In the few bits of spare time I’ve had over the past couple of weeks, I’ve started my wedding scrapbook. I have greatly enjoyed looking through the great pics our photographer took and reliving that great day. I’m so glad I married a guy who knows how to have fun. He definitely teaches me not to take life so seriously.

I remembered that my wedding photographer was not the only one who had shots from that day. My dutiful bridesmaids had snapped pics while we were getting ready and had captured some memorable moments that my photographer simply was not around for.

Like this story.

I woke up the morning of my wedding having gotten just enough sleep to feel rested. I know I had been awake for awhile the night before, butterflies and excitement about the upcoming day keeping me awake. I threw on some shorts and a t-shirt and quietly slipped out of the guest house I was staying in, trying not to wake my two sleeping bridesmaids. I took a peaceful walk down the nature trail nearby, relishing in the quiet and getting giddy over the fact that I was actually getting married in just a few hours. Everyone I passed, I wanted to shout out, “IT’S MY WEDDING DAY!!!!” I refrained.

I returned to the guest house and slipped into the shower. When I emerged from the bathroom, Emily and Jessica were awake and brewing coffee. They excitedly greeted me good morning, with shouts of “You’re getting married!” We finished getting ready, and gathering our bags for the day, we walked to the car to drive to the salon.

I allowed myself to be pampered as my hair and makeup were done. Then we marched next door to The Coffee Pub, my place of employment at the time. I had asked for permission to change in the office upstairs, to save time, and so we could go straight to pictures. I think I remember Drew calling me while I was being slipped into and tied up in my dress. A coworker stood downstairs, singing, “Going to the Chapel” while washing dishes. We finished and walked downstairs, my sister being oh so careful to keep my train lifted and out of any stray coffee grinds.

Stopping at the register, I pretended to buy a cup of coffee (my nerves wouldn’t let me drink any coffee that day), and got a much needed photo op.

Weeks after my wedding, I had customers say to me, “Weren’t you in a white dress the last time I saw you?” Ah, what a great story.

But it doesn’t end there.

We hopped in the car, this time with me stuffed into the back seat and Jessica at the wheel. We were on our way to get pictures done and I was just enjoying the ride, basking in the glory that is my wedding day, when for whatever reason I lifted my right arm.

“I forgot to shave one of my armpits!!!” I shrieked from the backseat.

For some odd reason, my scatterbrained bridal brain had only shaved one armpit that morning. Not a huge deal, and it wasn’t too much hair, but it was still noticeable. I wanted to say, “Don’t worry about it, I’ll be fine,” but all of a sudden it was a HUGE problem. I would have spent the entire day like I was in one of those Sure/unsure deodorant commercials. Jess and Em realized that, and with no eye rolling or sighs of frustration, they offered a solution. Jess pulled off into a parking lot and Em bolted from the passenger side and to the trunk, rummaging through my luggage and emerging with my toiletry bag. She brought it to me, I found my razor, and did a quick dry shave.

And what did Jessica do? Like any good bridesmaid should, she snapped a picture.

Yes, she helped me forever immortalize that embarrassing moment.

Aw, heck, I would have done the same. And now it’s for sure going into my wedding scrapbook. It makes me laugh every time I think about it.

Thanks Jess!