We got home and just crashed at my parents for some much needed sleep. I woke up early Wednesday morning and headed to the court house to apply for our marriage license. I was so happy to get it done, but when I left the courthouse my check book mysteriously disappeared… I still have no idea where it is.
When I pulled into the drive way, our beautiful get away car had just arrived. I am still waiting to get photos back but I know they will be amazing.
We spent the evening starting to decorate the church, and headed back early Thursday morning. Luckily our families were there to help, and a few bridal party members… they saved my butt. Literally could not have pulled it off without their hard work and creativity. I know everyone was tired and ready for the day to arrive, but they kept pushing!
Friday Jake and I picked up our license then parted ways. Courtney and I took Lily all over town – we had lunch, did a little shopping and we got our nails done. It was so nice to spend some time with both of them… and I loved seeing Lily at the nail salon.
She got her fingers and toes painted and she was adorable… we sang The Wheels on the Bus as we waited for our nails to dry and just had a wonderful time. She’s adorable.
When we were done, we hurried home and my long lost wifey met me at the house. I was so excited to see her that I could barely stand it. We got dressed and headed over to the rehearsal at the church. Everyone was there, everything was set up and we were ready to get it done. I was just happy to be accomplishing something, but a few of the bridesmaids really got choked up from the beginning. I thought to myself two things : “this is only the rehearsal, what’s going to happen when you all lose it tomorrow?!” and “I am so loved.” Dinner at the Beach Bar was yummy, we finished pretty fast and then everyone parted ways.
My sister arranged for me to stay at a cabin with some of my bridesmaids, and when I got to the house they had planned a lingerie party for me. We laughed and ate and drank and I had such a good time. I wanted to press pause because I knew the weekend was going too fast, I miss all of my friends so much and just cherished the time I had with them right then and there.
Not to mention the fact that they were showering me with some pretty fly gifts! We got to bed at a decent hour and Jake snuck a late night phone call in to me… I told him I’d be the one wearing the gorgeous dress tomorrow and that I would meet him at the altar. LOVE!
The morning of the wedding flew by. WE went to Tecumseh and got our hurr did, at some breakfast and tried to relax. I loved how my hair turned out wish it could be that sexy/fierce/glam every day.
At the church Jake and I exchanged gifts – and it’s well documented that we are huge cry babies, as each of us turned into a bucket of blubber opening our gifts.
I started getting nervous… we were taking photos and trying to be organized, but I got to a point where I didn’t want to speak to anyone. I just wanted to be by myself, still – with some time to think about what was actually going on around me. It still doesn’t seem like it actually happened.
The ceremony was 10000% more than what I thought it would be – I was so pleased with the music, the vows, and with the overwhelming sense of love I had for Jake and my family. Afterwards, we tried to hustle and get formal photos done… so rushed. Then we hopped out into the get away car to ride over to Somerset – and it wouldn’t start! I was so confused with what was going on that when they started pushing the car down the hill all I could do was laugh. What a memory.
Our photos at the orchard and the park were so much fun, filled with character and sass and the colors were so vivid.
We got back to the church as soon as we could, but of course we were over an hour late. I felt bad for making people wait, but at the same time I thought to myself “I’m never going to be in this dress, in this moment again… so let me have my pictures!”
We tried to eat and then get out to socialize as much as possible but we were far too ambitious. It was so frantic and I felt that no matter how hard I tried I couldn’t get to everyone. Without alcohol, people started leaving at an early hour – and for a while I was really disappointed because I thought that meant no dancing. After calming down, I got out on the dance floor and cut a mean rug with THE WORLDS BEST BRIDESMAIDS and the crew… a little bit of Mr. Jones, Shout and Journey was enough to suffice for this bride :)
Lily hurt herself and Colton was coming down with something, so my sister and mom had to leave early. This set everyone into confusion with clean up and organization but everyone pulled through to the max. I could not believe how willing people were to stay and rip things apart – so fast and so unselfishly. It meant so much to us. We finally got out of the church and to the hotel, had a few drinks and laughs with our friends and then celebrated the day together. We cuddled up in the wee hours of the morning, heated up our picnic basket of food from the reception and opened some cards… then fell asleep as husband and wife, which felt different but very natural and so certain.
The next morning Courtney and the babies came over, along with my Mom and Dad and Toby and we opened all the gifts.
It took all of our effort together to load the car back up on account of all the loot – but we drove back to Onsted and just basked in the glory of the wedding experience. I love my brother and sister, they were each so thoughtful with their gifts... not to mention we have so many beautiful things to frame and put up in our house that we shouldn't have to worry about decorating for a while :)
We spent the rest of our time at home trying to get everything together and organized. We said goodbye to the babies, to our parents and families, and what friends we could... then hit the road headed south. The trip back to NC went incredibly fast and we made good time.
There are some minor disappointments in regards to the reception, but over all I am so pleased with how the day turned out… and sooooo thankful that I never have to plan something like that again! My agenda is filled with living life as Mrs. Howland, and that’s that.
