our big fat italian wedding

Chris and I have been married for almost 2 years now. We were married October 10, 2009 at Our Lady of the Valley in Birmingham, Alabama. He is my best friend and I cannot imagine my life without him. We are polar opposites in many ways, but we just work. Life has a way of doing that- you never really know how things are going to turn out. Chris and I graduated from high school together but not in a million years would I have guessed that one day not only would we date, but we would get married.

Here are some pictures from our wedding day.

Jackie Robinson, owner of Raww Beauty, did my makeup. She is the best! I was her first bride when she decided to venture out from M.A.C. Cosmetics and start her own business. She is now booked up all the time! If you ever want your makeup done for any type event (she has done friends' makeup for dates to halloween), check her out here.

Anyone who knows me knows I have a slight obsession with shoes. So I just had to have a pair for pictures that matched the bridesmaids' dresses, and then I had a different pair for the wedding. And 4" wedge flip flop for the reception. :)

It rained on our wedding day. I was so scared it would ruin pictures outside, but it stopped right in time to set up the perfect lighting. Our pictures were done by a wonderful couple, Erin and Corey Nolen of Nolen Photography. I.Love.Them.

My dress was from Diane's in Jasper. It was the first dress shop I went to. I literally tried on about 10 completely different dresses that day and knew this was the one. I never went to another store. I figured, if I don't look, I won't question my choice. I mean, there are a thousand dresses we will love but can't have em all! When my dress came in, it fit like a glove. All we had to do was hem the bottom. Match made in Heaven, I do believe. :)

Our wedding party was very special. I made sure to include loved ones from all walks of my life. High school friends, college and graduate school friends, childhood friends and family. Most of us all grew up around each other so it was quite the lively, hilarious bunch!

These are my two favorite pictures from the day.

1.In the bridal room, my mom cut a sentimental moment short when her gum flew out of her mouth and one of the girls panicked, thinking it was my mom's tooth. We all lost it at that point. If you know my mom, this is normal behavior! But it made for the most memorable photo that really captured the essence of the day and of our personalities.

And here is a pic of me, my sister, the comical mother I speak of... and her gum. I just love her!

2.My dad and I shared an inside joke right before he walked me down the aisle. This too is a cherished photo.

Chris and I danced to "You Are the Best Thing" by one of my favs, Ray Lamontagne. I hated being the center of attention, but embraced it anyways, knowing this moment only comes once.

Here we all are doing the traditional Italian dance to Mezza Luna Mare. So.much.fun.

All of our friends are nuts. I think they were all doing the "jump rope" at this point.

I made the farewell flyers myself. They are wooden dowels with ribbons hanging off of them. Each dowel was dipped in chocolate glaze by none other than PawPaw Lewis and then I wrote our name and wedding date on each one.

And in the blink of an eye, the day has come and gone. But the journey has just begun.