Meet Ver and Joel.
They’re my awesome friends and three weeks ago, they got married.
Their wedding was the real reason we flew to the US.
After spending a few days in New York, Jill and I took the train to Pennsylvania to help them get ready for the big day.
I was amazed at how hands-on Joel was when it came to planning the wedding. I was impressed – you don’t normally expect grooms to care so much about the small details. There was no wedding coordinator so he and Ver really took care of everything.
We all had our roles – Le was the maid of honor/makeup artist/hair stylist/stylist, Jill was the wedding photographer, Petah designed their gift mailbox and I was doing one of the church readings.
I also had another role – I was responsible for the bride’s nails. Weeks before the wedding, Le and I started planning Ver’s bridal manicure. We pretty much knew what we would use but I packed a few extras too, just in case. I was really excited. I love coming up with colors for people to wear on their special day (remember Marge, my first bride?) and I was even more excited because I knew Ver would be willing to go for something a little more fun than the usual boring neutral.
Since Ver was wearing a gold dress, this was the plan:
The night before the wedding, Jill started working on Ver’s nails. Yes, Jill. She can be a professional nail tech, I’m not kidding.
She’s much better at painting other people’s nails than I am.
The result? Edgy neutral nails with a smattering of gold glitter.
The next day, a couple of hours before the wedding, I added the matte top coat.
It was awesome to see how pretty the mani looked with Ver’s gown.
Here’s a closer look.
And another.
I love how understated it is – but how it has a kick when you look closely.
Soon we had to leave for church. Ver was changing into a spectacular gown for the reception and I wanted to change her mani to match it. “Would we have time?” she asked. “We’ll see,” I said, packing the second set of polishes.
The ceremony was beautiful.
It was so sweet and touching that I ended up crying.
And Jill caught it on camera.
When the ceremony was over, the bride and groom posed for more photos.
And naturally, there were mani sightings.
I love this photo.
Now zoom in.
Zoom in a little more.
After the ceremony, the drive to the reception venue and the portrait session, we had some time to hole up in the bridal suite. We attacked the hors d’oeuvres (they were excellent) and they drank the cocktails.
I knew I couldn’t let Ver leave that room without changing into mani # 2.
It would be perfect with her second dress. And here’s the awesome part – we just found that dress the day before – and Joel had no idea Ver would be changing clothes for the reception. It was going to be a big surprise.
And since Jill was busy taking pictures, it was my turn to be the wedding manicurist.
I wasn’t done with Ver’s left hand yet when Dina their waitress came up to say she needed to be down in 15 minutes for her big entrance.
Crazy. Pressed for time, we started working faster.
I love this photo so much.
We couldn’t stop teasing Ver about how she looked like a princess.
I was so happy we were able to use Today Was A Fairytale – the name is perfect for Ver and Joel’s special day.
Look at how beautiful Ver is. I love love love love love this dress so much.
And as she made her way down the stairs, her wedding entourage gasped. I swear, it was like that scene from She’s All That. Awesome.
Joel’s reaction was priceless. His jaw dropped. And then he said, “That’s my bride, y’all!” making everyone laugh.
Let’s go for another close-up.
There were more gasps when Ver finally entered the ballroom.
I love how the dress and mani fit their reception’s theme – Nightmare Before Christmas. (Ver loves Tim Burton and yes, it was only a couple of days before Halloween.)
It was fun watching Ver and her mani in action.
Such a happy day.
The bride and her nail girl.
And I am proud to say that my dress cost all of $5.
And in case you’re wondering what polish I wore on their special day, here it is:
To match their black and purple motif, I wore a-england Avalon with RBL Iconoclast + Deborah Lippmann Today Was A Fairytale on accent fingers.
Congratulations, Ver and Joel. It was such a beautiful beautiful day and I am so glad I was a part of it. I love you both. I can’t wait to see you again. To quote Joel, gu-good time tayo!
P.S. I’m sorry I stole four slivers of your wedding cake. I couldn’t help it, it was too good.
Wedding photos by Jill Lejano
