Getting Hitched: The Groom Gets Snazzy

We were really impressed with the Piazza's Groom's Suite when we were searching for venues. It's a nice space for the guys, right off of the chapel and courtyard area, and they have some fun amenities for the guys including a TV and Xbox with games. Unfortunately, Mr. C didn't get to enjoy those things as much as he would've liked because after he got dressed, he headed off to a first look with me! But the Groomsmen hung around in there for a few minutes, and I'm hoping they were able to make the most of their time.

After the photographers and videographers got their shots of me putting on my dress, they all headed over to check out my future hubby while he was getting ready. 

Groomsman Tom kindly invited them in...

I was so happy to see at least a few pictures of Mr. C enjoying the food and drinks that had been placed in the suite. Before the wedding, he had chosen ballpark pretzels as a snack to be waiting on them in the suite - seriously, could the guys' version of a wedding day be any more different from the girls? There's no way you could've talked us into eating anything with dripping condiments. The guys also enjoyed some champagne and a few Shiner Bocks (there's nothing finer!) before they had to step into their suits. 

After he was done snacking, Mr. C got the go ahead to start putting on his wedding attire. I know I get way too sentimental over these things, but I just love the following photos of Mr. C's groomsman, Parker, helping him get ready. I'm not sure if the photogs told him to do this or if Mr. C actually needed help but I just think they're so special! They have been great friends since high school and Mr. C really loved getting to spend time with him during the wedding weekend. Aw, man love.

This photo of something so simple as Mr. C tying his shoes just melts me. It's something I've watched him do so many times as he gets ready for work each morning, and I love this picture of him following his same routine, but on our wedding day! I know, I know.. way too sentimental.

Lookin' good for the paparazzi in the corner ;)

After one final look in the mirror, he was ready to go! These last two pictures perfectly sum up my groom: charming, handsome, and goofy as all get out.

Up next: Our first look - finally!

All photography by Megan Fortner.

Miss a recap?

First, I shared some of my favorite guest photos from the big day!

Next, Mr. C and I spent some quality time with family, rehearsed for the big day, and then enjoyed our tasty rehearsal dinner.

My girls and I spent some quality time together and got our hair and makeup done in our hotel suite.

We headed over to the Piazza, where I slipped into my dress.

I showed off my wedding gown in my pre-wedding Bridal Portraits.

Getting Hitched: Bridal Portraits

Because you guys never got to see my wedding dress before I started recaps, (in fact I really only mentioned dress shopping in one or two posts) I decided to dedicate a post to sharing some pictures of my beloved wedding gown. I know that bridal portraits are not as common everywhere as they are in the South, and a lot of people don't "get" bridal portraits, but a pre-wedding photo session was something I always knew I would want to do. I also highly recommend bridal portraits because they are the perfect time so make sure everything (hair, makeup, dress, jewelry, etc.) fits and looks the way you want it to before the big day! 

Momma Coach and I headed out one afternoon back in August to meet our photographer, Megan, for a little photo session. I really wanted to get some photos outside and in a completely different setting than we would be in at the Piazza. Megan suggested an area near White Rock Lake in Dallas, and I am still so in love with the photos she got (especially some of the last ones near the weeping willow!) The day leading up to the photos was actually quite hectic. Momma C and I ended up driving all over Dallas in order for me to get my hair done at one salon, makeup at another, put on my dress back at home, pick up my bouquet, and then finally head out to meet Megan. We ended up being super late (which Megan was so nice about - love her!) but we finally made it and had the best time. The whole experience also made me super thankful that everyone was coming to me on the wedding day, instead of the other way around!

Be prepared: this post is pretty picture heavy and it's a whole lotta Coach in one post.  If you don't feel like looking at my mug for the next 20 pictures or so, feel free to skip this post :) Now that you've been warned, I'll just let the pictures speak for themselves...

All photography by Megan Fortner

That laughing face tends to make a lot of appearances during picture time.. 

I was, and still am, SO in love with my bouquet from Haute Floral. I wanted pops of red with some Fall texture, and Kristen nailed it.

So, are you guys taking portraits before the wedding or setting aside some time on the big day? I typically hate being the one in front of the photo lens, but when you have your hair and makeup done, sometimes it's just fun to change it up a little!

Next up, we return to our regularly scheduled recaps and the guys get ready!

Miss a recap?

First, I shared some of my favorite guest photos from the big day!

Next, Mr. C and I spent some quality time with family, rehearsed for the big day, and then enjoyed our tasty rehearsal dinner.

My girls and I spent some quality time together and got our hair and makeup done in our hotel suite.

We headed over to the Piazza, where I slipped into my dress.

Getting Hitched: The Dress Makes an Appearance

Despite how low-key our first few hours of getting ready at the hotel were, when we arrived at the Piazza in the Village, the pace really started to pick up. My lovely bridesmaids had put on their red bridesmaids dresses at the hotel, and were looking absolutely stunning, if I do say so myself. Some of you might remember waaaay back when I was searching for the perfect dress for the girls. Believe it or not, the day of the wedding was actually my first time to see the dresses in person. Luckily they fit great, and the girls all looked beautiful!

After arriving at the Piazza and unloading the many decor items I was providing, we headed into the Bridal Suite where I had a quick chat with Tabitha, our coordinator. We went over a few last minute details, and then it was time for me to slip into my dress!

The amount of hands it took to get me into my dress is a little bit outrageous. I slipped into the dress with the help of Momma Coach, and she initially began to lace me up. After a minute or so, she decided she would rather let my bridesmaids take over, and came to stand with me. Megan then snapped the photo below, which is one of my all time favorites from the day. I remember so vividly my mom holding my hand and smiling and me while we both took in the moment.

Each of my bridesmaids took a turn at lacing and tightening the dress, and at one point I think there were about five people behind me making sure it was fitting exactly how I wanted. Now that is service!  (For those of you with lace up wedding gowns, make sure you leave a significant amount of time to get into your dress. It will take longer than you think, especially if you have only ever put on your dress at the bridal salon where the girls are pros and can do it much faster than your mother/bridesmaids!)

All hands on deck dress!

Vanessa McKellar capturing the moment on video

The photos continued to be taken, and our videographer Vanessa was hard at work filming away. A few more minutes passed, and I was finally in! Now, onto the accessories.

First, my Something Old, my great-grandmothers pearls. My great grandmother was such a special lady - you might remember I talked a little about her here. My grandmother had been holding onto this necklace for me to wear for my wedding, and I was ecstatic about putting it on.

With the help of MOH L, I slipped on my garter, one of my Something New items, along with my dress. She got about half way up my thigh and said, "okay, that's as far as I'm going!" but it did eventually make it :)

All photography by Megan Fortner

Finally, I slipped on my shoes, complete with the sparkly bow clips I had carefully chosen, and I was ready to go!

Up next: A little more camera time for my dress..

Miss a recap? 

First, I shared some of my favorite guest photos from the big day!

Next, Mr. C and I spent some quality time with family, rehearsed for the big day, and then enjoyed our tasty rehearsal dinner.

My girls and I spent some quality time together and got our hair and makeup done in our hotel suite.

Getting Hitched: The Girls Get Ready

Getting ready on the morning of our wedding was one of my favorite parts of the whole wedding experience. Okay, I could probably say that about every part of the day... and, I think I already said it about our rehearsal dinner and night out with our closest friends, but I really did like it all! Don't make me choose! ;)

There are so many things I liked about the Piazza, but unfortunately they only give you a short amount of time before the ceremony to get ready in the bridal suite. (You can pay for extra time the week of the wedding if for some reason they don't have a morning wedding on your day, but our budget was way past maxed at that point and waiting until the week of the wedding to decide where we were getting ready sounded like unnecessary stress to me.) Because we wouldn't have enough time to have hair & makeup done at the Piazza, I decided to reserve a large suite at a nearby Marriott so we could enjoy our time as well as the extra space to move around. Again, it was one of my favorite parts of the day. I loved having my best friends and sweet mother all in one room with me, getting ready for one of the most important days of my life. We had Starbucks, listened to music, laughed and laughed some more - it was fabulous!

Our view for the morning was pretty spectacular, and because I spent a good bit of time in the makeup chair, I got to thoroughly enjoy it. For those in the DFW area, we (as well as our bridal party and families) stayed at the Marriott Solana in Westlake, and we were very happy with the service!

Check out that view! Dallas, you continue to surprise me. 

I chose to pay for each of my bridesmaids to have their hair done, and then let them decide what they would like to do for their makeup. Two ended up choosing to do their own, and MOH L wanted to have hers professionally done, but everyone looked spectacular in my opinion. I was so happy with how everyone's hair turned out, and Amanda did a fantastic job on the makeup for my MOH, Momma Coach, and me.

Beautiful Bridesmaid J getting her hair done

Oh, heyyy, Momma C! Lookin' good!

Lovely ladies touching up their makeup

Some of you might remember my post about choosing Amanda to do my makeup, and how I hardly wear any makeup on a daily basis. Well, for someone who wears very little (makeup, that is), I sure do love having it professionally done. Same goes for my hair. I enjoyed every second sitting in those chairs, having the ladies work their magic. 

Considering the amount of laughing that was taking place, it may have taken Amanda a little longer than normal to finish her work...

Watching the pros hard at work/Check out that gorgeous hair!

I really love the picture below of my momma and me. If it's even possible, she was just as excited as I was the entire day, and every photo of her is absolutely stunning because of the way she was glowing. 

The picture on the right is of her gift from me, and personalized handkerchief made out of... wait for it... pieces from HER wedding dress, *tear*. A few months before the wedding, she brought me her wedding dress and told me I could do with it as I pleased, as she knew I wouldn't be wearing it. I found a seamstress to work some wedding magic, and Momma Coach loved it. Keep an eye out, because it will be making a few other appearances throughout the day!

After everyone was completely made up, we took a little time to pose for the camera. Many of you probably already noticed (you're a sharp bunch!) that my girls and I were donning our monogrammed oversized button ups while we were getting ready. MIL Coach actually made these for us, and saved me a ton of money (thank you, thank you, thank you!!) I found the shirts, showed her my inspiration photos, and she took care of the rest. What do you guys think?

Why, hello there, lovely monogram. So nice to finally meet you. 

I was SO happy with how they turned out, and the girls loved them. I had mentioned in my inspriration post a fear that the girls wouldn't get to use them post-wedding, but almost immediately after opening them they all commented they could wear them as night shirts, or even with tights - score! I was so excited to hear they loved them as much as I did.

 Once pictures were finished, we grabbed a quick bite to eat (which I highly recommend!), and the girls slipped into their beautiful dresses.

Finally, we gathered all of our belongings, loaded up the car, and headed to the Piazza so that I could put on my dress! Stay tuned! 

Miss a recap?

First, I shared some of my favorite guest photos from the big day!

Next, Mr. C and I spent some quality time with family, rehearsed for the big day, and then enjoyed our tasty rehearsal dinner.