Southern Sweethearts: To Look or Not To Look?

After I became a blushing bride and the boys got sessay, it was time to start photos.

During the planning process, there were very few things on which Mr. Lab went out of his way to voice his opinion. For instance, he wanted seafood on the menu (he practically picked the entire Lady & Sons menu) and he wanted me to wear a veil (didn't happen but now I wish I had at least worn one for the ceremony).

But the biggest one? He didn't want to see me before the ceremony.

Freeze frame from our wedding movie trailer.

My photographer was against this from the get-go (and to be honest, so was I), but it was what Mr. Lab wanted. This was his wedding, too, so I said okay after he stated his case. We knew we'd be up against a "diminishing light" factor for our formals because the ceremony was set for 4 pm. Sunset begins about 5:30 pm in November with complete darkness at 6:30 pm. But we knew it could be done because our friends had a similar situation with the no first-look/light factor and it worked out well.

I let our photographer know that we wanted to get as many of the photos done before the ceremony (me with my girls, him with his guys, me with my mom, him with his, etc.) so we could reserve as much of the post-ceremony photo time as possible for me and him plus the entire wedding party and family as possible. We don't have huge families anyways, so from my experience with FSIL Leslie and BM Brooke's wedding, I figured we'd have plenty of time.

We also planned to replace the "first look alone time" through our post-ceremony carriage ride and eating a quick dinner together while guests enjoyed the last part of the cocktail hour.

So it was settled. I would have my hair and makeup done in time for formal photos to start around 2 pm with no first look. Mr. Lab and I wouldn't see each other until 4 pm when I walked down the aisle.

My hair flower placement bugs the mess out of me. Ladies, make sure you take a moment to check your final look in the mirror before photos!

But as you've probably figured out from the screen shot, that didn't happen (like a lot of things on our wedding day - *le sigh*).

We began thinking about nixing that idea the day before the wedding. Out of the blue, Mr. Lab told me he wouldn't be devastated if we had to do a first look. So we decided to kind of play it by ear. We had two photographers for the entire day and a DOC who we had confidence in to roll with the punches if needed.

But long story shorter, hair and makeup ran over because FSIL booked my hair appointment across town without telling me how far it was so I could plan. And then it took FOR.EH.VEEEEER. to get Mr. Lab and the guys out of their hotel to meet us for photos because they kept waiting for a no-show second shooter to arrive for their getting ready shots.

So we ultimately made the decision to nix our plans for no first look to ensure we'd have enough time.

My photog and I planned to do a mini bridal session while the guys headed over to the Mansion. Even that was squashed after the staff told us we couldn't shoot photos there unless I was a bride getting married on their property! Um, heeello?!? We stayed there the night before and made them well-aware of my intentions to take photos! (The Mansion gave us quite a few troubles to be officially reviewed at a later date.)

So we snuck outside and took a few shots anyways. The videographer was already set up at one spot, so we chose it for the big reveal.

Catching a glimpse of the car with Mr. Lab and the GMs. Thankfully, we didn't see each other then!

I rushed back around the corner where my BMs were waiting so Mr. Lab could get into place.

And then I started slowly making my way towards him.

A tap on the shoulder...

Mr. Lab turns around to check out his bride in the dress I'd kept a secret for so long. I geeked out and couldn't quit cheesing. I had good reason. This moment was 4 years in the making...

And then Mr. Lab did something I've only seen him do one other time: HE CRIED.

I couldn't help laughing at him because I was caught off guard. I really didn't think he'd cry! Then for a second I wished we could have saved that moment for the ceremony. But looking back, he probably would have fallen apart if he didn't get it out of his system! LOL

(Btw, the only other time I'd seen him cry before that was at a showing of Marley & Me. And he's only cried once since the wedding when our Dixie baby passed away. Mr. Lab loves his Labs, Mrs. Lab included. ;) )

After our first look, we headed across the street to Savannah's famed Forsyth Park to take more photos.

I was still without my precious Loubs, so I had to walk barefoot through the park.

Pretty soon, we were joined by our wedding party to take all of our formals before Mr. Lab and I made this thing official!

What are your feelings about first looks? Anyone have a successful non-first look?

Previously on Southern Sweethearts:

• Southern Belles Do Tea
• A Rude Vendor Interrupts Our Rehearsal
• We Have Dinner on the Savannah River
• A Spooky Ghost Tour and My Last Fling
• Our Wedding Trailer
• Becoming a Blushing Bride
• I Slip Into My eBay Wedding Dress
• The Fellas Get "Sessay"
• He Got Boudoir, I Got Bling
  

Next Up: Our Wedding Party...and Paparazzi.

*All professional photos by Lindsi Jones Photography unless otherwise noted. Some images have been slightly altered by moi.

Southern Sweethearts: Becoming a Blushing Bride

The day had finally arrived!

I awoke sleep-deprived and very confused because there were some weird noises coming from the bathroom. The other girls woke up to the same noise and we realized my MOH was taking a bath in the enormous tub. We had a good laugh and joked about her sounding like a trapped dolphin splashing around.

Soon after that, my FSIL called to tell us she was on the way to take me to my hair appointment. She had opted to stay at her house the night before and was bringing my dress and shoes when she came to pick me up. But she couldn't find the shoes (which were supposed to be with the dress) and so began the Great Missing Louboutins Saga! And just to start the day off with a little more drama, the only place FSIL could find to do my hair was across town, costing us precious hours off my wedding day timeline. But at least the salon did a fabulous job on my hair!


When we got back to the hotel, I opened the door to chaos.


The room was FULL of people bustling around. The photographers and videographers were there, all the maids, my mom, FMIL, and makeup artist. Thirteen people crammed into the room, eight of whom were trying to get ready for a wedding. It was a bit overwhelming, but so exciting at the same time.


Because the hair salon was so far away, we got a bit of a late start with makeup and photos. I had hoped to be able to use the getting ready time as a chance to relax and take in the day, but all I could do was think about all the things that still needed to be done and the stuff I knew wasn't going to get done. I also wanted to eat lunch and drink my Sofia Mini Blanc de Blancs wine I purchased for the gals while getting ready. No such luck. :(

I didn't get to eat (other than two glazed donuts on the ride to the hair salon) and didn't want to drink on an empty tummy before the wedding. Ladies, no matter what, find time to eat!


We had a hard time with one of the false lashes. It took what seemed like forever to make it stick!


Finally! Makeup was done! And Jules did a fabulous good job as well! I was officially a "blushing bride". :D

I also got a chance to take a few quick sips from my Sofia mini (because I didn't spend $4 a pop on them NOT to get at least a sip!). AND because I'm the Bride, that's WHY! :P


As soon as I was done in the bathroom, the other gals took over and sped to get ready.

One of the few times MOH Amanda sat down during the day. But notice, she has phone in hand, probably getting ready to touch base with the DOC again. She was my lifesaver!

I can't remember much from the getting ready, but the one thing I DO remember is being on the phone with the boys A LOT. I called from all the girls' phones trying to catch the boys off guard and get in contact with my soon-to-be-hubby. But they had a similar "no-phone" policy for Mr. Lab, and I kept getting groomsmen. I tried my best to see how far along they were in getting ready so we could start photos, but I kept getting the run-around.

Turns out, they didn't realize I was being serious about the formal photos because they thought one of our photographers was going to be showing up to take photos of them getting ready first. But that never happened, so they kept putting off getting ready not realizing no one was coming. They didn't finally get dressed until they found out we were on our way to take photos in a nearby park. Ah, drama drama drama. :)


I helped the other girls into their dresses while eying my own. I put on my accessories while the girls made finishing touches to their outfits.


And then it was time to add the ultimate finishing touch to my wedding day attire. The dress:


But you'll have to wait until next time to see me in it. ;)

Okay okay! I won't leaving you hanging completely:


*All photos by Lindsi Jones Photography. Some images have been slightly altered by moi.

Previously on Southern Sweethearts:
Southern Belles Do Tea
A Rude Vendor Interrupts Our Rehearsal
We Have Dinner on the Savannah River
A Spooky Ghost Tour and My Last Fling
Our Wedding Trailer
Next Up: I Shimmy Into My eBay Dress!

Southern Sweethearts: Spooky Guests and One Last Fling

The riverboat docked and we said goodbye to some of our rehearsal dinner guests who wanted to call it a night. But a few brave souls stuck around for the next event on our jam-packed wedding eve: the ghost tour!

Just before we hopped on the Old Town Trolley Tours to go on their “Ghosts and Gravestones Frightseeing Tour”, I heard a loud popping noise in the distance.

I turned around and saw this:

Fireworks!

I felt like the Savannah was congratulating us! It was so random to see fireworks on a Friday in November. We stopped to enjoy the show before boarding the trolley.

Mr. Lab and I get ready to be spooked!

That ghost tour didn't know what hit it. Our group took up more than half the seats and we were quite the giggling, tequila-liquored bunch.

See what I mean?

I've been on a ghost tour before in Savannah and it was pretty creepy. But with all of us cracking inappropriate jokes about the poor souls the tour was about, it was actually just plain funny most of the time.

BUT...there was some convincing creepiness. Like photo evidence of a "Confederate ghost":


Oh, you don't see it? Lemme highlight that for ya. Don't forget to click the photo to make it bigger and scare the mess out of you.


And then the was the famous EVP recording in the basement of the Sorrel-Weed house. The show "Ghost Hunters" visited the home and did all their "testings" to prove paranormal existence.

The last photo we took before screaming like little girls.

As the tour guide was telling us the story about the recording Ghost Hunters did, she exited the room, closed the doors, and turned off the lights. Then we heard the famous recording. Clicky below to hear it.

The recording ended and I had goosebumps at this point. We were in complete darkness and out of nowhere the doors to our right started rattling!

Everyone screamed bloody murder!!!

Come to find out, groomsman Trey (a Savannah native who'd been on the tour before), had locked our tour guide out of the room and she was just trying to get back in! He swears up and down that he thought he was unlocking the door, not locking it! Whatever Trey. Thanks for the tinkle in my pants.

We made our way outside to finish up the tour and compose ourselves.

Ahhh, we're soooo scared!

Um, is that orb a ghost trying to follow us home so it can crash our wedding?

The ghost tour was over and it was time to make our way to the hotel to end the night. But my girls weren't having it. It was my last night as a single lady and we couldn't just go to bed!

So the first thing we did was "get back" at Mr. Lab for having an over the top bachelor party at a strip club in Atlanta. We spotted some hot firefighters and decided to get a picture with them to make Mr. Lab jealous.

But the really hot ones didn't want to pose for photos. :( They probably had an inkling it would end up on a website somewhere... ;)

When we finally arrived at the hotel, we made our way to the bar and had a free round of cocktails thanks to a coupon we got at check in.

And after my girls told the bartenders it was the night before my wedding, they offered me a "blow job".



And you know me, when I haz the drinks, I haz to dance:


Since the firefighters let me down, we got the bartenders to make up for it!



Don't worry, Mr. Lab has seen these photos and thinks we're even now! ;)

Finally, it was time to start calling it a night. Brittany and I made a quick stop to the ladies' room on the way back and naturally, we had to take a photo while in there. (Don't hate. You'd take photos in every nook of the gorgeous Mansion too if you were there!)


When we got back into the room, we all decided to order a pizza. Good thing we were starving:




I took my pizza over to the corner and got to work on the final last-minute items and emails. I probably stayed up until about 4 am that night. I don't know how in the world I was functioning on the wedding day...


How late did you stay up the night before your wedding? Brides-to-be, are you setting a curfew for yourself?

Previously on Southern Sweethearts:
Southern Belles Do Tea
A Rude Vendor Interrupts Our Rehearsal
We Have Dinner on the Savannah River
Next Up: Our Wedding Day!