I Went to the Chapel & Totally Got Married! Pt.I

I know this entry is long overdue, so please forgive me.

On the morning of June 20, 2009, I woke up to the sounds of Mare getting dressed. I was inside of a room at the Morrison Clark hotel in downtown DC, sleeping in bed next to my dear Edwige. Mare was the first to leave and go get ready with a hair appointment at 8:30. I was up slightly obsessing, but realizing that it was game day, do or die time, so anything that wasn’t done, wouldn’t be done, and whatever would be, would be. I left the room a few moments after Mare. I needed to clear my head and… write my wedding vows. I didn’t want to write them months or even weeks in advance. I wanted to write them the day of so that what I said was pure and true, and completely reflective of that day.

It was raining. Pouring as a matter of fact. It seemed as if DC just couldn’t catch a break with the rain! It was literally raining every friggin day of the month! Washington DC, or Washington state? I was confused.

I made my way down into the quaint, completely Reina-like lobby area to sit in front of my laptop and think. What did I want to say to J on the most important day of our lives? I knew I could say that I promise to be faithful, and loyal, and blah blah blah, but if he didn’t know that about me, chances are he wouldn’t be marrying me. So I sat there, with my eyes closed, and began to type. My feelings for him began to materialize. Then things I knew others may not get, but that I had promised him before the wedding started coming to mind…like vowing to make hot wings on football Sunday. No one else had to get it, just J because these vows were about us.

Edwige came down the stairs looking for me, even posting on facebook that she had lost the bride lol. I told her I just needed some moments to myself. And I did. During the planning process, somehow I forgot t breathe and take it all in. To acknowledge the transition that was about to take place physically and spiritually, and I just needed a moment to get that right.

I eventually went upstairs only to have my phone ring. It was the hair stylist saying she was almost at the hotel. What??? Are you serious??? Totally forgot I asked her to come at 10:30 instead of noon. Booooooooooo. I wasn’t anywhere close to being ready for her. I ran to the shower, and did my body scrub. Hey, your skin has to be smooth, soft, and glowing on your big day! Then I straightened out my hair, and she was there by the time I put on a shirt lol. It all worked out though.

What did suck was my mother and aunt were running behind time so the hairstylist almost didn’t get paid. She was, however, a doll about the whole thing. She hung out with us until my father got there with her money. By this time it was me, the Maid of Honor Alandria, and bridesmaid Edwige in the room. While my hair was getting done they ordered subs from Manny & Olgas. I didn’t even realize I was hungry until that moment! Thank God Edwige went downstairs and got me a plate of fruit, pastries, and glorious coffee :~)

The hairstylist left, and the makeup artist came in. Now the room was filled with bridesmaids, sans one, and me. I was sitting there trying to finish off my hot turkey sub while she was doing my makeup. It was hilarious! About 15 minutes into getting my makeup done, the photographer came, and so did my mom, aunt, and cousins. In between all of this, I text J a couple of times. I was getting the anxious flippity flops off and on. Biggest.Moment.Ever.Alert. That’s the siren that was going off in my head.
 
       

While I was busy listening to sirens in my head, my bridesmaid Tomika’s dress popped open breaking the zipper. I’m so surprised that I didn’t panic! And so elated that Mare has sewing skills and brought her sewing kit so she was able to stuff Tomika back in the dress with no problems.
 

I thank God for Mare, and for Edwige. Edwige kept my phone away from me, only letting me receive the important phone calls or texts from J. God bless them.

Anyway, as my makeup was finished and my mom was now getting beautified, I decided to hand the ladies their thank you gift bags. I had bought them Juicy Couture tote bags that had their earrings, flip flops, and smell good inside. They were a hit!

  

Then, it was on to the big moment…it was time for me to put on my dress!

 

In the midst of all this, the rain managed to stop (around 1pm) and the sun made a grand appearance, and stuck around for the rest of the day without all the heat the forecasters promised. Look at God :~) He was definitely smiling down on us!

The dress was on, and Alandria struggled to get my shoes on too. It was hilarious!

 

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Then, the most precious moment of the preparation process – my mommy put on my veil. Wow, i’m tearing up just thinking about it. Your wedding day is truly the most magical day ever.

 

Now, I just had to make it down those friggin steps in front of the hotel to get into the limo, and drive off into my destiny. I could not BELIEVE it was finally happening! Eek!