'I just got married. Here are 8 things I really, truly didn’t expect to happen.'

I ("we") finally did it! And it was the most fun and special day ever, plus a wee bit more. And yes, that's what they all tell you, I know – but it really was pretty darn magical.

We had a small, and very intimate wedding of immediate family and closest friends and... I jest, I jest. We had 180 guests, because I come from an Irish Catholic family – and omg yes, OF COURSE WE INVITED THE PRIEST.

But, goodness, it was worth every breakdown in the months leading up to the wedding. Even the one on the way to the rehearsal. 

Watch: Speaking of royal weddings (ha ha). Here's some memorable moments from Princess Eugenie's wedding. Post continues below.

It was a gorgeous day full of laughs, wonderful people, good food and lots of drinking and dancing (emphasis on the drinking). 

Anyway, there were a few things I didn't expect and I'm going to just assume you'll want to hear them, so, please – here are some of the biggest things I realised after my big day.

The photograph bit is severely underrated.

I always thought that nicking off for photos while everyone else had drinks and canapes was going to be the worst/most boring bit – but it was honestly one of the highlights. I think part of it was knowing that all the other guests were occupied and having a good time (they were on a boat en route to the venue). It made me feel relaxed and not all rushy and stressy.

But also, we just had a solid group of friends who made it insanely fun. There was champagne. Snacks. Guys in kilts. And an off-leash dog who tried to run directly at my dress. (Twice.)

At one point, we turned around to call the bridal party over for a photo, only to find them in a big circle having an *actual* dance-off. It was great. 

There's a reason people change into a different dress.

There is! Really, there is. And mercy, why did no one tell me? Like???

Turns out that trying to dance on a slippery white dancefloor in a very long dress is VERY difficult, indeed. 

My ~husband~ and I literally ended up using it as a doormat during our first dance. And dancing on organza, on top of a shiny dancefloor is in fact, so insanely slippery. It was like dancing on an ice rink. With 180 people watching.

I ended up taking off my shoes mid-dance (I'M SORRY MR FRANK SINATRA) and dancing barefoot for more... grip... (did very little). All good though, because it's all on video so I can watch it again and again, forever. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ 

The reception is... intense.

For some silly reason I thought you get up during the reception and talk to people in between the eating part? And then sit back down and eat?? HA. What a goose.

Because the people, they will come and talk to you. All of the time. Before you can even get out of your seat. While you eat your entrée. And main course. And dessert. And when you try to go to the toilet real quick. 

They'll take lots of selfies with you and tell you how nice you look and how's things and is that your cousin or sister up there with you – and honestly, it'll never happen again, so, soak it up. (I did). 

Feeding each other cake in front of 180 people is never not awkward.

We never discussed this part and kind of just... did it?

The cake ended up falling down my top, and I proceeded to sift it on through my dress and out the bottom, while everyone just... watched.

Slicked-back updos are the MVP.

After growing out my hair for two years, I decided on having my hair styled... up. 

A confusing choice, some would argue. But after watching a small thunderstorm unfold outside my house while I was getting my makeup done, I knew it was the right decision.

My hairstylist literally bolted down my slicked, middle-parted hairstyle with a strong hold gel, and let me tell you – there was not one hair out of place the entire night. An actual helmet. And it was perfect for the veil. For my frizzies. And for my out-of-control dancing later that night. 

It does go fast.

It does! Like so many people told me it would. 'Surprisingly' it did. 

The morning getting-ready part went fairly slow, but as soon as I put on the dress, had three heart attacks and downed a mimosa, everything ramped up by eleven thousand. 

One thing I'm glad to say is that my partner and I took many, many moments throughout the night to find each other, reconnect/giggle at the first dance thing, and make sure we spent a good whack of time together.

You'll forget to do heaps of stuff – but that's okay.

Okay but I forgot to do SO many things. I forgot my 'something blue'. Someone forgot to bring the wedding certificate (we got it in the end). The cake didn't have flowers on it because I forgot to tell the florist to... do it.

But really, none of it mattered. The day was perfect as it was.

The relief is HUGE.

I'd heard about wedding blues and how many people feel this massive comedown post-wedding – but, you guys. I don't think I've ever felt so relieved in my entire life. 

I feel weirdly free? It's almost like your high school exams are finished and you don't know what to do with yourself.

It was the absolute most perfect, fun, best day I could ever ask for – and I'd do it over and over again. Just not the planning part. Cause that was f**ked.

If you want to hear Erin waffle on more about wedding stuff (and also, beauty) follow her on Instagram.

What surprised you most after your wedding day? Share your thoughts in the comment section below.

Feature image: Supplied