Wedding Day

Our wedding day was perfectly amazing!! I don't know how to describe in words that it went better than perfect. I don't think anything even went wrong (not that I was worried if something happend) but if something did, we didn't know about it!
On that morning, I awoke from a very rested sleep at Hotel Roanoke! Those mattresses are amazing..I seriously slept like a rock! I woke up and got ready to go to the salon. At the time my toe was infected and I needed to go over to Hope's to soak it in some Epsom salt. The toe was driving me insane but I didn't want it to hurt on our honeymoon! I also got to see the kitty cats one last time..they were so precious. I took a video of them on my phone to show Lee later that night because I knew how much he missed them already.
Hope, Andie, and I headed over to the salon. Hope went to Panera bread and picked up a variety of bagels..and I brought champagne and orange juice to make mimosas (my favorite since staying in Mexico!!) My friend Krystle was doing my hair and makeup so I went first. We pretty much had the whole salon to ourselves. We were all chatting and laughing and drinking and having a great time! Krystle was so sweet! While she was doing my hair, she gave me my wedding gift! She purchased a couple of things off my registry but she also got me a bare minerals starter kit with everything in it. She wanted to give it to me because she was going to do my makeup with it that day! I'm obsessed with it now! I don't know why I haven't used it before! I love it! Thanks, Krystle :) After my makeup was done, it was getting closer to time to go to the Kyle House..Britt and I left so we could start putting on my dress because it took awhile to lace up. The other girls were going to meet us when their makeup was done because we had to get pictures done!
Britt and Andie and I arrived around the same time to the Kyle House and started getting ready. Shortly followed by Suzanne, Julie, and Keri. The guys had already started getting their pictures made. Lily showed up and we were ready! Sam took us all through the town taking lots of gorgeous pictures of us! We had a great time meandering around town. After much debate, Lee and I decided to see each other before the wedding. We knew we wanted to take family photos after the wedding, but because the wedding was at 6:30, we would only have good light for another half hour. We decided to take our "couple photos" and group photos before the wedding. We set up a moment where Lee could see me for the first time and the photographer would record it! We went into this goregous garden/courtyard and all the bridesmaids lined up behind me. The groomsmen also lined up around me. When they told Lee to turn around, he was SHOCKED! He was overwhelmed with emotion and ran to me! It was a beautiful moment. He still says that was his favorite part of the whole day, and for the bridesmaids it was also a favorite. After that, Sam took us in the car up the hill overlooking the Mountains and Fincastle and took a few more gorgeous pictures. Those pictures of just us, are our favorites!
We headed back upstairs in the Kyle House because guests were starting to wander in! I couldn't believe it was almost time! I'd been nervous the whole week leading up to this moment and I mean VERY NERVOUS. All of a sudden, my nerves vanished and I was as cool as a cucumber. Bouquet in hand, we headed outside to head into the "barn!" It was all happening so fast. Lee's mom and brother played the harp and oboe, I couldn't even hear it from outside but I heard it was gorgeous! Thank God, we have a wedding video..I can't wait to see it! When I walked in, I don't remember anything. I didn't see anyone around me, I didn't hear the music, I just looked at Lee. I am AMAZED at myself for holding it together. I didn't cry at ALL. I think after seeing Lee cry so much, my crying nerves just went away. He did manage to shed a tear or two but nothing like he did in the rehearsal. Geez :) Love my sentimental man. Ok let me back up with the music. I wanted pretty traditional music for the wedding ceremony. I'm not even sure what was played during the pre-music but Lee's mom has played in so many weddings that I knew it was amazing. For the seating of the grandparents, she played the harp and sang "How Beautiful." One of my favorite songs. For the Bridesmaids, it was "Canon in D" and for me it was the "Bridal March!" During the unity candle she played and sang "Two Candles." I can't seem to find this song anywhere but on her website but I love it so much! I remember during the ceremony, just staring into Lee's eyes and focusing on repeating the words without crying. It was hard, but I managed :) When we were announced as husband and wife..I couldn't believe it was over! It was a beautiful ceremony and I couldn't believe my WEDDING ceremony was over, forever! It was perfect! Loren (Lee's cousin) did a wonderful job. He had a few funny stories about us that he threw in there along the way which made it really special. After a wonderful kiss, we headed out to the side of the barn to "Ode to Joy" and waited for everyone to head into the reception! We went out back for the family photos. They turned out really well.
After the family photos, the wedding party, including parents were to be announced into the reception! Russell P. was our DJ and did a great job! What a cutie..we were friends from High School and he was perfect! I also got to meet his sweet fiance, Shay..I'm so happy for them! We lined up outside the Kyle House and were introduced one couple at a time to "I gotta feeling" by Black Eyed Peas! I loved the energy in the room..I could tell it was going to be amazing! After the intros, Lee and I shared our first dance to "Love Is Not A Fight." This song actually came from the movie "Fireproof" Lee and I watched that movie a few years ago and it had strong significant meaning to us. That song was very special to us. Dancing with Lee was once again just me and him. I didn't notice anyone else in the room! We moved on to the champagne toasts. BTW, that champagne we had was amazing..and I didn't get the name..durn it! John, Lee's brother gave a toast first, and then my Hope gave a toast. A friend of Lee's family, Hunter Dockery did the blessing and we headed upstairs to enjoy some food! My wedding planner had already made us two huge plates so we sat down to have a bite. Both of our stomachs were still a littl in knots so we didn't really eat that much. I will say that the food was incredible. We had yummy things like..mini lobster blt's, fried green tomatoes, beef au jus, shrimp and grits, ..it was insane I can't even remember everything, but basically a southern girl's dream! The ballroom at the Kylehouse was located upstairs. There's also an outside patio upstairs and a second bar. Downstairs there is the main bar and dance floor. Lee and I put 1000 dollars down on the bar and were going to switch to cash bar after that ran out. Suprisingly, the alcohol lasted pretty much through dinner, and my dad at that point decided to put more money down to have the bar open all night! We were thrilled because he was so against paying for alcohol and when he realized what a good time everyone was having, he decided to pay for the rest of the night! Thanks Daddy! After dinner we came downstairs to cut the cake. I chose the song "Today I met, the boy I'm gonna marry!" I love that song and remember it fondly from the movie "Father of the Bride." Since it was my dad and Tina's 23rd anniversary and Lee's mom and stepdad's 1st anniversary, we had little cakes made for them as well. After we fed each other cake, they also fed each other their little cakes. It was very special to them, especially my dad and Tina. The cake was sooooooo yummy. My friend Katie recommended Jane, a sweet little "Aunt Bee" who made the cake! It was four-tiered. The bottom layer was red velvet. The next layer was lemon (our fave!) the third layer was chocolate and the top layer was lemon (our one year anniversary we will eat this..hopefully!)
After the cake I had the DJ go straight into the anniversary dance since we just celebrated two anniversaries. (shout out to Loren and Lizzie also celebrating their anniversary!) The DJ played "Nobody Loves me like You DO" by Anne Murray. This song was sang at my parents wedding in 1987! I wanted this to be the song they danced to at our wedding. As a gift, I even gave them a gift certificate to eat at the Peaks of Otter where they spent their honeymoon! After the anniversary dance Lee and I danced with our parents (father-daughter, mother-son) We decided to both dance to one song because I didn't want the formal dances to drag on and on so we all danced to "My Wish" by Rascall Flatts. It was perfect. I even got to sneak in a dance with my grandaddy! After this, the party really started! We had a blast dancing with everyone..and everyone was REALLY getting into it! This went on for a while and we stopped for a moment so that Lee could do a speech. I knew NOTHING about this, so I was suprised when he got up there to talk. He thanked everyone for coming and talked about how we met, pulled up his pants legs to show everyone his MISMATCHED socks!! I couldn't believe it! Hilarious! You can read about that on our wedding website if you don't know the story :) Lee's mom also gave a little speech and his dad even read a poem that he'd written. My old-co worker, Lisa G, prepared a speech as well. She was the one who'd introduced us and basically responsible for our whole relationship! Love her!! Thanks, Lisa G!
The party continued on and we got ready to do the garter and bouquet toss! Lee went first and went up my dress and pulled out two socks tyed together..go figure! This was set to "Hungry Eyes" and he tossed the garter to "Another One Bites the Dust!" I got ready for my bouqet toss to "Final Countdown" by Europe. This was actually an inside joke between Suzanne and myself and I knew it would make her entire night! She about DIED laughing when she realized what was playing! Its a long story that I wish I could share but..I just can't! After the bouquet toss, all the girls danced to "Single Ladies"--total girl power moment..haha! The party continued into the night for a couple of hours and we shared our last dance to "This Year's Love" by David Gray" another favorite of mine!! My wedding coordinator made a special moment for us. She had all our parents go upstairs into the room where I had gotten ready earlier in the day with my bridesmaids! We all got to say our goodbyes in private which was a really nice thing that she did for us. She sent them downstairs and the DJ announced for everyone to go outside. The sparklers were lit and we bolted out through them and got into the car! Nick was a driver for the evening..hehe :)He drove us back to our immaculate SUITE at the Hotel Roanoke where we spent the rest of our amazing nite ;) The whole night was almost magical, and really a blur. I don't remember that much. I also know that I didn't get to talk to all of my guests, and I feel really bad about that. We THE BEST time with wonderful family and friends and couldn't have asked for a more perfect evening! Thank you to everyone who was a part...there aren't enough words to express our gratitude!! Especially to all of the travelers from Cali and Minnesota! That meant the world to us! Love you all! Stay tuned for blogs from the Honeymoon ;)

PS: I didn't include really any pictures in this post because there are too many to choose from so be sure to visit our picture website on the sidebar of this page! this a small amount as I chose about 120 pictures from the 800 taken..very hard to do! We have them all on a disc but I didn't feel like downloading SO MANY! Enjoy!!!