wedding day: anticipation

I recently realized something about myself: I'm an all-about-the-anticipation kind of person. My favorite day of the week is Friday, since it's almost the weekend, but not quite, so you haven't even used any of it up yet. I love appetizers. I like Christmas eve better than Christmas. My favorite part of church is singing before the sermon. Really, I like anything that prepares you to enjoy something very very wonderful. It's no wonder that the "getting ready" part of my wedding day was probably my favorite part. I remember being completely relaxed as soon as my hair was done (hair had been a source of anxiety for me that week) and soaking in the morning sunshine as I drove back to my house with my mom and sister. A friend from high school came over to do our makeup and a family friend brought over the flowers. All the while, my best friends were there, listening to music, chatting, and getting dressed for my wedding. It was an amazing feeling.

I remember every part of those few hours, probably better than I do the ceremony or reception. But having Jamie, our photographer, there to document the time, was really great. She did such a good job, and I love having these photos to look back on.

Looking through these makes me so thankful that my sister was my maid of honor, and my biggest help in the days prior to the wedding. All day, she was in the right place at the right time, holding onto my lipstick, sunglasses, and even sacrificing her sash at the reception, since the garter was nowhere to be found (I didn't end up wearing it).

By the time the school bus showed up with the guys (a big yellow bus), I was ready. I had been dreaming of wearing my dress (made for me by kiko), hair clip (by lovely jen), shoe feathers, and veil (loaned graciously by jenny) for an entire year! I remember peeking out the window to see my friends decorating the school bus with huge white bows. It doesn't get much better than that. ;)

all photos by jamie hammond photography