A few memories & a sneak peak

I still remember the first time I put on my wedding dress like it was yesterday. 

Jonathan and I had been engaged for about two weeks and I had come home for the weekend to show off my ring and to do a little wedding dress shopping. That Saturday, my mom and I walked into our chosen Bridal shop to look for THE DRESS. I was lost in a sea of white. You could say it was a type of heaven...nearly wedded bliss! After showing a few pictures to the sales associate, we pulled about 10 dresses and tramped happily to the fitting rooms. 

Somehow or another, one with a silver broach called to me to be the first pick. Lovely fitted satin encompassed me in feelings of happiness. As soon as I stepped up onto the platform, it hit me:

"This is really happening. I'm getting married!" 

Ah, there was something so special about that dress. I tried on all different types of dresses: frilly, lace, organza, ball-gown, A-line, flowing...you name it. Still, I could help but to be drawn back to that beautiful mermaid-style gown. 

It was perfect.

By the end of the day I had already made up my mind. I certainly didn't need to try on 100 different gowns. I knew. This was it. A few weeks later I came back to get my sister's approval and make the first payment. I had started saving about 6 months prior and was very excited to be spending my own money on such a special item!

Soon 7 months of engagement had expired and May 22, 2010 had finally come! I was slipping into my wedding dress on our wedding day! I have never felt more beautiful in my entire life. I still remember the moment when my eyes first locked with my beloved that day. It was a day of pure satisfaction, bliss, elation and joy.

Although my dress was certainly a big part of that special day, it is not what I cherish most. I am very glad to be passing it on now to be a part of someone else's special day. I truly could not be more excited to be putting it to good use! 

Still, I wanted to do something in honor of "the passing of hands." This past Friday, my good friend Cassidy took some "bridal" pictures for me. I didn't do a bridal shoot before our wedding and I knew I wanted to do something of the like before I parted with it. I was actually on the way home from work when the thought hit me, "I may never put my dress on again after tomorrow. I need some pictures!"(Keep in mind that I hadn't even packed for our trip to visit my family yet...and we were planning on leaving 2 hours after I got off!) Fortunately, I have a very talented friend who just so happened to be available for some spontaneous fun! After we were finished, I seriously threw stuff into our suitcase and packed up the car to leave. It was close, but I managed to fit it all in and wash the dishes! 

Here is a little sneak peak from the shoot:

There will be more to come!!!