Many of you have been waiting patiently for me to blog about our own wedding. It took me about 7 months but as wedding planner I wanted to make sure I blogged about all of 2011 weddings before I jumped into our own. It took the hubby and I a very long time to go over 4000+ photos and pick the best ones. Since there are so many photos (we cut down to ~2000), I will break our wedding down to 4 separate blogs – Part1: Getting ready, Part 2: Bridal party photos, Part 3: Ceremony and Part 4: Reception. These blogs will be quite long since each of them will be pretty detailed.

Obviously, I couldn’t let go of being in control even on my own wedding day so you will see how a wedding planner behaves as a bride. To tell you the truth, I had to gather myself before blogging on our wedding because I was so focus on things getting done that day that there are parts I don’t remember much. Thank God for photos and video!

*All photos courtesy of Thao Vu Photography*

Since hair and makeup for the bridesmaids started at 7am, I woke up bright and early at about 6:30am to support them and making sure they arrive on time. With all the anticipation bubbling inside of me, I had a hard time sleeping the night before anyway.

This was our gift to the groomsmen.

They were to switch into them at the reception.

We also presented them with these socks to wear with their dress shoes.

I spent almost 2 months hand sticking these pocket squares for the groom and each of the groomsmen.

One and half year of planning, savings and stress and the day has finally come.

While the men were probably still sleeping, I had hair and makeup extraordinaire Katie B working on me. Honestly, I wouldn’t have trusted anyone else but Katie to beautify me on my special day

I was constantly on my phone either updating my Facebook status, texting my coordinator to buy umbrellas (because it was raining that morning) or making sure each of my bridesmaid arrives on time for their hair and makeup schedule.

Katie B tools.

Katie and I get along very well since I coordinated her wedding the previous year.

My pretty hairpiece purchased from Etsy.

That’s right! No one messes with me on my wedding day.

I went a bit overboard with my own custom hangers. I had 3…1 for each dress!

The boys getting ready. Pay attention to Renrick’s suit color…of course it wouldn’t be a wedding without a little crisis. I will go into detail a bit later.

I think this is the moment when Renrick found out about the suit crisis. Apparently, 1 of the groomsman suit color didn’t match everyone else’s. His suit was a lighter grey! They decided to switch suit while trying to call the tuxedo place to resolve it. In the end, it worked out for me because I’ve wanted Renrick to wear a light grey suit to begin with while the groomsmen were to be in the dark grey.

Tools that Anha Does Makeup used on the bridesmaids.

I love my bridesmaids for being so cheerful and waking up early to get ready for our wedding. I think somehow they were a bit afraid of me because of how controlling I get. When they were done with their hair and makeup, each of them came to me for approval. I gave them each a hairpiece to match mine also.

There’s not much privacy while getting ready. Look at all these people in the room while I was getting hair and makeup.

All done by the talented Katie B! I loved the end result!

I couldn’t wait to see Renrick’s reaction when he sees me all dolled up!

And here is Katie’s amazing before and after!

Because we were having a same day edit that night, Alumiq Productions made us act a little here and there.

The bridesmaids dresses…each with their own personalized hanger.

My Badgley Mischka wedding shoes

My Ao Dai.

The girls were so apprehensive telling me about the suit situation. They were scared I would freak out but I was actually very calm and told them to bring me his pants so I can steam and fix the hem. You can tell I was in my wedding planner mode bubble…

Then I had to have 1 of the girls cover Renrick’s eyes while I fixed the hem on his pants.

After the crisis was averted, the guys went back to getting ready.

I was so preoccupied and in my own zone that I didn’t even get to read Renrick’s card to me.

Some deep thinking Mr. was doing right there.

Each groomsman came into my room so I can pin their boutonnieres. As for Renrick’s, I had 1 of the guys wear his jacket so I can pin his boutonniere

My husband and my brother.

With all the commotion, Renrick completely forgot to wear the cufflinks I got him.

Here are the cufflinks he was supposed to wear. I wished these were captured on camera

Renrick’s interview to go on the same day edit.

Stay tuned for Part 4 of our wedding blog, I will put a link to our same day edit for your enjoyment!

I told Tammy, my bridesmaid, to use safety pins on the pocket squares so they can stay in place.

My custom 3rd dress!

All of our shoes! Well…of course I had 2 pairs!

Finally!! My wedding gown by Maggie Sottero style Jenna.

I have to apologize in advance. There were so many great shots of the dress, I can’t pick just a couple so I’m going to post all them!

In LOVE with the ruffles and layers!

The girls putting their finishing touches before helping me in my gown. I gave them each a jewelry set of pearls with their birthstone.

Trying to stay standing while they tie me in the back.

I was really excited to finally be in my wedding gown.

This is my Zen face…thinking what needs to be done next.

A little more acting…I was supposed to cry or at least have tears in my eyes. Major fail!

Almost done!

It takes an army of bridesmaids to get you ready! That’s why I had 6 of them!

You can tell who has been a bridesmaid before and who hasn’t…

Let’s make the dress even puffier!

Alright ladies..up next, let’s put the jewelries on.

The necklace and earrings were custom designed on Etsy to look similar to my engagement ring.

The last touch before some close up shots.

I just adore my bouquet with the vibrant purple colors!

Felling like a princess in this long train…

And then, we were off to San Juan Capistrano for bridal photo shoot…

TO BE CONTINUED….

The wedding wouldn’t have been possible without our amazing team of vendors. This is probably the longest list of vendors ever! I just want to make sure everyone gets the credit that they deserve

Ceremony: St. Callistus Catholic Church

Reception: Mon Cheri Restaurant

Florals: Cyndie Style

Videography: Alumiq Production

Photography: Thao Vu Photography

Photobooth: Instant Party Pix

DJ: DJZ Productions

Cake: Intricakes

Bride Hair & Makeup: Katie B

Bridesmaids Hair & Makeup: Anha Does Makeup

Mother of the bride hair and makeup: Gordon Banh

Ao Dai: Silk Image

Bride custom 3rd dress: Bride Culture

Transportation: American Parking & Limousine Services

Invitation, program, menu, table number: Beautiful & Creative Weddings

Photo album, sign-in scroll, crystal cube: Unique Photography

Monogram Lighting: AVM Entertainment

Chocolate Fountain: Chocolate Fountain 4 You

Cream puffs: Sweet Nothings

Wedding Coordinator: Christine Luong