Weddingbee Blog

The day before our wedding, I spent the morning recovering from the previous night’s bachelorette party with my girls getting our nails done, while Mr. Pencils went on a leisurely run and hung with his best man AH.

*All photos in this post courtesy of Bridesmaid CH, Bridesmaid PF, Mother-in-law NM, and Future Sister LK. Thanks, chicas!*

The salon went to the local beauty supply store just to buy me green nail polish—how awesome!

More photos from that morning would cause my friends to disown me. Let’s just say, at one point, many girls were asleep against the full glass window of the salon and it was a very quiet morning. Thank the heavens that the salon I had booked for our nails (and hair and make up the next day), Belleza, provided a delicious spread of water, caffeine, and sandwich makings to our hungover selves.

At 4 PM, we all met up at the Morningside Inn to rehearse our impending wedding ceremony. It was a sunny, warm day, and all I could hope for was the same the next day.

Following the instructions of our glorious on-site coordinator Heather, we meandered around and lined up, working backwards to where we would want to end up.

Then we worked forwards, beginning with people walking down the aisle.

And this was right after I told Heather that my father would not be handing my hand over to Mr. P because I felt it signified me being passed over like property. For a solid ten seconds, no one spoke. I apologized for the abruptness of this request and we moved on. What can I say—I’m outspoken and feminist ’til the end.

It was sunny, so I helped Mr. P with his sunglasses:

We were excited:

And then back down the aisle we all went:

Hungry as anything, we all then headed over to Brewer’s Alley, a restaurant and pub in downtown Frederick for some delicious nosh and Brewer’s own beer.

The night was a wonderful precursor to our wedding. We were surrounded by loved ones, wishing us well. After some food, we opened the floor by welcoming everyone and thanking our family and friends. We gave our bridal party and family gifts, and Mr. P gave a speech that left nary a dry eye in the house.

We then asked anyone who would like to speak to the group. My bridesmaid CH got up:

Followed by a self-composed poem written and read by one of our wedding day readers and dear friends, CW:

I don’t look it, but we were laughing so much, as every other line was an inside joke from my two years of living with CW and our many adventures with Mr. P and us.

We were relaxed and so glad we had to chance to chat with people we hadn’t seen in a while, as well as thank family and friends publicly.

Ms. and Mr. Pencils

Mr. Pencils, his Uncle J and Uncle M

Mr. Pencils, Brother of Honor CW, and me

Me and Mama Pencils!

Mr. Pencils and his mom

Me and Bridesmaid PF- isn’t she gorgeous?!?!

Mr. Pencils, Ms. Pencils, CW, Bridesmaid PF and her hubby MF.

We had planned on hanging around at some local bars but after our late night previously, we were all excited to get back to the hotel and just chill before the big day.

Will you be opening the floor at some point during your wedding for free speech time?

**Our first dance wedding song was to Jakob Dylan’s Something Good This Way Comes. I used the phrase for signage throughout the wedding and for Mr. Pencils and me, it signifies how in our lives, with this marriage and the beginning of this new family, the best is yet to come. Watch out for Pencils’ recaps, as all will begin with these five words!