Married, in a Big White Dress

It is now official… I am married. My entire wedding day was surreal. From the time I woke up and had breakfast with Ariel (it was yummy but I somewhat forced fed myself because I knew that I would need the energy) the day just flew by. He left for Jerusalem, I took a quick shower and the hair dresser and his assistant arrived. For the next 2.5 hours I sat patiently in a chair while he pulled and sprayed, pinned and coiffed my hair. When I finally looked in the mirror I was shocked by the strange woman staring back at me because I did not recognize myself in the least.

Right as the hair dresser left the make up artist (my friend Elyse) came in, along with the photographer and video guy. She was all frazzled because she was an hour late. Little did she know that I suspected she might be late and told her to come an hour early.

Throughout all of this my mother and good friends from the States were there to keep me company, make me laugh, snap lots of pictures and be with me during my last few hours as a single woman. An hour and a half later I had my make up finished, my hair still in place (not surprising with the amount of hairspray in there) and my dress on. Now all that was left was to actually get married.

I am so thankful for all of the great pictures that my friends took during my preparations, especially Erin with her knack for all things artistic, because even though I was there, I don’t really remember too much. It all happened so fast and before I knew it I was trying to cross a busy street with this big white wedding dress on.

The wedding itself was even more surreal than the hours leading up to it. Again, I saw myself going through the motions but felt like I had no control over myself. I remember ridiculous things like standing under the chuppah with Ariel trying to hold my hand and with each attempt tugged on my veil. I kept muttering “watch the veil” under my breath, but he still kept trying. I remember almost falling, numerous times from a chair that I was lifted up on during the circle dancing, hoping the photographer did not capture any of my facial expressions of trepidation. And I remember waiting for the moment when I could take my dress off and breathe deeply. I have the pictures to help remind me of everything else.

Being a bride is an experience that you see and hear lots about, but never truly understand what it means until you actually find yourself in that big white dress with a smile plastered across your face for hours on end. It was an amazing night…and I am happy that it is only once in a lifetime.

Ariel and I have 2 weddings to go to over the next few weeks and I cannot wait to be a guest and enjoy the other side of it all.