Thursday, March 31, 2011

One Shell Of A Wedding! : Seashells and Wedding Bells


It was time to officially get the show on the road! Guests began arriving at Manning Chapel on what turned out to be an amazingly gorgeous day. A perfect day to get married if I do say so myself.

As guests entered the chapel they were greeted Mr. Seashell's goddaughter who handed out our handmade programs.



Everyone made their way to seats, and tried to stay cool. That "fall wedding" I planned for the end of September? It was 87 degrees.




It was time for the processional to begin. The string trio played Bach's "Air".



Uncle Joey escorted Granny for a spin up the aisle. She loved her moment in the sun.


Mr. Seashell's Dad escorted my Mom.


Then, it was time for my girls to make their entrance. First was Carrie, followed by Ashley.


Leah made her way next. At 2/3 up the aisle the groomsmen met the bridesmaids and escorted them to their spot at the front of the chapel. I liked the chivalry.


Allie came next.


Last of my ladies was my beautiful Maid Of Honor, Sister Seashell.


The stage was set.

Here's the tricky thing about getting married at Manning Chapel: there is no "bridal suite" or hiding area for the bride. Essentially, I had to time my arrival to the chapel perfectly. If I was too early guests would see me pull up with Papa Seashell, if I was too late I'd hold up the show! Fortunately, we pulled off the timing. Except...

 {guest photo}

As I arrived I was handed a box and a card. Supposedly it was my wedding gift from Mr. Seashell that hadn't been delivered amidst the shuffle of the day's activities.

 {guest photo}

I tore open the paper and tried to read through the card.

 {guest photo}

It took me all of 5 seconds to realize that I couldn't focus on the words Mr. Seashell had written. Worse yet, we couldn't get my gift on! What was it? Exactly what I'd hinted at: a pendant with my new initials. Smarty Pants Mr. Seashell had it made with a detachable clip so I could wear it as a bracelet on our wedding day and transfer it to a necklace later.


 There was no time for jewelry, though - it was go time! Nancy got the crowd on their feet...


Up next: The Ceremony!

{All photos from the fabulous Blink of an Eye Photography unless otherwise noted}

Previously in the Seashell Wedding:

Posted by Amanda @ The Fix-Its at 9:04 PM

Thursday, March 17, 2011

One Shell Of A Wedding! : Boys, Bowties, and a Surprise!


This cool thing happened with our getting ready photos. Since they're timestamped, when I put them into my computer in chronological order I was able to see exactly what Mr. Seashell was doing while I was getting ready too. Not surprisingly, he was done and ready to go before me - but he had to be at the chapel first - so whatever.



As our rehearsal dinner was wrapping up the night before I handed Best Man Mike a gift and a card to give Mr. Seashell while they were getting ready. I gave explicit instructions that he had to open everything when our photographer was present because seeing his reaction was a must. Mike agreed and almost fulfilled his duties perfectly. Notice there's only a gift and no card? Yeah. It supposedly got lost at some point between the exit from the restaurant and the hotel. Honestly, I was a little heartbroken that Mr. Seashell didn't get the card I wrote for him on our wedding day. I worked it out, though. On our one month anniversary I was able to find the identical card and write an equally meaningful note.


There's also a back story on the gift. Mr. Seashell had been lusting after a certain fancy watch forever. Whenever the opportunity presented itself he'd try on a nice watch in a store but lament it wasn't the certain fancy watch. He'd tease me sometimes and mention what an amazing wedding gift it would be. I knew I wanted to do something really special for him as a gift on our wedding day, but frankly, this sucker didn't come cheap. After I decided to buy the watch and stash it in a safe at my parents' house I started to act really distraught when Mr. Seashell would mention his beloved certain fancy watch. I'd say things like, "Honey, you're making me feel so bad. I would LOVE to buy you something like that but there's just no way I could make it happen". I stuck to my story that he was hurting my feelings for months. Seriously, I bought the watch in May for our September wedding.


So, when he saw this bulky square box I imagine he had no idea what was coming. The photo on the right (above) is the exact reaction I was going for. Total disbelief.


 I got you good, Mr. Seashell!



After his moment with his gift, the boys wrapped up getting ready. Groomsman Sonny shows off his bowtie-ing skills. (I'm glad they were provided with pre-tied options.)


 Groomsman Nate takes his bowtie prep seriously.


He even makes sure Mr. Seashell's bowtie is just right.


 FIL Seashell inspects the new bling and returns it to its owner. I find this picture incredibly sweet.


In addition to being the resident bowtie specialist, Groomsman Nate also studies up on how to properly make a pocket square.


 Almost ready to go, the boys hang out for a bit.


...and share some man hugs before they head out.


It's time!


See you at the chapel, Mr. Seashell!

Previously in the Seashell Wedding:
Posted by Amanda @ The Fix-Its at 9:14 PM

Monday, March 14, 2011

One Shell Of A Wedding! : Getting Bridal


After wrapping up at the salon it was time to head back to my parents house and officially become a bride. Our photographer and my bridesmaids left the salon first so detail shots were taken before I arrived! It worked out wonderfully because I was starting to feel the time crunch when I made it home. My girls were already dressed so the only thing that stood between me and the wedding was putting on my dress and jewelry!

After stripping down it was time to get me corseted and zipped.


I was incredibly lucky that my dress had an internal corset. In the frenzy of my anxiety I dropped several pounds in the days before my wedding (like, 14). Without the corset my dress would have absolutely fallen off. There was no way to anticipate my weight loss, but it was disappointing my dress wasn't as fitted as I'd have hoped. Fortunately, it wasn't terribly obvious.

In the weeks before the wedding I flew home for my final dress fitting and also mentioned to my Mom that it was probably time to purchase the jewelry for my wedding day. She suggested that before we go shopping she "might have something perfect".


Um, wowza. When she pulled these earrings and necklace out of her jewelry cabinet I was sold in a second. I was especially thrilled to have such a beautiful "something borrowed".

My shoes were also ready to go...


I had a hidden "something blue" sewn on the lining of my dress.
My girls helped me get my jewelry on and Mama Seashell touched up my makeup.


It was time to go. I walked down the staircase I've walked down a thousand times.



I slid into my shoes.


And took a spin for the camera.


Mama Seashell helped me with my veil. And if you remember it was actually her veil. Also around this time I looked incredulously at Mama Seashell and said, "You need to get dressed!"


Sister Seashell handed me my flowers.


I posed for a few bridal portraits.


Then I went to the door to wave my girls goodbye.


They left for the chapel in a limo, Papa Seashell and I had our own transportation...

{All photos from the fabulous Blink of an Eye Photography}

Previously in the Seashell Wedding:
Posted by Amanda @ The Fix-Its at 9:48 PM
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