The Big Day - Before the Wedding...

After an awesome rehearsal night and the anticipation of the next day, it was very hard to sleep Friday night. Thankfully my day would start out well... a pedicure with my good friend Kara. The trend continued though- we were late for our appointments! I quickly picked up Kara from her hotel and she finished our drive so that I could inhale some breakfast so brought me from their hotel Continental buffet!

I didn't get any pictures of our relaxation but it was wonderful. I enjoyed a first... a hot stone massage on my legs and feet. It was so nice!! And the company was great... it was so nice to have some time alone with Kara in the midst of the craziness. It meant a great deal to me that she and her family had made the long trip for my wedding. We had a great time catching up, laughing and having some girl time. 

Kara left me a little early to get on with some family plans. When I went up to check-out I found that she had been sneaky and paid for my pedicure! It was a such a nice surprise! As I walked out of the salon feeling refreshed, my phone rang and the wedding day had begun. My parents had been nice enough to pick up the wedding flowers and drop them at The Winfield. Now we were ready for lunch!! I picked up my parents at The Winfield and played cell phone "Marco Polo" with my Groom, trying to avoid him while he was there dropping off decorations and helping with the set-up. 

In an effort to squeeze in some more family time and play tour guide for my Atlanta family, I suggested a Texas original... the famous Salt Lick BBQ in Driftwood. It was a short drive out to Salt Lick and we were able to enjoy some beautiful Texas Hill Country scenery. My parents and I met my Uncle Brad, Aunt Camille and Matthew there and soon sat down to an endless supply of meat and sides. Our out-of-towners were not disappointed by the hype surrounding Salt Lick and we ate our fair share of their BBQ supply. It was a great time for relaxing with the family because we knew the rest of the day would be a whirlwind!

After lunch, I ran a couple of errands before heading back the The Winfield. I ran around for a bit checking on the progress of the decorations and set-up. Many of you have heard Brad and I talk about the staff at The Winfield. Part of the reason we choose this location was because they are full-service. Brad and I spent the weeks leading up to wedding getting everything organized but then we handed it over the morning of the wedding and they took over. It was a Bride's dream. And a Groom's answered prayer since he didn't have a stressed out Bride! So, after answering a few questions, I was able to join the ladies in the house to get ready and even had time for a quick shower to help cool down a bit!

Kasi was already getting her hair done when I arrived and then Brad's Mom, Dorothy followed. I was able to sit and chat for a while before my turn in the chair. As time progressed other people began arriving including our Flower Girls who got all pretty too!

Meanwhile, the grounds were buzzing with preparations. From our room in the house, I could watch the progress. Brad was running around hanging a few special items, tracking down things and finishing some details. Kara went out to help him so that he could get dressed. Family began arriving and visiting. The photographer and videographer arrived and started capturing the day. 

Family enjoying the porch.

Brad meeting some of my family - Mike & Stephanie McDaniel.

The Brothers... so mature.

Visiting with family while waiting for the Bride.

Dylan and Dad pre-wedding duds.

Stephanie, my Mom, Cindy and Jana.

Kasi & Rush.

Kara hanging flowers on the cross in the gazebo.

Brad's Mom getting her corsage.

Joanna arrived with her team to set up the sound equipment and do a sound check. I had intentionally not listened to her practice or attend any of her rehearsals with the string musicians. I wanted to hear her sing for the first time during the ceremony. Although over the sounds in the house, I couldn't actually HEAR the words she was singing, I could hear her voice... As I sat there getting my hair and makeup done, I got emotional for the first time.

Even though it didn't take THAT long, it felt like I was in that hair and makeup chair FOREVER!! It was finally time to clear out the room and Kasi helped me get my dress on. 

 

One of the things that Brad and I wanted for the wedding day was some time alone before the ceremony. So, after I was dressed and ready, I headed downstairs to see my husband-to-be for the first time. 

Heading downstairs to see Brad.

What you can't see here, is that I tripped, gracefully, just before going down the stairs. My heart stopped JUST A TAD!

It was a wonderful moment... he looked great in his suit and we were both so happy to finally see each other. After the photographer got some fun shots, we retreated to a room in the house for some quiet time. This is by far one of the things I will forever love about this day. Brad prayed for me as his future wife. I then prayed for him as my future husband and tears just streamed down my face. Then we were able to chat and laugh before being told "it is time"!! Brad went out so he could take his position at the ceremony site and I waited in the house with Kasi, the Flower Girls, Kara and Dylan. 

Rehearsal Day...

Beginning Friday morning a trend developed that lasted until the moment I arrived at the rehearsal... I was late for everything. I hate being late. Even when I WANT to be casually late to something, I stress out about it. So, when the domino effect of Friday morning began happening, it was very frustrating. Thankfully I was surrounded by people that didn't seem to mind.

Friday was a busy day. It began with a really bad headache which made me oversleep and late for my early nail appointment. That made me late to pick up our rental items and almost late for my lunch plans. Kara, Mike and Dylan were flying in from Boston that day so Brad and I were going to meet them and our friend Shaunna for some lunch. Kara and Mike arrived a bit later than we had hoped and Shaunna was after that. So, by the time we all finally sat down to eat, we were a bit frazzled. However, we did get a quick visit in. Kara talks about this on her blog and even has a picture. Somehow, this is the only picture that I ended up with from our lunch...

Nice self-portrait honey...

We ran behind with our lunch, so sadly our plans of a girls afternoon of pedicures had to be canceled. Instead I headed to hang with my parents until the Rehearsal. They had arrived that morning after driving from Mississippi. I was thankful to have a little time with them to be lazy in their hotel, chat and get ready for the evening. Then we headed to the Rehearsal which was being held at a gazebo in "downtown" Kyle, about a mile from the wedding site. The Winfield was having a wedding that night, so we couldn't rehearse there but the layout was similar at this city gazebo. I was busy running around making sure everyone had what they needed. This was also the first time I had seen Brad's family all week and was meeting Brad's Uncle and Aunt for the first time. I was all a bit of a whirlwind but thankfully, Brad's Aunt Cindy was snapping some pictures!!

Flower girls... they are REALLY shy. :o)

April from The Winfield giving directions.

Jim running through the ceremony.

Our parents.

Practicing!

Dylan's parents took notes FOR him about his duties. He was WAY more interested in sticks and rocks to be discovered!

After the rehearsal, we went to dinner at Palmer's in San Marcos. We were in our own private room and each place setting even had custom menu's with the "Dale - Becker Rehearsal Dinner" on them. It was a very nice night of laughs, family, friends and lots of food!!

Troy & Irina showing of their Flower Girl t-shirts.

As dinner wound down, we all went our separate ways. The following day was The Big Day!!!

Segways & Sightseeing...

Last Thursday, my family from Atlanta flew in for the wedding. This is my family from my Mom side and included my Uncle Brad, Aunt Camille and cousin Matthew. Unfortunately, my other cousin, Austin, was in the middle of tons of tests at Georgia Tech, so he didn't join them. I was very excited when they first sent me their flight arrangements and they chose to come in a day before everything got crazy. My Brad hadn't met this part of my family yet, so it would be nice to have some time with them. I quickly began thinking of fun ways to spend our time. Remembering that they really hadn't spent that much time in Austin, I wanted to be a good host and show them some of this city that I love. 

After working for most of the day, Brad and I met and then drove downtown to meet the Wards. I hadn't seen them since my Grandmother's funeral last year, so I was really excited! First on the agenda... a Segway Tour of downtown!! A friend of mine owns Segway Nation, so I contacted them and made arrangements for a private tour... on two wheels! I had been on a Segway before, but it would be the first time for the rest of the group. The main thing I can tell any newbie... they are very intimidating at first, but once you get on one- I promise, you won't want to get off! This was very much the case for our group!!

After a short tutorial, we fell in line and followed our tour guide to the State Capitol grounds. As we got more comfortable, we all gained speed and began whizzing around. It is so much fun!! We would stop for an occasional tourist speech by our guide and then take a few pictures.

Aunt Camille acing her tutorial.

Brad doing a pageant wave during his tutorial.

Matthew sticking his tongue out during his tutorial... show off.

Uncle Brad learning the ropes.

And, we're off!

"Hi honey!!"

Then we headed into downtown Austin, down 6th Street, by the Driskell Hotel across the "Bat Bridge" and to Auditorium Shores.

Funny... we didn't even plan the height progression!!!

Then we headed to a open area near the Austin Convention Center where our guide just let us cut loose for a while on the Segways. By now we were all very comfortable and took to racing and cutting each other off, trying fancy tricks and taking funny pictures. 

Action shot...

Matthew and Uncle Brad using the trees as a slalom course!

Unfortunately, Aunt Camille and Matthew got a little too competitive and Aunt Camille took a fall. Other than a scratch on her arm, her pride was hurt the most... she was the only one that fell! good thing our Medical Student Extraordinaire Matthew was available to assist!

Matthew and Aunt Camille racing.

Here is some fun video from the BradB Cam...

After about a 2 hour tour, we sadly returned to the Segway Nation office and said goodbyes to our new two-wheeled friends.

 

Then we headed for dinner at another Austin favorite, The Hula Hut. It was a very nice night out and we got a table right on the water. We enjoyed good food and drinks while catching up, laughing and talking about the events to come. 

We then parted ways and looked forward to the next time we would see each other... the rehearsal!

Wedding Whirlwind...

Whew!!! We did it!! It was an awesome weekend of friends, family and celebration. We loved every second of it.

The first of the "amateur" pictures have begun trickling in, so stay tuned for lots of upcoming blogs!!!

Gettin' ready...

The big day is almost here! Most of the details have been taken care of, so let the fun begin!

Today my family starts arriving for the big wedding weekend. Brad and I will meet my Uncle Brad, Aunt Camille and cousin Matthew this afternoon to have some Austin fun!! Brad hasn't met this part of my family yet, so we are taking advantage of the pre-wedding madness time to hang out and show them some of this awesome city we live in. We will be going on a Segway tour around downtown and then having dinner at one of my favorite local places, The Hula Hut. I am looking forward to the fun family time!!

Tomorrow my parents arrive from Mississippi and Kara, Mike and Dylan arrive from Boston.  There will be pedicures, lunch and more family time before ending the day with our rehearsal and rehearsal dinner.

Everyone is getting ready and making final arrangements. 

Our Super Cute Ring Bearer, Dylan got new shoes for the occasion...

Even one of our Flower Girl Divas began her Wedding Day Prep... Troy had her first pedicure with her Mom yesterday...

Something Blue...

Something blue stands for love, and fidelity. The color blue has been associated with weddings for centuries.  During ancient Roman times, brides wore blue to symbolize love, modesty and loyalty.  Blue was also a popular color for wedding dresses back in the old days. These days, brides carry something blue primarily as a token of love.

One thing I have learned to value as I have aged... comfort. I just don't see the point of being in pain for the sake of fashion. This is especially the case when it comes to shoes. Add in that I have "bad feet" that require good shoes constantly so you won't ever find me in a pair of 6" heels. So, while I don't go for orthopedic shoes, I do go for comfort. 

Since I will be on my feet the entire night of the wedding, I decided to combine my need for comfortable shoes, with my Something Blue. So prepare yourself as the conservative crowd gasps and behold, my Something Blue...

That's right folks- I am wearing Crocs under my dress!!! 

No one really sees your shoes any way (unless you want them too) and I love these. Also, the practical side of me knows that I will wear them over and over again this summer. I know that when people think of Crocs, they think of ugly shoes but they have come a long way and these are actually cute!

Oh and for the last part of the old saying...

"Sixpence in your shoe is a wish for good fortune and prosperity. This remains largely a British custom." 

The Brits can keep this one... how uncomfortable would that be!?!?