When a Luna girl gets married, it’s something we don’t take lightly—as evidenced by the fact that my sister’s own wedding week kicked off with a series of events on Wednesday night.

The week started with a cookout for the families at Josh and Kari’s new house, followed by a BBQ at my parents’ home the next evening for all the Charleston crew and other out-of-towners. I was still doing Whole30 then, so let’s say the party really started for me on Friday at the bridesmaids luncheon.

Kari had 10 bridesmaids—me, two sister-in-laws, five childhood friends, a college roommate and a grad school pal—two juniors and a flower girl, and we all convened at Caroline’s mother’s house (the same one who threw such an awesome wedding in Georgia the previous week).

It was so nice to have some time to decompress before the real insanity started—not to mention, finally have a glass of champagne after a month of sobriety!

The rehearsal that night was the first time I’d seen the venue other than once during the height of winter with nothing set out. It was a blank slate then, so I was surprised—in a good way—to show up and see it transformed into a magical place where fairies and sprites likely frolic. Totally a midsummer night’s dream, right?

The rehearsal dinner that night was at Cortner Mill, and then we went to bed relatively early as we had a 7am start time the following morning. If you know anything about me it’s that I’m a night owl and don’t function before 8, so this was a stretch!

The day of the wedding was pure chaos: We had the bride, the 13 in the bridal party, various friends and families, four hair and makeup artists, and the photographer and videographer crews all milling about my mom’s house. But if there’s anything us Luna girls thrive on it’s insanity!

My good friend Brenna was responsible for Kari, my mom and me, and we couldn’t have been happier with the outcome.

I hardly ever wear makeup so it’s always a fun change—particularly when I put my fate in the hands of a professional like Brenna. Nashville brides, you need to snatch her up as soon as you have your venue nailed down!

We thought the day of the wedding might be a bit cool after having a week or two in the 70s…HAHA, joke was on us—it was high 90s, and we arrived at the venue around 2pm, the hottest point of the day. But we rolled with it, as we do.

Kari and Josh did a first look and then we had a lot of time to kill under the tent as we all tried to battle the heat, keeping our hair as frizz-less as possible and blotting our shiny foreheads.

The ceremony was very quick and performed by our good family friend and pastor, Kal, who is just the bee’s knees. SVV and I spent the two weekends before the wedding building the pergola and our only requirement was making it tall enough that he could fit beneath it!

Josh went to the Citadel, so his groomsman Joe planned a surprise from them: Six cadets showed up to perform the ceremony ritual. Kari knew it was coming, but the look on Josh’s face when he heard them marching down the aisle behind him was priceless! I love me a little shock value.

The rest of the evening passed in a blur, but I can honestly say I’ve never had such a great time at a wedding before. My mom—and her interior designers/wedding planner pals Myra and Lynn—sure know how to execute a vision.

No surprise, but my sister made a stunning bride, and the entire weekend was so perfect that I want to get married all over again just so I can have Myra and Lynn design it for me. Also, three cheers for a maid matron of honor dress I can actually wear again!

We’ve already gotten the preview gallery back from the wedding photographer, Joe Hendricks—who took that awesome image at the very top of this post (the rest SVV and I snapped over the course of the weekend)—and the photos are so stunning I nearly cried. I promise to share them here, as well, once I have the blessing of the bride and groom!