The Most Perfect Day

We have entered November! That means several things: We've been married nearly a month (What!?!); Christmas presents need to be purchased; and Christmas is coming (What!?! again.) By my accurate calculations, I have a few more wedding-type posts to make. You can read my first post HERE; it has all the good pre-wedding drama, or not so much.

Let me say this- I loved our wedding reception. Everyone kept telling me it'd be gone in the blink of an eye, and I might not remember much of it. Well. It did go fast, but I remember quite a bit! I remember the people - the food - the cakes - the dancing -and the smallest of details. It was such a special day, and I was truly thankful for every person within those 4 walls. Each person was/is a part of our story - individually and together.

There were a few things I'd always wanted. It went something like BBQ, funfetti cupcakes, dancing, and a cake table. That's exactly what I got.

This was our wedding reception:

I had a specific plan for the tables. Burlap. Baby's breath. Mason jars. Some green. Some blue. It worked and was beautiful. Brandon, my florist, helped us out with the flowers - I loved it.

I knew I didn't want veggie trays or such for the cocktail hour. And lessssss be honest (Pitch Perfect folks!), we don't drink so that hour was going to look a little different. The words for this sign popped into my head, no pun intended, and I knew I wanted to serve some fantastic popcorn and Cokes. My friend CaryAnne made all of the awesome chalkboard signs!

The cake table: I had some special ladies make their specialty dessert. I had my bridal portrait along with my mom's portrait and Jeremy's mom on display. This was something I'd always wanted to do!

My friend, Torri, made our cake and the cupcakes. Um yes. They were absolutely funfetti and stinking' awesome. Jeremy and I had our fair share of cupcake goodness. All of this flowed so well together- crates from Devon, and my friend Hannah gave me the sprinkles sign. It was all about Romans 8:28 - Jeremy was my sprinkles to the good. 

Ben Rector's "Forever Like That" was definitely our first song.  Two years ago, I went to my first Ben Rector concert. I didn't even know who this Ben guy was. Now he's my favorite. But that night I heard this song for the first time and immediately said "I will dance with my husband to this song as our first dance." Done and done. 

Show stopper: Daddy and I danced a little jig to Sweet Home Alabama. I knew I didn't want the dance to be sentimental. I would already be a wreck since I'm a dad's girl. This was the ticket! Link below. Seems like M enjoyed watching her aunt and papa cut a rug.

Dancing. Jeremy doesn't dance. We had a good agreement going. I could dance, and he could visit with his Army friends from near and far - I visited with my friends on the dance floor.

This picture is too much - I just now noticed the excitement on all of our faces.. and just plain happiness. These girls mean the most to me!

Also, the glow sticks brought the party.

Getting down with some of the best.

 Caroline and I got down to Footloose. And this picture caught it all.

A sparkler exit. The rain stopped. The skies were clear. And many a'people stayed to send us off. Jeremy and I drove through the crowd of people after exiting - Let's just say- Grease was channeled.

I wouldn't have our day any other way. It was absolutely perfect, and it was ours.

And as promised ...

Rain Showers, Showers and Ending that Bachelorette

Happy Wednesday fine folks! It has been a rainy one here!! I found myself indulging in some Wendy's (which has become the new CFA) and working out during Dr. Phil.  Call me a multi-tasker if you will.

During my time at home before the wedding, I had several parties and showers. That's right - Rewind. Hit it.

My mama's circle group hosted the cutest shower one Sunday after church. There were mason jars, flowers, cupcakes and pimento cheese. One cannot go wrong with that. I've known the women in this group for a long time! All of the church ladies attended and gave us some of the nicest gifts! 

The circle group and some shower attendees.

 My Acteens leader helped open the gifts. Mom wrote 'em down.

The aunts watched and talked. My mom's friends even came!!

Some of the sweet gifts. We are still finding places to store them all.

My Mema's Sunday School class held a drop-in on a Saturday afternoon. Cakes! Cakes! Cakes!

I was loving it!

Mama and I - I'm thinkin' that looking-alike thing is getting stronger! And yes, the hostesses

gave me a necklace made of Mardi-Gra beads and measuring spoons instead of a corsage - FUN.

 These ladies have been in my life since I was born. That's how special this was for me. 

And ending my time as a Bachelorette wouldn't be complete without festivities with the high school girls. I've known these girls too long! We all have our own thing going on, but we pick right back up where we leave off. - Mexican, FRIENDS T-shirts, painting, and Lingerie.  It was a perfect night!

Brittany and I practiced our model poses. One of us was a success. One of us was not.

I am tremendously thankful for all of the women in my life who have been so supportive of me and Jeremy during this special time in our lives. I am humbled at how the Lord uses His people to show us such sweet love and His love. We are undeserving but grateful!

That Day It Rained .. Some Might Call It A Deluge

That day was my wedding day.  I couldn't stand it any longer and wanted to share about our wedding day with blog world from my perspective. This is the time where I get to sit back and recount the day from my eyes when I wasn't being whisked this way and that. Let's be real, there was no whisking to be had. The rain kind of stopped that. The day I became a Stache will go down in the books.

The Wednesday before the wedding news broke across all of the local news stations Hurricane Joaquin was headed directly towards the Carolinas. Imagine me: it was a melt down people. It was just me and my daddy. Dad doesn't like to see his daughter cry, so I just had to leave the house. (I had an extended errand to run.) But I left with tears. I drove for miles just crying. In my head, my day was already ruined. I wouldn't be able to do outdoor pictures. People wouldn't come to the wedding. I would look like a wet rat for it all. It didn't occur to me that through it all, I would be married. Actually it did hit me. It hit me about 30 minutes later, while I was still driving to see baby Anna. The Lord quietly reminded me that I could either get married in the rain or not get married at all. Which do you think I chose? And slightly embarrassed I might add. And just like that the melt down was over. The rains didn't stop, though. It was like Noah's day I felt sure. Jeremy called it the "1000 year storm." That made it sound so much better, right?

Fast forward. It's Friday night. It's still raining. Water entered my high heels during the rehearsal dinner run. But one thing was sure. The Lord kept me. I sat at the rehearsal dinner and looked out at everyone gathered for the dinner. I could have gotten married at that very moment. My heart was at peace because all of the people I wanted to be present were there.

Saturday morning - Wedding Day! - I had prayer folks praying for me to be able to garner some time in the Word. This had been my hope for months. I wanted to wake up and spend some time with the Lord. I don't even know what passage I read, but it was a time I treasured and praised Him for. A girl on her wedding day was able to get 30 minutes alone. It was certainly a blessing!

PS- The ladies at Indigo rocked it.

Amanda and I drove to Hartsville to get my hair and make up done for the wedding. We had an early morning of activities. The rain didn't stop us. It did, however, stop the bridal luncheon temporarily. A wonderful woman from church was hosting the luncheon at her home. The dam broke and washed her entire driveway into their lake. Change of plans. Though the rain continued, I was calm.

The bridal luncheon was moved to the Fellowship Hall at my church. These sweet ladies hustled and bustled to get the cutest luncheon together. They brought their fine china, linen napkins, and snagged several bouquets of roses in the midst of the chaos. Except, the bride wasn't present. That's right. I was late. You see, Amanda and I were driving home in a timely fashion until we came to a bridge that flooded the entire road. I'm talking jacked up Z71s couldn't make it through that. We turned that little SUV around and meandered our way through more standing water to the Gandy house. I arrived late to the luncheon, but I enjoyed it all - so thoughtful of these ladies to keep their plans despite everything going on.

Special hostesses for the luncheon minus Mrs. Marie

Bridesmaids

Family

Near the end of the luncheon the electricity began to flicker. Yet, I was certain it would be on shortly. Minutes crept by and still no power. The groom hadn't arrived, and we were all in the dark. Thankfully, my friend Amelia's mom was still able to do the girls' hair without a good hot curling iron. Their hair turned out beautifully. She stayed calm and continued to do her thing. I, well I, walked around the church with the wedding director searching for candles. Mom couldn't finish her hair at home because again, no power. The key words for the day were flexibility and adjustment. My photographer worked like a champ to make my "outdoor" dreams a reality. We did all sorts of tricks. And, the pictures are fantastic!

Outside light and all smiles. 

www.amyprikazskyphotography.com

People began arriving at the wedding, and there wasn't a watt of electricity to be had. The organist was making adjustments with the piano. The candles were being placed throughout the sanctuary. And people were being led to their seats in the dark (there was some light streaming through the windows). At 3:30, the lights turned back on. Read: All systems were go.

I write this entire story for my memory, but also to be reminded of the peace of the Lord - the peace that surpasses all understanding. In this type of situation, an average gal might get a bit frustrated, but a bride takes it to a whole other level. The Lord kept me in perfect peace. I didn't worry or fear. I knew the people I wanted most were there. I knew at the end of it all, I would be married to Jeremy. My mama told me on Melt Down Wednesday that I would have a great story to tell. I do. I am thankful that through it all God was glorified on this day. He received the glory because all of these little details didn't matter. Our union ordained by Him is what mattered most. And now, we have a story to tell.

Lights on. Rings on.

PS- More to come on another day. Stay tuned. 

Weekend Recap: I was the Bachelorette



 I came. I saw. I conquered - being the Bachelorette.  It was a weekend for the books!

Friday night started the weekend off with a bang and a Lingerie Shower. Leah hosted such a cute shower with fun foods, games, and a Coke.

 #gettinthegoods #Victoriasnotsosecretanymore

 #partygames #themodels

#selfiegamestrong #timerworksmiracles

Before the festivities began on Saturday, I wanted to host the girls for breakfast/brunch. I am so thankful for these girls and wanted them to know it! Amanda and I whipped up some breakfast foods for our Lisa Frank plates and called it a success!

 #pregaming #LisaFrankpaperplates #cheeseballforbreakfast



 Amanda (see cowgirl hat) is my matron of honor so the duty for this shindig falls on her! She did a great job! My love for a good theme party started when the two of us lived together. We literally found a theme for every occasion. When I saw that Emily Maynard had a White Trash Bash for her Bachelorette party, I knew I'd struck theme party gold! I don't think the girls minded too much either!

#ErinsWhiteTrashBash #solocups #camoandtruckerhatplease

The one thing I have requested for YEARS has been to go pole dancing for my bachelorette party. Think Haley James Scott and One Tree Hill. Well we went and had THE BEST TIME! 

#Portiasays #Whenindoubtbootieout #VMonster

M found out what we were doing and wanted in on the action! I had this picture in my text messages as we were leaving. How appropriate!

The remainder of the afternoon was spent consuming Chickfila and pool time!

#matchingsuits #funinthesun

The weekend ended at one of my favorite spots in Raleigh - Saw Mill Tap Room.



#porchsittin' #cheeseburgers #frands #dinnerspeechesbringtears

Yesterday was a little premarital counseling.. but this is how it went down...

#conferencecall #longdistancelove

I am so thankful for such a great weekend! It was such the perfect sendoff from Raleigh.. not just to celebrate my being a bachelorette but also a great time to celebrate the many friendships here! Those friendships will not end thankfully. But it was great to have everyone together in one place for one last time. Thank you to everyone who was involved!

I like cookies and milk

Sunday afternoon was filled with all kinds of cookies, chocolate milk, gifts, games and friends. The result was my first bridal shower. I can barely believe the shower was for me. I've attended quite a few showers and hosted a few, but this was mine! It's surreal to even write about it to be quite honest. But God is faithful and showing Himself to me in great ways these days. Let's be real, I'm actually looking - He's always there.

Courtney and Summer did a great job with what I love best - Cookiessss!!!! Here's how it went down:

Thankful for these ladies - their honesty, their encouragement, their commitment to Truth and living that out with me!