Wedding - Getting Ready

I have been quite slow on the wedding posts these days. I actually only have one written about the accessories,  rehearsal, and the morning of the wedding. I just want to take my time so I can really remember the details and write from the heart of how I was feeling. And boy was I feeling a lot. Slow and steady wins the race, right?

As Jeff and I were driving by Men's Wearhouse last night I have sudden rush of memories flood in. I started remembering the times Jeff and I went to pick out the tuxes and what he was going to be wearing standing there to take my hand as his bride. I remembered the time he got fitted for the last time and how handsome he looked. Then I started thinking of all the planning we all did. The work. The memories. The time, blood, sweat, and tears so many people put into our wedding. I was really just floored with thankfulness, yet again. Oh how I miss planning with my mom, family, friends, and Jeff.

Today is all about the pre-wedding. The one thing I will not include just yet is when I talked to Jeff before the wedding. That is a whole other post in itself. Today will be everything else that happened before I actually walked down the isle with my handsome dad and said "i do" to my husband. Those moments that were so special to me. So special to my family. And boy oh boy I may never make it through the wedding series without losing all my tears.

When people say your wedding is the best day of your life (thus far), I now understand what they were talking about.

So before the wedding we had our hair done, had mimosas and breakfast, got my make-up did, and set back to the church for pictures. One thing I forgot to include in my morning before the wedding post was my dad. It may seem small, but it still makes me tear up. Every time I saw or thought about my dad I would just break down. The thoughts of him being my true hero. Walking me down the isle. Making sure he knew I would always and forever be HIS little girl. So many emotions and so much love. Thankfully I finally stopped tearing up because my pictures would have been rooooough.

Getting ready with my girls, mom, and aunts was so much fun and made the whole mess of emotions turn into laughter and fun. After they all (seriously, all) helped me into my dress full of lace and sparkles, we just sat around and talked, drank more mimosas and just enjoyed each other. It had been so long since all of my friends had been in one place, and having them there was beyond perfect for me.

What I really remember about getting ready was towards my mom. I know, I am seriously writing a book. You don't have to read it. And I know most won't, but I will. I remember taking each second with her in. The moment she helped me get into my slip. When she zipped my dress up and tied my ribbon. The conversations we had. How special each and every moment was with her. She made me feel comfortable, relaxed, and so very loved. That mom of mine, she is something special.

As it was getting closer to the time to walk down the isle and everyone left me, I was just standing there. In my my dress I had fallen in love with, holding my bouquet filled with a variety of white flowers, part of my grandma's dress, and my other grandma's rosary. It took all that I had not to break down right then and there.  I tell you, these emotions. I was once again overwhelmed with happiness. Love. And was quite literally shaking in my ruby red high heels. The thought of all of those people watching me walk down that isle was....terrifying.

And then I saw my dad. My handsome, amazing dad. I swear God put him on the Earth to show people what God's love is really like. Okay, I am stopping. The tears are flowing. Anyway. He smiled his ever so loving smile and took my arm. We watched the bridal party, flower girl, ring bearer, and sign holders walk down the isle. And then....it was all eyes on us.


*Stay tuned......