While my auntie was doing her thang and Sarah was snapping detail shots, I started to get a bit anxious about timing. In case you haven’t noticed, I am super anal retentive and like to keep things on schedule. (I am one of those people that arrives 15 minutes early for things and is peeved when everyone else isn’t there at least three minutes ahead of time.) But I forced myself to let things go—they couldn’t start the ceremony without me (or could they??), so I just had to roll with it and let things happen as they happened. I was getting married—let other people deal with silly things like timing. It was actually the most relaxed I have ever been about timing. And on my wedding day, no less! I guess I figured that other people would take the reins as needed.
And now, more “getting ready” shots. It actually makes me feel quite vain to post this many pictures of myself—I try to stay out of pictures and the limelight as much as possible (as hard as that may be to believe, since I am posting on a well-known wedding blog—I am an enigma, let me tell ya). Hopefully someone can take away some good inspiration shots, and we will all forget that I posted a bajillion pictures of myself getting my hair and makeup done while I am wearing a robe.
Since her work is so beautiful, I will just let Sarah’s photographs do the talking for me.
Love this shot of my hair from the back. Auntie did such a fabulous job! Exactly how I wanted it.
When Auntie was done with my hair and face, it was time to put the dress on! We were feeling a bit crunched on time, and my mom had just ducked out to go put her own dress on. I felt bad, but we were on a schedule, people! So my bridesmaids helped get my dress on. Thankfully, the zipper-back made it easy—no buttons for me!
My little sis was terrified that she was going to break my dress. I was all “Just freaking zip the zipper up!”
Apparently it was still confusing, and everyone looks very concerned in this picture. I think they were nervous about ruining my dress. No pressure, guys!
Ha! I love the nervous look on my sister’s face here.
Haha! Zipping zippers is FUN! But seriously if you ruin my dress I will kill you.
Me: How am I supposed to put my shoes on while I am wearing this massive marshmallow dress?! No seriously, someone please tell me.
Bridesmaid G to the rescue!
A few last-minute hair touch-ups as my mom returned…
…and took charge with cutting various strings and tags, etc. My face here is all “Please stay away from my dress with those scissors.” My sister is thinking “Thank God I don’t have to deal with that damn zipper anymore.”
Side note: I have no idea where that bruise on my arm came from, but it randomly appeared about three days before the wedding and was clearly visible the entire day. It makes for really attractive wedding pictures, let me tell you…
The paparazzi were in full force.
And with the veil, I truly felt like a bride! Ha, I love how you can see them all with their cameras in the mirror. Hilarious.
Love this shot with my ruffly dress and pretty ring. On the right hand, of course.

Time for some gloss and more last-minute touch-ups. Man, she really wanted me to look good! Apparently my face needs lots of help.
So, so happy. Although I think I am laughing here because my sister could not figure out the clasp to my necklace. She had never been a MOH before, cut her some slack, people! She was nervous. Being a MOH is kind of a big deal.
And with that, I was ready! While all of this calmness and demure excitement was bubbling up in the girls’ room, the boys were having some excitement of their own…
Did you feel awkward to have a photographer snapping pictures of you getting ready and/or in various states of undress? Anyone else get random, unexplainable bruises right before their wedding?
**All photography by Sarah Rhoads Photography unless otherwise noted**
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