The moms walked, in the unity candle was lit, and the aisle runner was laid. It was finally time to get this show on the road! We decided to have all of the groomsmen walk in with the bridesmaids because there was just no room for them to be up front, or for them to come halfway down the aisle to meet them. So we all lined up outside in the hallway, and they entered in pairs.
First up was Katie and Russ.
Then it was Arin and Scott's turn.
After those two, Brianna and Eric followed.
And then it was onto Brittany and Joe, one of the best men and Mr. T's brothers.
And finally, the maid of honor, my sister Sam, and the other best man and Mr. T's brother, Jake.
Our pastor told us numerous times leading up to the wedding and during the rehearsal that the flower girl and ring bearer should walk in with Sam and Jake. He kept saying that they were little and they might not do so well on their own. That might be true, but that's what makes them so darn cute when they're coming down the aisle and looking for mommy or daddy. I wanted to give them the spotlight and let them walk themselves down the aisle, so I pretended to agree with him, when all along I knew we would be doing it my way. And yes, they didn't make it the whole way down, and my flower girl didn't carry her parasol, and she walked way faster than the ring bearer, but they were so cute that it didn't even matter. I wasn't expecting a perfect performance, nor did I expect them to stand at the front of the church for the entire ceremony. So they did a great job and I wouldn't have had it any other way.
I would have loved to watch them walk down the aisle, because there was some laughing and oohing going on, but I couldn't see them without stepping out into the doorway, and I wasn't ready for Mr. T to see me just yet. I think he was ready to see me though! So the organist cued up Bridal Chorus, or "Here Comes The Bride." I decided to go very traditional when I picked this song to walk into. And then it was time.
I think this might be the exact moment that I stepped into the doorway on my dad's arm. I managed to keep everything about my attire for the day a complete secret from my almost husband. He had absolutely no idea what the dress was going to look like, or how my hair was going to be done, or that I was wearing a veil in front of my face. It was all a complete surprise to him, and I'm really glad I didn't give anything away.
When I think back on my walk up the aisle, sometimes I think it went incredibly quickly, like maybe we were walking too fast, and other times I remember it taking forever. But either way, I made it to the front of the aisle where Mr. T was waiting for me.
Then it was time for my father to give me away. They came up with a great hand off the night before at the rehearsal dinner, and they made sure to practice it multiple times to get it just right. First, my dad lifted my veil over my face.
Then it was a kiss on the cheek and an "I love you Dad."
And then a handshake...
...that turned into a hug for his almost son-in-law.
And then on the release, they did a nice stealth move that placed me in Mr. T's arm.
And up to the altar we went to begin the ceremony!
Next up: The Ceremony
Unless otherwise stated, all pictures are by Brandy Swartz of
Photography by Brandy.
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