The Day Before the Wedding...

began as a typically hot and humid Houston morning, but it was no ordinary morning for us! Husby and I decided that we wanted our families (both immediate and extended) to be together in one room to meet each other. It was so much fun! We met at La Madeleine for breakfast and fellowship.

Two wonderful women, J and A at breaksfast!

Shortly after that, my bridesmaids and I went for pedis followed by lunch at one of my favorite Mexican restaurants, Guadalajara.

My bridesmaids, mom, and me.

We met at the church at 5pm for the rehearsal.

I was really happy with how the church looked. One of my mom's friends made all of the bows and the big flower spray on the altar.

Brian's cousin carried this white Bible down the aisle when she got married. She was so sweet to offer it to me if I wanted it for my wedding, so we had it on the altar with the bread and wine for communion.

Dad walking me down the aisle.

Mom got a little teary.

Dad and me.

Jilly and Catchy practicing their duet, "Shine on Us". They sounded beautiful!

Musical selections.

Our ring bearer and flower girl looking none too excited about their posts. They eventually warmed up to them, though. They even danced with each other at the reception...so cute! Our ring bearer is Husby's nephew, and after Brian and I got married, he kept coming up to me saying, "Hi Aunt Starshine!" Love him!!!

My Dad with his side of the family: My cousin MB on the front right with her handsome husband and sons. The four of them read scripture together during the ceremony.

My mother-in-law, J, hosted a wonderfully festive rehearsal dinner at the Grotto Italian Restaurant. It was so much fun because we had a whole room to ourselves! It was decorated with Venician-themed frescos painted on the walls--a very jovial environment.

Husby with his brother and one very buxom Italian woman in the background.

Husby and I with our minister (and dear friend).

The food was delish~love a good dessert!

Mom, me and my MIL showing off the gams!

Mom and her brother.

My MIL and I sharing a tender moment at the end of the evening. You can see by my red nose that there had been a few tears (all of joy) that evening!

Feeling the love.

Some of our close friends gave the kindest toasts to our marriage that night. The things people said were very touching. It was especially moving to hear Husby's friends talk about what a man of character and integrity he is. Those were things I already knew about him, but still--those are just the kind of things a bride likes to hear about her groom the night before they marry.