Our Wedding: 07.20.13

I can’t even believe we’ve been married one year on Sunday. WHERE did the time go?! It truly feels like just yesterday I was finishing up the final touches on all the details & getting ready to be his bride. What a whirlwind of a year… what an incredible, amazing, challenging & absolutely wonderful year.

Today’s post isn’t the sappy one, though. I’m saving that for Sunday:) Today I wanted to look back on our wedding day. Our images hold a thousand memories, and they mean so much to me. It’s so amazing to see every detail brought to life, and to look back at our dream day one year later. Yes, if I could do it all again I would change a few things, but hindsight is always 20-20.

Here’s the thing, Brides. I planned my wedding to a T. I knew when every little thing was going to happen, and I had color-coded diagrams for every decoration. I loved planning my wedding. But can I tell you what my favorite part of the day was? The unplanned, far from perfect, absolutely breathtaking ones. Staying up until the wee-morning hours talking with one of my sweet bridesmaids, crying in the bathroom while we were getting ready because it hit me right then & there that I was really going to be his wife, sobbing (straight up ugly crying) when I read a letter from my groom, laughing with Katelyn when Michael’s pants ripped during bridal party pictures (we STILL laugh about this!), crying during the MOH speech, laughing when I danced with my daddy, and hearing Matt’s personal vows to me for the very first time standing up at the alter. It was perfect. It was absolutely amazing and y’all… those were the moments I did not plan!!! When I look at these pictures, I see those moments. And even though I LOVE the details, it’s the moments where we lived life that matter more.

Matt: Our wedding day was far from perfect…but no matter how many Wedding Days we make happen together, this one will forever be my favorite:) Can’t wait to celebrate our anniversary with you this weekend!!!! 

VENDORS: Photography: Katelyn James Photography | Flowers: Anthomanic | Cake: Sorby Sweets | Day Of Coordination: Anna Burke Events | Catering: Parties by Dori | Venue: Private Venue in Fredericksburg, VA | Wedding Gown: Detalle by La Sposa | Planning + Styling: Dear Sweetheart Events

Okay, get ready for photo OVERLOAD. When you’re blogging your own wedding, it’s hard to keep it small:)

Matt wanted us to do something fun for our RSVP replies. I LOVE what he came up with, and our guests did too! Reading the responses was so much fun:)

One of my childhood friends & bridesmaids MADE my reception dress for me!!!! Love her!!!:) I gave my girls their gifts the day of the wedding… I was super emotional & it was a such a sweet moment!!! I loved being able to get ready with my Mama, and then have a First Look with my Daddy & my brother. So many special moments!!!  First Look with Matt!!!!!:) This B&W is one of my absolute favorites!!! I’ve never in my life felt like the pretties women in the world until the moment he saw me in my wedding dress… truly unforgettable.

One of my favorites!! I just LOVE this bouquet shot!!! Bridal Party time!!! (And see all the dirt in my tulle skirt?! My poor bridesmaids had to pick all that out! Best Friends Ever!!) When you’re planning a wedding, people always ask you what your wedding colors are. I remember people trying not to make a face when I said “pink & orange”!!!:) We did it because orange is Matt’s favorite, and pink is mine. I have to say, I couldn’t love the way it turned out more!!! LOVE both of these so much!!!!

I’m so happy Katelyn captured this one of Matt and my brother:)

 Apparently somebody made a “that’s what she said” joke:) I love their expressions!!!:) Okay, brides, this is a “real-life” pre-ceremony pic!!! I was SO HOT in that dress!!! So thankful we had that fan!!!! so thankful for these three!!! they helped out so much the day-of! CEREMONY TIME!!!! I’ll never forget standing here with Daddy… Our vows were my favorite part of the day!!! They were PERFECT!!!! When Pastor Paul said “you may kiss the bride”, Matt LICKED HIS LIPS!!!! AH! My girls cracked up & I was dying hahah LOVE these moments!!!! NO idea what’s happening… and they’ll kill me for posting this… but I can’t help it!!!!:) A few Just Married portraits:) We were married in the same church my parent’s said I Do. They have this picture, and we asked Katelyn to replicate it. I LOVE IT!!! We had a limo for the bridal party, and a trolley for guests!  Ready for Reception details?!:) Amanda BLEW ME AWAY with our flowers!!!!! My mom took on the Legacy Room… this was one of my favorite wedding details!!! Amanda did an incredible job with our cake!!! So excited to eat the top layer on Sunday!!!:) LOVE these!!!!:) Love this one of my mother & father in law!!!:)

I had Amanda create a surprise Groom’s cake for Matt… I’m so happy Katelyn captured his reaction when he saw it!!! (ps. And that lamp? Yea we didn’t think the lighting through outside of the tent very well. Live & learn:)

I get teary-eyed whenever I look at these two. My grandparents are such a beautiful representation of love & I’m so, SO glad we have these moments captured!!!! I think I won:)    YAY!!!!:)

xo! kat