I fell in love with our venue the moment I stepped foot on the property, but I was sold on it as soon as I opened the door to the onsite little white chapel. I felt like I had stepped back in time the moment those chapel doors opened. It was stunning. Every part of that chapel was constructed with materials well over 100 years old. From the rich hardwood floors, to the bright stain glass windows to the old church pews, it was amazing.
We had a total of 225 guests pack into that little chapel. Every seat in the house was taken, and people were lined up on the back walls. Thankfully our wedding was in April, so although it did get a bit hot inside the chapel, it wasn't miserable by any means.
We had a wedding party that consisted of five bridesmaids, five groomsmen, and the most adorable flower girl and ring bearer that I ever did see! My parents and grandmother and Steven's parents and grandparents were escorted down the aisle first, and then came the moment I had been dreaming of for sixteen months (or really more like my whole life!).
The music began, and the wedding party started the ceremony off followed by my precious cousins. The door then shut closed, and as I heard the bridal march begin I took a deep breath, hugged my dad tight and waited for the doors to reopen so I could finally see my groom.
I stressed about not doing a first look, but Steven was so insistent about not seeing me before the ceremony that I couldn't argue against it. When those doors opened and I saw his face at the alter, it was more than worth it. The reaction he had when he saw me was priceless. It was all I could do to hold back the water works!
Our ceremony was short and sweet. Steven's great uncle performed the ceremony. The same man also married Steven's parents thirty years ago, so it meant so much to Steven and I to have him also marry us. We said our vows and exchanged our rings (I actually couldn't get Steven's ring all the way on his finger!), and throughout it all I somehow managed to keep it together without bursting out in happy tears.
As the ceremony was wrapping up, Steven's uncle asked us to face the crowd and began to introduce us as man and wife. As a bride who had been anxiously waiting to kiss her groom all day, I knew that he had forgotten one vital part of the ceremony, so I turned around and asked "Can I kiss him yet?!" Of course, the entire crowd started laughing. Larry apologized as we all laughed it off, and I was finally able to kiss my handsome groom for the first time as his wife!
It was magical. I was finally married to the man of my dreams, and it was time to get the party started! After the ceremony, the family and wedding party stuck around to take pictures while our guests enjoyed cocktail hour. Steven and I just kept looking at each other kissing while saying over and over again "We're finally married!"
After the ceremony the nerves had disappeared, and we were ready to spend the rest of the night dancing and partying with all of our favorite people who came out to celebrate our special day with us.
After the ceremony the nerves had disappeared, and we were ready to spend the rest of the night dancing and partying with all of our favorite people who came out to celebrate our special day with us.
Venue || The Oaks Plantation
Flowers || Hot House Studio
Design || Christopher Confero
Dress || Lazaro
Photographer || Armosa Studios
If you missed it, be sure to check out the part one of our wedding day recap:
Oh my gosh you got married in a little white church!! There's something just so classy and beautiful about your ceremony - I just love it!
ReplyDeleteWOW SOOOOOOO gorgeous in that dress! Loveeee this! Congrats :)
ReplyDeleteXO Ellen
www.askawayblog.com
That chapel is GORGEOUSSS!!! Such an amazing place to get married.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful! All of it!!
ReplyDeleteWhat a GORGEOUS wedding! I am DROOLING over the chapel!!! Its so classic and rustic, and just beautiful!
ReplyDeleteLove every bit of this! Gorgeous!!!!
ReplyDeleteWOW! Your pictures are absolutely stunning, not to mention that chapel!
ReplyDeleteThis is all so so stunning!! There's no way our wedding would have fit in a chapel as adorable as that one! :) I love both of your expressions during the ceremony!
ReplyDeleteThis is so beautiful! I love little quirky moments in wedding ceremonies that make it fun and yours. You both looks so happy!!!
ReplyDeleteThese pictures are so pretty! Love the chapel and the purple florals and the dress of course!!
ReplyDeleteI love everything about this, but especially the picture of you and Steven holding hands and laughing at the alter. Gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteYour venue, dress, and flowers were stunning! Looks like it was a wonderful day!
ReplyDeleteI love everything about this post! You looked stunning and the pictures are just gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteYou were gorgeous!! I love the sign your ring bearer held and how after the ceremony it said let's get this party started! That chapel is gorgeous and the perfect setting to start your marriage together!!
ReplyDeleteYou look so happy!! Just gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful!!
ReplyDeletebeautiful! love the wreaths on the doors (what a nice touch)
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely beautiful! What an amazing venue - I could only dream of a place that perfect!
ReplyDeletewhat a beautiful place and what a beautiful ceremony girl. You were beautiful.
ReplyDeletehttp://nightowlventing02.blogspot.com/2014/07/hump-day-confessions.html
How beautiful! I know it was just PERFECT! Y'all look so happy!
ReplyDeleteYou/your dress, the flowers, venue...everything was stunning!! I can see how you fell in love with the chapel so quickly! So quaint and perfect!
ReplyDeleteI cannot get over how amazing your photographer was. The ceremony looks so classy & beautiful.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful church and ceremony!!! Everything looked perfect and you both look soo happy!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful wedding!
ReplyDeleteYou are such a beautiful bride!
ReplyDelete