By the time our photographer Ashley arrived, my room was abuzz with excitement. The girls were all getting ready, and my hair was ready to go (thanks to Ashley S. from Fower & Gold), and Alexia was putting the finishing touches on my makeup. Our room at the Omni was perfect because it had two separate spaces. While the girls got ready in the front of the suite, I was nestled quietly in the bedroom:
I Loved my sparkly kate spades. I planned to change out of them after the ceremony, but they were so comfortable I wore them all night!
Before it was time to put on my dress, I was able to steal a few quiet moments to myself.
Then I had my only pre-wedding sip of champagne when my Matron of Honor Tino proposed a toast:
Above: the DIY flutes I made the lady (tutorial to come), Tino gave an epic toast, my ladies showing off their new rings in their favorite colors
I love that Ashley caught this special moment between me and Tino:
I read Viet's letter to me (love you husband) and opened his perfect gift:
A beautiful, perfect emerald necklace (to match my wedding band). My mom and gram's reactions are priceless.
And then Tino helped me get into my dress.
It's funny how all the moments from that day have stayed with me so clearly. I was so present in each of those moments that I can close my eyes and remember how I was feeling. When my grams began fastening her pearl necklace around my neck (the one my gramps gave to her on their wedding day), I felt so much love and so much emotion:
Once we were all ready to go, we took a short limo ride to the church and then tucked ourselves away into a side room.Throughout each of these moments leading up the walk down the aisle I felt especially lucky to be surrounded by my amazing friends:
we sang "We came to dance" by Taio Cruz to get pumped up before the ceremony. Bridget captured it on video. Pure Joy.
Up Next: Grinning down the aisle.
All photos taken by Ashley Forette.
