I am typically an early riser, and when our wedding morning came there was no exception to this rule.  My mom and sister spent the night with me, and I was the first one wide awake before the sun was out.

The excitement I felt topped any excitement that has ever filled me before.  I felt as anxious and happy as I did as a child (and still do!) on Christmas morning…multiplied times a thousand.  I couldn’t believe that this was the day that I had been waiting for my entire life, the day I would marry my best friend.

After breakfast and coaxing my sister out of bed, we headed to the 21st floor of the Sheraton.  We were able to use an extra room on the floor where the reception was going to be later that evening for our “getting ready” space and it could not have been more perfect.

The windows were floor to ceiling letting in plenty of natural sunlight and there was more than enough room to spare.

Danielle Laffey of Perchance Makeup did my makeup along with all of the bridesmaids.

wedding getting readyWe all had air brush makeup done to last through the entire day and night.  I was a little hesitant at first when I heard that she did “airbrush” makeup and had visions of a “painted on” look to my foundation.  This was not something that I wanted, as I normally do not wear foundation.  I simply wanted a glamorous, “pumped up” version of my every day makeup…which is exactly what Danielle was able to do!

wedding getting ready

wedding getting readyMy sister, Brenna, and a bridesmaid and lifelong friend, Chelsea, are both hair dressers and were kind enough to do all of the bridesmaids hair for the wedding.  The wedding was in July, which is a sweaty month here in Indianapolis, and I wanted the bridesmaids dancing the night away later on so I asked that each bridesmaid had their hair done in a low, messy, curly updo.

Everyone’s hair could not have been more perfect.

wedding getting ready

wedding getting ready

wedding getting ready

wedding getting readyI am so thankful that my own sister was able to do my hair for the wedding day.  It was such a treat to have her help with such an important (and visible!) aspect of the wedding.

As she curled and pinned and styled away, it brought back so many memories of our childhood where I was often the one curling and pinning HER hair…let’s just say there is a reason she is the hair stylist now 😉

wedding getting ready

wedding getting readyBrian’s mom also got ready on the 21st floor with us, and she brought along a dear friend to help with her hair and makeup.  It was such a fun “girls morning” and I cherished each moment as we prepared for the actual wedding later that day.

wedding getting readyOnce my hair and makeup were complete Caitlin, a bridesmaid and dear friend, surprised me with a photo collage DVD.  She was prepared with her computer so I could watch the adorable video right then.

I loved it!!

wedding getting ready

wedding getting ready

wedding getting readyWhen all of the girls were taken care of and look as beautiful as ever, Brenna ran downstairs to make sure that Brian was looking amazing.

She touched up his hair by tossing a bit of product into it and made sure that he was ready to go.  (I absolutely love these pictures!)

wedding getting ready

wedding getting readyBrenna assured us that Brian was ready and looking handsome as ever, and it was time for us to get ready.

wedding getting readyMy something borrowed was a gorgeous pair of earrings from the jeweler that created my engagement ring and where we purchased our wedding bands, G. Thrapp.

wedding getting readyAs we got ready, my grandma was actually in the room working on my “something blue.”  She sewed the wedding date to an inside seam in my wedding dress with light blue thread.  This is one of my absolute favorite wedding pictures.

wedding getting readyI wanted to have a “first look” with my parents, so my sister and bridesmaids helped me get dressed.

wedding getting ready

wedding getting ready

wedding getting ready

wedding getting ready

wedding getting readyMy pearls actually ended up coming apart when we were putting them on.  Despite this little hiccup in the “getting ready” process, I felt extremely calm.  I honestly was not even concerned about wearing a necklace.

This extreme calm feeling was very comforting, as I knew that I was ready…ready to be married and little things like a pearl necklace were not going to ruin my day.

Brian’s mom and aunt worked to help me get the strand of delicate pearls back together, and we were able to succeed!

wedding getting ready

wedding getting ready

wedding getting readyBrenna helped me put on the finishing touches before Mom and Dad arrived.

wedding getting ready

wedding getting ready

wedding getting ready

wedding getting ready

wedding getting readyFinally, I was ready to see Mom and Dad.

It was such a touching moment to see my amazing parents come through the door.  They both looked absolutely stunning!

wedding getting ready

wedding getting ready

wedding getting readyAfter seeing my parents, I was ready for my “first look” at Brian as a groom.  I couldn’t wait to see him!

To be continued…

All photos courtesy of Noelle Marie Photography.

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  1. Beautiful pictures! And the pictures of your first look with your parents is so sweet, especially your mom’s reaction.

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