Our big day is here (august 2, 2008)

Our big day is here!!!
I stayed up on Friday night before the wedding writing a letter to Michael that would be delivered to him on the day of our wedding. Once I finished the letter, it was easy for me to fall asleep! I think I was just so exhausted--all the planning and stressing---I was getting married!!!!! I got a great night of sleep and was rested for the big day. My day started off at the hair salon with my bridesmaids--we went in shifts since it was a small salon. Unfortunately, the day became a little rushed at the salon--probably my 1 regret of the day--i wish we had started earlier in the morning at the salon--as it was 8:30am was not early enough--even though our wedding was at 4:30 in the afternoon. But all in all, we made it and everything turned out just fine :)
My grandmother got her hair done too :)

Melissa and Lara at the salon (they were a part of the first shift of appointments--such troopers)

Lindsey and Christie getting their hair done

Lilly and Chloe getting their hair set

Jennie, Rachel, Lesli, and Me getting magazine inspiration :)

Getting my hair and makeup done---the royal treatment :)

Our ride to the church...

Goin to the chapel.... :)


The boys getting ready

The men have arrived at the church


The boys getting a quick bite to eat before putting on their tuxes.


Our adorable ring bearer Cavan. He had so much fun hanging out with the big boys :)


A few pictures of our wedding

Lara and me


some of the church decor


My family and me right before going down the aisle


Making my way down the aisle


Our beautiful aisle runner


My cousins (Lauren and Ally) --the program and guest book attendants


My bridesmaids and me


MARRIED!


After the wedding in the holding room right before we took pictures


The reception:
A shot of the reception ballroom


Best man and Maid of honor introduction


Our first dance - "Signed Sealed Delivered"


Grooms Cake - GO VOLS!


Our wedding cake - inspired by a cake in the Martha Stewart Weddings book


Daddy/Daughter dance


Polish apron dance--This was such a fun time at our reception. It is sort of like the dollar dance you see done at some weddings but this is a polish family tradition.


Candy buffet



Our parents


Rose Petal exit


Our getaway car


For more pictures, be sure to check out our wedding album online:

Enjoy!!!

A Chattanooga Wedding!

We were so excited for the big day! Here are some pictures of the Thursday and Friday before the wedding!

We just so happened to arrive at the hotel at the same time as one of my childhood best friends, Lindsey (she was one of my bridesmaids too) and the junior bridesmaid, flower girl, and ring bearer (my 3rd grade teacher's children). Here is a picture of us all. Can you believe the pretty blonde was my 3rd grade teacher--and she has 4 children!!!??? She is one amazing lady and has meant so much to me in my life--it was only fitting that her family was apart of my wedding :)


Here is a picture of the beautiful hotel lobby.


We got right to work on Thursday night. Luckily, the hotel let us have a room for storage :) (thank you wedding planner Pam!)
We got the candy into the jars, took the glad press n seal off the escort card display and put together the table numbers. We also gave the welcome bags to the front desk to hand out to all of our guests!!! Mom and Dad kept my wedding dress in their hotel room. They also had a steamer to make sure we could steam out any wrinkles from travel--and also so the bridesmaids could get wrinkles out of their dresses too.






This is Marsha (my sister) and me on thursday night before the wedding. Actually, Michael took me on a date that night in downtown Chattanooga. It was our last date night before we got married :)


I also spent most of thursday afternoon and evening greeting some of our guests.
Here are my Uncle Rob and Aunt Gloria. Aunt Gloria is actually an ordained minister and will be a part of our wedding ceremony.


A family friend of Michael's wanted to host my Bridesmaid Luncheon. She hosted it at a tea room in Chattanooga and she thought of everything. The food was delicious and she had a charm cake for us too as well as little favors for everyone. Michael's mom even had favors for us all too.
The tea room

My maids and me

The KDs

The charm cake

Getting our charms


While the girls were all at the bridesmaids luncheon, Michael and his groomsmen and some of the men in the family went on a golf outing.


The rehearsal
Lara and me getting ready

Jay and John rolling out the runner

Michael and me at the altar

Junior Bridesmaid, Flower Girl, Ring Bearer, and me

The men


And later that night, the rehearsal dinner was held at the Walden Club in downtown Chattanooga. This club is on top of a bank building in Chattanooga and has a panoramic view of Chattanooga--its soo beautiful. It was the perfect location for the dinner :) Michael's parents did such a great job planning this special evening. They even had personalized M&Ms (for Michael and Meredith) made up for everyone to take home as a favor---they even had our picture on the M&Ms. So cute!!!

My mom's side of the family


Our good friends Adam and Julie with Michael


The delicious buffet


We presented all of our attendants with gifts at the rehearsal dinner. We appreciate each of them so much. We have such wonderful friends and family!


A picture of the M&M's Michael's parents had for everyone for favors at the dinner :)


Stay tuned for pictures of our big day!