Grujii to Fujii: Perfection II - The Big Day (7.17.10)

Me the morning of...
Super excited!!

I woke up at 6:30 the morning of my wedding. I set my alarm for 8:00 a.m., but my body was clearly too excited to sleep any longer! I called my mom's room - she sounded awake...don't know if she was! I needed to go and get some tums (my stomach was going bananas...) and some stuff for snacking for my girls! We walked across the street to Safeway, and picked up some pastries and of course, OJ and champagne. What is a good wedding morning without a mimosa? That's my theory at least!

Wedding day massage? Yes please!

Once the girls got up and got some breakfast, we had about an hour before the first hair appointment. We headed up to the pool (with our OJ and champagne) and set out to relax for a bit. I am super lucky, because one of my bridesmaids, Mira, is a masseuse and gave me some heavenly back rubbing by the pool. It was very relaxing, and just what I needed. We sat by the pool, me snacking on tums, playing a question game and chatting, for about an hour. The perfect way to start the perfect day!

Then the hair appointments started! I have a regular stylist who does wedding day hair, so I was glad to have someone I knew pretty well with me on the big day. We were in the styling process for 3 hours - 2 girls each hour. Thank goodness we had a big bathroom with plenty of room!! Everyone of my girls looked so amazing - they look that way every day. But they looked especially amazing on our wedding day!

The flowers also arrived at the hotel and looked AMAZING!! Our "reverend" Brian flew his cousin in from LA, and she did our bouquets for us, so that Jack didn't overdo it! They were exactly what I wanted and looked amazing. So bright and simple - just what I had envisioned! Thank you Megan!!!

Then, it was all easy breezy from there! All of the girls were there, getting ready and beautified, and we were having a great time! Here are some random pics from our getting ready!!

Kristin is a secret professional at doing my makeup - it looked perfect!
Love you Boog!

Hotties!!!

Beauties!!!

Me with my MOH!!

The hair!

The most amazing helper!!!

After our hair was done, the photographer arrived and we started with that! I had such a great time, and adore our photographer, Frederick, a fellow Gaucho. He was very easy to work with, and had some fun ideas for fun shots. The hotel we stayed at was beautiful and had some great settings - a cool retro mirror, metallic beads, couches, stairs, balconies, etc. It was funny while I was posing for some of the photos, I was right in front of the main elevators. About five people got off the elevators and freaked out - thinking they were somehow on the wrong floor and had invaded this private moment. Pretty funny! Some of them were friends, and it was fun to see them before the big stroll! I will be sure to post the link to our photos once he is finished touching them up!

I am going to love this one! Love all the colors!

We hopped in Mike's car (driven by my sister) and headed toward the venue. We were early (just my style) and so we hung out for a bit in the bridal salon, waiting for people to arrive, and for five o' clock to come! Kristin D. arrived with an assortment of random snacks for us (deli meat, potato chips, Funyuns, you name it!) We hung out and told stories and laughed for about an hour and a half. Many great girly moments. It seemed like forever, but finally Marcia came in and told us to get ready. The maids walked out first, and then she came back with my dad for our grand entrance. It is hard to describe the feeling of that moment. Excitement, disbelief, bliss - all of it, all at once. It is surreal - beyond surreal. I mean, I have been imagining that moment for such a long time, and it was happening. It was unreal, and wonderful.

We walked out of the salon, and waited under the carport for the musician to play my song. I think it took a little long and I was standing there awkwardly waiting for him to have his grand finale - looking at Mike, everyone looking at me - it was weird. I was so ready to go!! I tried to remember what the planner had told me, walk slowly, take your time, hold your bouquet here...It all went out the window. I was trying to take everything in, but who wants to be thinking about all of that stuff when you are walking down the aisle? I had my eyes on the prize, and was just trying not to trip. The ceremony was awesome, and short and sweet. Brian did a great job of making it personal, and special for us. I was trying to stay "present" in the moment - take it all in. The sake ceremony was interesting - Mike and I forgot to pre-soak the sake cups (made of wood) and so there were quite a few gaps - hence, sake shower. Oh well. That was a special touch, and Steven did a great job, especially considering he emailed us the day before, wondering what he was supposed to say!! Here are some of my favorite shots so far...

Then, it was time to party!! Well, after taking photos that is...Frederick was blessedly quick with our family shots - we wanted people to be able to get to the food and drink (it was really hot!!) We had some couples shots in the vineyard, and out by the beautiful gate - all with a waiter following us around with a tray of appetizers! Between poses we would stuff our face quickly, take a sip of champagne, and then smile! Hopefully Frederick can photoshop any food in our teeth!! Then, Mike and I had about 20 minutes of private time in the bridal salon. He had bought a special bottle of champagne for us, and we sat and talked and enjoyed a private selection of appetizers - they were SO good!!!

From there, the speeches, the dances, the photo booth, the partying - everything was a dream. We couldn't have asked for anything better, anything different, any more of an exceptional night than we had.