Before I get into part two of our wedding recap, I want to thank you all for your sweet, kind and thoughtful words from part one. I love that you’ve all enjoyed seeing my wedding photos and sharing in my happiness.
Also, I’ve turned this into a three-part series, because there are just too many cute details and gorgeous photos, I couldn’t fit it all in one post today.
You’re all the best!
Now, today, we’re going to recap the ceremony (captured flawlessly by Nadya Furnari Photography.)
So, we left off after taking photos with the bridal party. After that, both of us went our separate ways and spent about an hour apart – him with his groomsmen and me with my bridesmaids. I loved that time together, getting all excited before the show!
I practiced my vows, sipped champagne with the girls, got our makeup touched up, and my sister helped put my veil on.
Once I had the veil on, I felt like a true bride. I wasn’t sure if I was going to wear it, but my grandmother told me I had to and I was happy she did, because it definitely made me feel elegant, beautiful and bridal.
Then, it was time to walk down the stairs and out to the area where the ceremony was taking place.
It was breathtakingly gorgeous (I thank Hamilton Farm Golf Club, Jardiniere Fine Flowers and the hustle of the ladies from The Wedding Plan & Co) – it was simply flawless perfection.
We placed doily cones full of roses for the people sitting on the ends of the seat rows to throw up after we were married.
We also lined the aisles with mason jars full of fresh flowers:
The “altar” was made of birch wood and assembled with fabric we picked out in NYC and fresh flowers from our florist. It was stunning:
When our guests entered, they were greeted by some chalkboards (which Lu and I stayed up finishing until 2:30am the night before our rehearsal dinner, haha.)
Our programs were stuffed with tissues for “happy tears” and the back of the program featured fun facts about Lu and I – just something for our guests to read through while they waited for the ceremony to begin.
I did all of this, because I wanted the wedding to be personal – to be very “us.”
Now, for the ceremony. All of the bridal party and bridesmaids walked down a set of stairs, to “One Love” by Bob Marley (played by a guitarist.) Here’s a shot of the stairs and a gorgeous one of my mother, with her brother:
I wanted a more special entrance. My father and I were together, just him and I, talking as he walked me around this gazebo and out to the “aisle.”
We had it together until we stepped onto the actually aisle, when my song came on (“Crazy Love” by Van Morrison.) He started sobbing again – and I couldn’t help but cry too! I was trying so hard not to absolutely lose it, so I fought back the tears as best I could, but a few slipped out.
In the pictures, it looks like I’m smiling and looking down, but I’m really fighting back those tears.
I’m happy I took that grander entrance, because it made for gorgeous photos and gave me more time to look around at everyone standing in their seats – and then, of course, more time to look at Lu’s face as I walked closer and closer.
The ceremony was a bit of a blur – I tried my hardest to make a mental note that morning to really pay attention during the ceremony, but all I could think about was, “In 20 minutes from now, this many is going to be my husband and I get to have him for the rest of my life, forever.”
I couldn’t stop looking at him and thinking about our life together forever.
We did write our own vows, which I encourage every bride and groom to do – it’s so much more personal than standard, traditional vows – and it gives an opportunity for a crack of a joke, especially when you’re nervous up there. Lu clearly enjoyed mine:
During his, he made a reference to zucchini noodles, which, when we get our wedding video, I’ll have to share with you all (it was pretty clever.)
I was overwhelmed with joy and love, I actually reread Lu’s vows when we got back from the honeymoon and only remembered about 30% of them, haha! It was kind of like when he proposed, I didn’t hear a word he said after he got down on one knee.
Our friend Rob married us and he gave such a heartfelt, profound ceremony – we couldn’t have been more blessed.
THEN, WE WERE MARRIED!!!!!
We took a moment and kissed like crazy when we neared the end of the aisle and took a few more cute pictures.
Then, we walked to the front of the mansion and took 5 minutes to ourselves, riding off in a decorated “just married” golf cart. It was nice to be alone with him for those few minutes and take it all in.
Then, we went upstairs to sign the marriage license. This was actually one of my favorite moments from the wedding. My grandmother, sister and the girls from EVJ Wedding Co (our wedding coordinators) bustled my dress, while Lu, my father and I looked out the window onto the patio where the cocktail hour was happening and watched our closest friends and family celebrating us.
It really was a magical moment, to see everyone there.
Then, it was off to the cocktail hour and reception! Can’t wait to share those final pictures with you next week!
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