Officially a Mrs.! :)

I'm so excited to finally say, I am Mrs. Joshua Saenz!!

Our wedding day was the most perfect day ever. I finally married my best friend and the love of my life. We are overjoyed with happiness and enjoying every second of married life. Here are the details from the big day...
That morning I woke up with the best feeling in the world. The BIG day was finally here! We began make up and hair around 8am! The day was great. My mom had cooked breakfast and we had mimosas and fruit too! I spent the day with my mom, mother in law, and nine bridesmaids. We enjoyed laughing and telling stories all day! Although, I was having so much fun with them, I was preoccupied with thoughts of the wedding and how excited I was to see Josh as I walked down the aisle to him!! Once hair and make up were done, it was time to head to the church!! Eeekkk! :)
We arrived at the church and an overwhelming feeling came over me. I was trying not to become emotional, but I knew it was coming. I got dressed and felt like a bride!! :) Josh and I wanted to take a picture where we were on opposite sides of a wall, but didn't see each other before the wedding. That was super fun and made me even more anxious for the big moment. As we held hands standing on opposite sides of the building, we squeezed each other's hands tightly and I knew we were both nervous, anxious, and oh so ready to say "I Do"!
Next up was the time when I would see my dad for the first time in my dress. He had been so emotional leading up to the day and I knew I'd be the same once we saw each other. The photographer asked him to stand at the end of the aisle, with his back turned to me. She wanted me to walk down and tap him on the shoulder. As I began walking down the aisle, tears filled my eyes. I tapped him on the shoulder, and he said, "I can't do it, I can't turn around.", as he cried. I gave him a big hug and we held each other and cried. He told me how proud he was of me, and how beautiful I looked. This moment was so emotional between a daddy and his little girl. Next he gave me a beautiful, amethyst, emerald cut ring to symbolize my "something blue".
After all the tears were through, we were able to begin pictures and preparing for the ceremony, which was just a little over an hour away. Once pictures were taken, we went up to the balcony to hide out until the ceremony. We didn't want to take any chances of Josh and I running into each other before the wedding. After what seemed like forever, it was finally time to begin. While standing outside the door, my bridesmaids and I said a prayer and were ready to go. One by one they walked in, and I was so excited it was my turn was next. Just before walking out, my dad said, "I better get one more hug and kiss before I give you away to him". I promised I would.

As the organ began to play "Here Comes the Bride", the church doors opened and I locked eyes with my groom. I began to cry tears of joy as I looked into the crowd of people there to support our union. But the most important view, was Josh awaiting his bride. His lip quivered and he gave me the nod of approval as I walked down. I will never forget his face. We stared at each other and I knew now more than ever, I had found the one for whom I would love the rest of my life. After my dad gave me away, Josh and I joined hands and said "I Do"! We prayed, then Lisa Copeland, my friend and bridesmaid, sang Addison Road's "Hope Now" beautifully as we lit the Unity Candle to symbolize the union of our lives and families. During the lighting and song, Josh and I were finally able to talk to each other for the first time all day. After the song, it was time for the big kiss. Brother Clint looked at Josh and said, "You may kiss your bride"! Josh dipped me as we kissed for the very first time as husband and wife! :) We were introduced as Mr. and Mrs. Josh Saenz, then heading down the aisle to "Farmer's Daughter", which was a surprise for my dad. After the ceremony, we took lots of pictures, then headed to 1899 Farmhouse for the reception!

The venue looked amazing. Everything came together perfectly! We were ready to dance and enjoy the night as husband and wife with friends and family!! Our first dance was "When You Got a Good Thing" by Lady Antebellum. Next up was our toast from Alan, Amber, and Jacob. They each had a unique way of congratulating us on our nuptials! After the toasts, we mingled, enjoyed a song specifically for us by the mariachi band, took pictures in the photo booth, danced, and enjoyed seeing all our closest friends and family come together to celebrate. The night was perfect!! We had so much fun! My bouquet toss was to the song, "Country Girls Shake it for Me" by Luke Bryan and my cousin, Julie, caught/slid into the bouquet! Josh's garter toss song was "Moves Like Jaggar" by Adam Levine, and Aaron Carr, my high school friend, caught the garter! We danced one last time to "God Gave Me You" by Dave Barnes, as everyone lit sparklers and prepared for us to leave in our "Just Married" painted car! Off we went as husband and wife for the very first time!! :)

Happily Married,
THE Hope Saenz :)