Let’s take a trip back to our wedding ceremony. I’ll grab a box of tissues and hope to keep my sappiness to a minimum (but I make no promises).
I began my vows to Brandon with, “Today, it has been 1283 days of me loving you. That may seem crazy, because if you can do math that quickly, you’ll know that it means I fell in love with you the day I met you.” That was all it took for me to begin choking up. I looked up at him at this moment and saw his eyes glistening, and realized in that moment that I had never been happier in my entire life. We had just gone through several months of stressful wedding planning, we’d finally moved most of our belongings into the home we would live in together, and we had been waiting until marriage for over three years (yep – you’re picking up what I’m putting down).
After some of the really challenging things I had experienced in my life, I was about to make a commitment to battle through the rest of my years with a partner by my side. It was reassuring, to say the least. My husband is my best friend, confidante, and the love of my life. I might be a total ball of cheese when I start to talk about how much I love him, but I’m always speaking from my heart. So you can only imagine that saying “I do” to life with Brandon was the most exhilarating promise I could possibly make.
wedding details
Photos // Virginia Ashley Photography | Wooden Wedding Signs // c/o Susan Atkins Style + Design | Tulle, Lights, Greenery, Florals + Wooden Arbor // handmade by friends | Chairs + Tablecloths // Riverwood Events and Catering | Location // Pocahontas State Park | Makeup // c/o KK Shoaf Inside Out Beauty | Bride’s Eyelashes // Curly Willow Spa | Bride’s Hair // family friend | Reception Dress // Lulus | Wedding Gown // c/o Lillian West via Ava Laurénne Bride | Bridesmaid Dresses in “Dusty Rose” // Azazie | Druzy Earrings // c/o The Shinn Life
Let me give you a run-through of our dreamy ceremony.
Our number one request when it came to this part of the wedding was that it needed to be quick! I didn’t want an endless speech that had our guests lolling in their chairs. Brandon and I both knew the moment we asked our good friend, Walter, to officiate our wedding, that it was going to be fantastic. He wrote up a “fairytale” based on our actual love story, had everyone laughing like crazy, and led us to our vows within fifteen minutes. Good thing, because my nerves were beginning to get the best of me, and I don’t think my legs would’ve held me up much longer.
A little, quirky addition we made to our ceremony was the “wing-bearers.” That’s not a misspelling, I promise. One of our favorite things to do together is eat buffalo wings. When we asked my nephews to be our ring-bearers, we decided to put a totally corny twist on it and have them carry the wedding bands in on a plate of hot wings (complete with celery sticks and bleu cheese dip). They even had signs around their necks with the wedding date and the title of “wing-bearer.” I’m not sure how many people understood the pun, but we got a good laugh out of it! 😂
We chose to write our own vows, and I’m quite glad about that. It was a tender moment for the two of us, and when Brandon was reading to me, it felt like we were the only people in the room. Then there was a quick exchange of rings (which is always an awkward, fumbling mess to laugh over later) and a kiss that felt like fireworks! I’m so glad we had our best friends and closest family members there to celebrate our union.
related posts
Bohemian Autumn Wedding Decor Inspiration // Charcoal and Dusty Rose Autumn Bridal Party Details // Making the Most of Your Wedding Morning
Want to see more from our ceremony? Click here for the video!
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Donna says
That dress. Your face. His smile. Your wedding was what dreams are made of. Simple, sweet, and divine at the same time. Nothing more perfect.
Mollie says
So sweet!!! You look absolutely stunning. You ceremony sounds like it was absolutely perfect. Love seeing these wedding posts!!
xx Mollie
Rach says
Omg Tears!! I love it!! And the wing-bearer is hilarious! This is definitely a special moment!
http://www.rdsobsessions.com
Katie N says
What a beautiful wedding! I bet it’s been so fun to look back and relive the memories.
Donna says
That dress. Your face. His smile. Your wedding was what dreams are made of. Simple, sweet, and divine at the same time. Nothing more perfect.
Mollie says
So sweet!!! You look absolutely stunning. You ceremony sounds like it was absolutely perfect. Love seeing these wedding posts!!
xx Mollie
Rach says
Omg Tears!! I love it!! And the wing-bearer is hilarious! This is definitely a special moment!
http://www.rdsobsessions.com
Hillary Conheady says
What a beautiful ceremony!! Such special photos!
xo, Hillary | hillheady.com
Katie N says
What a beautiful wedding! I bet it’s been so fun to look back and relive the memories.
Laura Botkin says
Wow I love the wing bearers! That is just adorable and so special to you guys!
Laura Adney says
These shots are absolutely magical! So much love there
Lavenda Memory says
This is SO sweet! Adore your photos and sweet words. What a special day babe 🙂
Nicole says
Haha wing-bearers!! Too darn cute!! And I love that you wrote your own vows, ever so sweet!!!
Laura Allen says
Oh my gosh, I’m obsessed with your dress girl! Your story is so amazing and I definitely teared up several times reading this! Thanks for sharing a little bit more about yourself!!
Rachel says
Oh my gosh – your ceremony was so dreamy!! Love the beginning of your vows and the wing-bearers!
Rachel
http://www.hello-her.com
Laura Adney says
These shots are absolutely magical! So much love there
Carolyn says
So happy for you two! I can definitely feel the love over here. Seems like it was a really special ceremony. We waited for marriage too 🙂
Lavenda Memory says
This is SO sweet! Adore your photos and sweet words. What a special day babe 🙂
Nicole says
Haha wing-bearers!! Too darn cute!! And I love that you wrote your own vows, ever so sweet!!!
Rachel says
Oh my gosh – your ceremony was so dreamy!! Love the beginning of your vows and the wing-bearers!
Rachel
http://www.hello-her.com
Indya | The Small Adventurer says
This is the sweetest post ever. I know it’s sappy, but there’s nothing I love more than love. I know the day I finally marry my partner – who I’ve been with for almost 6 years now – I am going to be a blubbering mess. I can’t wait! 😂
Carolyn says
So happy for you two! I can definitely feel the love over here. Seems like it was a really special ceremony. We waited for marriage too 🙂
Kelsey says
Oh my gosh so adorable!! Love it and this inspires me for my own wedding someday! Thanks so much for sharing!!!
Deborah says
Your ceremony sounds like it was so tender, sweet, and loving! Congratulations to you both!
Helen says
Your wedding is beautiful! Looks so dreamy!
Morgan says
I’m not crying, you’re crying!! Weddings get me every time!! Especially now that I’m planning mine!
-Morgan
How 2 Wear It [] http://how2wearit.com
Taylor Mobley says
You looked SO gorgeous and your ceremony looks like an actual DREAM.
Deborah says
Your ceremony sounds like it was so tender, sweet, and loving! Congratulations to you both!
Helen says
Your wedding is beautiful! Looks so dreamy!
Mei says
These photos are PERFECT!!! Couldn’t have capture this very special moment any better. Congrats again!
Mei says
These photos are PERFECT!!! Couldn’t have capture this very special moment any better. Congrats again!
Azanique Rawl says
I cried reading that one sentence from your vows. How beautiful to count the days 🙂 I loved your dress doll <3
-xo, Azanique | https://www.lotsofsass.com
Azanique Rawl says
I cried reading that one sentence from your vows. How beautiful to count the days 🙂 I loved your dress doll <3
-xo, Azanique | https://www.lotsofsass.com
theeyetraveler says
WHoa, what an amazing ceremony! thanks for sharing these precious moments!
theeyetraveler says
WHoa, what an amazing ceremony! thanks for sharing these precious moments!
Jamaria Johnson says
This is such a sweet post and I love your dress! Thank you for sharing such an amazing time in your life. XO
Jamaria Johnson says
This is such a sweet post and I love your dress! Thank you for sharing such an amazing time in your life. XO
Kacie says
Omg what a beautiful ceremony! Love the play on “wing bearers” and that you two wrote personal vows for each other. Congrats on a beautiful wedding and here’s to a loving marriage!
Xo, Kacie
Kacie says
Omg what a beautiful ceremony! Love the play on “wing bearers” and that you two wrote personal vows for each other. Congrats on a beautiful wedding and here’s to a loving marriage!
Xo, Kacie