This is melissac8481's Black Wedding!

Yay! Hope you like them. : )

Yes, it has been a full month since I was married! My photographer works three other jobs so I finally got some teasers. I can't wait for the rest!

I also wanted to write and tell you all about my day. Before my wedding I loved reading wedding day reviews from other brides so here is mine.

On Thursday, October 8th (the day before the wedding) we were allowed to go to the reception hall and decorate. I was so excited to get this done the day before. When we arrived at the hall everything was set up. Ivory linens were on the tables, the ivory chair covers with black sashes were already done and the dance floor and bar were ready to go. My mom and my brother's girlfriend started ironing the 22 black satin overlays and table runners. My personal attendants, brother and I started unpacking all of the candles and vases for the centerpieces. Everything went great! We took our time and four hours later the room was perfect. There were a couple of things that still needed to be done, but we were going to take care of that the next day. Then it was off to rehearsal and dinner. We had a great time and my two personal attendants whisked me off to a hotel room with flowers and candles for a fun, relaxing night before the wedding. We even went to sit in the hotel hot tub for an hour before bed. What a wonderful way to start out such a great weekend.

Friday was the BIG day, I was so excited when we woke up. We headed off to breakfast and then got a few things together to take to the church and the reception site. Once everything was taken care of we went to get our hair done. I was surprised to find another bridal party already there when we got there. I guess Fridays are getting more popular. We had no problems at the salon everyone look beautiful and we have some fun pictures I can't wait to post. I ended up leaving my girls while they were still in their chairs to run a few last minute errands at Target, Walmart and the gas station. I got just a few stares as I walked around in my veil. I didn't care it was MY day. : )

We then went to the church and got dressed. The photographer and the florist showed up at the same time, right on time, and things started out beautifully for our day. Pictures went well and the weather was perfect. I don't think I could have asked for a more beautiful day. The ceremony was great, our pastor got a little choked up and our daughter was having a hard time just watching mommy and daddy, you can see her in one of the pictures asking to be held. I really can't say enough how perfect the ceremony went for us. After the ceremony we dismissed everyone and got to say thanks before heading off to the reception. I really am glad we did this, because I didn't get to talk to many people at the reception. Once the marriage license was signed it was off to the limo. I had never been in a limo before, much less a limo bus. It was really cool, there was a red carpet and everything. Our driver was fantastic, he took us where we asked and couldn't have done a better job.

I swear the rest of the night was just a blur. We were all announced as we entered the reception hall, then we cut the cake, then the food came (oh so delicious), then a little dj shoe game and speaches. Then it was time for the first dances. This is where it gets kind of funny. Roger and I went out on the dance floor for our first dance and the music started to play. Well, as we are dancing Roger tells me its the wrong song. I listened for a second and realized he was right. I told him we should tell the dj to change it so we could dance to our song. So we walked over and let him know and he tells us that he doesn't have our song. First, I should tell you this little song mix up was my fault. I accidentally told the dj to play 'Days Like This' by Van Morrison when our song is actually 'These Are The Days' by Van Morrison. Whoops, well they both have days in the title, my mistake. Good thing we had a back up song, that we both like 'Home to You' by John Michael Montgomery. We laughed about this as it was happening and I'm sure it is a story we will tell everytime we talk about our wedding. Then it was time for the father daughter dance and the dj started playing 'Butterfly Kisses' instead of our song 'I Loved Her First' by Heartland. This time we caught him right away and this one was not my fault. I spent the rest of the evening dancing the night away with friends and enjoying the S'mores buffet we had at 10pm.

I really don't look at those two little musical mix ups as problems that ruined my day, rather they are those fun things that make you smile as you recount what a fun, emotional and beautiful day it was. I don't think there was anything that went wrong during my day, if there was I was so happy and in love I could have cared less. I bring this up because the bartenders spoke to me at one point in the night and told me they were having such a good time. They told me how beautiful the ballroom was and that I was the most relaxed and happy bride they had seen in the last couple of weeks. It made me think of all those bridezillas out there who really don't get a chance to sit back and enjoy the fruits of their labor. I know my guests were having a great time, because I was having a great time. I didn't even look at the centerpieces until the end of the night. They were one of the things that I spent the most time on while planning and during that time and in that moment they were not important. Note to all future brides, yes this day is all about you, it is also about you marrying the love of your life, but most importantly of all it is a day of celebration. Don't forget to celebrate.

We had a perfect day and I can't wait for you to see the rest of the pictures. Thank you to all of the brides who have offered me support, ideas and love. I will never forget the role WBC played in the planning of my beautiful wedding day. For the future brides, have fun and I hope your days are wonderful too.

YAY! I lost a few pounds and my seamstress did some awesome work. I was so worried. The crinoline just needs to be poofed out a little more and we're done. Honestly this was the only thing stressing me out lately. Now I can focus on other stuff. Whew! I'm am so excited now. Only 6 days to go!!!!

Woohoo! Nine days to go! We're in the single digits now! Not much left to do and I have next week off of work so my stress level is low.

-round up all rehearsal, ceremony and reception items and put into boxes
-one last session with the pastor---today!
-finalize ceremony songs with organist
-give caterer final numbers
-get final vendor checks in envelopes
-go in for final dress fitting
-finish programs, menus, and thank you cards for favors (they just need to be printed and cut!)


That is a pretty short list. I'm so excited!

We have decided on our readings. One is scripture and the other is a poem I found online.

POEM
From Union by Robert Fulghum:

You have known each other from the first glance of acquaintance to this point of commitment. At some point, you decided to marry. From that moment of yes to this moment of yes, indeed, you have been making promises and agreements in an informal way. All those conversations that were held riding in a car or over a meal or during long walks - all those sentences that began with "When we're married" and continued with "I will and you will and we will"- those late night talks that included "someday" and "somehow" and "maybe"- and all those promises that are unspoken matters of the heart. All these common things, and more, are the real process of a wedding. The symbolic vows that you are about to make are a way of saying to one another, " You know all those things we've promised and hoped and dreamed- well, I meant it all, every word." Look at one another and remember this moment in time. Before this moment you have been many things to one another- acquaintance, friend, companion, lover, dancing partner, and even teacher, for you have learned much from one another in these last few years. Now you shall say a few words that take you across a threshold of life, and things will never quite be the same between you. For after these vows, you shall say to the world, this- is my husband, this- is my wife.

SCRIPTURE
Matthew 19:4-6 (New Living Translation)
4 “Haven’t you read the Scriptures?” Jesus replied. “They record that from the beginning ‘God made them male and female.’[a] 5 And he said, ‘This explains why a man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one.’[b] 6 Since they are no longer two but one, let no one split apart what God has joined together.”

I'm excited to have another thing decided! : )

My boudior album is ready and I'm going to pick it up today! I am so excited, I can't wait till 5:00pm! My photographer posted one of the pictures from my session on her website so I posted it here for you all to see. It is going to be hard not to give it to my FH before our rehearsal dinner, but I think it will definately be worth the wait.

Yay! I finally found some great necklaces that are the colors I want and will go great with my girls dresses. I'm so excited, one more thing off my list!

Yay, they did it. We can now check up on all of our upcoming weddings just by scrolling down the page. Good job WBC!

I found a really good list of must have pictures for your wedding day on theknot.com. I used their list, edited it for my day and sent it to my photographer yesterday. I'm so excited only 28 days to go!


Getting Ready
1 Bride's dress on the hanger or over a chair
2 Close-up of bride's shoes
3 Close-up of bride's bouquet
4 Close-up of bride's bouquet with wedding rings
5 Bride arriving hair done
6 Bride applying make-up
7 Bridesmaids applying their make-up
8 Mom and/or bridesmaids helping the bride arrange her dress
9 Close up of dress details
10 Bride together with bridesmaids
11 Bride giving mom her corsage & handkerchief
12 Bride hugging mom
13 Flower girl ready to go
14 Mom or bridesmaids putting finishing touches on bride
15 Bride spending moment alone, thinking quietly and/or looking out the window
16 Full-length shot of bride all dressed and ready to go
17 Groom putting on tie
18 Groom with groomsmen
19 Groom looking out the window, waiting for the bride to arrive
20 Close-up of groom's face when he sees bride for the first time or a fun sequence of photos leading up to 'big reveal'
21 At the falls/park Bride & Groom walking away from the camera, holding hands
22 At the falls/park Bride & Groom sitting on a rock/bench looking off in the same direction together
23 If we go to a park Bride & Groom sitting on swings next to each other

Before The Ceremony
21 Full shot of bride and groom together, smiling
22 Full shot of bride and groom kissing
23 Bride & Groom & Flower Girl
24 Bride & Groom with her parents
25 Bride & Groom with his parents
26 Bride & Groom with her family (parents, brother & his girlfriend)
27 Bride & Groom with her extended family (above with grandma, aunts, uncles, cousins)
28 Bride & Groom with his family (parents, bother & his SO)
29 Bride with bridesmaids
30 Groom with bridesmaids
31 Groom with groomsmen
32 Bride with groomsmen

Ceremony
33 Wide shot of ceremony space from the back
34 Close up of details (guestbook quilt, ceremony decorations)
35 Guests arriving
36 Ushers helping bride's grandma, grooms parents and the mother of the bride to their seats
37 Shot of the mothers lighting the unity candle pillars
38 Groom waiting nervously for bride to walk down the aisle
39 shots of the bridal party walking down the aisle
40 shot of the flower girl walking down the aisle
41 Wedding party standing at the altar
42 Bride just before walking down the aisle
43 Bride and her father just before walking down the aisle
44 Full-frontal shot of bride and father walking down the aisle
45 Father of the bride giving her away
46 Back shot of bride and groom together at the altar with officiant between them
47 Shot focusing on bridesmaids' bouquets lined up as they hold them at the altar
48 Close-up of each hand as the rings are exchanged
49 Close-up of bride's face as seen over the groom's shoulder
50 Close-up of groom's face as seen over the bride's shoulder
51 Lighting the unity candle
52 Giving the mother's roses and hugs
53 The kiss
54 Happy couple walking back down the aisle together holding hands
55 Wedding party leaving the ceremony space
56 Any special moments during the receiving line process (Bride & Groom will dismiss by row)
57 Bride & Groom in the limo bus
58 Bride & Groom & Wedding party in the limo bus
59 Back of limo bus as it drives away

Reception
60 Close-up of details (place settings, name cards, etc..)
61 Close-up of centerpieces (there are three different designs and the head table too)
62 Wide shot of entire roo before everyone arrives
63 Close-up of cake and cupcakes
64 Bride & Groom cutting the cake
65 Bride & Groom feeding each other cake
66 Best man making a toast to the couple
67 Maid of Honor making a toast to the couple
68 Bride & Groom's faces as they listen to the toasts
69 Guests smiling and clapping
70 Bride & Groom's first dance
71 Bride dancing with her dad---close-up of her face as seen over his shoulder
72 Groom dancing with his mom
73 Bride & Groom hugging guests
74 Guests dancing and cutting loose on the dance floor
75 Wide shot of entire room after guests arrive
76 Close-ups of guests' faces, laughing and having a great time -- lots of these
77 Parents dancing
78 Kids dancing or playing around
79 Pictures of the S'mores buffet and people enjoying it (starts at 10pm)

I have this insane need for this to end on 80, but I can't think of any more pictures to add. I just don't know how the brain works somedays. : )

My MOH is great! She planned a fun bachelorette party for me coming up September 26th. Dinner then Acme comdey club then downtown St. Paul/Minneapolis. She sent out the evite two weeks ago and had an RSVP date of September 5th. The problem is that only four people have sent in a yes for their RSVP and that includes ME. I'm really excited for my party, but at the same time kind of bummed that more of my friends aren't coming. Well, there are four more days. I just needed a little mini vent. Thanks for listening, all of my WBC friends.