From the bride: Well our wedding day was a success! I couldn't have been more happy with how everything turned out! The weekend started off on Friday with manicures and pedicures at Rainbow Nails with my bridesmaids and personal attendants. It was great to get the ball rolling with a nice relaxing afternoon! I was so glad that everyone was finally all together! Then it was off to the rehearsal at St. Mark's United Methodist Church, and then the rehearsal dinner at Lazlo's in the Haymarket. Lazlo's was the perfect place to have the rehearsal dinner because we were in our own little room upstairs and we didn't have to disturbe anyone else who was there eating that night. It was a great night of family and friends and GREAT food and drinks!
I thought it would be hard for me to sleep that night but it actually wasn't. I was very calm and excited all at the same time! The next morning a couple of my bridesmaids and I ate breakfast and then went to the Grand Manse to set some stuff up. Elite Events Rental was who we got our linens from and they were putting those on, as well as the linen napkins and a few shallow bowls for the floating candle centerpieces. Weddings Across America was also there, putting on the chair covers. I have to admit, the chair covers really made the room look great! I highly suggest Weddings Across America! They were inexpensive and did such a great job!
After setting up we went back to Embassy Suites where we stayed the night before, and started to get ready! I wore hair extensions to add to the fullness of my hair. Sara Klein, who was also one of my bridesmaids, rents a booth at Utopia and she did my hair. I wanted something very natural and very "me" so we just curled it and left it down. It was perfect! I did my own make up. One of my favorite moments that day was getting into my dress. It really made it feel "real"! I got my dress at David's Bridal, and it was different than any dress I had seen and it made me feel beautiful! I loved the ruffles down the train! My veil also came from David's Bridal and was cathedral lenth. It was plain but complemented my dress perfectly. My jewelry came from Dillard's, with the exception of one of the necklaces I wore that came from my grandmother. It was a necklace that her bridesmaids had wore in her wedding! It was an honor to get to wear it! David's Bridal was also where the girls got their bridesmaids dresses and I got my shoes. I had my shoes dyed to match their dresses which were a dark purple.
The guys got ready on their own and met at Embassy. Their tuxes came from Tip Top Tux. We had 2 limo's from Luxury Limosuines, one for the guys and one for the girls, come pick us up at Embassy and then we went to the Capital to take some pictures. Ryan and I first saw each other in a hallway at the Capital and it was my very favorite moment of the day!
We then went from the Capital to St. Mark's United Methodist Church for more pictures, and then waited for the ceremony to start. Ryan was very nervous before the ceremony, but I was cool as a cucumber! When the doors opened for my dad and I to begin walking down the aisle, I was so overwhelmed with the love in the room! I know that sounds corney, but it's true! You could just feel it! Walking down that aisle with my dad was more special to me than anyone could ever know. He is the most decent, kind man and has done so much for me. He hugged me so tight when he went to give me away and I lost it. I cried, and he cried, and it was beautiful!
The ceremony was awesome! Pastor Wayne Alloway was our officiant, and we had music by Tony Hillhouse and a couple others that play in the band at church. They sang "God Gave Me You" by David Barnes while we were lighting the unity candle.
After the ceremony, we walked through the tunnel of bubbles and got on the party bus, also from Luxury Limosuines. What a blast that was! It was so great to be surrounded by our best friends and to have everyone together just celebrating Ryan and I!
At the reception and the Grand Manse, we served roast beef, chicken, corn, mashed potatoes, green beans, rolls and salad, which was prepared by the HyVee on 40th and Old Cheney. They also did our cake. Some was red velvet and some was marble and it was so yummy! HyVee did our flowers also. I was blown away with how great of a job Pam did on the flowers! They were breathtaking! HyVee was a great place to work with and we are still getting complements on the food we served!
Then, the party started! Our dancefloor was packed all night thanks to Jeff at Primetime Entertainment! It actually was more fun than I could have hoped for! He played the best songs and really knew how to keep everyone on the floor! We even did a conga line through the room and almost everyone participated!
I was so sad when the night ended but so happy at the same time! It was a werid feeling when we were walking back Embassy Suites. The day couldn't have been better, and I couldn't have picked a better guy to spend my life with!
My advice to future brides is to really enjoy the whole process. There are so many little things to think about but just take it all in stride and try to not let them stress you out! Keep focused on why you are planning this event in the first place and make sure to get your groom involved a little at least!
It was hard to pick just a few pictures to share with you all. Townsend Studios was our photographer and he did a great job! We have lots of great memories to cherish! I hope you enjoy the few I have to share with you!
