Florida Wedding Weekend

Our trip to Florida for my friend's wedding was quick, but very fun.  Nothing like a wedding to bring old friends together and to meet new friends.  We planned our trip hoping for warm weather and arrived on Thursday morning.  The idea was to sit by the pool on Thursday afternoon and for a bit on Friday.  Not so much.  The high was 60ish while we were there and I sported long sleeves and jeans most of the time.
Thursday evening was free.  We hung out with one of BFFs from way back and her parents.  They wanted to gamble so we ended up at the Hard Rock Casino in Seminole.  We had an okay time.  I lost and James broke even.  It was great to hang out with them.  We laughed and reminisced and just had an overall great time.  I realize how much I miss them!
The rehearsal went well and the dinner was delish and we even got party gifts!  Golf themed stuff for James and Lilly/Florida themed stuff for me!  The wedding was so fun!  The girls spent the day getting our hair done and then chilling at the hotel getting our make up done and checking out the progress in the ballroom.  Nothing prepared me for how beautiful it would look.  The ceremony was short, but sweet and performed by the groom's uncle.  The dinner was great and the dancing was FUN!!  Overall it was a great night and we didn't return to our rooms until about 2:30AM.  We took a 4 hour nap and headed to the airport.  (Unfortunately we missed the snow in Atlanta, but we hear it was pretty).   Pictures and commentary below.

Friend and fellow bridesmaid.  I was in her wedding shortly after mine.  (We hung out with her parents, and her and her husband Thursday night.  Her parents and husband kept James busy while we were away getting ready for the wedding)

James and I (not the best picture but was the only one that showed the full length of the dress I wore to the rehearsal.  I look pregnant in it and assure I am NOT.  That was AF bloat.)

A view of the room set up for the rehearsal.  Very bright and "Florida" themed.  You can see the gift bags on each of the chairs.  James and I sat with 3 couples we did not know, but had a great time!

Getting my "hair did".  It turned out better than I thought.  You would never have known I had about 20 pins in my hair.  No picture of getting my make up done..

View from the hotel room where were getting ready....even though it was cool outside, it really did look pretty!

A picture of the chandelier in the ballroom.  I snapped this while we were checking out the set up.  If you look closely you can see me in the middle (I took the picture from under the light looking up).

The bride's dress.  (I would post pics of the bride - she looked amazing- but not sure she wants that).  The dress is Vera Wang.  The bow strap and belt with broach are custom.  The bride's gift from the groom was a pair of earrings that matched the broach - beautiful.

Another picture from the ballroom set up.  This was a lounge area that was set up next to the dance floor.

After the ceremony during the cocktail hour.  This isn't the best picture of the two of us together, but it gives you an idea of the full view of my dress (it was tight and there were spanx underneath holding it all in).  The ceremony was freezing so the first thing I found after was my wrap.  I don't usually have a "headlight" problem, but I definitely did then.  I tried to hold my flowers up high to cover "them".

Me and the dapper looking gentlemen.  The wedding was black tie and it was very fun to see everyone all dressed up!

James and I before dinner and before our camera battery died.











Overall great wedding.  I am very happy for the bride and groom!!  Can't wait to hang out with them again!!

ETA - Found a full length picture of me in my dress.  I am little embarrassed to share, but here it is anyway!