i've never spent so much time getting ready...

Well we've successfully made it to reporting about the day of the wedding! I realize that I am traveling at a snail's pace updating this blog, but life is happening here in Seattle. Mike and I are busy getting settled in to the new condo, and I am becoming 'Heather Wade' more and more everyday! In the mail this week, I got my drivers license, and my new debit cards. Score! So, meanwhile, back on Sept 6, 2008 a party was unfolding....

Britt, Kim, and Chelsea graciously stayed the night at the Embassy Suites in St. Charles so that we could all gather there in the morning to get ready in one room! As you can see, we started the day off with mimosas and bloody marys.. I am so glad these girls were able to enjoy them, because my stomach was a nervous wreck! I had to send Britt's mom on a stat Imodium run. I have not been this nervous in a LONG time. They were good, actually great, butterflies, but they were sure moving!

This is the day I would gain a sister! Here are Lindsey and I all decked out and ready to get heading to the church! We were practicing hugging with my veil on. Her parents-in-law were able to keep her toddlers that morning, so she could just play with the girls! I was SO glad.

Kim, Chelsea and I have come a LONG way since our days at O'Fallon Township High School. Grace and experience have been good to us. These two women are so beautiful (inside and out) that it just humbles me.

I know, I know.. getting a little ahead of myself here. I wasn't even married at this point yet, but I had to fit in my Siena time wherever I could! This baby is stunning.. just like her mama. Thanks for sharing her Chels!

Side view. I ended up really liking my veil. I had second thoughts about it at first, but I think that is just because I had never put together such an elaborate outfit before!

Ok, so skip forward about an hour. Here we are at the church. My mom is already dressed (and BEAUTIFUL), and she is in charge of the corset. I think she must have practiced it, because she had it down the first time! Thanks mom. I loved this moment.

She had a LOT of length to work with. In the left hand corner is little Sophia looking on!

After the dress was on, Britt and Chelsea and Claire (I think she must be BEHIND the dress)were the lucky ones who got to help me put the slip on. I think this was quite challenging because there were just layers upon layers of fabric to get straight. Great job girls.

I also LOVE this moment. It actually brings tears to my eyes. After an entire morning of getting ready, I was finally put together.. ready to become Mrs. Heather Wade. I am so glad that my mom and I were able to take a snip it of time out to glow together.

Rehearsal Dinner

As one would assume, we held our rehearsal dinner the night before the wedding. Sept 5, 2008. Hurricane Gustav had just passed through the area the previous 36 hours, but he left, and we started our wedding weekend out with a stunning and clear sky. What a blessing.

Here's the church, Here's the steeple. Open the doors and see all the people.

The inside of the Sanctuary. I LOVE the blue stained glass windows.

My dad and I practicing. This would be the last time I could walk down that aisle without HUGE tears in my eyes. I felt an enormous range of emotions. I was anxious and stressed, but I felt like I was glowing at the same time.

My favorite women. Debbie was our 'wedding day coordinator', and she practiced for Chelsea who was still on a plane at this point. Next is Kim who came in from Boulder. Lindsey who now lives in St. Louis.. isn't she the hottest mom ever? Claire who came in from Columbia, and Britt who came in from Chicago. Aren't they beautiful?

Steven and Kim were a dynamic duo. They escorted each other down the aisle, and they also sang one of my favorite hymns, 'Be thou my vision' during the ceremony. You can tell they certainly have a flair for the dramatic.

I love this picture of Baby Livi and her Papa on her dad's side. Randy and Livi.. precious!

Cooper/Wade Rehearsal Dinner

Old Hickory Country Club

Mike and I love this picture of Steve and Trish Schuster. Dr. Steve has been a friend of both families for as long as we can remember. He is one of Mike's best friends, and he was a groomsmen. He and Trish have been married 5 (!) years, and they live in Phoenix with their 1 year old daughter, Delaney. We really look up to them.

The dads. Check out that amazing sunset!

Kisses for our new husbands (or husband to be). Claire and Adam (left) just got married 6/21/08.

Toooo much red wine. I love you Britt.

My brothers with their new brother (in-law!)

The Nieders clan. We adore them. Carson and Olivia are the best kids ever, and Lindsey and Dax are amazing parents! Lindsey is Mike's older sister.

This is Mike and I meeting baby Siena Salinas for the first time! (www.salinasbaby.blogspot.com) She is the new daughter of Chelsea (featured left) and Branden Salinas. They came in from Denver. If you can look closely, I am sure you will see tears. Meeting this beautiful little girl brought immediate tears!

This is my new family.. the Wade side. These are my new aunts, great aunts, cousins, parents-in-law, husband, and brother and sister-in-law. A great crew.

Becky (Mike's wonderful mom), and his rip-roarin' HIllarious cousin, Warren. You can tell they are fun. Mike's parents surprised us with Fritz's ice cream for dessert that night. If you've never had it, you must go immediately. They kicked off the wedding weekend with a great party... and it continued to be splendid from there. Stay tuned for more wedding day details.

one month!

It is hard to believe that one month ago today we were walking down this aisle for the first time as Mr. and Mrs. Wade. In the last month, we've had 10 days in Maui (pics to come), a visit by my folks, a trip to Cleveland, lots of wine, pina coladas, and wonderful conversations.

People ask me if it feels different, and of course.. not having to drive home at night feels wonderful. It is so great to go to bed and wake up in the same place. Mostly, though, being married to Mike just feels right. It is a natural fit, something it seems that I have been preparing for my whole life. Thus far, the transition has been seamless. (I will give you an update at the 2 month mark too.) Just look at how handsome he is. He is equally as 'attractive' on the inside as he is on the outside. I am a lucky wife, with an amazing man to love and cherish.

Wine, Cheese, Chocolate, and GREAT FRIENDS

Well here is the first specific post about the wedding.. we will start with pre-wedding events. Thursday night, Sept 4, people started trickling in to town. Britt, my MOH, was so gracious and wonderful, and she threw a bachelorette party at D'Vine wine boutique in downtown Clayton. The venue was perfect! I told her that I wanted something classy, without paraphenalia or people losing their clothes. She delivered!

The perfect size party. All of my dearest friends and new family members! L-R (front) Claire, me, Britt, Kim, Becca. L-R (Back) Lindsey, Jill, Ali, Becky, Jeanne

My person, my host, my MOH, my Britt.

My girls. Look at this spread of food and beautiful people!

My mother-in-law, and my mother! They are super good friends, and now they share children!

My wedding 'BLING' wine glass. Look closely behind it.. we had goat cheese, brie, Roquefort, the list goes on and on. Britt and Jeanne, you truly out did yourselves!

Me and Ethel. Britt brought in Ethel chocolates from Chicago. They had adorable pictures on them, and inside they contained liquor! The were so delicious... unfortunately one of the flower girls got in to them on the wedding day! Haha. We caught her after just a few. That was great comic relief!