so where did we leave off? oh yes, i was in the midst of wedding planning. geez, i'm glad i never have to do that again. i do not recommend planning a wedding while in law school...and if you can't get around that, at least don't try to have a job, transfer schools, and move across the country while planning said wedding. all stress aside, my wedding was everything i wanted it to be and more. i think the best part was that all 38 wedding attendants (yes, 38. 13 bridesmaids, 13 groomsmen, 7 honorary attendants, and 5 ushers) not only got along with each other the entire weekend, but left the weekend with 38 new best friends. i have heard over and over again from not only the wedding party, but other guests at the wedding that they have never seen two groups (my friends and erik's friends) mesh so well and have so much fun together. we are already planning a wedding reunion weekend with everyone next December in Starkville! the weekend started on Thursday night, when a bunch of the out of town members of the wedding party (which was most of the wedding party) got into Starkville. We hit the ground running with BBQ at my parents' house and then out in the Cotton District. Friday was full of last minute wedding stuff for Erik and I, and the rehearsal was pure chaos. Needless to say, the cocktail hour before the Rehearsal Dinner was much appreciated. The Rehearsal Dinner was amazing- so many hilarious and tear-jerking toasts by our best friends, a beautiful atmosphere, and legit food (fried chicken, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, green beans. a true southern meal for the Texas guests). Everyone once again hit the town after dinner, but Erik had to get me home before midnight (so he wouldn't see me on our "wedding day!") and I learned the next day that we missed quite the afterparty. I was just glad to get some good sleep! The Wedding Day STILL feels like a blur. I can't wait to get the photos and video from the wedding so that I can actually remember what went on that day! We had a bridal brunch the morning of, given by my MOHs and their moms. It was delicious and preciously decorated...the perfect way to start the day! Then off to the church to get ready and take photos before the wedding. Still don't remember much of all that. Then the ceremony- we even forgot to say "I do"....but I am told that the marriage is still official. :) Fast forward to the Reception...my favorite part of the entire weekend. We had it at a Lodge outside of Starkville, and in my personal opinion, it was the prettiest reception I've ever seen. Very rustic romantic. I don't think I left the dancefloor all night once the band started playing. Never ate, missed talking to alot of guests (that I so wish i would have seen/spent some time with!), but man did I tear up that dancefloor. Me and Erik both LOVE to dance, so it was inevitable that it would happen. I managed to somehow spill red wine on my dress, break my bustle, and change shoes 3 times before the end of the night. The most vivid part of my wedding for me was getting in the limo as we left the reception and looking at Erik and saying, "that was the best wedding I've ever been to!" It truly was the best day/night of my life so far.
bridal brunch- most of the girls
awesome bridesmaids
The rest of the holidays included a mini-honeymoon to Memphis, TN for the week before Christmas (our big honeymoon is in March- we are going to Kaui, Hawaii!)....we stayed at the Marriot a few nights and then moved to the Peabody for our last 2 nights...it was so much fun. We slept in, watched tons of movies, ate every few hours, and explored downtown and even made a trip to Germantown, where Erik lived as a kid. We got back to Mississippi on Christmas Eve and spent Christmas with my family. Of course, Christmas now revolves around what Jack Thomas (my precious nephew) thinks about everything....and i am totally okay with that. The best part of Christmas was waking up on Christmas morning, looking out my window, and seeing SNOW pouring down! I immediately rolled over and woke up Erik so he could see it, and we both got so excited! My first Christmas with my husband- a memory I will never forget.
jack thomas' first Christmas. how adorable is he!?
The day after Christmas, we packed up and headed home to San Anton. I have spent the past two weeks unpacking a bazillion boxes, attempting to cook for Erik, and learning my way around the city. I have quickly discovered that San Antonio has the best shopping I have ever experienced. You name a store, and SA has it, somewhere in this town. Dangerous. My mom is coming to stay with me next weekend while Erik goes to a bachelor party....I can't wait to hit the stores with her!
