B+C: The Leadup

We kicked off the wedding week of one of my dearest friends with a lakeside shower in Tuscaloosa.

 It was so great to get to spend a little downtime with the beautiful bride and her maids before the whirlwind of the wedding weekend.

I was both anxious and nervous about seeing Tuscaloosa in its post-tornado state.  

I'd seen so many pictures and heard so many accounts of the devastation, some straight from the bride, whose home was destroyed in the storm.  I wanted to see it in person, and yet, I knew it would be awful.  

And it was.  It was really, horribly, sickeningly terrible to see whole neighborhoods leveled and only rubble left, where homes and businesses once stood.  So many people's lives.

But there is beauty still.  

A mother and daughter who refused to let an awful storm dampen their spirits.  Who were determined that, despite the tornado, there would still be a beautiful wedding and a fabulous reception at the bride's family home.  Who fished wedding shoes out of rubble.  Who cleared and replanted whole forests' worth of trees in time for guests to dance the night away underneath them.  Who did all those last minute wedding to-do's {plus all the many more to-do's that would result under the circumstances} without a phone or internet connection.  And kept on smiling and laughing and giving praise the whole time.  It was amazing and beautiful.

The bridesmaids' luncheon was such fun.  A gorgeous, sunny day, with lunch and mani/pedis by the pool.  What a treat!

The celebration continued that night with cocktails and dinner for the bride and groom.

We were up early for a fun morning of getting dolled-up together.

And then it was TIME...

{stay tuned for the reception ;)}