Wedding Recap

I'm MARRIED!!!!

Woohoohoo!

I couldn't be more excited!

In love.

In awe of all the love I felt that day.

From my now husband and all our guests.

It still feels like a blur.

I don't even know how to write about this because I am still letting it all sink in.

So, I will share the experience of my wedding through photos for now (which ya'll love anyway...LOL!).

Saturday was our rehearsal. We showed up at our venue on time. The doors were locked. I was slightly freaking out because we needed to unload all the alcohol for the reception and everything we needed for the ceremony as well as do a walk through of the ceremony with our family and wedding planner. 

Eventually, someone showed up to unlock the doors (10+ mins late), but I certainly had a moment there. We walked through everything. Sort of. Our Rabbi and Priest could not be there. We met with them both separately during this whole process (the Priest on Saturdays, the Rabbi on Sundays...LOL!), so we had never actually all met together at the same time to discuss the ceremony. My hubby and I weren't quite sure what this ceremony would look like...just keeping our fingers crossed!

We had a lovely rehearsal at the Tabard Inn with family and the wedding party.

Silliness ensued. 

My groom may or may not be putting is hands somewhere he shouldn't be... LOL!

Then the bridal party went and got mani/pedis. 

And popped open a bottle of champagne!

Super fun.

We met friends and family at the hotel bar. That was so much fun. And very touching. It was so wonderful seeing all these people here to celebrate with us! And meeting some people for the first time, too.

We then moved over to a bar with a TV so my groom could watch the Miami/Clemson game. It was not a good night for his team. But us getting married the next day didn't make him too mopey. 

I surprised him with this shirt. 

He loved it. 

😃 

The morning of...

LOTS of nervous energy.

Generally excited.

But certainly some nervousness, hoping everything would go as smoothly as I wanted it to.

I needed to move.

So I went for a run with one of our guests. A good 4 miles.

We actually ran to the Jefferson Memorial to check out our "first look" spot. That was at around 8am. It was hard to believe we would be setting eyes on each other only 5 hours later. 

I then had some time back at my hotel. Showered. Relaxed. Had pastries delivered. My amazing Make-up (Bombshell Blowouts) and Hair (Izzy B Make-up) ladies arrived and it was time to beautify.

It's amazing how they can enhance one's beauty to a whole other level. Wow!

I was blown away when I looked in the mirror.

Put on the dress...

Then off in the limo with my Matron of Honor to our first look spot.

We were blessed with absolutely gorgeous weather. It felt more like an October day rather than an early December one!

I met my groom on the steps of the Jefferson Memorial.

It was an absolutely magical moment. I couldn't have dreamed of a better one.

We were both in awe.

Then we toured around getting pictures at a lot of other monuments and beautiful spots in DC.

(Stephanie Rita)

(Stephanie Rita)

Then off to the venue for family photos.

And the icon blessing and ketubah signing.

My big faux pas ... signing in the Rabbi spot rather than the Bride spot on the ketubah! 

OMG. This is a permanent document that will last generations... ay yay yay!

That's OK. At least one thing had to go wrong.

There were others which I won't get into, but that will certainly be the most memorable! 

The ceremony ...

Amazing.

Beautiful.

So "us".

An incredibly touching blend of our Jewish and Ukrainian traditions.

There were so many beautiful moments in the ceremony.

I was deeply touched.

And I know the guests were, too.

Next up: getting everyone out for the room flip.

Our ceremony and reception were in the same space which adds a little added complexity to getting things together. 

But our wedding planner (Party Bea) and catering company (Eat & Smile) did an exceptional job of making things run smoothly. 

We had a private moment together and then with our wedding party and popped open a bottle of champagne.

Seeing the "korovai", or wedding bread for the first time. 

Tried to bustle my dress.

Enjoyed dinner and meaningful toasts.

Had our first dance.

And father/daughter dance.

And the Horah.

More dancing.

And more celebrating at the hotel bar.

A day to remember, for sure.

There was lots of love in the room that day and I find that I am falling even more in love with my husband. Which is a little unexpected since I already feel such a deep love for him. But WOW.

This is good stuff!

Back at school as “Mrs. Rosenberg”.

I've been coasting through the last few days.

Sooooo ready for the honeymoon!

I DID NOT work out today. Not since wedding morning.

I have enjoyed snuggling up to and cuddling with my husband in the mornings.

THAT makes me happy.

SUPER happy.

So do what makes you happy.

T-3 days

Well, we are getting that much closer. 

Yesterday was self-care day. Chiropractic adjustment and deep tissues massage.

My body was MESSED UP.

The stress of wedding planning is definitely taking its toll. It's no joke.

So, I didn't work out today. 

Because sometimes you just have to listen to your body. Even when your default is to do something different. 

So what happens 3 days before a wedding?

Well, hotel gift bag drop offs...

Cute notes from kiddos because its their last time seeing you as a "Ms." ...

Trying on the dress. You know, just to make sure. 😃

I may or may not have been doing some domestic housework in my heels. You know, to break them in.

Folding 150 programs. With old TV shows in the background.

Laundry is going on in the background, too. 

Because I need to start packing for my wedding.

And there is still a list of things to do.

But currently I am waiting for my fiance to come home with take-out. Because we have both had one of those kind of days. 

Continuing to breathe...

The end of wedding planning is near. 

Do what makes you happy.