getting ready

It was the morning of August 24, 2013. I woke up at 6:30am after a rough night of sleeping in rollers. I pulled out my laptop, started writing, and about an hour later I had completed my wedding vows that I would be sharing four hours later. As I was writing I would think about how amazing Burns is and I would start bawling. I just couldn't stop.

I did a few more things to get ready for the day, like triple check to make sure I had my passport ready for that night, check all my honeymoon luggage, and tidy up my room which I would soon be sharing with my new husband. I felt a little anxious. Not in the sense that I had cold feet, just excited for the upcoming event.

I travelled to Heninger's where I was greeted by Denise in a flurry, "Oh, you can't see Burns! Come this way, close your eyes...okay Burns go that way...okay you can open your eyes!" She led me to the room I would be getting ready in. My mom and dad came at around 9:00am. As my dad set up all the lanterns (we had to take them down the day before due to rain) my mom started on my hair.

As Mom was working, Alex, Arianne, and Natalie showed up. Natalie looked picture perfect in her beautiful dress and headband. Arianne started snapping pictures right away and Alex waited for Mom to be finished to start working on my makeup. It truly was a perfect morning. The sun was shining, and there wasn't a trace of even a breeze.

Burns getting dressed and ready:

Aunt Nancy's pinning on Burns' boutonniere for him.

This is what my hair looked like that day. Do you like it?

Alex working her magic:

Arianne stole our rings while we were getting ready to take some pics. This one is my favourite.

This picture of Rick holding Charlotte is so precious to me.

 

Two of the three babies born in our families this year. Charlotte and Audrey. Riley was in Utah not able to join us. These three cuties definitely made 2013 a lot more busy, but a lot more fun with more nieces and nephews!

I adore this picture. It just reminds me of how peaceful I felt that morning with Natalie dancing on the boardwalk in the sunshine and beautiful music playing in the background.

I found this ring online from Le Chateau and I had to have it. Thank goodness I found it at a Le Chateau here in Calgary.

 More of Boonie making himself look as handsome as could be.

Hahaha I love this one.

And this one is one of my favourites. He's so sneaky sometimes. The little brat sneaked a peek at me getting ready outside but at least he didn't see me in my dress yet. I actually saw him a couple of times too. He ran up the stairs and I saw him through the screen door, then he ran downstairs a little bit later. I didn't want to tell him until I saw this picture because I was a little sad that I saw him before the ceremony. Not anymore though!

Each chair had a little bottle of bubbles sitting on it.

Hair and makeup were complete just as people started showing up at around 10:45.
Mindy Gallup made my bouquet, Burns' boutonniere, and my hairpiece. She did a phenomenal job!

I felt bad that not all of my beautiful nieces could be my feather girls, but there are just too many of them! I made bird necklaces for all of them so they would feel included in my special day. My niece, Jacqueline, was such an amazing little helper. She wanted so badly to help me in any way she could so I had her hand out all the necklaces.

I finally decided it was time to put on my dress.

This picture is kind of special. There are pictures on the wall of Denise, her mother, her grandmother, and her great grandmother. Denise didn't have any daughters so I guess I'm the next best thing as her daughter-in-law (along with Mandi and Steph of course).

This one is another favourite of mine. I love Natalie to pieces and I'm so proud of her for doing such an amazing job as my feather girl.

Kobe was a big part of my day. I love how he is always there for me.

I love Burns' description of this picture. He said he and Pat Gilchrist were looking out the window at all the people outside wondering when they should go out.

A huge thank you to Sam for writing this out for me. Such an artist.

Natalie my feather girl and Rhett the Lord of the Rings.

Ready and waiting....for Joe to get back with his GoPro that he forgot at home! I'm not sure how late it started but it wasn't a big deal at all. It was a beautiful day and by then a cool breeze had picked up to help keep everyone cool.

Joe returned and the ceremony began.