So…where did we leave off?
After a wonderful sunset bridal shower, the bridesmaids and I spent the rest of our evening catching up and cleaning up the beach house in preparation for the following afternoon. I was relaxed and having a great time. The clock ticked, and soon it was after 10PM. I logged on to my computer, and it instantly felt like a train had hit me when I pulled up my to-do list.
I hadn’t finished writing the vows!
I hadn’t made a CD with our ceremony music to play during our rehearsal!
I didn’t have a CD player or set of iPod speakers on which to PLAY the music!
AHHH! Weren’t these important details? HOW IN THE WORLD HAD I MANAGED TO FORGET ABOUT THIS!?!?
It was going to be a long night…
So…what did I do? I hunkered down at the computer, plugged in my printer, and GOT TO WORK! We tore apart the beach house and discovered a boom box that played CDs in the living room. Whew! Then, I frantically called Mr. Buttons. He was at his “bachelor party” (yes, I used quotations…it involved the guys playing Putt-Putt golf and eating dinner. I married a wild one, I tell you!), and his brothers/friends wouldn’t let him answer his phone. They figured that I was just calling for mushy gushy talk. WRONG!
Meanwhile, MOH L took the opportunity to put together a ribbon bouquet:
After hitting ‘redial’ about 10 times, Mr. Buttons finally returned my call. I am pretty sure that I started speaking so fast that he couldn’t understand me, but he ended up getting the message that I needed him to go to the 24 hour drug store ASAP and buy some CDs for me to burn music on to. He delivered them, gave me a kiss (or two), and left me to my work. I crashed into bed somewhere between 12 and 1AM.
The morning of the rehearsal, I woke early, jumped in the shower, and gathered up copies of our vows, readings, and the music. My parents picked me up, and we arrived at the venue early to meet with the manager to go over the wedding day schedule one last time. Our DOC Kyle (from Weddings by Eventions) arrived next, and quickly began to organize everyone as they arrived.
Apparently I thought it was time for a mid-morning nap…
Our rehearsal was in the morning due to the fact that another wedding was being held at our venue that evening. However, since the weather was nice and the wedding was taking place outdoors, Chuck (Carlouel’s manager) had already instructed the staff to set up the chairs for our ceremony!
Dang. This was all becoming a little bit real. My heart started beating at a rapid rate. I had no idea what I should be doing. Thankfully, Kyle and our officiant Rev. D did!
Now, my wedding was the very first that I have ever been a part of, so I am not sure if this is a typical order of events for a rehearsal…but I thought it was very smart! First, Rev. D gathered the entire wedding party in the spot that we’d be standing for the ceremony. We stood in formation and went through our entire ceremony. As we did this, our flower girl, ring bearer, and their younger brother were able to play…
After the ceremony itself was rehearsed, we practiced the recessional. Then, once we had recessed to the lobby, it was time to practice the processional! Everyone took their places and waited patiently for their turn…
Some were maybe a little LESS patient (i.e. our flower girl and ring bearer). Meanwhile, BM A and L were sporting identical pensive looks…
One of the highlights of the rehearsal was definitely our flower girl and her sprint down the aisle. Look at her hair flying: she was on a mission!
MOH L snapped a photo as she practiced her walk down the aisle.
Once the entire bridal party was up front, it was my turn…
And then, as quickly as it had started, our rehearsal was complete. Now it was time for a big beach party!
Did your rehearsal fly by before your eyes? Did you forget to prepare a few important things before your rehearsal?
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