Practice Makes Perfect

The day before our wedding was a Friday. I work up early, and headed to the nail salon.

I was just getting a manicure since I had gotten my pedicure earlier in the week (I got an airbrush tan, and they told me to have my nails done beforehand so it doesn't stain my nails). That airbrush tan is a whole other story. And the gist of that story is that it was waaayyy too dark for me. I am one seriously pasty girl. So I had to literally scrub my skin every time I showered so I looked normal on my wedding day and non super tan like this...

I know that may seem normal to most people... but it's way too dark for me (and it was the third day of my airbrush tan... so imagine how crazy dark it was the first day!) I'm usually one of those girls who turns red, not brown... so it was definitely obvious.

Anyway. So I got a gel manicure. I would totally recommend it. It was awesome not having to wait for my nails to dry. They were a little rubbery feeling, but I got used to that. And the manicure lasting straight through my honeymoon and beyond

Joining me at the salon was my mom, my future MIL, my future SIL, and one of our flower girls...

 

 

After my nails were done, I got a phone call from my Maid of Honor that she had arrived in town. Yayyy! Ryan picked me up at the salon and we met up with my Maid of Honor to run some errands. All our decorations needed to be taken to our reception venue, and the desserts for the rehearsal dinner needed to be picked up.

After all that was done, I went home, showered and dressed, and we all headed to the church for the rehearsal. Everyone was on time for the most part, so we got straight down to business by lining up in the front of the church...

 

I hung tight to the ribbon bouquet from my bridal shower...

 

After we were all lined up, the church coordinator sent us out to practice the procession. It was the first time I noticed how alone I would be waiting out there to walk in. It was just me, my Dad, and the flower girls (who loved my bouquet). I started to get really nervous...

 

The bridal party member who needed the most practice was Ryan's nephew, our ringbearer. He was extremely shy with all those people watching him. So when his time came, he walked very slowly down the aisle with his shirt pulled up and his hands in his mouth...

My Dad and I practiced our walk in. I plastered a gigantic grin on my face. Everyone commented on how happy I looked, but I was just doing it so the nervousness wouldn't show. Inside, I was freaking out a little...

 

 

The Pastor ran through the ceremony, and had us practice our lines. I spent a lot of the time staring at the floor or looking around because I knew that if I looked into Ryan's eyes while saying those words, I might cry (or puke)...

  

I was thrilled when the rehearsal was done. Let's go eat!

 

Again with the cheesy smile...

Before we left the church, the Pastor led us in a group prayer...

 

 

The last photo at the church was one of Ryan and I with our parents. I'm so glad we got this. It's a great photo... 

 

 Next up... our awesome rehearsal dinner!