Leah and Matt Get Married

Congratulations to the newlyweds!

Yesterday was such an amazing day full of love, family, friends, laughter, excitement and FUN.

The day began at 9 a.m. with hair appointments for all of the bridesmaids and the bride. After talking with the stylist who was going to do my hair and showing her all of the updo inspiration photos I printed off, I decided to go with the Carmen Electra look. I knew my hair would be a game time decision.

We all met up at Mario Tricocci, a salon located in Schaumburg to have our hair done before heading back to Leah’s parents’ house to do our make up, get dressed and eat lunch.

I felt like everything happened so fast! One minute I was walking around talking to the other bridesmaids as they had their hair done and the next minute I was watching my best friend walk down the aisle toward her smiling groom.

The energy in Leah’s parents’ house as we primped and changed was absolutely bursting. Everyone was so excited and full of anticipation.

Once the photographer arrived, it was time for Leah to slip into her dress.

Everyone headed upstairs after Leah’s dad had a chance to see his youngest daughter in her dress (he waited until the day of her wedding to see it!) and we all were absolutely blown away with how incredibly beautiful she looked. Leah’s hair and makeup only enhanced her natural beauty and she was an absolutely radiant bride.

Leah and Matt’s wedding ceremony took place at 2:30 p.m. at the church that both of their families have attended all of their lives. As we all piled into a bus to head to the ceremony site, we could tell Leah’s nerves started kicking in. It was finally time!

I made sure to see Ryan for a brief moment before the ceremony so he could grab my camera and snap photos of Leah and Matt exchanging vows.

At 2:30 p.m. on the dot, the bridesmaids gave Leah one last excited hug and lined up to walk down the aisle.

I was a little nervous about walking in my clunky heels, but I managed to make it down the aisle without tripping… and with a ginormous smile on my face. I could not stop smiling!

When the music changed, the butterflies in my stomach intensified and I felt the tears in my eyes start to flow as Leah walked down the aisle arm-in-arm with her parents.

They were beaming!

The ceremony was a full Catholic mass that focused on marriage, love, loyalty, kindness and family. It was perfect and very appropriate for the bride and groom.

My favorite part of the ceremony was a surprise Leah and Matt planned for their parents. They had both of their parents stand up and they blessed them and, following the blessing, the pastor told their fathers that they could “kiss their brides.”

Both Leah and Matt’s parents are still happily married, and all of their grandparents remained married all of their lives. That is such a rarity nowadays and I think it was really neat that Leah and Matt recognized how sacred marriage is in their families. I know they will follow in the footsteps of their parents.

Once the ceremony was over, we walked back down the aisle ready to enjoy a fun night with the bride and groom!

Stay tuned for a recap of the post-ceremony and reception fun!!!