‘Kieran’s POV’

When my alarm went off this morning my eyes immediately shot open, it’s my wedding day. Today I become Kieran Benn, t-minus 7 hours until I walk down the aisle for real. Rolling over my eyes meet with Lauren’s and she’s beaming, “Good morning bride,” I can’t hold in my cheesy grin, “Mornin’ maid of honor.”

The rest of the room becomes alive and eventually my bed is full of the 7 of us, avoiding the preparation for the big day. When there’s a knock at the door I finally get up, finding my mom, Jamie’s mom, and Jenny on the other side.

Jenny squeals and throws herself at me, “How excited are you?! I’m getting another sister!!” The other women make their way into the room setting down trays full of Starbucks. My mom hands me a venti ice coffee, “the bride” is written down the side. As cliché as it is I take advantage of the cuteness taking a picture for my first Instagram post of the day,

“Starting our wedding day off right! :P @starbucks #MrsBenn” .

Soon enough the hair and makeup team shows up and it’s time to get down to business, I’ve been instructed to go last as my hair is a little more complicated than just the beachy waves the bridesmaids are rocking. Once our hair and makeup is done we’re heading to the venue, to the “bridal suite” to finish getting ready. My dress and accessories are waiting for me when we walk in and I fall in love with my dress all over again as it’s hanging from the window sill. My mind is all over the place hoping everything goes smoothly, but it’s also wondering what Jamie is thinking. I also need someone to go give him his present, “Hey Ni?” I yell over to my cousin who’s lounging on a couch. She pops up and I ask her to run a gift over to Jamie, I hand her the box and off she goes.

‘Jamie’s POV’

I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t nervous, but what person isn’t nervous on his or her wedding day? I don’t have cold feet at all I’m just anxious to get over with I guess. The “groom suite” at the Milestone is keeping the guys all busy as they’re playing pool and goofing off while my mind wanders to what my bride is doing. I’m sure it’s something to do with makeup or her hair and I wish I could see her but that’s a big no, no. Kieran was adamant that I not see her, but wasn’t opposed to seeing me, so at 3:55 I get to at least say hi to her. That thought brings a smile to my face when there’s a knock at the door. I’m expecting Sarah the wedding planner or my dad but on the other side is Niamh.

“Hey, Ni everything okay?” I ask and she beams, “Of course! Just a little delivery from the bride.” I take the box from her and she walks away. Pulling the lid off the box is full of random items, on top is a pair of blue socks with coral stripes “to keep your feet warm ;)” is written on the tag. Beneath his a package wrapped in brown butcher paper, “for your eyes only!!” is written on it and I look around noting no one around as I tear the paper off.

It looks like your average photo album on the outside but on the inside are pictures that aren’t exactly G rated, I think that it’s called boudoir photography and it’s awesome. I fully understand why no one else is supposed to see that, there’s a note tucked inside the book “For those long road trips and for down the road when by body’s gone to shit. ;) I love you Jamie, please don’t ever forget that. –Kieran M. Benn <3” I love the way her name looks with my last name on it. There’s one last gift and it’s in a black box, I pop the lid and there’s a pink sticky note on top, “For the best time of our lives, I’ll see you @ 4:30 I’ll be the one in white. Xoxo – Kieran” beneath is a new watch one that goes with our wedding colors. She’s thought of everything and I’m even more ready to marry her now.

We guys have pictures first at 2:30 so before I know it it’s time to suit up, 6/7 of us wear suits on the regular but the whole bowtie thing is really throwing us all for a loop. Thank God my dad and Jack know what they’re doing, lining up the young ones and making sure our champagne colored bowties are perfect. When everyone is ready, dressed in navy blue suits, blush pocket squares, boutonnieres, and cognac colored shoes we’re lead outside.

The photographers have already snapped candid photos while we got ready so now was time to be serious, or so we thought. The woman basically set us loose giving us free reign to do whatever we wanted in our pictures she only instructed us to do a few poses Kieran had asked for the rest were up to us. It was probably the first time I’ve ever not hated having my picture taken, these were my boys and this was the best day of my life. There was no way I couldn’t be happy.

While we’re standing outside my dad hand’s me my phone and there is a new message from Lauren. Nobody else got a text so I hope everything is okay and that we’re not experiencing a runaway bride. Sliding the iPhone unlocked I note that it’s a picture. There are 6 squares each with a picture of the bridesmaids from the top left all the way around they’re holding signs. “Just wait until you see her!” They all look beautiful and I can only imagine how gorgeous my future wife looks. I pass the phone around so the rest of the guys can see their significant others or dates for the evening. I’m counting down the minutes until Kieran walks down the aisle to me.

‘Kieran’s POV’

By the 3 o’clock I’m in my dream dress, my mom has buttoned me in and the train has been laid out. I have something borrowed, something new, something old, and something new on my person and my hair and makeup are flawless. All of my bridesmaids look gorgeous in their backless blush dresses and I cannot wait to see Jamie. After taking what feels like a thousand pictures with just the girls it’s time to go see Jamie.

Sarah leads the girls and me to the spiral staircase inside the mansion, I can hear the group of guys before we even enter the foyer. I already know they all look handsome and my heart is beating faster I approach the doorway. The groomsmen are all sitting on the stairs while Jamie’s standing in the middle of the room hands in his pockets and a navy bandana tied around his eyes. He looks so good, those suits are a work of art. When we all enter the foyer the guys begin to whistle and cheer, “Damn look at you Kier!” Jordie yells standing up to hug me. I hug my future brother in law and Jamie turns toward the staircase, “Babe?” he questions and I walk towards him snaking my arms around his waist, “Hi.”

He grins, his hands coming to hold mine at his hips “I wish I could see you, but I know you look stunning.” My cheeks heat up a little, “Well, you look pretty damn good yourself Jame. By the way did you like your gifts?” I can see his cheeks darken, clearly the photo album had gotten to him. He leans down forehead pressed against mine, “I loved them, and I love you.” We’re in our own little world but the photographers are snapping pictures, I can hear the camera clicking. Taking matters into my own hands and probably breaking wedding rules I place my hands on the sides of Jamie’s face bringing his lips to mine. “Is that allowed?” he asks laughing when we’re done, and I can’t help but giggle a little “Oh well.”

The photographer snaps more pictures involving the rest of the motley crew before we’re separated once again. Back in the bridal suite I check my makeup making a few corrections from the stray tears I had shed seeing Jamie and take a long deep breath. Arms stretched out on the vanity I’m leaning down staring at the granite countertop, my stomach suddenly full of nerves. As if she knew what was happening to me in that exact moment my mom was at my side in a flash, arms wrapped around my waist.

“Oh, darling are you alright?” I nod looking up eventually seeing my reflection in the mirror, “I’m getting married mom, I- it’s just weird.” My mom smiles at me, “It is weird Kieran, and love is a strange thing. But I know that you and Jamie are making the right choice, you’re both so in love with each other. It’s clear to everyone.” That’s what I needed to hear, that I was doing the right thing that it wasn’t just me that others saw it too. Jamie and I are going to be together forever, we’re never letting go.

As I am hugging my mom in the bathroom there’s a knock at the door and I hear it open, in walks Sarah and I know it’s time before she opens her mouth. When she does the 6 girls dressed in pink all squeal and I exhale the air I’ve been holding in. My mom kisses my cheek as we walk back into the dressing area. “Ahh, there’s our bride! What do ya say Kieran? I think it’s time for a wedding!” My pink painted lips curl into a wide smile and I nod my head yes, “Let’s do it!”

Notes

Groomsmen

It's wedding time!! Here comes the bride Jamie ;) xoxo -Ally

The Book ;)

Bridesmaids

Kieran