The Ceremony:

I blogged and blogged about our letter in a wine box ceremony that we were doing. So here it is:

The box: (from Home Goods)

The inside of the box with the glasses (Crate & Barrel, engraved at Things Remembered), the wine and our love letters:

The box with the ribbons for our Celtic tying the knot ceremony:

When I first starting to take the walk down the aisle I was nervous. I was nervous because I don't walk well in heels and my shoes were high! I was nervous because 140 people were staring at me and I was nervous because about half-way through my walk... there were 3 measly steps I had to take. Steps UP that is...


And I tried to take those steps. But... I got stuck.


As in, I LITERALLY couldn't move. My dress wouldn't allow my legs to bend. :) So my daddy had to lift my dress for me. And when I got to the top I sighed a huge sigh of relief -- comic relief that is... and it came at a perfect time because my Groom... well, he was losing it. :) But after my little "incident" he smiled.


While we were standing up there, it was weird to me that I hadn't gotten a chance to greet our guests yet! I had been hidden, remember? So, I found myself making eye contact with guests and smiling and mouthing "hi!" but then I thought... hmm, this is a little serious "LET'S FOCUS". haha. Our officiant was amazing and the reading we chose was perfect -- and something I'll definitely share, but in another post.

We said our vows (and neither of us stuttered)... and exchanged rings:


And after that (literally it was like 20 minutes, maybe shorter...) and a couple "I do's" it was done:


And we kissed:


I took my flowers back... aren't they pretty?


And this time, my HUSBAND had to help me on those steps:


And then came the formal pictures during cocktail hour.

I won't be blogging the formal pictures because those are shots I'd rather wait for our professional pictures to share. So tomorrow will be the start of the reception and the beginning of all my DIY projects. Are you pumped? :)

My look.

I don't have any pictures of the shuttle ride. But it was quick! When we got to the venue I caught some glimpses of the entrance way, the ballroom, etc. and it looked amazing! But it wasn't finished, yet. So, we all filed into the bridal suite. It was decided that the girls should get dressed first that way in the pictures of me getting ready... they'd be all done up! I think that was a great decision.

So... this is what I did while they changed:


And, admired my flowers:


And before I knew it... it was time: TO PUT ON MY DRESS. :) :)

I feel like I could write a novel about my dress. Literally. But I won't... of course!

Let me just say that when I first put this dress on (at David's Bridal) I knew it was the one. Actually, even before that, when I was browsing the David's Bridal website the week after being engaged... I knew it was the one. There was never a question in my mind. Ever.

But, just to be safe, when we went to the store to try on dresses, I tried on 3 others first -- and "saved the best for last". But when I put it on... there was no doubt in my mind that it would be the dress that I would wear while walking down the aisle. I bought it Jan. 1, 2010 and every time I tried it on after that I felt the exact same way. It was perfect.



Ooooh. I just love it. I wish I could put it on right now...

Anyways --

So, I got dressed and that's kind of when it hit me. I wasn't feeling "nervous" but I was feeling something that I can't even put into words. I don't know that I'll ever feel it again -- in my entire life. I was anxious, excited, and mostly wanting it to start but not wanting it to end. Maybe you have different emotions to describe the feeling?

Here are some shots from getting ready:

I don't know why I look so serious?

My mom's wedding necklace & my "something borrowed".

This bracelet was a wedding gift from Sean :) and my "something new".

:) I was ready... but still had an HOUR before the ceremony. Find out what's next tomorrow!

A quick update

Ready...

- I had my first dress fitting today. It was so exciting and fun and I love putting on my dress. It was decided the dress needs to be taken in a bit at the top and I need a bustle. But the length is perfect with my shoes. ;)

- Since the length is perfect I really need to start practicing walking in my shoes....

- We had our final details meeting today and I feel a lot less stressed. We talked logistics, food and money (eek!).

- I really want to have a signature drink (that's pink!) but don't actually drink much alcohol -- so I'm not too familiar with fancy drinks. Any ideas?

- Sean is tabbing out the song that I'll use to walk down the aisle. ;) it's beautiful!

That's it, for now.