Getting Ready : So Fresh and So Clean

All photos by Edmund Moon of Daily Thousand Words

As I was up in room 841 Roosevelt was down in 423 after running around the city that morning doing last minute errands. What those errands were I still don't know but I know he was out and about and I was worried that he would be late for our pre-ceremony shots. But he got back to the suite in time and Edmund went down to capture some shots of him.

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Roosevelt had his suit custom made for the wedding and the tailor talked him to getting suspenders which I absolutely loved.

Roosevelt wore his father's tie tack. I am glad he had that nice touch, you rarely see men these days wearing them which is a disappointment. I have found memories of playing with my grandfather's tie tacks.

I love this picture of him. You can see his freckles which I am just crazy about it. I have had a freckle obsession since I was a little girl.

My husband loves his Gators and I knew they would make an appearance at the wedding. They were a rich brown to accentuate his suit.

Roe wore the cufflinks I bought him. These were my first gift to him when we started dating. I got them on etsy from lizzybleu and they are made from actual typewriter keys.

I love this photo it shows off his nice broad shoulders. As my grandmother loved to say "He was as sharp as a tack" LOL

Then it was time to meet in the lobby.

Patient and Calm

This is one of my favorite shots from the wedding (done by Edmund Moon of Daily Thousand Words).

It is a portrait of patience and calmness which is ironic since my husband always says I need to practice each more. But on this day in the midst of all the excitement, I was truly patient and calm. After a long engagement of almost 17 months our day had come and we would end the day as man and wife. I was ready in mind, body and spirit and when you are so sure and confident in your choice in every way the only thing you can be is calm.

Getting Ready : The arrival of the flowers OOOHHH GOODIE GOODIE!

All photos by Edmund Moon of Daily Thousand Words unless noted

There was a knock at the door and it was Kathy my wedding planner with the bouquets. My florist was the talented Marie Huss from Flower Sculpture. After my wedding planner Marie was the second vendor I hired. I found her via one of her ads in a wedding magazine and after going to her website I was captivated. Marie had the romantic look using big beautiful fluffy flowers that I was aiming for in the look of the wedding. But what really sold me was a picture of a large soft pink bouquet on her website made up different garden roses. When I saw that I knew I had to hire her.  Plus Marie was so easy to work with and extremely patient in holding my hand through all the design changes.

But this was the day I would finally get to see my bouquet in person and Marie didn't disappoint me.

The one thing I didn't realize was how heavy bridal bouquets can be, which I was to find out the hard way during the ceremony. But I absolutely LOVED my bouquet and the smell was divine!!!!!!

After that Edmund left to get shots of Roosevelt getting ready.

Getting Ready : I wasn't the only one busy in the suite

All photos by Edmund Moon of Daily Thousand Words unless otherwise noted

There was quite a bit of activity going on the suite besides my getting ready.

My mother came by early to assist with any last minute needs I may have had. I had planned on pressing my aisle runner the night before but was too pooped from all the excitement and activity from the rehearsal dinner. So my mom doing what she does best, which is being my mom,  took over the task upon her arrival.

I purchased my custom aisle runner over a year before the wedding and it was a purchase I seriously hemmed and hawed about because of the expense (starting price with some companies is $200!). Luckily I was able to find bellcreation who did a wonderful job modeling it after the one used in her own wedding.

After my stint in the makeup chair it was time for mommy. My mom has never had her make up professionally done. In fact there are few occasions in my life that I remember her even wearing make up. Even when she does the most she will wear is lipstick, so this was a real treat for her.

One of my bridesmaid was also there getting ready with me. I met Fran in graduate school at a hair salon in Maryland. I was a walk in and was assigned to Fran's chair. Little did I know how that minor event would be so life changing. Fran has been my rock and beacon of light through so many dark times in my life.  I could not have been blessed with a better friend so it was really special for me that she be there standing next to me at my wedding.

After we were all prepped there was a knock at the door.

Getting Dressed

All photos by Edmund Moon of Daily Thousand Words unless noted otherwise

It was time to put Nora on!!!!

I was just so happy to finally have my dress on I couldn't believe it.

Stacey doing my bustle.

Getting the sash to stay was a little tricky because of the material. It kept slipping out of the bow so we had to double knot it.

When I finally saw myself in my entire outfit, I was so overwhelmed that I started to cry. It was not until I was in the dress that it really hit me. I AM GETTING MARRIED TODAY!!!!

Wedding Tips

• Break in your shoes before the wedding. Oh how I wished I had followed this bit of advice. One of my shoes chaffed my foot in one place and rubbed my skin raw. I was not in a lot of pain but it was certainly uncomfortable walking in then during our outdoor shots. It was not until my planner gave me a band aid that I found relief. Even if its a little each day, make sure you break them in and know how they will wear. Or just have a back up pair of slippers ;)

Remembering my loved ones

In my getting ready post I mentioned remembering my grandmother who could not attend by pinning one of her rings into my dress.  When I was 18 I lost my grandfather who was my best friend in the world. I felt like a part of me died with him that day and it saddened me that he was unable to be there for my wedding. Before the wedding my mother gave me my grandfather's old camera, the one he used to take all of my mother and aunts and uncles childhood photos. Fortunately I was able to locate film for it and the manual online. My photographer was great about taking a couple of pics that day with it.

Now I just need to take the film over to the photo development place here in Philadelphia