There is an undercurrent of excitement everywhere we turn. Tables being set, flowers perfectly arranged, hair curled and makeup applied. A wedding day is typically dreamed of (at least for the bride) since childhood and it seems there’s never enough time to get everything ready! So many details to think of and schedules to plan! And we want it to be perfect, just as it always has been in our dreams. Sometimes the last few hours leading up to a wedding ceremony can be stressful – so-and-so got lost and won’t make it in time; the wrong flower arrangements arrived; the hair just isn’t coming together as planned. I’ve seen it all. I had my own secret little source of stress and worry on this wedding day. I had spent the entire night before with my daughter in the Emergency room, concerned about severe abdominal pain that just wouldn’t go away. Only to find out around 5 that morning that she actually had appendicitis. She was transferred to CHOC mid morning, about an hour before I had to leave for the wedding. Thank goodness both my parents were in town to be with her at the hospital. I knew she was in good hands. But what mom can help but worry about her little one about to undergo surgery? Not to mention every wedding day I must bring my A game…and that’s a little bit harder to do when you’ve been up all night sitting in the corner of an emergency room, comforting a sick little one. But Michelle, the amazing wedding coordinator at Villa San Juan Capistrano was so helpful in keeping everything running smoothly. And the bride and her bridesmaids, who knew nothing of my inner turmoil were so laid back and easy going – nothing stressed them out, and the day was filled with joy and laughter. My wonderful 2nd shooter, Adeline was the best “right hand man” I could ask for, and even the surgical team at CHOC helped by scheduling Kate’s surgery during dinner so I could get all of my phone call authorizations done right before the ceremony (I was so worried I’d be getting a call from the surgeon just as the bride and groom said “I do.”!)
The surgery ended up going as well as could be, and I was able to return to Kate’s bedside early the next morning. The biggest challenge of the whole ordeal was because I was worried about making a mistake being so tired – I completely “overshot” this wedding -which is both a blesssing and a curse. I was very pleased with how the photos came out – everything was so beautiful! – but there are so many of them! Hence this wedding being split between 4 different blog posts {well that and there was so much beauty to capture!}. Enjoy the getting ready photos from this beautiful day!
I think the boys spent more time having fun that getting themselves ready 🙂
Wedding day preparations culminated in a beautiful private moment between the bride and the groom before bustling off for formal portraits at the Mission Jan Juan Capistrano. I love when my couples choose do to a first glance!
