Candid Cait: July 2011

Yesterday I had the honor of being a part of the wedding of my birth-brother (21) to his new wife (17). I was informed that I would be a bride's maid about 2 months before the wedding date. I was later informed that the color scheme for the wedding, and the bride's maid dresses, would be royal purple and camo. The bride's family nixed the camo idea and so they went with just royal purple instead. The whole wedding was planned by the bride's aunt because the groom was stationed in Alaska. The bride's aunt hand-made the bride's maid dresses as well as many of the other wedding details. On the day of the wedding I assisted in making bouquets, boutonnieres, and center pieces. I also helped the maid-of-honor with her speech, get the flower girl into her dress, and organize a time-line for the morning. My brother legally married his wife 2 months prior to this wedding date and so it was a celebration of love/wedding. As soon as I dawned my bride's maid dress I announced "You better believe I am going to get the most out of this dress" and that I did...that I did my friends. Let's take a picture journey through my day.

Here I am proudly displaying my dress alongside my brothers (groom and ring bearer)

Here is my little brother and I trying to look like we enjoy taking pictures... and we do!

Please boys please, try and control yourselves and keep your hands to yourselves

Here is my "Spanish up-do" that consisted of 12 bobby pins! My friend just informed me that her roommates asked if I was in high-school. Excuse you, I make this look good!

Lookin a lil awkward...and a lil like an oompa loompa

I'm not gonna lie, I got pretty emotional as the bride walked down the aisle

and again during my brother's vows. It was really special to have my little brother just across the stage from me and being able to lock eyes with him during the ceremony, especially when our brother talked about their parents (and my birth-father) who passed away. My favorite part of the wedding was walking down the aisle towards my brother, looking up into his nervous face, and winking at him which made him laugh and relax a little.

There was an odd number of bride's maids and groom's men so I took one for the team and walked down the aisle alone but forced my little brother to escort me back up the aisle at the end.

Before I show you the rest of the photos I want to make one minor statement: these photos were being photographed by a guest who was designated as the photographer, E was standing on the sidelines armed with my camera as well. In between the photographers shots I would make faces at E. There are only about 2 actual photos taken by the designated photographer that I am making a similar face...whoopsie.

Here we go: picture one "Deep Thinkin"

Picture 2

Picture 3 "My favorite" So many good things are happening in this photo. See if you can spot them all.

See I can be sweet and serious too

And not

Group Shot

Take 2

There was a baseball game and tent-city right outside the wedding grounds.

It was very hot so I took a moment to take a dip in the sprinklers. As I ran through I heard my aunts talking to each other saying "Oh my gosh is she really going to do it?" How could they even question this situation?