's Secret "Bride" robe from my dear friend and bridesmaid, Jennifer, our little cabin was greeted by several other guests--all of my bridesmaids and some of their family members. Each lovely lady took her turn in the "hair chair" while I finished my wedding vows to Darling Fiance'. Finally, it was my turn! Just as the hair magician coaxed my tresses into the perfect shape, our wonderful photographers arrived--Mary & Gabe of Honey Heart Photography! Ever the sweet couple, Mary & Gabe seemed genuinely excited for our big day, which made my own excitement grow even more! It was suddenly feeling quite...real! It was the day Darling Fiance' and I had been longing for for almost two years, and everything felt utterly perfect. Around 1 pm, with the day speeding along ever too quickly, my friend and makeup artist, Caroline, arrived. Some of you may remember that Caroline and I had concocted a secret makeup look that would only be revealed on the wedding day. Well, the time had finally arrived, and as Caroline painted on a gorgeous, "old-Hollywood-esque" bold red lip, my friends and family members were beyond shocked! They simply couldn't believe how "daring, yet breathtaking" I looked, which was my exact goal! At that moment I felt like (yes, I know it sounds cliche') a true princess. After all, I was surrounded with my dearest friends and family members, was being styled to the nines, and would shortly marry my very own prince-charming. What a very, very blessed Bride I was!
I believe Mary & Gabe captured my joy perfectly in our "getting ready" photos, a few of which are included below.
My Fun Reception Headpiece!
My "Bride's Bible" from Mom & Dad!
Our Vows (yes, they're on notebook paper--a tribute to our meeting at college!)
In the midst of our red-lip extravaganza, our wedding videographers, Bryan and Lisa Manis of Manis Productions, sneaked in just in time to capture my wedding day look! (Stay tuned for a posting of the highlight video, which should arrive sometime in November!) Next came the gorgeous flowers! Erica of Hide and Seek Designs first brought in the cream-colored bouquets, which were nestled adorably in the cutest orange delivery boxes! Each girl would carry a bouquet made of only one flower type that was unique to her. This created a soft, romantic look with one girl carrying soft white tulips, one girl carrying ranunculus, and so on. My bouquet was also all-white, and was filled with lush cabbage roses. (Sadly, my dream peonies just couldn't be found anywhere in the United States due to the harsh summer drought. So, my second-choice-cabbage-roses seamlessly stepped in, and my day, I believe, was just as perfect as it would have been with those elusive peonies!) Next, Erica and her husband delivered the guys' boutonnieres, which perfectly matched each girl's bouquet. Below are a few images of our gorgeous wedding-day petals (Thanks Erica!!!).
Next, it was on to the Woodland Center, where my bridesmaids and I would take our pre-ceremony photographs. Due to the slight drizzle that had settled on Natural Bridge, we chose to drive my wedding gown over to the Center, where I would dress in the safety of a clean, dry room! As I slipped into my lovely wedding gown, with my mother and sister tucked carefully at my side, I was overcome with emotion. Struggling to hold back the tears, I knew that at that very moment we were making a once-in-a-lifetime memory. As Mom and Sissy carefully secured each sparkly bridal button, my heart fluttered. I tried desperately to open my eyes wide, to take in everything around me, just as I had done earlier that morning. In an instant, they were finished, and I was now fully a bride. As I turned to face my sweet Mother and Sister, I grabbed them both in an embrace that I hoped would say everything that my choked-up throat wouldn't let me utter.
Meanwhile, outside, as the rain drizzled down harder and harder, my prayers for clear weather went up faster and faster! And then, just as I was praying, the rain stopped! The girls and I hustled outside to take our photos, and just as we were finishing up, the rain resumed. My hopes for an outdoor ceremony were dimmed ever so slightly. But, I reminded myself, there iss still hope for a rain-free ceremony! After our pictures, my bridesmaids headed back to the cabin to relax while Mom & I stayed in the Woodland Center. (It was simply too risky to transport my gown back and forth in the rain.) And so, the minutes before our marriage ceremony continued to flutter by...
