Wedding Recap: The big day (with pictures)

Our wedding day was amazing, if you asked me 13 months ago when we started planning if we imagined it would be sunny and 83 degrees on October 9th, in New Hampshire, I would have laughed openly at you. I was thinking I was going to need a shrug or something! Oh man was I wrong! However, I will say that I would rather the warm weather over rain ANY day. It allowed us to go forward with our plans of having an outdoor ceremony and it was everything I wanted and more.

I woke up ate some breakfast, Kelli and Amy both had instructions from Weezie, my step mom, to make sure that I had a good breakfast. So Kelli made me a waffle, it was delicious! After we finished up with breakfast we packed up Kelli's car and headed to the Salon. We got there just a few minutes before 9am. It was funny to have the salon to ourselves. Every other time I have been in there it's always busy and everyone is running about. It was weird to see it so quiet (It opens at 10am on Sundays). However at the same time, it was so nice to have the quiet, it gave me time to think about everything that was going on, and also gave me some more time with Kelli, Amy and my hair stylist, Rachelle. 

As Rachelle got to work on my hair, the gals and I just chatted about things, we went over our timeline to make sure we weren't forgetting anything. Everything was coming together. Shortly before the salon opened, some of the other stylists showed up. All of the people who work at the salon have been nothing short of amazing to me, and so helpful. So it was great that I got to see them as I was getting ready. Then Amy and Kelli were whisked away to start their hair and makeup.

Before we got to the salon we stopped to get iced coffee, and I only ended up drinking about a third of it. My stomach had so many butterflies, I was just too excited as the time got closer and closer!

When the hair was finished it was off to makeup! I opted to do the airbrush makeup and I am SO glad I did, it held all day long even when I was sweating while dancing. It felt very light as if I wasn't wearing anything at all, which was really nice, since I don't usually wear makeup and I don't very much care for the feeling of wearing makeup.

And after some finishing touches we were off to Hampton! We actually had padded the schedule to make sure we had enough time and we were able to get to Hampton at about 11:45am. A quick call to Ben to make sure he wouldn't see me and we ducked into the bridal suite. And pretty much the whirlwind started, and about 45 minutes later it was time to get into the dress...

Being that I was already hot, and I was getting into a dress with multiple layers, it took a moment to get into the dress, and then another moment (or two) to lace it all up. It was so hot we pulled out Kelli's fan and Weezie held it up so that it would blow in my face, it was the best feeling in the world!

I love that fan..., Focus Studios, LLC

Dad came in at some point to say that the minister was running late, but would hopefully be there in time. Honestly, I didn't care, I was so happy to be where I was and (eventually) marrying the man of my dreams, I didn't care if we delayed. Once everyone was dressed we had about 5-10 minutes to kill while the minister arrived and got into his place, so we were able to take a few pictures. That actually calmed me down, the last hour had flew by and it was nice to have that moment to take a few pics and to settle.

Amy, Dad and me. Excuse my weird smile.. still a bit nervous

And then it was go time! I remember walking over the bridge with my dad and I was worrying about how slippery his shoes were and I didn't want him to fall! My dad had his hip replaced about 6 years ago and has had some complications with it, mostly that he cannot feel his foot. Thankfully no one fell and we started down the aisle.

Dad... don't fall

I couldn't look at my friends, because some had warned me that they would probably cry, and I didn't want to cry with them, I couldn't look at Ben... so I looked at the minister. I was just so happy. When I got to the end of the aisle, Ben just looked at me and said, you look amazing.

Everyone complimented dad on his hat choice

The ceremony was just what I envisioned, personalized and quick. But still meaningful. Ben is an atheist, so we wanted our ceremony to be more about us and our love rather than about making a commitment to God. Thankfully, our minister, Peter was more than happy to accommodate this. That's why I love being an Episcopalian, we don't judge! (Not to say that there is anything wrong with other religions, I just like mine)

As we read the vows we wrote for each other, I went first. I started off cracking... and stopped for a moment to regain myself, and then continued on. So all you people out there who had bets on whether I'd be a blubbering mess, you lost! WIN! I got some laughs from my vows, which is totally what I wanted. And then it was time for Ben to read his. For me, it was the most amazing thing I've ever heard him read because it was something he wrote for me. And now looking back, I cannot remember a single word he said, but the meaning is still there.

Then after some more wedding stuff and legal requirements... boom! married!

We then walked back up the aisle and then hid, so we could take pictures while all of our guests headed inside for the cocktail hour. I love my photographer, she's a friend of Ben's friend, and we've quickly grown closer having now worked with her. Her newly minted husband is her assistant and he's amazing too! I gave them a list of all the family pics I wanted (Ben neglected to do his...) and we just got straight to work.

One of the professional shots, Focus Studios, LLC

After we finished with the family and group shots it was time for Ben and I to have some personal pictures

By far one of the cutest pics, Focus Studios, LLC

We headed in, because we heard the crowd was getting restless at the cocktail hour. I ducked back into the bridal suite to get my dress bustled and to get my second hair style. I wanted to keep my hair off my neck for the reception so I could dance and not sweat even more so than I already was.

Second hair style, best decision EVER

We got into the hall and took our seats, we decided to start off with the toasts and we ended with my brother, who I knew was going to roast me, but he actually roasted Ben a little as well, which I think is perfect. Nick also ended on a high note with a lovely compliment. I love my dear little brother.

Then we got our eating on and then the dancing! What I was looking forward to the most! (well aside from the whole marriage part...) People were complimenting on my dress and makeup and hair. People were actually asking if I had hair extensions put in. Nope, that's all real! Over a year of growing it out.

We cut some cake, we promised each other no smushing! and we didn't, I may have made Ben work a little bit for his cake, but I didn't smush! We danced, our first dance was to Jason Marz with Colbie Caillat, Lucky. Ben and I sang it to one another as we were dancing. We liked it because it was upbeat and meaningful to us. Then I danced with Dad and Ben danced with his mom. And then more dancing!

We slipped out of the party for a few moments to get some pictures in. And we started off with this one

I love this pic, it's just so much fun! Focus Studios, LLC

Our photographer really wanted to get some pictures with a fire truck. I work for the fire department and so it was an easy request to fill, just had to promise the boys some food and wedding cake, and they were golden! The end result was some shots like these:

If you look closely you can see my photographer in the chrome of the mirror casing! Focus Studios, LLC

and

Focus Studios, LLC

Not going to lie, Ben and I were impartial with the fire truck, but having seem some of these shots, I am glad we did it. It was a lot of fun!

While we were outside with the fire truck, our guests were inside and apparently THIS happened....

We went back inside and we had about an hour left of dancing. And danced did we! Then in a flash it was over, and we were packing up and getting out of dodge.

As every bride says, the day just goes by so quickly, and it's incredible to me to think of putting 13 months of planning into one day and then to have that be the best day ever was all worth it. I couldn't stop smiling, I was just so happy.

I am so excited I found the man to spend the rest of my life with, and that I have such a wonderful and supportive family and group of friends, I consider myself truly blessed.