The Wedding Daze

Now that the wedding daze (and days) is over, I am finally able to sit down and reflect on that very special time in my life. Now I know I am about three months behind on this, but I have been busy adjusting to everything. First I want to say that I enjoyed the day very much- but wow was it tiring.

The week of the wedding was hectic. Last minute thing had to get down. I had to finish packing up my apartment in Cookeville, then three days before the wedding with a rainy morning, the U-Haul with my stuff was loaded thanks to the help of awesome friends. Then the three hour drive to Huntsville and more rain. Glad to have the friends I did to help and for someone to drive my car down. The U-Haul didn't finish getting unloading until Tim got home from work. The next day, started to get stuff unpacked from boxes, and get things printed off for the wedding as well.

Once Tim got off work, we headed back to Tennessee to my parents for a cookout with my side of the family that was in town already, and what turned into a shoot out. Sarah and Megan got to shoot off a gun for the first time. Sarah shot off every single gun there (probably a dozen or so, ranging from pistols to shotguns).

The day before the wedding, Tim and I went to get our marriage license papers filled out. My apartment got cleaned and the key turned in. Then he went off with the groomsmen while decoration for the rehearsal dinner commenced. Then last minute food shopping for the reception and some girl time with bridesmaids.

The rehearsal dinner went well. We had fun going through the rehearsal and then thoroughly enjoyed our BBQ feast. The bridesmaid loved their gifts(personalized purses/bags) and the groomsmen liked theirs(engraved pocket knifes). After dinner, we went to decorate the venue for the wedding. Then the ladies separated from the guys and went to our respective hotels.

I got more sleep the night before the wedding than I was told I would. I think I passed out around 1 A.M and woke up around 7 A.M. I got to snuggle with my little sister, who kept sweetly informing me that I was getting married today. After awhile of snuggling with Mag and Mama joining the party, Mag, Victoria, and I went to get some breakfast in the hotel. After that the whirlwind began.

Pack up the hotel room. Make sure we have the dress. Head out to get hair done. Get dressed. Do makeup. Then our awesome photographer, Melissa (of MSA Photography in Cookeville, TN), came and it was time for bridal portraits, then bridesmaid portraits. Check to make sure Tim wasn’t around. And now I had some time to breathe. Mama picked some chicken sandwiches, so the girls and I ate those while we took a little breather. After the groom, groomsmen, and Myers family portraits were taken, it was time for the Wood family portraits. So dress back on and take more pictures.

We had about 20 minutes left until the wedding and took one last break from the whirlwind. This is when my nerves hit. The ‘Whoa! In 20 minutes I am going to be married.’ type of nerves. And yes they were good nerves. At about five till one the bridesmaids and I headed downstairs for the ceremony.

Next thing I knew, Dad was walking me down the aisle (I love my daddy!), and was giving me away. The look on Tim’s face as I came down the aisle is one I will never forget. Full of love and happiness. This was the first time we had seen each other since the night before, and the first time he had ever seen me in my wedding dress. I did with the tears until it was time for me to say the vows. Now we were both supposed to do these from memory…well that didn’t work for me so well. The tear gates opened and so I ended up repeating them until the last line. When I started to cry- it opened the gates for several others. Then it was all smiles as we were announced “Husband and Wife”.

The reception was wonderful. We felt so blessed to have the people who came to our wedding there to celebrate with us. One of the best parts was our Nerf battle to begin the reception. That was rather spectacular. Then there was dancing, cake, bouquet/garter toss, toasts, and the car being jacked up when it was time to leave. No, Tim and I did not notice right away. It was not until Tim pressed on the gas and the car wouldn’t move.

Yes there are a few things I would have liked to happen differently, but over all we are happy with the way things went, even with a few hiccups in the plan. And we are enjoying married life.