We were married on a gorgeous June day at the Huntcliff River Club in Atlanta, Georgia.  Despite the bumps along the way, the day turned out perfectly.  (I'll update with pro pics as I get them)

The day started off with bagels and fruit at one of my bridesmaid's houses- a minor change in schedule as we were originally going to my favorite breakfast restaurant.  My girls got a lot of laughs as they drew lines through my detailed day of itinerary, but I'm glad we made the change in schedule. 

It was important to me to be able to pay for my girl's hair, but being a budget bride, this was difficult.  I made the decision to go to the Aveda Institute (yes, beauty school) and was able to get hair and pedicures for 6 people for under $400.  Quite the deal there and everyone looked great.  It was much more time consuming then we thought due to my MOH wanting pin curls, but it turned out A-OK. 

There were some issues with cake delivery during the day, but my amazing husband and one groomsman thew our three flower girls in the car and went to pick it up themselves!  Their GPS failed them slightly as there was a crazy detour, but the cakes arrived in one piece at the venue and were very yummy to eat later.

The butterflies didn't start until I was getting my makeup done by my great friend and MUA- Sidra Luna.  I unwrapped my wonderful present from Steve- a monogrammed gym bag and a custom necklace with our names and wedding date from etsy.  Our photographers arrived right before I started putting on my dress and that's when the waterworks started for everyone around me.  I was paranoid about crying because I was convinced that it was going to make my spray-tan run, but I was definitely holding them back.  We had fun tying and retying my dress to make sure my girls were locked in there- a point that my dad found quite funny.  We ran into my besties and from school and my papa on the way out of the hotel, which really helped calm me down before going to the venue.

We took pictures of each side of our bridal party before the ceremony and then I was able to walk inside and see the gorgeous work that Amy Fowler of Honor Events put together.  We DIYd everything- from our invites to our centerpieces, but she really brought my vision to life.  It was breathtaking and completely released the nerves that had been bundled in me all day.  I directed my friends outside as they were draping the alter as my MUA touched up my makeup before the big walk down the aisle.

Walking down the aisle with my dad was one of the best moments of my life.  I was so grateful to make it down the stairs in my 4+ inch CL Baldwins and couldn't take my eyes off of his as I took each step.  Our ceremony was a mix of tradition, but was extremely personalized as well.  We did a family uniting part where each set of parents vowed to accept us and love us as we were their own children.  We also had some amazing readings, but our favorite part was the 3 questions.  Our officiant asked us each 3 questions: what is love, what does it mean to be in love, and what is marriage?  We gave our separate responses and he integrated them into the ceremony, which was hands-down my favorite part.  We still have guests comment on how sweet and personalized that made the ceremony.  I loved hearing our vows- but the best was the moment when we were declared husband and wife...and the kiss!

Steve and I had two main goals for our reception: that people see how happy and in love we were and for our guests to have fun.  I can definitely say both those goals were accomplished and we had an absolutely amazing time.  Even though everyone said we wouldn't be able to eat OR talk to all our guests, we somehow managed to do both. 

The entire reception was an amazing blur of fun, laughing, kissing, hugging and all-around celebrating.  We ended with a sparkler exit and zooming off in my dad's convertible!