Officially Hitched: Down the Aisle

After our intimate moment together, it was time to head back up to the Manor and prepare for our walk down the aisle.

Our guests got seated and patiently waited for us to make our appearance.




Meanwhile, I shared a moment with my Grammie - this photo was captured by the Best Man on his phone and I honestly couldn't be more grateful. I vividly remember this moment and had no idea until after the wedding that he managed to freeze it in time. By far one of my favorite images of the day.


So as I flustered inside, my handsome husband-to-be walked his Mom down the aisle.




Followed by our wedding party...although sadly not all were captured as they lead the way.




And then it was time for me.



And just as I began to feel the moment of "wow...I'm walking down the aisle" - I was reminded of the reality of Murphy's Law.




Yep...that's right, dear hive...my veil caught on the walkway and the bushes and was clear pulled off. I guess I'm sorta grateful for the fact that there aren't any photos documenting that lovely bridal moment of my head being pulled backwards while my veil (still attached to my head) was desperately trying to escape behind me. My Mom worked to put it back in place but after a while, I was just ready to leave it behind...actually I believe the -very bridal- conversation went as such:

Me "Oh my GOD - did that just happen??"
Mom "We'll fix it, we'll fix it!!" (veil now sorta fastened-ish)
Me "It's gonna come out again...it feels loose"
Mom "Okay, let me try again..."
Me "It's fine, let's just go"
Mom "No I think I have it now" (still loose)
Me "I don't CARE - I just want to get married!"
Mom "Okay, I GOT IT!"

And the resulting image:

Luckily the last try worked and the veil stayed on...nothing like a little reality check! Only me...

Now we resume our scheduled walking:

I'm getting married!

Next up...we finally get to say "I do!"

Have you had any "Murphy's Law" moments along your wedding journey?

Officially Hitched: Ceremony Details

You know, it's amazing how much goes into the details of the day. The amount of phone calls and emails and research - the saved photos of inspiration ideas, the notes spread throughout the house...and yet, it never quite prepares you for what you see on that day. The way it all comes together - you know in your head what you want to see but it really never seems as though it will ever come to be.

And then, the day arrives.


And the details all fall into place...the world around you becomes fuzzy and that day is all that exists.




















The details are in place...looks like it's time to get Officially Hitched! Don't worry, you're invited.

What kinds of details are you working on for your big day?

Officially Hitched: Love Letters

After taking in the moment and enjoying our first look, my husband-to-be took my hand and led me to a beautiful, secluded area to share our love letters that we had written to each other.

Watch your step...

I can't even tell you how special this moment was. To look into one another's eyes and share our deepest feelings and emotions...it's impossible to describe how much that meant to each of us. Words you know the person you love feels for you but words that probably aren't said often or sometimes ever, in that way.














The things he said to me, the words he chose, I'll never forget the emotions that flooded over me and how grateful I was to have found him and to be moments away from calling him my husband. To be moments away from spending the rest of our lives together.

Are you sharing love letters or writing your own vows?

Officially Hitched: First Look

Now that my dress was on and my sash (thanks Mom!) was secure, it was time to see my groom.

Hello Handsome!

Luckily our photographers were seasoned veterans and walked us through this whole sneaky surprise. Frogger waited patiently while I mastered the art of being quiet...let me tell you, not a natural trait for me. Ahem.

Mr. Nervous Serious

Surprise!

What do you think?

I'm pretty sure at this moment I was thinking - can this day possibly get any better? Boy was I in for a ride...best.day.ever.

For those who are on the fence with a first look, I'll throw in my two cents. For us, it was by far one of the best decisions we made. Not only did it ease our nerves to see one another and provide a special moment that we could share on our own, it really helped the flow of the day. We were able to take the majority of the "required" photos prior to the ceremony, allowing for after-ceremony shots to be with our families and a few of the two of us in different spots throughout the grounds.

Obviously it's not for everybody and there are advantages to both ways of handling it but for us...it couldn't have been more perfect. You'll see another reason why in the next post. Yes, I'm a tease, I own it.

Do you plan on having a first look before your ceremony?

Frogs in Brides Magazine!

We interrupt these recaps for a breaking news brief...

Anyone recognize this magazine? Yep...that's the October 2011 issue of Brides Magazine!

Let's press the rewind button for a moment, shall we?

Shortly after our wedding last summer, I saw a query from Brides Magazine calling for brides to submit a quote about a song that was a "must play" at their wedding reception. This immediately struck a chord with me because our group of friends has a tradition with one specific song that is played at every wedding. When this song comes on, we all circle around the bride and groom...and then, we sing along at the top of our lungs. It's quite a sight (*hint - you'll be seeing this fabulous display of insanity when I get to that part of the recaps). Needless to say, I had to at least give it a shot and submit.

I was SHOCKED that we were one of the couples chosen! They asked for a selection of photos and that was that. I then waited MONTHS for this issue to finally come out...and behold, here it is! Eeeep!


Let's go in for a close-up...


Sorry it's so grainy...but you get the idea. :) I just had to share this with all of you since I know the hive understands how much fun this is!

Do you have a "must play" song for your reception?

Officially Hitched: Pretty White Dress

So as much as I enjoyed wearing my comfy LOVE t-shirt and yoga pants...it was definitely time to step into that gorgeous white dress that had been waiting for me for weeks. Yes...WEEKS. Side story - because I got my dress in NYC, I had to fly there for my fittings three weeks before the wedding and then cross my fingers, hope and pray, and wish upon a shooting star that I didn't gain or lose an ounce for those three weeks. No sweat, right? Not like I have any pressure or nerves during that time...easy peasy.

What do you mean I look nervous?

And looking at the photo above makes me laugh because remember how I went to NYC to get my dress? Well...I flew that baby back with me to Arizona (the airline loved me for that)....and carried it through two airports including the security line. It just so happened that while going through security at JFK, I had a celeb run-in.

source

Jay Mohr was in line right behind me and laughed as I struggled to put my dress through the x-ray machine. We had a brief conversation and I left with his blessing on my impending nuptials...score! I then kept my white mistress hidden away in our house until it was time to fly to Seattle for the wedding...are we sensing a trend?

By this point (in the photo above) I was very much done with holding up that hanger...but boy did it make for a great arm workout. Take note, future brides. Holding up wedding dress in various locales = buff arms.

Digress much? Wow. Okay let's get me dressed already!

Suck in...please fit, please fit, please fit

Riddle me this...how many bridesmaids does it take to put on a wedding dress?

So bossy...

Finishing touches

All smiles!

Next up - I finally get to see Frogger...

PS - did you see the cameo of Mrs. Tiramisu's bracelet? I count myself very lucky to be the 5th Bee to wear it, I was thrilled to have it as my "something borrowed."