Let's Fall in Love: Super Girly Fun Time

Finally, it was here: our wedding day. The day we had been planning for two years, and a day I had been dreaming of since I was a very little girl.

I woke up early that morning, which is not true to my nature.  My alarm was set, but I didn't need it.  I had slept well, but I woke up with butterflies in my stomach.  I put on my "Soon-to-Be Mrs" hoodie that the 'maids had gifted me at my bachelorette party, and Mom, Seester, and I headed out to pick up coffee on the way to the hotel.  The only thing I wanted was a venti vanilla latte, my favorite morning thing.

Daddy-O Approves. (personal photos)

We arrived at the suite, and the girls began trickling in soon after.  Stacy, who had just announced she was pregnant a few weeks before, was in the throes of morning sickness, and I told her just to stay in her room until she felt better. We munched on coffee and bagels and sort of all laid around for a bit while Azeza and another stylist got their things ready to start on everyone's hair.  

And yes, we watched football. Soon after, the suite was a flurry of curlers, bobby pins, and hairspray.  (personal photo)

Matt arrived, and as we got started on our getting-ready photos.  These are always some of my favorites when I look at other peoples' weddings, I love the transformation from friends to Bridesmaids, and from girl to Bride.  By the time he got there, several of the girls were already finished getting their hair done.  I had not told them anything about how I wanted it done, whatever they wanted and made them feel pretty was fine by me.  We took care of the cost, I just wanted everyone to feel their best.

We had three stylists there, since there were so many of us, and everything was right on schedule.  The mood was somewhat subdued.  I was excited beyond words, but my nerves were also somewhat contagious.  When I get nervous, I can get giggly, as was apparent the night before at the rehearsal. Sometimes, I just get quiet, which was how I reacted in the morning.  I was so surprised to find myself with a knot in my stomach, I didn't know how to deal with it at all.  It was so fun just to hang out with all of my best friends, but I knew I was not my normally bouncing-off-the-walls self.  If I have one regret from my wedding day, it is that I let my nerves get the best of me, and I don't think I fully enjoyed the entire experience.  Nevertheless, it was still awesome and full of love.

It did not take long to style seven heads of hair, and suddenly it was my turn in Azeza's chair.  I am so glad that she was there all day with us.  Since her fiance is also Mr LikesIt's best friend, we have become close over the years.  It was like having a bonus bridesmaid, and I feel lucky to have shared it with her, especially since their wedding date was only a few months away too.  Azeza is a sweet, charismatic girl, and she made everyone feel at ease, myself included.

Think of this as a "before."

One of the clutches the girls got the night before makes an appearance, along with a lot of hairspray.

Buttloads of curls in my stick straight hair.  I was in awe.

And then my Daddy-O arrived! 

He owns a construction company in my hometown, so I normally see him in work clothes.  But my Daddy-O cleans up good.

We got him argyle socks, just like the groomsmen, as well as his own stripey tie.  I love my Seester checking them out behind him.

Bride approves.

Bride Hair complete!

Bmaid Katie got one of many hair adjustments.  True story: her hair rejects bobby pins, much to Azeza's dismay.  Those pretty flower pins came from Nomsa on Etsy.  Loved how they looked on everyone!

Time for make up!

While Azeza worked on me, Seester and Bmaid Katie found the Mizzou-Illinois Border War football game online, since it was blocked at the hotel.  Sandwiches trays were delivered from Jimmy Johns and we did a quick mimosa toast.  I was able to choke down one sandwich, but my stomach was officially in knots, and rejecting any other thought of food.  The girls kept asking me if I was okay - no one was used to seeing me so quiet.

The girls did themselves up, and Azeza helped with some adjustments before they got into their dresses.

We had one small disaster, when Katie's necklace broke.  She was determined for me to not to know it happened and fix it.

Considering this is the girl that jerry-rigged my fail of a cell phone freshman year in college with a binder clip and an architecture text book, I had all confidence that she could finagle this necklace for the day.

Matt helped too.  This is why you hire a good photographer, people.

Azeza put on my eyelashes, while the girls put their dresses on.  I have no idea when they all changed, but I remember thinking the morning went by really fast.

Jewelry was put on.

 

Ample hair spray was applied.

Flip flops were prepared for dance floor appearances.

And that's how my friends became Bridesmaids.

Pretty ones at that, if I do say so.

All of a sudden, my make up was done, and everyone else was dressed.  That meant only one thing: time for me to get dressed, too.

And that made me pretty happy.

In case you missed it:

I bought a dress and completely changed it.

We had a marathon final week of engagement.

I giggled my way through our rehearsal.

Mr LikesIt got grilled at our rehearsal dinner.

The groomsmen ran amok in downtown Springfield.