{bachelorette party cupcakes}
I know I don’t need to keep talking about how crazy this summer has been. But seriously. IT HAS BEEN CRAZY. If this summer were a family member, it would be the aunt who has lipstick on her teeth and a bird in her hat that may or may not be faux. She has runs in her patterned hose and falls asleep each night beneath her blanket of cats. HAVE I MADE MY POINT YET?
Good. Now where was I?
Ah yes. Crazy summer. Besides making the decision to go back to school, studying for and taking the GRE, and obtaining my PhD in moving, I also was a bridesmaid in two weddings. All while working a full-time job. I am a professional juggler, y’all.
The first wedding was June 11th. My childhood BFF got married in the breezy city of Chicago, where apparently “summer” is a very loose term and can also mean “really windy and cold.” I was unprepared for such temperatures and had to borrow a sweater from a fellow bridesmaid. Oh LfT, when will you learn that there actually are states where the temperatures aren’t in the triple digits all summer?
I was able to go up a couple of days early to help with wedding preparation and spend some quality time with the bride. Which was fantastic, because she fed me Chicago dogs and deep dish pizza. Good thing there was a little extra room in my bridesmaid dress.
The wedding was in a cool little church outside the city with tons of character. I loved how laid-back Julie was about the whole process. The rehearsal was right before the wedding, and the reception was in an Italian restaurant with a cool vibe and some seriously good food. Our bridesmaids dresses didn’t match, and she didn’t freak out about anything. If only all brides could be like that!
Here we are, walking into the church. Notice my giant pink planner. I was a prepared Matron-of-Honor and took my job quite seriously, even when it meant making a schedule on 4 hours of sleep or getting up at 5am to do the bride’s hair and makeup. I was committed to the cause.
This is what 12 years of friendship looks like.
Here are the pictures that the photographer captured of me giving my speech. I was so nervous, but I love that these photos only show how happy I was for my friend. I love that girl!
And here they are, the married couple!
Isn’t my friend the prettiest?!
The trip was entirely too short, but I was so glad I made it up there to see them get married and be a part of their big day. Julie and Ryan, I wish you nothing but the best! Congratulations.
Comments on A Chicago-Style Wedding
From Deanna Ogle:
The bride and her dress are both gorgeous!
Also, that bridesmaid dress is awesome. It’s not over the top and you look great in it. What colors were the wedding?
You are an incredibly busy lady. Just make sure to take some time out to have a glass of wine and breath for a few minutes once and a while so you don’t totally lose your mind. But after two weddings, working full-time, moving and getting your PhD… You seem to be managing all of that just fine on your own. :)
From Kelly:
ummm…can you do my hair and makeup at my wedding?!
From Heather:
It is a very cold summer here in June!! :-) Looks like a fun wedding and ya’ll are toooooo pretty.
From Ali:
The bride is stunning and your dress is very pretty too!! You don’t look nervous giving that speech at all!
From Katie:
like the pictures!
From Julie:
Aww, this post made me tear up!! Thanks for being a KICK-BUTT m.o.h and for helping make my day SO special. I couldn’t have asked the Lord for a better friend these 12 years!!!
From Suburban Sweethearts:
Love those bridesmaid dresses! I have faced the sad reality that I don’t think I’ll ever get to be a Maid/Matron of Honor. My best friend got married two years ago & chose another friend as her MOH, & I’m sisterless, & I just can’t imagine the time will come, which makes me sad, if only because I think I would give a killer speech. :)
From CookinwVictoria:
Gorgeous wedding!!!! That is amazing that you two are still so close :) She was a beautiful bride! :)
From Amanda:
I once went to Pittsburgh in the middle of summer, packed only summer clothes, and then ended up having to buy like like sweaters and some long sleeved shirts. Ridiculous. I like my summers summery, thank you very much. (THEY DON’T EVEN TURN ON THE AC. They just open windows. It was THAT cold.)
From Sarah:
I skimmed the photos prior to reading… and thought to myself: “there is that token pink planner under her arm…” :)
From Stephany:
I want to be like your friend when my day comes, but I worry I will become a Bridezilla. I’m just not good when it comes to thinks like this. :) Congrats to your friend!