Wedding Sparks by Carolyn & Alan: It's Time: Getting Ready

How did I choose the "It's Time" as a theme for the recaps. If any of you are Steel Magnolia fans you will remember the part just before Shelby (Julia Roberts) walks down the aisle she says "Daddy, it's time" and he asks "what" and she repeats "its time" and he says "oh...IT'S TIME"...I love that part!

We wanted to be traditional on our day and not see each other until I walked down the aisle. We decided that on the day of the wedding we really wanted to relax, hang out with our friends and family and have no stress.

Mr. AC decided that he, his groomsmen, his sister and a few other friends would hike at one of our most favorite locations in the mountains of NC. The place is called the Hebron Rock Colony and it is absolutely the most beautiful place in the world. Mr. AC really wanted to sky dive but I nixed that plan! From all accounts the hike was great and they had a wonderful time.

(Image by Mr. AC)

My bridesmaids, bridesman and I all decided to hang out before the wedding. We decided that we didn't want to go ANYWHERE. Our wedding was held at the Banner Elk Winery and we stayed at the winery in the Blueberry Villa. The villa was so beautiful and it was huge!

(image by the amazing Anna Naphtali Photography)

We all had our own rooms and they were so beautiful. We were able to really treat the place like it was our own home! (I made signs for each of the doors!)

(image by the amazing Anna Naphtali Photography)

Our hair team (an family friend of one of my bridesmaids) came to us. They set up a mini salon in the villa and it was perfect. So...a little note about me...I didn't decide about what I would do to my hair until the day of the wedding. It was a little stressful but honestly I just wanted to worry about other details and DIY projects so I sort of put my hair on the back burner. I am really lucky because I have super curly hair that I can keep either curly or straight. I decided on the wedding morning that I would go with straight hair but add curls to it.

(Sister AC (MOH) and BM Morgann getting makeup on!)
(image by the amazing Anna Naphtali Photography)

(My sister did my makeup! Saved money and was great!)
(image by the amazing Anna Naphtali Photography)

(Hair and makeup double duty!)
(image by the amazing Anna Naphtali Photography)

The guys were at their cabin getting ready. Sweet Mr. AC wrote me a note and I love that there was a picture taken of him writing. It sounds like they started their morning out with a drink and cigar! I guess that is what guys do :)

(picture by brother in law)

Once my hair and makeup was finished I was so excited to get my veil on and get the show started!

(image by the amazing Anna Naphtali Photography)

When it was time to put on the dress I knew it would be quite the task. One of the things about handmade, custom dresses is that they need work right until the moment you put the dress on. This was definetly the case. My sister (and team) had to sew me in. But it was really fun seeing these pictures of them getting me into the dress!