Ahhhh, you guys I’m finally back with a new Wedding Wednesday post! The last Wedding Wednesday post was right before we got married and now I’ve been Mrs. Wilkinson for almost three months. I cannot believe how fast time flies!
We got our wedding photos back in December and it was so fun to get our families together to look at them over the holidays! We surprised our families with framed wedding photos for Christmas and they were a huge hit!
Today I wanted to share some of our wedding day highlights with you! These are moments that stood out during the day of our wedding and really made the day extra special. Today I’m sharing part one (leading up to the ceremony) and next week I’ll be back to share part two (ceremony & reception). I’ll also be breaking up the day and sharing more details and photos over the next few weeks! If there’s anything specific you’d like to see or want me to share, feel free to leave a comment or email me emily@lifewithemilyblog.com 🙂
P.S. We shared exclusive photos & wedding details with The Knot & you can see the feature HERE!
WEDDING DAY HIGHLIGHTS PART I
GETTING READY WITH MY GIRLS
Waking up on our wedding day was so surreal. I couldn’t believe the day was finally here and I was getting to marry the love of my life. My friend Kate and I stayed in the “Ready or Knot” suite at our venue the night before and it was so nice to be able to wake up and not have to pack up or go anywhere. I couldn’t wait for everyone to get there to start the celebrations!
My bridesmaids, mom, stepmom & mother in law joined in the suite at 10:30 to start getting ready for the day. Before everything got crazy, I took each mom aside privately and gave them their special gifts & a note I had written. Each moment was so special and sweet. Then I gave all of my bridesmaids their gifts and notes I had written for them. I’ll make sure I do a whole post about the gifts I gave everyone on the day of our wedding! We all had the best time laughing, crying & celebrating together. Having all of my favorite women in one room was so wonderful. We even created a fun “Wedding Morning” playlist on Spotify that we danced and sipped mimosas to all day! I can’t wait to share more getting ready photos & details with y’all!
WEARING MY GRANDMOTHER’S EARRINGS
During my second dress fitting I brought a few accessories with me to try on with my dress. I tried on a few pair of earrings before pulling out a pair of earrings that had been my grandmother’s. As soon as I put them on my mom & I knew they were *the* ones! It was really special to be able to have part of my grandmother with me throughout my wedding day. I kept it a secret from my dad until my first look with him & he was so happy that I was able to honor his mom during this special day.
EXCHANGING NOTES WITH NICK
Since Nick and I opted to not do a first look, we chose to exchange notes with each other before the ceremony. I knew the day would be a bit crazy, so I wrote my note in my phone the day before that way I could make sure everything made sense and I said exactly what I wanted to say. I’m so glad I did this because even just copying the note from my phone to the card made me break down crying numerous times!!! My bridesmaid, Jenn, helped with exchanging of the notes (and I love that photo of her & Nick!)
Nick’s note to me was so incredibly heartfelt. The whole time I was reading it I could hear his voice in my head and it made me smile from ear to ear. I couldn’t help but tear up while reading it. Luckily he knows I’m a total cry baby, so he threw some funny pieces in there as well! Once I was finished reading his note Jenn said, “ok are you ready for your other card?” I was so confused. She handed me another card that was addressed “to my future wife” and my tears started flowing before I even opened it. Reading that note made me fall even more in love with him and excited to see him waiting at the end of the aisle. He also wrote a note to my mom & stepmom. In one of the photos below you can see all three of us reading them (and crying!)
In addition to Nick’s note I gave him, I gave him a watch and a notebook. In the notebook, I kept a countdown to our wedding. Each day I would write how many days were left until “I do” and jot down my thoughts or special moments that happened that day. He was so surprised when I gave it to him after our rehearsal dinner. It was such a fun way to document that season of our life & it will be something we can look back on for years to come.
FIRST LOOKS WITH MY DAD & STEPDAD
I am blessed to have two wonderful men in my life and I wanted to make sure that I saw them prior to the ceremony. Leading up to our wedding day I was worried about crying (like I said above, I’m a total crier) but I knew without a doubt that I would cry during my first looks with my dad and stepdad. As soon as I met eyes with my dad we both immediately started crying. It was such a precious moment that I am so grateful for and that I will never forget. I only had a quick chance to dry my eyes before my stepdad was walking out for his first look! There were plenty more tears shed, but a few laughs too! Having those moments with them really helped ease my nerves a bit (and helped get out my tears haha!)
WEDDING DRESS: WATTERS AZALEA DRESS | EARRINGS: GRANDMOTHER’S | SHOES: STUART WEITZMAN | WHITE ROBE: PLUM PRETTY SUGAR c/o | BRIDESMAID’S ROBES: PLUM PRETTY SUGAR | BRIDESMAID DRESSES: WTOO BY WATTERS | BRIDE & GROOM CARDS: MARRYGRAMS | FATHER’S SUITS: J.CREW | FATHER’S TIES: THE TIE BAR | VENUE: PROXIMITY HOTEL | PHOTOGRAPHY: ALEXA’S PHOTOGRAPHY | HAIR & MAKEUP: CARLA WHITE BEAUTY | EVENT PLANNING: CARLY MARIE EVENTS | FLORAL: ABBA DESIGN | VIDEOGRAPHY: WHITEWASH FILMS |
Thanks so much for stopping by! I’m excited to share more wedding details & photos with y’all! Don’t forget if there’s anything you want to see, let me know!
Emily! I know I have said it but everything was simply stunning! Even just the first photo on this post, you’re glowing. I cannot wait to see more posts but this is all so so special!
omg emily. I’m over here tearing up like a baby. you look gorgeous and these are such special moments you’re sharing!! Can’t wait for more!
xx,
Lauren
Lauren Elyce
These photos are stunning! Congratulations! Loved the beading on your dress.
xo Jessica
http://www.whatsfordinneresq.com
What a beautiful wedding day! Your dress is so pretty and I love your bridesmaids dresses too! Congratulations, it looks dreamy!!
XOXO
Cathy
You look so incredibly beautiful!! Congrats on your marriage!
so beautiful i LOVE your dress and those earrings. they look perfect for that dress, and obviously it’s extra special bc of them being your grandmother’s. i thought i missed the wedding posts! glad i didn’t!
b
Such a special day Emily, you looked absolutely stunning! I went back to NC for a wedding at the Proximity in December, and it was such a great place for a winter wedding.
Wow, your photos turned out amazing! I love all the photos of your getting ready time with the girls. The bodice on your dress is stunning.
You look gorgeous and these pictures are amazing!!!
I have loved following your story from the day I met you at the studio until today! Your wedding is one that little girls dream of and other women are envious of. Thank you for sharing such intimate parts of your life with us. ❤️
Congratulation Both. Love your dress.
Oh my gosh these photos are absolutely beautiful! You look so stunning!
Emily, your wedding photos are AMAZING!! Thanks for sharing some of your wedding day highlights. I can’t wait to see part 2!
xo, Laura
These are soooo beautiful babe!! Gorgeous photos; looks like the most perfect day!
Kileen
cute & little
omg these are beautiful!!! makes me want to get married again!! <3
Like a fairytale! You look beautiful!! Congrats!! XO
Emily I just love your dress 👗 and all of the wedding 👰 photos they were gorgeous. So were you.
oh em this is just precious! I loved reading about your day! this is all just so precious!
xo!
Shelby
I’m literally choking back tears from those pictures of you with your dad and step dad! How precious! Keep the Wedding Wednesday posts coming!
This is such a sweet post! I love seeing all the details of you getting ready for your wedding!
Liz
Those photos with you and your dads make me want to cry! So sweet!
Megan | http://www.pipmegan.com
Oh my goodness, this is such a beautiful post! I love hearing you tell this story, it made me think back to my wedding day & the excitement of it all! You look absolutely stunning in every picture!
This is such a beautiful post!! Such a special day, full of special moments captured. You look so stunning!!!
Kileen
Seriously the most precious and beautiful wedding photos! xx
Ok I’m crying now! This post brought me back to our wedding day and to those moments before the church doors opened and I was standing there with my dad crying my eyes out like a baby! Em you look so beautiful and I’m so happy for you and Nick!
xo, Sara
Aren’t those some of the most precious moments leading up to the ceremony!!?? Thank you so much sweet friend! XO
Fantastic photos from your special day!
These photos are beyond stunning. What a beautiful day! Love the color of your bridesmaid dresses.
-Tristan