Wedding Lessons Learned

I mentioned that I recently got married in my previous post, so I wanted to share with you some pictures of the day and a couple observations I made while a bride. I was just discussing with a friend the other day, I was never that girl who dreamed of her wedding day...I guess I didn't want to get excited about it until it happened to me! And it did! 

A little tiny thing called a budget stood over my left shoulder, and the wedding idea and money spending devil...also known as Pinterest (ha!), or BHLDN, or Nordstrom Wedding Suite (I could go on forever)...rested on my right shoulder. At one point I joked with our officiant/pre-wedding advisor, "as long as the groom shows up I'll have a wedding!" I guess that isn't much of a joke because its true, but it is funny at the same time! When it all came down to it, I decided that none of this was important. 

 In all seriousness...I told my florist and day of planner the colors I'd like to see in the bouquets but was never specific about..."I need this, this and this (to be happy)." I chose neutral colors for both the bridesmaids' dresses and groomsmens' suits not to get attached to a certain "theme." What it all came down to was we wanted our guests to eat, drink and have a wonderful time dancing to live music--and that didn't involve my dress, the table arrangements or flowers! We wanted everyone to know that we appreciated them being there for such a memorable time in our lives. As a bride I learned to manage my own expectations, and also keep in mind what why the day was happening. I can't way it wasn't a challenge and that I didn't have to reset my thinking a couple of times, but that's what I took away from all of the wedding hoopla! 

I hadn't even seen a sample, but these hit the mark...breathtaking Garden Roses, Babies Breath...need I say more? The colors complimented the surroundings just perfectly. Exactly what I had envisioned!

My amazingly supportive bridal party!

   

What's a wedding day without a fabulous pair of heels? Ivanka Trump makes a great Jimmy Choo look alike for those of us brides on a budget. I snagged these in the Von Maur sale room for around $70.

I may have lost the German last name, I will always have German heritage and I wanted to honor that! Most of the candy was hot off the plane from Germany itself thanks to a dear friend.

Our beautiful archway we were married under, overlooking West Lake Okoboji.

My handsome groom!