{Wedding Recap} Girls Day of Prep

The morning of the wedding I woke up at 7AM and had breakfast with my parents. It was an added bonus that we could stumble out of bed-with slob, ugg boots and our PJs-and enjoy a very filling breakfast right in our own hotel. SCORE!

After we finished eating mom & I raced to the venue to do some last minute straightening up (i.e. Type A personality crap that my soul thrives on). I shouldn't have enjoyed it but I honestly did enjoy chopping up lemons for my pre-ceremony drinks and dumping them in their containers. Mom saw it and said "That's so cute!" SCORE X 2.

After we left the venue we headed over to Tasty Pastry Bakery (say that 3x fast, yo!) and picked up DH's groom cake. I refused to pay $30 to have someone deliver a cake 10 minutes away; since we had a huge fridge in our suite I decided to store it there before we left for the ceremony. It actually worked out perfect.

My girls had call times starting at 8:00AM to start getting their make-up done and my MOHs were supervising it all (they rocked)! By the time I returned around 10:00AM 3 girls had already been done. A few minutes before I walked back into the suite I got an email from my videographer telling me that she wasn't sure if she'd be there the day of the wedding.

Yes. The day of. HOURS before the start of my wedding.

I took it like any Type-A bride would take it & started freaking out. All my planning, all my coordination & this is what it got me. The videographer, who had a sick son, was supposed be arriving in Tallahassee only hours later and she was still in Tampa (4 hours away) with a sick son. Back & forth calls & emails were exchanged and it did NOT get pretty...but after a few minutes I realized "God's got it" and stressing would get me nowhere. Still, I cringed on the inside realizing I wouldn't have my prized wedding video. The videographer offered to send a local videographer but I didn't know him or his work & was reluctant...but what did I have to lose? I put on a brave face & didn't even let my girls know there was an issue.

My photographer, Ron Ranew, showed up early and starting taking detailed shots of our dresses.

I was so glad I'd purchased those "pretty" hangers. A $10 investment that was totally worth it.

My DIY hoodie in effect! Woot! Woot!

My make-up artist, Danielle, was-without a doubt-the BEST! She went above & beyond what any make-up artist would've done. She was genuinely involved in our wedding & did a fabulous job making my girls over! I was so glad Ron captured this time...

Some people enjoyed the make-up more than others...case in point? BM "L". She's a loon.

FG Kendyll watched as everyone got dutied up!

We had plenty (and I mean plenty) of bottles poppin'. I gave my girls these mini bottles of champagne in their BM gift bags & darn it if we didn't pop them immediately! They were delish!

Before I knew it, it was time to start on my hair. If there's one person I trust with my hair, it's my aunt Kaye. Nope, I didn't have a trial with her, we simply ran with it on the day of the wedding & my hair turned out better than I envisioned! Simplified Chic!

With BM "J" there's no telling what that face was about...

See that tattoo on my wrist? Yes, it's the only one I have and it's in honor of my deceased first-cousin Jamie (remember I did memory bouquet charms for him to be used on my bouquet?). My cousin and bridesmaid "N" is Jamie's sister & as my something "borrowed"' she gave me her necklace, with an engraved picture of her and Jamie on it, to wear on the wedding. The cool things is "N" wore this same necklace on her own wedding day (stuffed in her bra) so it was super sentimental.

BM "L" got my Aunt Kaye to curl her hair as I rushed to shower.

Before I knew it all the girls were screaming that Best Man "M" was there with a gift for me. I threw my clothes back on and giddily rushed out!

It's no telling what I asked him probably "What's in here...boy?"

I sat down as everyone gathered around and began reading the card. It was VERY emotional and touching & I def. got choked up.

DH got me a two part gift. One was a glass filled with my favorite candy-Starburst-that had my new last initial on it. The second was a brand new digital camera! Sweeeeet!

Then it was time for a food run. BMs "L" and "F" were gracious enough to pick it up & MOH "T" picked up the tab! Wooo & the subs, chips & wine hit the S-P-O-T!

Finally, it was time for Danielle to work her magic on me!

Make-up time didn't stop me from handling business via my trusty Blackberry.

I heart a squeal at the door and looked to see my mom tearing up & grinning widely! Who was that?

My {favorite} Auntie Sue!

As our 2:30 pull out time approached to leave the hotel for the venue (where I would be getting dressed) my girls scurried off to get ready in their suites & BM "L" gathered all of DH's gifts and began her journey to his hotel (which was 2 seconds away-walking distance) to give them to him & get his reaction!

Me? Well...I was in the room with my make-up artist, my Blackberry, my thoughts & a glass of wine. Time was winding down and I was getting anxious.

I wondered to myself what DH and his guys had been up to and if he was feeling the same anxiousness as me!

Up Next: Guys Day of Prep

CIAO

Ebonee Monique