Wedding Photos - First Look and Wedding Party

Because I KNOW you're not sick of this yet, are you? _DSC9321 (2)

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I'm not either! For all of the sarcasm and cynicism and "weddings are way too expensive and it should be about the marriage," I'm SO glad we spent money on a REAL photographer (who gave us a killer deal, no less). She was worth way more than what we paid, and I'd argue that it was one of the best things we spent money on for our entire wedding.

Other than the booze, obvs.

Like I told you, while we were getting ready I was a total nervous wreck. I had to put on my dress earlier than I'd planned and couldn't breathe but also wanted to be having ALL THE FUN but breathing is SO key for fun so...I mainly just tried not to 1. cry, 2. pass out, or 3. yell at anyone. I didn't pass out....if that helps.

So we finally got ready, and the rain stopped, and it was FINALLY TIME for first look. I was excited to see Jay. The need to be around him in stressful times is exactly why I was marrying the man, so my sister kept reminding me that I'd breathe better in just a few minutes.

We had decided to do first look pictures for several reasons. Logistically, I wanted to be together before the wedding so that we could get lots of pictures done and have the post-ceremony time to party! I also didn't want to go a whole day without seeing Jay because I was nervous and I'm a baby. I had a gazillion tell me that it wasn't traditional and there's NOTHING like a groom seeing his bride at the back of an aisle for the first time, and I totally get that. It just wasn't for us. I'd encourage anyone who's not sure to really think about how special it is to have some moments together before the rush of the ceremony and reception - it worked really well for us, and I'm so glad we did it. PLUS. The pictures!

Getting to the first look site was kind of dramatic - Jay was coming out of a building that I was pulled up next to, and due to the lack of cell service it was hard to communicate who was going where. ALSO. Turns out later that homie didn't know what first look pictures were? I thought we were going to be on opposite sides of a corner from each other, so when they stuck him under a pretty tree he kept TURNING AROUND.

How we managed to plan the whole wedding without him asking ONCE what a first look pictures was is beyond me. Once we got all the gazillion wedding party and family members to pretend they were there (we were fine with them being there, but there was some loudness that the photographer sweetly dealt with so that we'd at least have an illusion of being alone) and Jay realized that I was super close, we could get on with it.

And, friends, this was my favorite part of my entire day.

I'm still kind of surprised by this face. We go to weddings. I work in an office. Jay has seen me showered and made up before. Kind of a lot.

But I think maybe he secretly thought I was going to not wear a dress? Maybe yoga pants? I have no clue.

Once we had our first look and calmed ourselves down (I was getting a splotchy neck and all), we moved on to wedding party pictures! It was a blast, and FINALLY THE SUN was out!

My friend Amanda got married in Hawaii, and when I was thinking on our wedding she encouraged me to do a resort-type setting for several reasons. One thing that she said was that if other people are watching they'll be so happy for you even though they don't know you and you'll feel famous. She was so right! I think that everyone secretly loves love, and it's nice to see people making choices that embody that, right? We totes felt famous.

Wedding party pictures were a ton of fun, given that we have VERY silly folks in our lives.

After we finished with our pictures we had some time to kill, so, all Robin Hood like we were TOTHABAR! This is seriously us walking to the bar. There was a small bar on the property that was underground-ish so we knew we wouldn't run into anyone, so for just 45 minutes or so we got to be alone with our wedding party and a few super close friends.

It was the best. There was a piano! We laughed and talked and rehashed the boys' vs. girls' getting ready experience, and we felt so happy and light and wonderful. Also wine! Never hurts anything.