And then I became a Mrs.....

The Big Day was here! After two years of planning, I finally was going to put a ring on it and marry my best friend, my partner in crime, and the love of my life. I think I slept about three hours the entire night. We had fun at our rehearsal dinner a little late and I got to bed before midnight (a miracle), but after a few hours of sleep I couldn't stop thinking about the day! I wasn't thinking about all of the things that could go wrong - I was simply so excited. I was excited to get my hair done, to get ready with my girls, to finally get in my dress and stay in it (instead of just trying it on periodically for fun), to see all of our friends and family in one place, and to have a ton of fun at our reception. I finally gave up on sleeping at 5:30, since I was planning on waking up at 6 for my hair appointment at 7. I actually didn't mind, because I was able to get my bridesmaid gifts assembled and ready to go for later.

[Admiring the finished product at my hair appointment]

I was back at the house after my hair appointment to get ready with all of my girls, and then we were off to the reception site for pictures! Nick and I had our "first look" photos, and I was so happy to see my Groom before the wedding. He looked so handsome, and it was adorable because he was tearing up when he saw me :)

[About to see me for the first time!]

We finished our photos and then our wedding party photos somehow with time to spare. My girls had bought champagne for the day but had gone through most of it while Nick and I were taking photos, so since we had some time to get to the church for the family photos, we made a little pit-stop at a Rite-Aid for a couple few bottles more of champagne. Whoops ;) I meant to drink some once we got to the church, and I tried taking a few sips, but I was so anxious and ready for the ceremony I couldn't settle down! It was all good nervous energy.... I was so ready to stand up there in front of everyone and make that official commitment.

[Ready to walk down the aisle!]

As soon as I walked down the aisle and was up there by Nick I was completely calm. The ceremony went perfectly and was absolutely beautiful. During the Unity Candle we decided to add a little something in memory of loved ones lost. I had really wanted to do something like that since my Grandma passed away two weeks earlier, and after talking to Nick's sister (who has brilliant ideas) we decided that, after we lit our own candle, we would light small tea lights in front of photographs of each family member. Though it was a small gesture, we felt it was a perfect way to honor them on our day. They would have been so happy to see us get married, and somehow I knew they were there anyway.

[From left to right: My Grandma Gies, Grandma Betz, Nick's father, Lee, and his Nana and Grandpa Ertsgaard]

After the ceremony we went back up to the front of the church and dismissed everyone row by row so as to make sure we saw everyone. It went fast and was great because some people came only to the ceremony, so that way we knew we saw everyone who was there! Our ceremony ended earlier than we planned, so we hung back a few minutes, snapped a few more pictures, and headed out to the reception site so we could do our grand entrance and enjoy cocktail hour with our guests!

[Signing the marriage certificate! Woohoo!]

We arrived at the reception site and everything was perfect. All of our guests were already there mingling and having a good time, the barn and everything was beautiful, the weather was perfectly warm, and I was ready to party and have a good time! The ceremony was a little nerve-wrecking, yes, but it was wonderful. After it was over, though, I really relaxed. All day I kept thinking, "The only thing that matters is that we are married at the end of today."I wasn't really stressed out once the day began, but if there was ever a moment I could be stressed, keeping that thought in my mind really helped. And honestly, how could we not just enjoy and relax after we dismissed everyone at our ceremony and heard how genuinely happy everyone was for us??? I was seriously feelin' the love. All day. There is nothing like that feeling. I knew that everyone at the wedding wanted to have a good time, too, and celebrate with us, and that's exactly what we did. Everything went perfectly (having a DJ run the entire event was the best thing ever), it looked amazing, our food was delicious, we had lots of great wine and beer, we had a lot of laughs playing the Newlywed Game and when Nick got "iced" with Mike's Hard Lemonade by his fraternity brothers, and danced the night away. I honestly don't think I really ever stopped dancing.

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[Newlywed Game - too funny]

[During the toasts]

[The cake-cutting... we were nice to each other :)]

[Please note Izzy, the flower-girl and our niece, getting her eyes covered by one of my bridesmaids, Michelle. Too funny!]

Our wedding was absolutely the perfect evening, and we wish we could do it all over again! Thank you to everyone who came out to celebrate with us, whether near or far. We feel so loved and had such a great time, and I know that's because you all came and helped make it so special for us.



*Getting-ready photos and photo of my Dad and I before the ceremony taken by my friend and bridesmaid, Chelsea. All other photos courtesy of Cherie Renae Studios (my mother-in-law! :])

Wedding Details

Wedding dress: The "Lycette" gown by Wtoo from Charlotte's Weddings and More
Bride's shoes: Franco Sarto, a Nordstrom exclusive (they also come in a turquoise!)
Bride's makeup: All MAC Cosmetics (applied by myself)
Hair piece: Belaire Bridal at Simply Grand in downtown Salem
Bridesmaid dresses: Alfred Sung
Tuxes: Black by Vera Wang at Men's Wearhouse
Photography: Cherie Renae Studios
Catering: Dalton's Northwest Catering
Cake and cupcakes: made by my friend, Erica
Flowers: Buena Vista Flowers
DJ: True Love Sound
Alterations: Alterations by Lorraine
Ceremony: St. Mark Lutheran in downtown Salem, OR
Reception: "The Little Red Barn" in Keizer, OR (family friend's property)