The Cardens

This is how I spent my summer: full-time summer school, full-time work, laced with final fittings, weekend bachelorette parties, in addition to your typical maid of honor duties. Times two. Both of my sisters, Michaela and Czarina got married this past summer, three weeks apart no less!

I can't properly describe what it's like to have your sisters get married. My sisters are my soul mates, my partners in crime, my role models and my best friends. Oddly enough, I didn't feel any kind of loss because a numbing happiness surged through me at the thought of knowing these men, my brothers in law, will love them more than one could imagine. I've seen my sisters grow, change and better themselves in these relationships and it is only through their relationships that I believe the possibility of love exists.

I don't have permission to post the professional pictures from Michaela's and Paul's wedding, so I do apologize that I only these pictures up. Sorry Bubbas! Hopefully I can do a follow-up blog with Michaela's and Pj's wedding! (Send me pictures!)

But while I'm waiting on those proofs, I have just gotten these pictures from my other sister, Czarina. Now these pictures are but a fraction of the entire album even though I did want to put them all up, I could not. Okay, and I know everyone says this, but never have I ever seen my sisters so beautiful as when they were brides.

And again, these aren't my personal pictures, they were taken by S1 Photography. Oscar and his crew did such an amazing job and really captured what Mike and Czarina are all about. His pictures are romantic, subtle, old world and classic. These are just some pictures of my favorite moments from their wedding day, enjoy! (Click on the image to make it bigger, and if you want a link to the entire album just ask.)

Czarina and Mike: The Cardens
June 15, 2008
Patrick C. Haley Mansion
Joliet, Illinois

The fairy-tale settingTurning my sister into a princess.
Sisters trying not to let our emotions get the best of us.The bridal entourage from left: Renee, Heidi, Me, Michaela, Sam, Czarina, Karen
All of us looking at the camera in all our purple and pink glory.
The groomsmen from left: Vic, Brad, Rob, Mike, Jim, Pj and Chris
Now that's one hot boy-band CD cover if you ask me.
My proud Pops and stunning sister before the ceremony.
Anxious bride...
...and anxious groom.
The prettiest flowergirl I've ever seen.
Moments before walking down the aisle.
A beautiful bride.
Almost there!

"She's so precious!"My proud parents
Mike's proud parentsExchange of the rings.
First kisses as Mr. and Mrs!
My expression says, "I love Cardens!"
She's a Carden!My mom and my aunts tearing up the dance floor.Congratulations Mike and Czarina, I love you!