Weddingbee Blog

Despite the chaos of the morning and all of my nerves, I have to admit it still didn’t feel real yet. I had my makeup done and their was a gigantic veil attached to my head, so you would think I felt like the bride I had been planning to become for almost two years. But it just hadn’t hit yet. Maybe the nerves were getting in the way, but suddenly someone told me it was time. I needed to put the dress on that had been staring down at me all morning.

After my best friends in the entire world helped me get dressed I turned slightly and caught myself in the mirror. It was like a ton of bricks; I was a bride.

People were fluffing me up and steaming last minute wrinkles but I had a tiny moment I will never forget. I was staring at my flowers and looking at my hands realizing this was it, in mere moments I would no longer be a single lady. I was so happy, so excited, so ready.

Mr. Cloud and I didn’t have a first look, he decided way back in the beginning of our planning process that the first time he wanted to see me was when I walked down the aisle. Instead, I had a “first moment” with my Daddy. I’ve been a daddy’s girl my whole life, and even though he had been acting cool, calm, and collected all morning, I knew it was a tough day for him. He was giving away his little girl, and I was looking forward his approval and reaction over the way I looked almost as much as I was Mr. Cloud’s.

After I pulled myself together (and no, I will not be sharing those ugly cry pictures!) we needed to get out the door of the suite as soon as possible. Time was running low, and I had formals to take with my ladies who I must say were looking pretty amazing.

We quickly knocked out some formal/portrait shots. I have very little memory of this whole thing for some reason—again, I’m blaming nerves—but they turned out beautifully.

Another thing that was looking rather fabulous was my bouquet, which I LOVE LOVE LOVED! I know I said there was flower madness (and downright disappointment) previously, but my bouquet was the extreme exception. Deep red roses and peonies, droooool…

Things were still pretty blurry at this point: someone was pushing me towards the elevator and Daddy Cloud was offering me more water (you know, we were still trying to prevent the pukies from coming back). I’m pretty sure we were the last ones to take the last elevator because it was just me and him getting on. When we stepped on though, there were two men in tuxes. I didn’t know them but I immediately knew from the look on the younger man’s face that he was a groom, as he had the same nervous smile I did. When I stepped in I was facing him (big dress plus small elevator means turning is nearly impossible). He looked at me and in a very matter of fact way said, “You’re a bride!” I nodded and giggled and he laughed nervously before blurting out, “I’m a groom!” Yes, I was a bride, and I was finally on my way to get married.

All credit for the images above (unless otherwise noted) go to our incredibly talented photographer Jessica Oriole Salay of Oriole Photography, and amazing second shooter Jenny McQueen of Capture. Click on any image to view it larger.

Miss a part of the Cloudy wedding? Catch up here…

• Up and Away : The Tooth And The Breakdown
• Up and Away : The Bridal Party Cleans Up - The Ladies
• Up and Away : The Bridal Party Cleans Up - The Gents
• Up and Away : Thank Your For Coming OOT
• Up and Away : Favors For A Cause
• Up and Away : The Bachelor Party Rules
• Up and Away : The Girls Hit The Salon
• Up and Away : Tea With My Ladies
• Up and Away : Practice, Practice, Practice
• Up and Away : An Embarrassed Bride
• Up and Away : The First Chance to Celebrate
• Up and Away : Time To Get Pretty
• Up and Away : The Boys Channel Their Inner GQ
• Up and Away : A Little Somethin’ Somethin’