I planned on doing a first look with my bridesmaids and with my daddy. Amber set me up in one of the smaller dining areas of the fellowship hall that had a door for some good natural lighting. Once we got back inside, we all scurried over to get our dresses and start getting ready. I helped my sister Kayla get into her dress so she could help me get into mine. Once my mom and both sisters were dressed, we headed over to our little room for me to put my dress on where none of the other girls could see me. We took some sweet pictures of my mom zipping up my dress, Courtney putting my veil in and my brooch on, and Kayla helping me with my garter. There were a lot of people present in that small area while this was happening (Amber, Chase, Seth, Haylie, and sweet Lorelei playing games on the phone).
Once everything was on right and we got all the pictures we needed, Amber and Chase set up my girls outside for the first look with the bridesmaids. They all stood in a semi-circle with their eyes closed and I came out the door. I counted to three and they all opened their eyes. A picture is truly worth a thousand words <3
During the time that all the girls were changing into their dresses, Amber and Chase were taking pictures of just the groomsmen. I know nothing about what happened during these pictures, all I know is that they turned out so beautifully. Al has the best group of friends and these pictures were perfect representations of his relationships with them.
Once the bridesmaids first look was over and the groomsmen pictures were done, it was time for my first look with my daddy. We did it in the same spot as the girls. It was just me, my parents, and my sisters present for this one (with the exception of I think Britt, Alex, and Abigail peaking out the window). I walked out the same door and this time I tapped him on the shoulder. Again, a picture is worth a thousand words. I am a daddy's girl through and through, and it was about time he saw the actual dress that had been taking up precious closet space at his house for over a year. His expression was priceless, and I'm so glad I had that moment with him!
After all the first looks were done, Al and I got to share a sweet moment that we entitled our "behind the door moment." Amber and Chase strategically placed Al behind a door where he couldn't see me and I walked to the other side of the door and grabbed his hand. The first words out my mouth were "HEY BABE!" (per usual). We chatted for a minute about nerves and whatnot, and then we exchanged our wedding day letters. I handed Al a notebook I had been writing letters to him in since before we got engaged. I bookmarked the page that he was supposed to read that day. He gave me a single sheet of paper, and we had a quiet moment reading the words we both wanted to share with each other on our big day. After we were both done, I explained to him what the notebook was. I couldn't tell his reaction obviously, but I knew it was special to him. I bent down and kissed his hand and said "I'll see you at the altar," and we went on our way. I'm so glad we did that. I literally talk to Al all day every day, so not speaking to him since the end of the rehearsal dinner the night before was really hard for me. However, I am a fairly traditional southern lady, so I stayed true to that and only saw his hand before the ceremony!
After mine and Al's little moment, me and my girls and my family all went outside to take group pictures and family pictures. While I was outside, Al was hidden in a room with no windows at the front of the church. As I walked out, a few of Al's groomsmen were outside and they all told me how pretty I looked (keepers I tell ya). We went over to our sweet spot in front of the marsh, and we got group shots with the bridesmaids and flower girls, group shots with just the bridesmaids, individuals with the bridesmaids, and individuals with my sweet baby girls. Once we were done with those, my family took portraits. I was so impressed with how well my sweet niece did through all those pictures. She doesn't necessarily love pictures, so having her at least looking at the camera in most of them was a win for me!
We finished up with all my pictures and I went back inside to hide until the ceremony began. During the time I was hiding, Amber and Chase got Al's groomsmen back outside to get some pictures of the fun socks Al bought them all. Then Al's family took their family portraits. I'm not sure what the timeline looked like for them. I've just seen some candid shots of a lot of people in the small room where the guys were gathering, so I think they were hanging out in there for a small period of time as well.
During our downtime before the ceremony, I got to do an impromptu first look with my surrogate grandmother. Ms. Gerry has been a part of my life since I was a baby. She was (and is still) my neighbor, and she was mine and Kayla's babysitter until were around 10 or 11. I have always considered her my grandmother, so I asked Ms. Monika to bring her back so she could see my dress. Priceless moments people. So thankful that my friend Alex got those on camera.
Once Amber and Chase were done with the family portraits, they came inside and my girls all gathered around me for a moment of prayer. I knew I wanted to have this moment before our ceremony, and when I thought about who would say that prayer, I was unsure if anyone would volunteer. However, when the moment came my lifelong friend Alex spoke up and said she would love to pray over me. Her words were precious to me, and I am so glad we got to share that moment together. She prayed for me, for Al, for our relationship with each other, our closeness to God, my family, Al's family, and all the people who would have a part in the journey we were about to embark on. I felt so calm after she was done because I truly knew God was in our midst.
After the prayer, we all just sat around for a little bit before it was time for the ceremony to begin. We got some candid shots in our dresses for anyone who wanted to post pictures later on, and mostly we all just stared at each other. Once Ms. Monika came back and told us it was time to line up, I hugged my mama and Ms. Gerry and then stood at the back of the line waiting for the ceremony to begin. I remember the exact moment I heard our first song playing through the speakers of the church. A serious rush of adrenaline and butterflies flew through my body. As we walked down the hallway, Sophia held my hand until it was time for her to go. My dad joined me in the hallway until everyone had entered the sanctuary. We got to have a little moment together before we made it over to the door. I heard the wedding party song fade out and before I knew it, the door was opening to my handsome groom and my forever...
Stay tuned!
Xoxo,
Mrs. Rising
Photo Credit: Amber Rhodes Photography
