Surprisingly, I was calm enough to lay in bed for the next half-hour, just thinking about what the day would bring. When the alarm finally went off at 6:45--I had set it to play "Going to the Chapel" to wake me up--Jaymi popped up and confessed that she had been awake as long as I had, but she had kept quiet "to give me my moment". Most understanding sister ever.
Finally free to get out of bed, I jumped up and began running around getting ready. I was a nonstop chatterbox. (I tend to talk a lot when I'm excited. Or nervous. But in this case, it was mostly excited.) I couldn't hold still--I even danced around the room while brushing my teeth:
Exhibit A.
I had breakfast with my parents and sister at the hotel. I had so many happy butterflies in my stomach I could barely eat. I only managed a piece of toast, coffee, and a few pieces of fruit. Regardless of my atypically small meal, though, it was still the perfect start to the day: a quiet breakfast on the patio with my family. I don't even remember whether we talked about the wedding, I just remember being so happy that we were all there together.
My family. ♥
Entirely too soon, I realized that it was nearly 8:00 and I still had to get ready. We hurried back to the room, showered and packed, and rushed off to the hairdresser. My mom and Danielle met us there, and while talking beauty secrets and celebrity hairstyles I nearly forgot what we were there for.
Jaymi all dolled up.
Danielle having her hair curled
We finished up a little late, just as Jeff's sisters were arriving for their hair and makeup. We had a chance to say hi and give advice about which hairstyles we liked for them before we headed out to the venue. It was so much fun to get those few minutes with them and share the excitement of the day.
My mom left early to get to the venue and give directions to the caterer and rental company. My mom's best friend and her family also got there early to help set up and put the finishing touches on the DIY projects I had started. Jeff and his dad had picked up the cake from the baker that morning and brought it to the venue, then stuck around to help set up. So when Jaymi and I got to the Red Horse Barn it was already a flurry of activity. Jeff came out to the car to meet us, and I was *so* unbelievably happy to see him! We had decided to do a first-look before the ceremony so it obviously wasn't important to us to not see each other during the day. I gave him a kiss and my mom, right behind him, teased us "Not yet!"
It was already 12:30, and formal pictures were supposed to start at 1:30. The hour flew by--setting up decorations, greeting and giving directions to vendors, and trying my hardest to thank everyone who was there helping. Around 1:00 everyone started telling me to go get dressed, but I kept insisting: just let me straighten this vase, put favors on the tables, set out the games and coloring books for the kids. Before I knew it, it was 1:30, the guys were dressed, and we were officially behind schedule. I was ushered (ok, shoved) into the bridal suite to finally put on the dress and become "the bride". Up next, professional photos and the whole story of the wedding. I can't wait!
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