Wedding Recap: Getting Ready

Happy Wedding Week! I’ve been married for three months now and am finally recapping our wedding. Time has flown and so much has changed since that day. We’re a quarter of the way through our newlywed year and it has been amazing. I couldn’t have picked a better life partner and I couldn’t have asked for a more perfect day to start out the journey. We put so much time and effort into planning our wedding and it came together so wonderfully. We got married July 6, 2013 at 10:30am at the Atherton Hotel in State College, PA. It was a day so filled with love and laughter and happiness. I will cherish the memories, and the pictures, forever.

Friday night I slept at the hotel with Rachel. We watched Notting Hill, ate a ton of junk food, and just freaked out about the fact that I was getting married the next day. I woke up bright and early to Rachel screaming WEDDING DAYYYY at me and headed to Renee’s room to get my hair and makeup done. I was just so excited and so  happy. I didn’t feel any stress because I didn’t feel any worries or concerns about marrying Josh. In my head I felt like I was already married to him and this was just a big party!

Rachel and Megan ran to get me Starbucks while all the girls hung out in the bridal getting ready room. I slept in Josh’s sweatpants and dress shirt. They were so comfy and made me feel close to him while we were spending the night apart.

The barista got really into decorating my cup! haha

Debbie stopped by to deliver my wedding present from Josh. I was so curious what it was!

He made me a penguin card!

I got a little emotional reading it.

Me opening up the box. What’s inside?

It was a silver bracelet with my new monogram on it. It went perfectly with my dress so I wore it that day. Thanks Josh!

A picture with my soeur before getting into my dress.

This dress. Words cant even describe how much I love this dress. I cried when packing it back in the box after the wedding. It’s Justin Alexander and the most beautiful thing I have ever seen. I’ve never felt so pretty as when I wore this dress. It fit me to a tee and needed no alterations. I couldn’t wait to walk down the aisle and show Josh my pretty princess dress. 😀

Getting into the dress was quite the spectacle.

I swear it must weigh 50 pounds. There is six layers of tulle! I was so grateful to my stepmom and sister for getting me into my dress. It was really special to have them help me like that. Although I was not expecting my sister to baby powder my butt. It would have been nice to have a little warning! haha Apparently a lot of brides do this but I had no idea!

Me oblivious to the fact that they were having a hard time getting my dress zippered. I was so laid back before the wedding, I didn’t watch what I ate or try any crazy beauty regimens. Apparently I could have laid off the sweets a little.

*Please fit please fit!*

A huge sigh of relief once it’s all zipped up and tied into place.

I wore Toms sparkle shoes that were an amazing decision. They were so comfy, my feet didn’t hurt at all during the day and I danced my butt off at the reception. Getting into them in the dress was quite a challenge though. I couldn’t see the floor in front of me! Thank goodness I didn’t have to use the bathroom at all in the dress. I somehow didn’t need to go from 9am to 7pm! I look like I’m about to fall over in this picture.

Last minute primping before getting ready to get bridesmaid photos done.

All credit for these amazing photos (except for the less professional looking ones- those are from personal cameras) goes to Michelle. She is the most talented photographer I have ever met and I am so lucky to call her a friend. If you live in Central PA and need photos done check out Redheaded Ninja. Your special moments will be captured beautifully!

I’ll be back tomorrow with bridemaids and groomsmen photos! Stay tuned!