On August 28th, 2010, I went from a Ms. to a Mrs.
It was the best day of my life.
I wish I could share each and every moment with you all. Hell, I wish I could relive the entire weekend myself (it went by so fast!). There were so many intimate moments that weren’t captured on film that I will have to imprint in my mind forever. There were several times that I had to stop and remind myself that THIS. WAS. IT. This was the moment I had been planning for the past 16 months.
Holy$h!tf^%*motherof&@#
How can I possibly relate the magic of the day to you all? Well, I can’t. It was so special in the moment, reliving the memories through the photographs (while amazing) is just not quite the same. However, I would love to share the day with you as best I can. So here goes nothing…
My sisters and I spent the night before the wedding in the Lafayette Park Hotel. Sharing a bed. So, I started the day with an unnecessarily early wake-up call (thanks Laura).
While my sisters went to get their hair did, I twiddled my thumbs for an hour or so…
I was so bored, I called Kyle to see what he was up to. After a brief chat (our last one ‘til the vows), I did my best to stay busy…I made coffee in the room (which was nast)…watched an MSNBC special on female body builders (which totally creeped me out)…cleaned the room up…and eventually got dressed.
At 10:45 my sisters returned from their hair appointments with an extra Starbucks cup. Oh yeah! Why didn’t I think to utilize abuse the whole Maid of Honor duty sooner? Ah well.
I satisfied my caffeine fix with a soy misto from Le Bux, while I got my hair done by the fabulous Lisa Marie.
I had a pretty clear vision of what I wanted, and she worked with me to execute it perfectly! I loved the sleek elegance of the ‘do with the white orchid accents.
Then it was time for make-up…
I was already glowing like a crazy fool (crazy in loooove), but Julie Palowski enhanced my look beautifully. She was recommended by a friend and I was so happy with how it turned out.
Once I was red carpet ready from the neck up, I headed back to the hotel to meet up with my girls.
Aren’t my friends gorg 🙂
I scarffed down a quickie lunch while ooo-ing and aah-ing over their hotness.
Paparazzi shot capturing my classy behavior courtesy of my mom. Hey, I never claimed to be lady-like. Maybe that will come with the Mrs. title too?
We had assorted goods aplenty in the hotel room, thanks to the jam-packed cooler my mom sent with us when we checked into the hotel room the day before. Mini-fridge essentials = champagne, produce, and hummus (obvs).
You can see where I get my type-A meal planning skills. When it comes to food, we don’t mess around. Always be prepared!
My appetite was completely non-existent, but I ate anyways because it was now-or-never once I got in my dress. Speaking of the dress…
Zipping.
Still zipping.
Adding shoes and earrings to the mix…
Nearly ready!
Kombuchaaaaa. Ready to rock and roll!
After my mom left, we took a million and one pics with the photographer.
Sissies 🙂
I don’t care how deep of a person you are, it’s hard to look pensive when you are bubbling with excitement. And I was.
I was realllly excited.
Now that my dress details aren’t under wraps (I didn’t want Kyle to know a thing about what I’d look like walking down the aisle), allow me to share.
My dress was by Paloma Blanca. It was the first dress I tried on. I got it last year when I was home for the San Francisco Nike half marathon. I knew it was “the one” the second I put it on. After they took my measurements (way back in October of 2009), it was a waiting game until the dress came in…I was nervous given that there was nearly a year between being measured and the big day (and since I was home for a half marathon, my body was in pretty good shape when I was sized). But I only had one fitting before the wedding and (hallelujah) there were no alterations to make.
But back to the wedding day…
This picture pretty accurately portrays the way I felt en route to the church. Somehow the limo ride felt like it went by in both a blur and slow motion. It was the only real point of the day that I got a bit jittery. I don’t think that’s the right word. I wasn’t nervous, I was just anxious. I didn’t want to mess up my vows, I just wanted everything to go well. I just wanted to marry my best friend. While the girls had champagne, I kinda zoned out until we arrived at the church.
We immediately went into hiding in the bridal room while the guys’ limo pulled up and they took pictures. My mom also joined us in the bridal room.
45 minutes to go.
Every former bride has warned me of the same thing: the day flies by so try to be as present as possible and remember it all. With that in mind, I was making every effort to heed their advice and take in each and every moment…but on the inside I was thinking “can we get this show on the road?” 45 minutes seemed like an eternity to wait in that tiny room (and yet I still managed to drag my bridal party into the bathroom to help me pee 3 times).
At one point, I snuck a peak at Kyle through the curtained window. Best idea ever. Any jitters I had were completely erased. When I saw him, I got excited all over again. He looked perfect. As adorable as always…plus there was the tux factor…which upped his hotness even more. I’m a lucky lucky girl.
Next thing I knew it was time to put on my veil.
Four man operation.
My sister’s body language in this one says it all.
5 minutes.
We snapped this photo right before my bridesmaids left me in confinement to get lined up. So this is one of the last photos of me before I became a wife. Before I added the “r” and became a Mrs. Before I said “I do” to the most wonderful man I know.
To be continued…
You.look.stunning. That dress is INCREDIBLE!!!! Thanks for all the deets. I was getting butterflies for you!
You look beautiful! I also love the snacks. If I ever get married, I will remember to do the same sort of prepwork. 🙂
THANKS!! 🙂 BTW, I totally ended up wussing out and not getting the spray tan. I was too scared I’d end up orange – haha. Au natural it was!
Great recap, love your dress. You totally hit the nail on the head of what the bride is going through, I also got married last month!
Aww, so gorgeous!! Congratulations!! 🙂
Stunning in every way: you have such amazing taste and your dress just took my breath away.
By the way, I just tried Sabra for the first time yesterday and it changed my world 😉 I have you to thank for introducing me to the wonders of this beautiful substance via the blog…sadly I can only get hold of one variety (mediterranean, the one with pine nuts and whole chickpeas in it?) but if I could find more then I could easily fill a cooler with it too!
~Jess~
xxxxxxx
you look beautiful! KYLE is one lucky man 🙂
I have goose bumps!
You are such a beautiful bride – can’t wait to hear more!
I actually got butterflies of nerves reading this! You put it all into words so well! I can’t wait for the rest!
Oh my gosh, Elise, I’m actually here feeling giddy and excited along with your post!
What an exquisite dress. I didn’t think anyone could top Chloe’s number this June, but this is a big contender. And the hair! It’s perfect!
I love this post, Elise! You are making me so excited – but mostly, I’m just so excited for YOU, MRS. 😉 You look absolutely lovely and I can tell your day was so special. Congratulations!!!!
You look gorgeous!
I LOVE your dress… The pick-ups on the skirt, the silhouette. Definitely one of the prettiest I’ve ever seen (and I watch a lot of ‘say yes to the dress,’ so I’ve seen quite a few… though some on that show are NOT CUTE IMHO).
I also love your bridesmaid dresses. The color and cut are so flattering. Definitely dresses they could actually wear again in the future.
Thanks for sharing your day with us!
Soooo now I want to find the hunky, adorable, funny man of my dreams and get married…. tomorrow?!?! Or maybe by the end of this weekend?! What the!
You looked stunning Elise and again, i’m so very excited for you! Loved part 1 of the wedding-day recap 🙂
You look amazing, and your dress is beautiful!
Your dress is stunning and you look AMAZING! You are gorgeous!
I hope that you are feeling better and are on the mend!
Courtney
You look absolutely stunning in that dress!!!!! Congratulations again to you and Kyle:)
that dress is amazing. you should find a way to wear it everyday, b/c you look so hot in it 😉
GORG! GORG! GORG! Seriously, you look beautiful! I can’t wait to keep reading about your big day, boo 🙂
Oh my gosh, your dress looks a LOT like mine, but I think I like yours better!!! Seriously. Sooooo gorgeous 🙂
AHHHH. love love love. all of it. you are peRfect!
Absolutely gorgeous! Not to get all sappy but the love you have for Kyle and your expression of it is so beautiful and touching. It makes me want to find that person so bad! I’m thrilled that your day went so smoothly.
Nicole G
You look absolutely gorgeous. I’m really happy for you! The day looked just perfect.:) Congratulations, I wish you guys all of the happiness in the world.
the pics are just lovely. you are soooo beautiful!!!! the dress is gorgeous. i love that you had hummus, starbucks and kombucha before the big ceremony – 3 of my favorite things (ps you look super fit! how did you do this!? lol)
You looked amazing and I really love your dress! Congrats! Can’t wait to hear more. Thanks for sharing.
Everything is gorgeous (as I expected). I particularly love your hair and the shade of the bridesmaids dresses!
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WHAT a beautiful set of pictures!!! You are truly drop dead gorgeous in ALL of them!!!
The fact that you were drinking ‘booch in your wedding dress is awesome, too!
Loved our little email chat today 🙂
And love that your married off and happy and that the 1st dress you tried was The One!!
🙂
aww…you are too sweet. thanks sooooo much for the compliments. i owe it ALL to jillian’s 30 day shred. no joke, i decreased my normal cardio routine by a ton, and added in her workouts 2-3 times a week. when people say strength training is the key to getting leaner, they are not joking…thats literally the only change i made in my pre-wedding routine!
thanks for noticing 😉
OMG!!! Your dress is gorge!!!
Amazing, beautiful, gorgeous! Thanks for sharing! I had the samce colour for my bridesmaid dresses 🙂 xxx
LOVE the whole day – such a good recap. It’s amazing how the wedding day is etched into your brain, isn’t it?
My dress was Paloma Blanca too. Your fits you like a glove!
Can’t wait for more!
Congrats Elise! You looked absolutely gorgeous.
ughhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh this is AMAZING.
1. you look friggn breathtaking
2. when i get married i’m stealing your hair style
3. your mom looks GORGEOUS tell her i said so.
4. when i read the part about you peeping at kyle my heart totally smiled
5. kombucha drunkness (must remember that for my future)
6. ugh i love this.
7. your bridesmaids are GLOWING
8. i can’t WAIT for second part.
9. my fav pic so far is the one right before you walked (with your sissys)
10. i love weddings.
you looked ABSOLUTELY GORGEOUS! i am soooo glad you had such a fabulous wedding day, a fabulous honeymoon, and a fabulous start to your marriage!
happy first day of school to kyle and good luck with that j-o-bizzle! heart you! can’t wait to come visit 🙂
Elise! You’re going to make me cry. This is so wonderful… thanks for sharing it with us! You look absolutely gorgeous. And I love that you ate hummus and pita and drank kombucha before your ceremony!
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Reading this post made me emotional! The photos are just GORGEOUS and your writing really reveals what a special day it was for you. Congratulations, again!
LOVE IT! one of the greatest days of my life too….i just love looking at these pics!
AHHHHH GORGEOUS GORGEOUS GORGEOUS!!!!!!!! I just caught up on 11 of your posts, this being the eleventh and this being the one to make me tear up, furthuring the congestion I have going on. WORTH IT.
I am falling in love with weddings, and yours seriously looks like absolute perfection and bliss. xoxoxoxo
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