Wedding Weekend

This past weekend was the much anticipated wedding of my brother-in-law and dear friend. They were the last couple of the family to tie the knot, so we were all a little anxious to get things underway. After months of preparation, planning, dreaming, researching, shopping and just about everything else you can think of, Saturday evening Brad and Alea were married! The ceremony was absolutely goregous. Everything came together just as we had all dreamed of.

Friday morning all of the bridesmaids met for mani's and pedi's at the nail spa. We had a great few hours of chatting and laughing. Afterwards we headed by the venue to take a quick peek before the big day. It was actually the first time I had seen the place and I must say that was shocked by how beautiful it was. It was definitely not what you would expect from a community center. From the thousands of dangling white lights on the ceiling to the perfectly shiny hardwood floors - it was perfect. All of the girls headed to a mexican restaurant by the rehearsal dinner location to review plans and get in sync with each other. The food was enjoyable and the drinks were even better, including a more than memorable toast from the bride-to-be. We all then headed over to the tanning salon where three of us participated in our first ever airbrush tan. I was quite nervous, but it all turned out great. It is definitely something I would only do for a special event and not on a regular basis. We ran a few more errands and then headed back to my house to get ready for the rehearsal dinner. Josh and the kids were waiting at the house, we all rushed to get dressed and headed out the door.

The rehearsal began at 6pm at a local church parking lot, as we could not rehearse at the actual venue. Everyone cooperated until the rain began, then we all headed for dinner at Beef O' Brady's. The food was good and the conversation easy. We all enjoyed a few hours of relaxation before heading our separate ways. The boys headed to Brad's house after dropping the children at Yamaw's. The girls came to my house where we enjoyed a nice glass of wine and conversation on the patio. We all hit the hay rather early as we had a big morning ahead of us! The next morning we woke up and had blueberry and everything bagels. Tasha and Michelle ran to get us coffee because Ju obviously doesn't know how to make a good pot ;) Beth and Cassie showed up sometime in between 8-9am to begin on our hair. The morning flew by, before I knew it all of our hair and makeup was complete and we were on our way to the venue. Alea and Michelle left a little earlier to have their makeup done at Merle Norman. Tasha, Ju and I left my house around 1:30 and got to Winder shortly thereafter. 

Once we arrived in Winder we had to quickly unload the car in the rain, luckily they had a pull through and once we finished unloading Alea's neighbor parked my car for me so that my hair and makeup did not get messed up. We immediately went to setting up the arbor and centerpieces. Everything went so well and was all put together rather quickly. The day is now just a blur, I hate that!

The wedding began at 5:15 and went off without a hitch. Jackson refused to go down the isle with the flower girls so he walked his mommy down instead. It was so cute and such a priviledge for me to have my baby boy walk with me! He was absolutely handsome! Tristyn did extremely well, although her and Alexa forgot to throw the petals on the runner. They concentrating too hard on walking straight! 

The entire evening was amazing and enjoyed by all. We are so grateful to have such wonderful family and friends!