Wedding Blog: Favorite Details

I have so many wonderful memories from the wedding... but I don't need to tell you that. It's obvious that I do! Our photographer, Jim Fish, did a wonderful job capturing some of the most important details of the wedding. I love looking through these photographs, and I hope to sit down with my little girl someday and show her all of "mommy's" special items from the wedding day.

Let me share...

My bouquet. I chose everything for the wedding based off of this bouquet. I found a picture of a similar bouquet online, and I fell in love! I changed the wedding colors, flowers, everything because of this bouquet. Our local florist not only brought this dream to life, but they made an even prettier bouquet. I love it!

My great-grandma played a huge part in my early childhood and into my preteen years. She passed away too soon, and I miss her each and every day. I had this frame attached to my bouquet so that I would have a tangible reminder that she was with me on my wedding day. I love her so much, and I am so glad this picture was taken!

My mom presented me with this gold shell for my "something borrowed" item. My dad made this for her years ago out of dental gold and a pearl. She has saved it through the years, and despite her divorce, she kept it for a moment like this. The card that accompanied this precious item meant the world to me and described her reasoning for choosing it. It is very special to me.

This picture was taken before the ceremony. I think it's a great picture and a wonderful keepsake.

I adore this picture. Not only does it beautifully capture our rings together, but it shows the pretty detailing of my dress.

Beautiful!!

I ordered these shoes online, and they couldn't have been more perfect for my dress! The criss-crossing pattern, rhinestones, and ivory silk matched perfectly. They were beautiful AND comfortable. I was able to wear them the whole night without my feet screaming at me.

The brooch on my garter appeared in an earlier blog. Andrew and I purchased this item to stand for my "something old" and "something blue" object at the wedding. We were on a Valentine's date (I know, I know... so not me), and we found this at a local antique shop. The pearls and pale teal stones make a beautiful addition to my garter. I hope to use this brooch as a family heirloom. I wish I knew the story of who wore it before me. It's stunning.

On the morning of the wedding, my mom surprised me with this heavily beaded ivory handbag. My great-grandma carried this. It was so important to me that I not only had her picture with me, but I also had an item of hers to carry. This is my favorite keepsake from the big day.

Jim could not have captured a more meaningful moment between my mom and me. This picture beautifully captures this special moment in time. I absolutely love this picture!

I love how this picture shows my mom soaking in the moment. I am her first child to get married, and we are best friends. We have had our ups and downs as every mother and daughter do, but we shared so many special moments the day of the wedding. Moments that will never be forgotten. Moments that will never be replaced. I will always remember the special time I shared with Mom on my wedding day!

I am so glad Jim captured this moment! My sister, Miranda, is helping me with my garter. She, too, is extremely important to me, and I will always remember the memories we shared on this day. She was the perfect maid of honor- helpful, loving, patient, kind, and she was able to get the job done. For only being 15, she did an amazing job organizing, planning, and making sure I had the best experience ever. She deserves the world! I love her like crazy!!!!

This is a picture of the back of the estates. Isn't it simply gorgeous?

In lieu of a bouquet, we chose to place a palm tree at the alter in memory of each of our family members who were watching from Heaven. Pictured are six palm trees, and the seventh palm tree was placed by the piano. I missed having them there, but I know they are much happier in Heaven!

The pew arrangements were gorgeous! There were three different kinds, but this one is simply beautiful! Who would have ever thought that I would have roses at my wedding? Certainly not me, but they provided such a classy and timeless element to the day!

I loved the alter arrangements. So beautiful- so different- so me. They were outstanding.

Our unity candle was inscribed with "Two Hearts. One Love." and were crafted out of pearls and a pearly silver metal. They were soooo pretty. I had decided against a unity candle until I saw these. I couldn't pass them up. And, I found an online coupon for 40% off. I decided to gamble and see if it worked for Things Remembered. It did!!! I was shocked, but it was a sign that I needed them!

The cake servers matched the unity candle. We also had flutes from the same set that were engraved with "Mr. and Mrs." They, too, were stunning and perfectly matched the wedding decor.

Our cake was absolutely gorgeous. Wedding Wonderland created the cake and beautifully decorated with ribbon and icing. Watson's Florist decorated with the flowers from the wedding. We loved our cake! It truly was almost to pretty to eat!

Finally, our program was photographed while being held by my grandma's hands. This beautiful picture will always be special to me because of the hands in it. I love little moments like these.

Once again, I could not have asked for a more perfect wedding. So much hard work went into creating the perfect day. I could not be more grateful to my parents, family, florist, Riverbend Chapel, photographer, and so many more. I do not think I could even begin to express how thankful I am, and I am sure I would unknowingly forget someone if I tried. But, in my heart, I know how truly appreciative I am for all that was done!

Andrew and I have so many incredible memories from our wedding day, and there truly isn't anything that I would change... not even the fact that there WAS a huge snake that visited. But, my bridesmaid, Andrea, came to the rescue and had it removed from sight. Though no one was ever going to tell me about it, I'm glad I know. I find it hilarious to know that it DID make an appearance (it does every second wedding- and was due on mine), but I wasn't aware. Andrew says it's Satan's way of trying to ruin our big day, but he failed miserably.

HA- So, now that that's out... just know that I DID have an amazing wedding day... snake and all. And there STILL isn't a single thing that I would change about it!

I am loving being married- and we are so looking forward to our future together!

Next Up... Post Wedding Fun!

Wedding Blog: Reception

The ceremony was perfect. What more could a girl ask for? I honestly did not believe that our wedding day could get any better. That is, until we got to the wedding reception.

Andrew and I, along with our wedding party, were announced to the song "Ever, Ever After" by Carrie Underwood. This song, written for the movie Enchanted, was the perfect song to enter to! Seriously- listen to the words. So us!

Andrew and I enjoyed a long awaited meal! We were so hungry! Sadly, my dress and excitement didn't allow me to enjoy the full meal. But, for wedding food, it was pretty darn good!

We really loved our wedding cake! It was almost too pretty to eat!

After the wonderful toasts by Miranda and Kent, Andrew and I cut the first slice of cake. I love that I married a man courteous enough not to shove it all over my face! We still had fun taking part in this wedding tradition.

I'm not sure which is sweeter... the cake... or the kiss.

After the cake was cut, we shared our first dance as man and wife. We dance to "In My Dreams" by Josh Turner. This song wonderfully describes our simple dreams and deep love for one another.

Oh, what a precious picture! I loved dancing with my husband!

At one point, I looked over, and this is what I saw. Lined up along the dance floor were lots of little girls. During the wedding, I was referred to as "The Princess" or "Enchanted" by these little girls. What's funny is, I am often compared to Amy Adams from Enchanted. To these girls, I was a real life fairytale. It gave me goosebumps to know that, not only was I living my fairytale dreams, but I was bringing fairytale princesses to life for these little ones. I told every one of them that if they search really hard and never give up, they will find their prince just like I had. I hope these little girls remember this night and set high standards for themselves now.

This one sits on my nightstand. I love it.

My Dad and I danced to "Butterfly Kisses" by Bob Carlisle. As the song started playing, his eyes filled with tears. He always told me that if I played this song, it would cause him to cry. It did. We shared such a special dance. It is a dance I will never forget.

I also shared a father-daughter dance with my step-dad, Steve. We danced to "Hero" by Mariah Carey. Steve has always been the one to push me to be the best that I can be... and he has had faith in me when no one else seemed to. He's called me his hero for years- and he helped me find the hero inside myself.

Andrew and his mom shared a mother-son dance to the song "Find Your Wings" by Mark Harris. I could see the joy and love in their eyes as they danced. I hope they had a dance as special as I shared with my dad's!

During the Dollar Dance, I danced with many people. However, this picture with my sister, Zoe, stands out above the rest. I love how she is looking up at me. I am telling her here the same thing I told all of the other girls. I hope she never lets her guard down, and I hope she has high standards for any boy that enters her life. I want her, and all of the other girls, to find a love as strong as mine.

I tossed my "throw away" bouquet to the song "Wishin' and Hopin'" by Ami DiFranco. My sister, Miranda, caught the bouquet, but being the super sweet person she is, she gave it to my little niece, Lily! Lily is one of the ones who told me I look like Enchanted. I was so proud of Miranda, but that's no surprise! She's quite the amazing young lady!

Most. awkward. tradition. ever.

I did not like the garter tradition! How awkward to sit there, in front of everyone, with your husband trying to retrieve a silly garter that's cutting off your circulation. The only good thing was, I was able to rid myself of that pesky garmet. Andrew tossed the garter to "Pretty Woman" and my cousin, Brendyn, caught it. Enough said.

As the reception was drawing to a close, I finally talked my little nephew and ring bearer into giving me a kiss. What sweet kisses they were!!

The last song of the night was "I've Had the Time of My Life" from Dirty Dancing. There is no better song to sum up the events of the day!

It was the perfect wedding... and it truly was the time of our lives!! I have found my happily ever after.

As "Ever, Ever After" explains...

"Each happy ending is a brand new beginning!"

And, I am so glad I've found my happy ending... and we are loving our brand new beginning!

Wedding Blog: Ceremony

1 Corinthians 13

If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all my possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.

This passage from the Bible was the basis of the wedding message. Our pastor challenged us to love God first and foremost, because as humans, we are incapable of loving this way. Only through Christ can we love others as we are supposed to. It was a wonderful message, and Andrew and I soaked up every word of it.

The Ceremony:

Pictured here are my Maid of Honor, Miranda with the two Bridesmaids, Staci and Andrea. Also pictured is the Junior Bridesmaid, Zoe.

Best Man, Kent, stands with Groomsmen Luke and Matt during the ceremony.

Before the ceremony begins, our mom's lit the candles which would later be used to light the unity candle.

My beautiful niece did a wonderful job as our flower girl. She made sure that I had a perfect bed of rose petals to walk down the aisle on.

Andrew's nephew, Eli, was the perfect ring bearer. Cute and funny- what could be better?

I love this precious picture. My groom's eyes filled with tears when he first caught sight of me. What a perfect moment captured on film!

When I reached the alter, while still standing with my dad, Andrew mouthed "You look so beautiful!" This sent many into tears, and it's a moment I will never forget!

Here I stand with my dad and step-dad... Both of whom taught me to love and how to respect myself. They have always pushed me to be the best I can be, and they've encouraged me throughout my life. They are two extraordinary men!

We finally get to see each other... We are exchanging our vows in this picture!

I love this picture of our gorgeous chapel. Not only was the environment beautiful, but God's presence was outstanding!

Andrew placing the ring on my finger and pledging his love for me.

Here I am promising my life to the man of my dreams.

Two Hearts. One Love.

That was the inscription on the unity candle, and those two short sentences sum up our lives. We are two hearts beating, but we share one love... the love for our God and each other. We have joined our lives together, and we will never be parted.

After the unity candle was lit, instead of standing awkwardly for a song to finish, we chose to have our parents join us in an intimate time of prayer. My dad prayed for our new family and our marriage. It was a spectacular moment.

We were then pronounced husband and wife... and my groom finally got to kiss his bride! I could not let go! I have since found out that many laughed over my eagerness to kiss Andrew, and they've all commented on how I grabbed his face in excitement. They all exclaimed that this was a great first kiss!

Meet the new couple!! We could not be happier! We had no reservations, and we know beyond a doubt that God brought us together. We look forward to our future and what it has in store for us!

With God as our guide, we know that everything will be just fine!

For now... We are loving married life, and we are both still on cloud 9!

Next Up... Reception!

** Pictures courtesy of Jim Fish Photography **