Today is our special day! I arranged for a limo (or “limbo” as the kids called it) to pick the girls and I up that morning. They felt like royalty and immediately made the connection that it was the car from “Princess Diaries”. We rode in style to the Bridal suite where the remaining wedding party participants were already waiting. Today may be a special day for me, but it is also for them. They finally have a complete family, a mom and dad who love them more than life and today we will celebrate the union of our family!

We turn on the tunes and prepare our faces and hair for the big day. I made sure that nervousness wasn’t an option and kept everyone calm. We took turns getting makeup and our hair styled the way we wanted. Of course, the first bump in the road didn’t take long to occur. The flower girl sashes were nowhere to be found. These were colored sashes with bows in the back fastened by velcro. My mom frantically calls the guys asking them to search for them. I was unaware of the panic until I entered back into the room from using the restroom. I grabbed my mom’s arm and told her not to worry about it. The dresses were beautiful without them and with the jackets I bought for them (cold temps in the forecast) the sashes actually may have been too much going on. Crisis 1 diverted.

Time to put on the gown: my favorite part of the day. It was just as beautiful as I envisioned. With the veil, my hair, makeup… this is the real deal y’all! I slide on my shoes and I am ready to rock n roll! The guys arrive on time and shortly after the photographer. I am escorted outside to gear up for the first look with Matt, my future husband. We stand back to back for photo opportunities and for the videographer to have his time to set up for the reveal. I tap on his shoulder and he turns around. As I see him, I think he is the most handsome I’ve ever seen him. He’s dressed in his black tux, his goatee is trimmed and he just looks so happy. He giggles and says he’s speechless…. He thinks I am beautiful.

We immediately transition into the million combinations of photos prior to the ceremony beginning. I wanted as many photos to take place prior, so we aren’t delayed in the reception and our guests aren’t waiting forever for us to arrive. – I have attended way too many weddings to know how it feels to wait on the bridal party to return from the ceremony venue. All you can think about is food and when we can eat!

Wedding Hack: We bribed the kids (and some adults) with marshmallows throughout the whole process. Worked like a charm! They were sweet, small, and white… so they didn’t damage the clothes. They even fit in the bouquets to hide them during the ceremony. A different definition of “packing”.

After photos, our limo arrived to take us to the church. The church was where the majority of my family got married, including my parents. Added together we probably have close to 200 years represented of marriage. Something most families cannot brag about. We ride the 5min drive to the church and are isolated in the cafeteria area. We notice people starting to arrive and nerves start to set in for everyone. We keep the emotions light by telling jokes, catching up on our lives, etc. Bump #2…. Our wedding coordinator comes in to tell us that the pianist has been practicing and still cannot play the wedding march without stumbling (this was a concern from the rehearsal). Thankfully, she was more than prepared with an accompaniment CD. We chose to fire the pianist and use the CD. Thank God for her! Crisis #2 diverted.

We get the cue to start making our way into the back hallway; our posts if you will. Each person makes their way down the aisle and I know my time is coming fast than I know it. The wedding march starts, and the doors are held open for my dad and me. It was a surreal feeling walking down the aisle. My future husband at the end, and what felt like a dream surrounded by my loved ones as I walk towards him. The ceremony was beautiful. Our officiant was a pastor whom I’ve known since middle school and it was so special to have her as part of our day. The sand ceremony was a tear jerker and I am pretty sure there wasn’t a dry eye in the house after that. The different colors of sand poured into the container as one, symbolized our family joining as one… and never being separated again.

After the ceremony we transitioned to the reception. Fun was had by all! We danced the night away and checked off each obligatory milestone of the reception. The toasts given were beyond special and the photo booth made great memories for who all who attended. Of course, we ended the evening with a firework show. The day was perfect.