Wedding memories.

On Saturday, June 29, 2013, I got married.

The day started by me waking up early, probably around 6 am, and trying to go back to sleep for an hour. Then I just laid in bed and played on my phone before getting in the shower and waking Rebecca. I blow dried my hair and moisturized my face--anything to be beautiful today--and sat and waited for hair and make up to arrive. They did, around 10 am, and got started. Mandy got her hair done first, with a neat braid around that was perfect for her. Rebecca got her makeup done first, too, and boy, is she beautiful. Then Leigh Ann got her hair done, and she had a simple up do, but looked amazing. I helped her with her make up a little bit while Rebecca did hair, and then got my makeup done.

Tess was a fabulous makeup artist. She told me that I had as close to perfect as she's ever done on my eyes, which may have been a line, but it made me feel great. Rebecca's hair style was my favorite: off center, curled and pinned updo, it was awesome. Then I went to have my hair done, and Jennae did wonderful. It was even better than my run through, by far. That was about when Lisa Berry arrived, and we took some photos in our matching button-ups with our initials that my mom made for us (and were so cute).

Rebecca called a cab, Mandy practiced walking, and Kristen squealed, as we waited. We packed everything in and the cab took us to the church. It was raining. Not too hard, but sprinkling. We went inside and downstairs to the ready room. The bridesmaids got dressed, I snuck a peek at the flowers and bouquets, and then got dressed. Jennifer and Aunt Mary and Allison stopped by while I was waiting, along with some others. I was completely in a haze at this point. Everything was a blur and my heart rate and breathing rate were definitely elevated. I remember thinking that I felt pretty calm, but it was all a mask, as I soon found out. I was convincing myself, poorly. As time crept on, I felt strange about missing out on the prelude music and seeing people arrive and the whole hub bub of it all.

It was time. We climbed the stairs. I waited behind the door to hide myself. My dad was there. The limo driver came early and came in to talk to me. It was sort of relieving to have a weird distraction. Betsy and Krista and Mike Karam came in a bit late as I waited behind the door. The doors closed, and I climbed the final steps with Dad. My dress was spread out, the waiting was buzzing in my head. There was literally a swarm of bees inside of my ears. The music changed, the doors opened, and suddenly I was almost crying. Connie told me to breathe, and I realized I hadn't been. I tried so hard to contain it that smiling didn't even work. I got a report from Tyler Mikev that I was giggling like a mad person when I passed him. Dad had to whisper for me to slow down; it's absolutely crazy how I wasn't in control of my actions at all. All I could do was try to smile and not break down and weep, look up at Tom, look at my friends and family around me, and keep stepping forward. It was the culmination of the whole weekend, the whole year, everything.

The music finished, we sat down, and Tom told me I looked beautiful. I think I said, "You do, too" or something, my brain wasn't working properly. But having those few moments to sit back and not do anything was invaluable. I relaxed so much in the coming moments that I barely cried at all saying our vows! Tom couldn't quite my ring on my finger, but we were both nervous and a bit sweaty, so I've forgiven him. We exited, chatted, and then came back to dismiss everyone from their seats, which I think worked pretty well. We had our fake get away with my precious ribbon wands, which was inside because it was raining, but still pretty fun. We got in the limo and drove around the block to come back and take photos. We had a big Whitmire family photo, and one with both sides of Tom's family, and then some with our parents and grandparents. We took some more photos in the church, because the grass was too wet for me to risk going outside, plus it was still raining on and off. I wish I wish it hadn't rained so much, but we have all of our lives to get more photos of our friends and family and each other, so I can't be too devastated.

Then it was in the limo and on to the Arts Center. We went in the back door, downstairs through the caterers, and into the children's room to wait. Looking back, I guess we should've taken photos during this time too, but I know Lisa got great shots. (I'm talking about photography a lot because we haven't seen any photos yet, and I'm very anxious about it.) We had a beer or two and then it was time to get announced as husband and wife. I loved the first dance to 'Live and Die' by the Avett Brothers. I love Tom. It was a fun song and fits us and will be a memory of a current popular song, rather than one that hearkens back to another era. We sat, ate salad, cut the cake (with a huge knife) and out of crowd pressure I smeared a bit of frosting on Tom's nose, ate dinner, and got toasted. Joey and Rebecca did wonderful, heartfelt, fabulous speeches. I wouldn't have anyone else as our best people. They really are the best.

I don't remember the order of the rest of the night, but these things definitely happened:
-We took a photobooth photo
-We tried to talk to everyone
-We took photos outside with Lisa
-Jordyn and Blake and Raymond danced Gangnam Style
-We danced
-We sung 'Proud to be an American'
-I loved my guests so much
-I spun in my dress
-We drank some Indiana beer
-I only used the bathroom twice
-I loved every minute

At the end of the night, everyone was begging us to come out to the casino with them; and I really wanted to. I didn't want the night to be over; I wasn't done hanging out with these people. But we made the tough decision that I knew was right: to just go straight to the B&B and leave our friends to themselves. I cried a little on the way because it was so hard to say no to our best friends. There will be a lifetime of fun times to be had with them. There will be time.

It really was the best day.