Where has the year gone...

Yesterday, Aaron and I celebrated our first wedding anniversary- man where has the year gone! We had originally planned on going out of town, but after I resigned from my job (yes, I resigned from my job) we ended up staying in town. We had a wonderful day- which started with breakfast at the Ritz Carlton (where we were married last year), took us over to the Biltmore for a little shopping and relaxation, a nice nap at home, and a wonderful dinner at the Melting Pot. Let's do a little "then" and "now" shall we?

June 12th, 2009:

June 12th, 2010:

(they moved the piano and furniture around)

And look, someone else was getting married at the Ritz Carlton on the 12th of June as well! They even had their reception in the same ballroom we did, though we had an outdoor ceremony on the pool deck.


After a wonderful breakfast, we walked around the Biltmore (got all my Macbook questions answered!) and then came home to rest before going to The Melting Pot! We had a wonderful dinner:

(Dessert the best part!!)

Happy Anniversary Aar-Bear!!

My how time flies! Six months ago Saturday, Aaron and I drifted away into newlywed bliss. I am so blessed to have such a wonderful, kind, brilliant, amazing man as my husband. Aaron, you truly are the love of my life, the sparkle in my eye, and my better half. I couldn't imagine my life without you, nor would I want too. To tomorrow and always!

A few of our favorite photo's from our special day:




I can only hope to spend the rest of my life, getting to be your "excellent" wife!

(End schmoopiness)

The Wedding: Part 3- The Big Reveal

Aaron and I decided after that we'd like to see each other prior to the ceremony for pictures. We wanted "our moment" to be intimate, private, and one where we could talk to each other and express our feelings- instead of in front of everyone. I'm so glad that we did. It was so nice to see him before the ceremony and spend some time together with him. Shortly after 4, LaTricia, our photographer escorted me down the stair case:

As I rounded the corner- I saw him standing there. My heart was absolutely racing and I couldn't wait to go down the last set of stairs to see him.

And then, after a deep breath- we locked eyes. For what felt like an eternity it was just the two of us, in our own little world, not even remembering anyone was there or even what we were waiting for, only knowing that at that moment nothing in the world mattered more then being together.


After a few moments, our photographer got us together and we took a few photo's together with the gorgeous stair case in the background.

From there we took some additional photo's around the Ritz Carlton and the Camelback Esplanade, until my shoes and feet no longer could get along. At that point we headed back to the Ritz so we could take our group photo's and more importantly so I could have my flip flops- this would be the last time I wore my pretty diamond studded shoes...

The Wedding: Part 2- Getting Ready

I'm so excited- we got our wedding photo CD back from the photographer! Of course this means that once I finish this sequence I have to stop talking about our wedding and find other exciting stuff in our lives to talk about- like our house =)

So the morning started for me around 5am. I was just too excited too sleep! I woke up and watch "Twilight" on my I-Pod hoping it would put me to sleep- it didn't. So around 5:45 I figured I'd just get up anyway. I strolled up to the 8th floor (the lounge area) but breakfast wasn't out yet. I came back down and Andie was awake! We talked for a little bit and played Sims 3, but honestly I just couldn't wait- so I started getting ready. I took my shower (using my new Bumble & Bumble Shampoo and Conditioner of which I am now addicted too) and blow dried my hair. Around 8:00 I went downstairs to meet the Jason's Deli delivering man with our breakfast trays and ran into Robert (our events planner) who is just absolutely fabulous! We spoke for a minute or two, until I grabbed our tray and went back to the room. Shortly there after Abby arrived- and the party was getting started!

Brook and Jodie arrived shortly there after, and everyone started getting ready! Andie was up first, while Brook was doing Andie's hair Jodi started curling Abby's hair (my bridesmaids were all either A or J names :)
Somewhere during all of this other individuals started to arrive. What's funny is that Jeanne arrived and I though I knew she wasn't arriving until Noon, I thought when she arrived she was quite early (time was just flying by) however she arrived at 11:45am...

The rest of the time honestly is a blur of moments I recall, and don't recall. At some point the Jason's Deli man showed up with our lunch tray; Jamie, Jillian, and I scarfed down the Sour Cream and Cheddar baked ruffles; I asked Jeanne to "calm my veil down" and everyone else got ready.


And then it was my turn- and this is when everything just started to feel so surreal! All the sudden everyone was there: Amy (my florist), Alex (the videographer), LaTricia and her assistant (photographers). Jodie was doing my make up, Brook my hair. The girls were all getting in their dresses...and suddenly it hit me, I was getting married!
After all the primping, it was time to put the dress on! I had been in a love-hate relationship with my dress for about two weeks. When I bought my dress, I knew it wasn't the EXACT one I wanted- the one I wanted had a price tag that I just wasn't willing to pay (come on- it's worn once for a few hours!) but when it came time to put it on, I was completely giddy about getting to wear it!

My wedding gift from Aaron

Meanwhile, in a room not so far away Aaron was getting ready too! Of course for him, it was a much easier process (isn't it always!)


And then with a few last checks, a veil and hair piece added:


it was time for me to go for me to go see my groom....