wedding rehearsal

so if you came back for more after yesterday’s post—God bless you.

The week before our wedding was insane. I mean–I was running around like a mad woman with my family and friends running after me trying to figure out how they could help. By the time Friday, August 22nd rolled around, I felt ready. I woke up bright and early (after imbibing on creamsicle martinis with my mom and sister the night before) to gather everything up and drop it off at our reception venue. Thankfully, my aunt and cousin were around to help us out, because there was a TON of stuff. I really didn’t think there was but…

30 chalkboards, 80 dozen cookies, sparklers, coasters, place cards, sequin table cloths…you see what I’m getting at here.

I was really excited to see the venue again, because it had been about 10 months since I’d visited and it was in the dead of winter (read: ugly). It surpassed by expectations and more and I was so grateful that there were no other events planned so my “wedding entourage” could help me set things up a bit.

My sister is a master alphabetizer and she got right to work setting up our place cards.

That fab sequin table runner up there ^ and this more fab sequin tablecloth below are both compliments of Mima from Vow Wow Decor. She went above and beyond to make these special accents for our day and I could not be happier. In fact, I’m working on making it a part of our home decor, I just haven’t found the opportunity yet. But real talk–if you’re planning a wedding, Mima is your girl.

Coasters from our invitation designers that matched our invitations!

See? Told you my sister was a dream maker in the organization department. Custom frame place card holder made by my dad via a pin I showed him on Pinterest.

And just like that, it was time to do a custom sampling of our signature drink–Mai Tais! They did not disappoint and it was a nice feeling of relief knowing that my major duties in the planning department were FINISHED.

Now, it was time to party! My sister and I drove back home, had lunch with our parents quickly and then began the arduous task of packing up my car (WITH DRESS!) to check into our hotel for the next couple days. Long story short, the hotel situation was a fiasco, but we finally got the suite we were promised and some of my bridesmaids had already checked in! We all got ready for the rehearsal and rehearsal dinner together in the suite like college again and then made our way to the church!
But of course, not before we swung into the lobby bar for some beverages 🙂

My sister and I

Carly and I

Ariel and I–The blurriness is a good indication of how good of a time we were having 😉

My MOH, Allie

And after many glasses of champagne, it was time to hit the church!

We had an amazingly fast rehearsal for a Catholic church. They allotted us two hours and I think we were done in 40 minutes.

Cowabunga baby, because I was starving. My in-laws hosted a beautiful rehearsal dinner for us on the patio of one of my favorite restaurants in my hometown. It’s all farm-to-table fresh cuisine and to be surrounded by all of your friends and family, well, I couldn’t ask for more.

Dane’s groom’s cake was a special surprise I had a local bakery help me out with. It was heartbreaking for us to leave our Judy behind in Hawaii while we celebrated, after all, she is more than part of our family. So, Judy made a special appearance and brought a little piece of Hawaii to Pennsylvania 🙂 #happilyeverhanson