The festivities began on Friday with Don and Janet flying in and staying with us. We stayed with them for their wedding so it was only fitting to have them there for our big day. Friday we had the wedding rehearsal and it was the first time many people saw the beautiful venue. The rehearsal day was so stressful to me. I secretly recorded a song for Ben that we were all going to walk down the aisle to and I had to have everyone practice without ruining the surprise for Ben. Somehow, we pulled it off and from that moment forward my major stress disappeared. We had family and friends over to our house for a big rehearsal dinner featuring steak burgers, hot dogs, potato salad, and various treats. Everyone had an awesome time and seemed to enjoy spending time at our house around our fire pit. It was a great way to begin wedding weekend.

Saturday was Ben’s bachelor party day. Don (Ben’s best friend) and I began the day with our traditional run together. We headed to the canal and completed a challenging 7 miles; it rocked. It’s so fun when Don and Janet stay with us for the fact that I have a running buddy in Don and a girlie-stuff partner in Janet. Once we returned from running the guys went and played basketball, went shooting, and then came back to our place for poker, movies, and whatever else guys like to do. Us girls headed out to lay by the pool after getting our nails done. It was such a fun day and was so cool spending time with such amazing women. We talked about planning a trip to Arizona wine country and flipped through bridal magazines. The sun was shining and helped to thaw out our blizzard-stricken guests. I was so glad to have such awesome people with me that afternoon. Once pool time was over I dropped the ladies off and headed for the night to my parent’s house.

I decided to spend the night at my parent’s because Ben was having his guy’s night AND I wanted to spend some time alone with my mom and dad before the big day. It was so great to take a walk with my dad and sister, spend time with my aunt who was also staying at my parents, and in the morning hang out with my dad some more. I went at about 1pm and got my hair done and that was sort of the true beginning of the wedding day. My hair was beyond great… if I might say so myself. I wanted a 40′s inspired, glamorous, hair style and luckily I have an amazing hair stylist that can do anything. When she completed my hair and put the veil in, THAT’S when it all became very very real. I was suddenly so excited and couldn’t help but want to rush to The Stone House and get my dress on…

I arrived at The Stone House about an hour before pictures were scheduled to begin and was surprised by a beautiful bridal suite with fruit, cheese, and Dom Perion champagne (yeah, I know) for me and my girls. We had a blast just sitting around eating and drinking before pictures. My bridesmaids looked freaking HOT in their dresses and I was so impressed by how each of them had their own distinct look that tied together. We were completely spoiled by The Stone House and I couldn’t believe how special everyone made us feel.

Tamara (my amazing photographer) began our pictures right on time which lead us all around the venue to capture the most creative and beautiful shots. We were lucky to have all different back drops to create variety and have fun. Time was really flying now and before I knew it we had to hustle inside before Ben and the guys got there… we didn’t want Ben to even get one peek of us! Ben arrived rather stressed out for his pictures but seemed to settle in once we talked on the phone about some little details that popped up. As far as I heard, his pictures went great and by this time, the wedding is supposed to begin in less than one hour.

My heart suddenly begins to pound. I have never checked, checked, and rechecked my makeup in the mirror more times in my entire life!!!! Waiting to line up to make our big entrance (to the song I recorded for Ben) was the longest few minutes of my life. Finally, it was time to line up and I linked arms with my dad and before I knew it we were walking toward the alter.

BEN WAS ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL! As my dad gave me away I was struck by how completely happy he looked to see me. I felt the same way. The song apparently affected him a lot and I could see he had major tears in his eyes… needless to say, it took a lot for me not to burst into tears right away. Our ceremony began and all I could think about was that I wished I could just hug him as tight as possible but because I couldn’t, I just squeezed his hands super hard. Ben was incredible. He was just so incredibly pure during the ceremony. We both couldn’t imagine being anywhere else. We decided to read our own vows to one another and my bridesmaids swooned at how sweet Ben’s were… I will NEVER forget that moment (I can hardly type this without getting tears in my eyes). Once it was over and we were official, we exited to MJ’s “The Way You Make Me Feel” and I almost immediately began sobbing and laughing at the same time… by far the best moment of my life.

From then on out, we partied with our friends. So many people came from far away to see us and it simply took my breath away to connect (even if it was for brief moments) with these cherished people. I couldn’t have imagined a better set of guests. We love you guys!

The evening ended and we packed up everything. I couldn’t believe how different I felt. I hope I always remember how transformed I felt that first night. I have always wanted to marry Ben… not only wanted to but knew I would. There is something about the fact that I KNEW it and it actually happened that really confirms my belief in how my life works. When I know something, it’s true. I love him and we are already enjoying this new relationship together and new title of “husband and wife”.

I am so glad that we did it!

Our wedding is just about wrapped up. I found the ties for the guys today, dropped Ben’s special garb off for cleaning and pressing, have my shoes, had my facial, and am now just focusing on finishing a pesky midterm so that I can enjoy my wedding totally foot loose and fancy free. My mom is so sweet and has basically taken care of the rehearsal dinner food and Candida (my amazing bridesmaid) is coming over on Friday to help me set up for the dinner. By Friday, all of our family and friends should be here and then, there’s NO TURNING BACK!!!!!!!

I don’t really know what else to say, it’s just such a strange and exciting time. Everything has sped up in the past few weeks and what seemed like FOREVER away is suddenly on top of us.

I will probably update once more before the wedding but if not, thank you so much for following me on this journey. Writing this process down has really helped me to be present in the specialness of it… and has added to my enjoyment of being a bride.

Later Gators xoxo
S

Ben and I also had a chance to talk about our wedding vows together. It was really nice to hear that he wants us to write something to say at the wedding because he and I both agreed that we get one chance in our life to have a wedding and should, in the words of John Mayor, say what we need to say. So we worked independently on our vows and shared them at the end of the night. Needless to say, it was really sweet and really brought forth the reality that we are really going to do this. I can’t wait.

Today, I had my “hair rehearsal” with Stephanie. She changed my hair color and styled it to almost simulate my wedding day style. After my appointment, I rushed home and tried on my veil and LOVED it! I couldn’t believe how much that veil made me feel like a bride, I could hardly stand to take it off!

We have been incredibly surprised to already receive honeymoon gifts on our registry website! Thank you so much for the generosity towards our honeymoon; we cannot wait to show you all a great time at our wedding.

It’s almost here… and I cannot wait!

xoxo Somone

Today, I was able to take Ben to see the venue in it’s almost completed state. As some of you know, I chose a location that in its past life, was not a wedding venue so since we’ve committed, major renovations were underway. I am proud to say that we will be their first wedding! The venue is gorgeous and unique. I cannot wait to host our family and friends in this totally perfect space. We have multiple pools and fountains, fire pits and fire bowls and an awesome stone bar… I cannot wait to show it off.

In other wedding news, Saturday is my birthday and my wonderful bridesmaids will be throwing me a bachelorette party. I am not sure the details but I am looking forward to a fun night out… as long as there are no strippers; they are SO EMBARRASSING!

17 Days to Go!

<3 Somone

that is all…

one of the best days of my life and I love you

Please enjoy the pictures in the flickr.

As you can tell, I am really excited about my bridal shower. I don’t know why I am so excited but I think it’s because it’s an “anti shower”… no wrapping me in toilet paper in a mock dress, no games guessing Ben’s favorite food, or other such activities that no one really wants to do but everyone does anyways because it’s what you are supposed to do. Instead we are just making our favorite pizzas and cocktails and hanging out and laughing and doing whatever comes to mind. I will see some old friends that I haven’t seen in way too long and that, perhaps, will be the very sweetest part of the day…

I will add pictures to the flickr as soon as possible…

So all you current and future brides please heed my words when I say: “GET EVERYTHING IN WRITING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!”. People will, either purposefully or not, screw with you and cost you more money and valuable time because they suck, I repeat SUCK! So please stop everything you are doing, go to Walmart, purchase a filing cabinet, and put every receipt, agreement, and locks of every vendors’ hair into a secured cabinet because you will probably need it.

Oh and belief me, Goldberg and Osborne aren’t going to step in and help you… it’s you being your best advocate to pry an ounce of cooperation from these individuals…. buyer beware, you’ve been warned!

Now, I am worried.

There are so many people to juggle and coordinate and so many little pieces that need attention that I am not going to be able to handle because I will be a little busy to say the least. Just think about it… all different vendors will be coming and going, dropping stuff off, needing to know where to put things, how to decorate something, or what song to play and when. Geez… there is just so much to think about and now it looks like I am going to have to be dialed into all of these little details that she would have been able to take care of for me. I am going to talk to the owner of the venue and express my concerns to him… after all, I am paying a pretty penny to hold my event there and part of what I was paying for (in my mind at least) was her.

So, something needs to happen to make this right… I will keep all of you interested readers posted.

Lately, I am growing increasingly excited for the HONEYMOON IN MAUI!!!! We’ve never been to Hawaii and when we first started dated (on our second official “date” actually) we vowed that we would take our first trip together. So in just three short months, after my last day of school for the semester, we will be tropics bound!!!!!!! Hawaii will have no idea what hit it!

I do need to work on my tan