After photos, my little brother and I hopped onto the horse-drawn carriage and were whisked away to a hiding spot before our guests began arriving by trolley.
The trolley had to make a couple trips to be sure no one was left behind, so guests at the square just mingled to pass time.
Unfortunately, another one of my wedding projects, the refreshment table, never got set up because I simply ran out of time. Thankfully, the weather was absolutely PERFECT, so I don't think anyone needed the drinks. (I just hate that I put refreshments on the invitation and had a table set up, because it was a dead give-away to guests that they were missing!)
My pastor and DJ going over last minute details.
My two older brothers served as ushers. I was so happy Chris (on right) was able to take his leave from Iraq for the wedding!
I love the next photo because it shows college friends from two different generations. There's me and Mr. Lab's friends in the background, then Mr. Lab's mom's friends who happened to go to school with my pastor's wife! Small world, huh?
If you live in Panama City Beach or Hattiesburg, you might recognize Kevin or Kelly. We all met through the broadcast news program at UGA and have been buddies ever since! :)
I know these were in my last post, but gosh darnit, I loved my DIY projects!
I wonder if anyone actually used their programs as fans? Again, I couldn't have asked for better weather (even though just the week before the wedding, the forecast showed thunderstorms!).
I didn't realize that the chair rental company would require a big, ugly green "carpet" for all outdoor use, so I was kind of baffled to see it when I first caught a glimpse of the ceremony site. And I was equally baffled that my magnolia mason jars weren't lining the inside of the aisle.
But I put two and two together when looking back at the photos and realized that the DOC must have put them on the outside because she couldn't just poke through the carpet with the shepherd's hooks! She did what she could to make sure my creations were used, but I was so confused at the time!
Another "ah-hah" moment after the wedding day: As I walked down the aisle, I saw that a lot of the chairs were empty, so I assumed I had a bunch of no-shows (not a good feeling, let me tell ya!). But then I looked at the photos and realized that too many chairs were put out for the number of guests we expected!
I first thought this was a DOC mistake (she ordered all the rentals), but when I looked at the invoice, sure enough, she ordered and paid for the right amount. The rental company simply put too many chairs out, giving the feeling that half of one side was missing.
My wonderful DOC tried to move people to the seats in the front, but no one would budge because they thought the seats might be reserved. Just one of those things you don't think to go over ahead of time, so maybe it'll save someone else out there a headache!
...it was time for Mr. Lab to get mic'ed up for the videographer.
And just then, the trolley showed up with my girls!
And everyone began getting into place.
Until that moment, no one had noticed the horse and carriage parked down the street. I had been secretly watching the whole time as guests arrived. But my very attentive girls spotted me!
And then, literally within 5 minutes of the ceremony start time, one of my videographers came running up to give me my Louboutins! :) :) :)
Finally, everything was in place. It was showtime.
Before you continue, click on the song below so you'll get a better feel of the processional!
First, our mothers were seated. My brothers escorted Mama Lab down the aisle.
And Mr. Lab escorted his mom.
Then my pastor and the groomsmen took their places.
After the fellas took their spots, my girls began down the aisle, with my matron of honor Amanda going last.
She made walking on that grass in heels look easy!
The bridesmaids were followed by my junior bridesmaids, aka my two oldest nieces. Autumn carried our love letter box and Abbi carried the actual letters.
My ring bearer and only nephew (I have five nieces!), Harrison, was next.
(Notice that he doesn't have the ring dish I made. It was there for photos and then vanished!)
Then my other three nieces, the flower girls, made their way down the aisle. Mary Elizabeth and Haleigh did a great job of making sure the youngest, Morgan, got down the aisle without incident.
(Looks like we had some extra "guests". I never even noticed them until I went through photos!)
Although Morgan made it down the aisle with no problem, she had a bit of mix up at the end. She was supposed to sit with her mom (my older sister), but no one got the memo. So she ended up standing at the front like a big girl! (Seriously, she did a great job and the only reason I wanted her to sit down was because I thought she wouldn't be able to stand so long. I was wrong!)
The music slowly faded out and a new song began.
"Til Kingdom Come"
by Coldplay
Steal my heart and hold my tongue.
I feel my time, my time has come.
Let me in, unlock the door.
I've never felt this way before.
The wheels just keep on turning,
The drummer begins to drum,
I don't know which way I'm going,
I don't know which way I've come.
Hold my hands inside your hands,
I need someone who understands.
I need someone, someone who hears,
For you, I've waited all these years.
For you, I'd wait 'til kingdom come.
Until my day, my day is done.
And say you'll come, and set me free,
Just say you'll wait, you'll wait for me.
In your tears and in your blood,
In your fire and in your flood,
I hear you laugh, I heard you sing,
"I wouldn't change a single thing."
That was my cue.
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
- An Unplanned First Look
- Our Wedding Party...and Paparazzi
- Details Tell the Story
Next Up: We Say Our Do's!
