{what i learned about weddings}

so you know all that great stuff you hear about "your wedding day"...guess what? it's better!

the ceremony was the closest thing to having tunnel vision i've ever experienced. {my eyes were focused on the prize.} somehow your vows flow even when you realize, mid-sentence, you never practiced. you're MARRIED. nothing can prepare you for the incredible feeling of hosting all the people you love in one big room. to top it off, everyone is dressed to the nines...looking all adorable in their suits and dresses. it moves you.

here's my tiny collection of wedding "tips" passed along from family and friends

{and a few of my own}

...

breathe. answering questions about your wedding gets old. don't get me wrong, it's really fun for a while...but it slowly starts to consume every conversation like a weed. during the final two months we were ecstatic to have any discussion far removed from reception food, color choices, or flowers. and don't even get me started on all those last minute, "why aren't you doing this?" requests. save yourself a few tears...or an evening sitting on your cold bathroom floor in the dark wondering why you didn't just elope...and breathe. deeply. 

stay organized. excel spreadsheets saved my sanity. we tracked our budget, guest list, even the seating chart with glorious excel documents. bless you, microsoft! it's inevitable possible i color-coded them too. our vendor paperwork was kept in a binder. we meticulously used a calendar for all our appointments. and guess what? besides the mind-boggling cost of anything with the word "wedding" in front of it, the event itself is not stressful. invest in the important details...and save on the rest. in the end, it's your day!

trust your vendors. should you voice your opinions? absolutely! but acknowledge that they are the professional and that's why you hired them. no one likes a micro-manager. do your research early and hire people you'd be happy sharing lunch with on any regular day.

wedding dresses are made to be loved. get your dress fitted. steam it to wrinkle-free perfection. have every detail exactly the way you want. enjoy a beautiful ceremony in an equally beautiful dress...then let loose! for every spill, dirt stain, or rip {oh yes, it happened} on my dress, there was a warm hug or hilarious dance move to accompany it. who expects a perfectly pristine wedding dress at the end of the night? not this girl!

be present. just about every married friend we have offered this advice in some fashion. don't get so wrapped up in the whirlwind and forget to remember what it's all about {for once, it's not the hokey pokey}. don't let your conversations feel rushed. take that one extra photo with your siblings. eat dinner! and spend the whole event hand-in-hand with your new spouse.

it IS possible to use the restroom by yourself...even in that giant dress. most of you think this is a virtually impossible task without the skirt falling in the toilet, but it worked like a charm. around 11pm, when my self-appointed "bathroom assistant" sister was busting moves on the dance floor, i tucked away and conquered the oval office on my own. i will spare the actual details on my blog...but if you want to know how, just ask!

you will never, ever talk to everyone. i still feel horrible for the handful of people we missed at our reception. we gave it such a strong effort, but people inevitably leave early...or uncle bob has a great, 30-minute story to share. remember to write an extra special thank you cards to those you miss.

married life isn't drastically different. maybe it comes from being being stubborn enough to date someone for seven years before exchanging i do's, but the world has not flipped upside down since we got married. it's the same life. with the same goals. and the the two same people. we're just "officially" taking this fun journey called life together! 

can anyone promise your wedding day will be flawless? no. are there things you will want change after it's over? YES. let it go. i promise...a day filled with smiles, laughter and a few tears {all for the sake of love} is nothing short of perfection.

{all images in this post belong to our marvelous photographer, gail werner}

© 2011 gail werner photography, llc
www.gailwernerphoto.com

{jenna}

meet jenna.

18 years ago, jenna was about this big {imagine me motioning with my hand to the height of my kneecap}. she was in diapers for crying out loud. our families have been friends since i can remember. when jenna's mom asked if i would take her senior photos, i had to think...don't you mean eighth grade? oy vey.

now here she is...this gorgeous high school senior getting ready to leave the nest and go to college. i've heard whisperings about time flying by...but it hit me hard the day i took these photos.

 

 

 {correct me if i'm wrong, but isn't everyone supposed to be awkward during high school? not this girl! maybe i'm a wee bit jealous since my senior photos are just a hodge podge of hand-me-down clothes from gap, short/trendy hair, and majorly over-plucked eyebrows.}

{dear...}

dear autumn, i wish you lasted 9 months of the year. the other three months can be reserved for spring, summer, and winter.

dear graeters, if it ever comes down to this...i will give my right leg in exchange for the last pint of black raspberry chip ice cream at the grocery store.

dear facebook, i've been married for less than a month. you can knock it off with those baby ads already.

dear pontiac, please hold it together for at least another year. my bank account is mad enough at you already.

dear husband, {wow that word is fancy!} some nights i whip up super impressive meals...other nights we have string cheese, lucky charms, and roasted asparagus for dinner. thanks for still loving me.

dear thief in my apartment complex, i sincerely hope you're a 10-year-old boy who dreamed of having your own bike. you must have needed it more than me. please ask next time.

dear mom, hi!

dear socks, seriously...how do you lose your match from the washer to the dryer? they are less than two feet apart. it's called the buddy system.

dear nashville, we're coming! promise.

{my list: movember}

that's not a typo ladies and gents...it's movember (otherwise known as my sister karen's favorite month of the year). time to grow out your best 'stache, gentlemen!

clearly, september and october were one giant, happy blur! so here i am on the first day of the month in full force. and i couldn't resist the opportunity to post about my favorite fall things (i.e. the best season of the year).

• my hunter welly boots - dearest welly boots, you are the single best piece of apparel i own. you've waited patiently in my closet all summer...begged for rain in september...and finally relived your glory last month when the temperatures started to drop. i feel partially stylish yet strikingly similar to paddington bear when i wear them (both are positives in my book). what's the best part? you can buy super soft liners so they double as snow boots! swoon!

• all things holiday - halloween has come and gone...so peppermint white mochas are back, christmas lights are popping up everywhere, and the hunt for holiday card designs has commenced! the holiday season is the one bright spot in an otherwise bleary midwestern winter.

• merona® matte jersey skinny pants -  a.k.a. leggings thin enough to wear with boots, but thick enough to pass as actual pants and not show your business. i never thought i'd jump on the "hey, look at my not-real-pants pants," but these babies make it hard to resist. they have an extra seam up the front and back of the leg...making them feel extra fancy. available at tar-jay...plenty of color choices too!

• apple cider > apple juice - nothing says autumn like a warm glass of apple cider...with a dash of cinnamon and maybe some hwhhhipped topping if you're feeling sassy.

{photos courtesy of google}