Happy hump day, friends! I hope your week is going well. I’ve decided to bring back my Wedding Wednesday posts for the next few weeks — mainly because I never finished my series of wedding recap posts I started in September. I got so caught up in work and the honeymoon that I completely forgot. Better late than never, right?
The day of our wedding I got up bright and early (after hardly any sleep) to head out and get my hair and makeup done. I looked outside and saw clouds hovering and rain steadily coming down. I knew then we would have to move the ceremony inside. I tried not to dwell too much on the weather and a sweet package from my friend Molly helped take my mind off what was beyond my control. Molls gave me the package and instructed me to open it the day of the wedding. Inside was a beautiful, heartfelt card, as well as a bicycle scarf and a large makeup pouch that says “Today is going to be the best day ever.” It was the sweetest gesture and reminded me what really mattered on such a special day.
After a quick breakfast with my parents, brother and maids of honor, I headed out for my first appointment of the day. In hindsight, I wish I would have taken my maids of honor along. I went alone, thinking some solo time first thing in the morning would allow me to clear my head and start the day stress-free. That wasn’t the case. My makeup artist was more than 20 minutes late, which pushed the rest of the day back. I was so stressed by the time I left I nearly called James and told him I needed to see him before the ceremony in order to make it through the day without having a breakdown.
Luckily, my hairstylist had a mimosa waiting for me at my second appointment and made sure I made it out of the salon in plenty of time to relax a bit before the ceremony with my best girls. We rented the gorgeous Julie Vrooman Suite at the Vrooman Mansion in Bloomington for the girls to get ready in. They’d been there for about an hour doing their hair and makeup by the time I arrived, so we had some time to snap a few photos in our matching rompers and enjoy some celebratory champagne before getting dressed.
I also opened a card and gifts from James at that point, which helped calm my nerves. He knows how much I love all things Kate Spade and got me a stunning bracelet to wear in the wedding and an adorable “Mrs” necklace to wear afterward. I cherish them both, but not as much as the beautiful card he wrote.
As I stepped into my dress, each of my bridesmaids played a different role in helping me get dressed — whether it was tying the bow in my sash or helping me get my shoes on. My mom also helped get me ready to go. I wanted to make sure they all felt included and knew how important it was to have them stand by my side on my big day.
Once I was all ready, everyone left the room and the photographer helped guide my dad inside with his eyes closed. James and I didn’t want to see each other before the ceremony, but I wanted to do a “First Look” with my dad. The series of photos our photographer snapped of the big reveal is something I will treasure forever.
After that, I invited my mom in and gave both of my parents their gifts of personalized handkerchiefs. We exchanged several hugs before they headed off to the venue to help the guys get ready for the ceremony. James and the groomsmen spent most of the day at my parents’ house relaxing before getting dressed and heading out to the venue early.
The girls and I spent a little more time with the photographer at the mansion taking photos on the beautiful porch before heading out to the Davis Lodge for the ceremony. My amazing Uncle Bill chauffeured us out in his van, pulling us right up to the side door of the venue to shelter us from the rain. The one good thing about almost everything running behind early in the day was I barely had time to think before I got into my dress. If there was more down time, I’m sure I would have spent it worrying about the weather or the logistics of the ceremony.
By the time we got inside the venue, we only had about two minutes before the ceremony started. Before I knew it, I was walking down the aisle, getting ready to marry a man who is more amazing than I ever dreamed.
You can read more about our wedding:
The Rehearsal
Setting Up The Venue
Bridal Party Gifts
My Favorite Wedding Etsy Finds