Sparks Ever After: Wedding Day

Showing posts with label Wedding Day. Show all posts

04.12.2014 {{Mr. & Mrs. Sparks}}

9.24.2014

It's hard to believe that Steven and I have been married almost six months. It seems like our perfect day was just yesterday. I guess what they say is true, time really does fly when you're having fun! I have loved recapping all of the details of our big day, and I can't believe that this is my very last wedding recap! If you missed any of the previous wedding day posts, links can be found at the bottom of this post.

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As I mentioned before, Steven and I didn't do a first look. It was by the request of my husband that we stick to tradition and not see each other before the ceremony. We took individual pictures before the ceremony, but all of the pictures that included the two of us were taken after the ceremony while our guests were enjoying cocktail hour.

My groom was exceptionally handsome and nervous on our wedding day. Although we didn't see each other before exchanging vows, we did communicate throughout the day via text messages. We also had hand written notes prepared for each other along with a little wedding day gift. My groom gifted me Kate Spade MRS. earrings and I gifted him Tennessee cuff links to wear with his suit.

Immediately after the ceremony we took pictures with our wedding party and then with our families. After those pictures were complete, we finally got to have a few minutes alone taking pictures of just the two of us.

I was definitely hesitant about waiting until after the ceremony to take pictures. I wasn't sure that we would have enough time to take the amount of pictures that I wanted, and I was afraid their would be too many distractions around us. In the end, however, none of that mattered. We had plenty of time and got more pictures than I expected. Even better, we had time alone together after the ceremony. Time to soak it all in, together. Time to hold each other and kiss as husband and wife before entering the party that was our reception. It was the right call.

Our entire wedding day was such a magical experience for both, Steven and I. We were surrounded by so much love and support from our family and friends. From seeing Steven's face for the first time as I walked with my dad down the aisle, to dancing the night away with all of our friends, it was everything and more that I could have dreamed of. I love this man with everything I have, and I'm so proud to call myself his wife.

And then they lived happily ever after....

Venue || The Oaks Plantation

Design || Christopher Confero

Flowers || Hot House Studio

Dress || Lazaro

Photographer || Armosa Studios
Catering || Kathy G. & Company

Cakes || Gia's Cakes

Check out the rest of our wedding day recap:

04.12.2014 {{Just Like That, Two Families Became One}}

9.10.2014

There were a lot of moments that I was looking forward to on my wedding day. Moments that I had dreamed about since I was a little girl. One of those moments was seeing my dad's reaction when he saw me in my wedding dress. I've been a daddy's girl for as long as I can remember. I've dreamed about the day that he would walk me down the aisle and give me away (of course, he always said he would never "give me away"). The moment he opened the door and saw me for the first time in my wedding dress tears started forming, in everyone's eyes. It was a moment that I will never forget.

My mom, my best friend, my second wedding planner. From the day Steven asked me to marry him until the very moment that I said "I do," my mom was beside me checking things off the to-do list. I've always cherished the close relationship that my mom and I have. For years I thought that this was normal. It wasn't until my teenage years that I noticed not everyone has the kind of mother-daughter relationship that we share. We didn't fight or disagree (on much) when I was growing up. She has always been my best friend, and she always will be.

My sweet, sweet grandmother. Another role model that I have had in my life since day one. I've always had a close relationship and strong bond with my grandmother. I was her first grandchild. Growing up, I remember spending many summers at my Memama and Granddaddy's house. I cherished those trips, and now I cherish those memories. I wish more than anything that my Granddaddy's could have been there to see me in my wedding dress, but I know that he was looking down from heaven and smiling from ear to ear. He would have loved Steven.

I know I've said it before, but I am so thankful I was able to marry into such a wonderful family. Steven's family has treated me like one of their own since day one. I knew from early on in our relationship that Steven was "The One," and seeing him interact with his family only solidified that thought. I love his parents, his sister, his grandparents, his aunts, uncles, cousins, and more. He comes from a similar family background as I come from. One that is built around strong family values. It's something that had made our relationship with one another even stronger.

And just like that, two families became one. When Steven and I said "I do" to each other, we also gained another family. I inherited a fabulous set of in-laws, the sister I've always wanted, and another amazing set of grandparents.

Family is so important to Steven and me. It was something that we discovered very early on in our relationship, and something that ultimately brought us closer together. Both of us were fortunate enough to grow up in a household with two loving parents. Both, my parents and Steven's parents, have been married nearly thirty years. We saw the hard work and dedication that our parents put into their marriage. Our parents are our role models and an example of what a marriage should be like.

Family obviously means a great deal to Steven and me both, so having a family member marry us was incredibly special. Steven's great uncle Larry married Steven's parents nearly thirty years ago. Having a family member marry us, one that also married Steven's parents, was very meaningful. He knew our family values and our morals. We are so thankful he made the trip over to Alabama to conduct our ceremony and finally declare us as husband and wife.

Venue || The Oaks Plantation

Design || Christopher Confero

Flowers || Hot House Studio

Dress || Lazaro

Photographer || Armosa Studios
Catering || Kathy G. & Company

Cakes || Gia's Cakes

Check out the rest of our wedding day recap:

04.12.2014 {{Wedding Party}}

8.27.2014

When it came to deciding who Steven and I wanted standing beside us on our big day, it was an easy decision for us both. I couldn't imagine getting married without each of these girls standing beside me, and I know Steven felt the same way about his groomsmen. We are so lucky to have each of these beautiful friends in our lives, and we are so happy that they were there to celebrate our wedding day with us.

The girls standing next to me on our big day are five of my very favorite people in the whole world. I met each of these girls during a different stage in my life, and I couldn't imagine myself without their friendship. They are the kind of girls who I could call at any time, for any reason, and they would be there in a heartbeat. The keep me laughing and keep my full of life.

Rachael, my Maid of Honor, and I have known each other since elementary school. We constantly get the comment that we are sisters separated at birth because we fight like sisters, look like sisters, and would be there for each other no matter what, like sisters would. This girl knows my every story. She has been there for me to wipe my tears and to celebrate my victories. She is someone who could tell if something was wrong before I even had to open my mouth. I honestly have no idea what I would have done throughout the years without this her. Friendships like ours are rare. I'm so thankful she was brought into my life all those years ago.

Cortney and I have also been lifelong friends. We meet at all-star cheerleading practice in middle school. It wasn't an instant friendship. We actually very much disliked each other the first few times we interacted. It didn't take long, however, to form a friendship, and we have basically been inseparable ever since. We introduced our husbands to each other a little over a year ago, and they immediately hit it off. Her husband was actually standing with us next to Steven on our big day as well. Cortney was eight months pregnant at our wedding (I know, it isn't fair how tiny and precious she looked!!), and after Steven and I returned from our Honeymoon, she and her husband asked Steven and I to be the Godparents of their precious baby boy. We are so honored!

Katie and I have a pretty funny story on how our friendship came to be. We actually went to the same high school, but we weren't friends. We went to a large school and simply hung out with different groups of friends. We then graduated high school, began college at the University of Alabama, and pledged the same sorority. You would think that this would blossom a friendship, but no. We had a very large pledge class and although we were pledge sisters, we weren't really friends. Then, sophomore year of college, we moved into the same apartment complex and lived right across the hall from one another. Finally, after years of fate pulling us together, we began friends. Once our friendship started, we were pretty much inseparable throughout the rest of our time at Alabama. I hate that it took us so many years to start a friendship, but I'm so glad it finally happened. I would be lost without this girl. I'm also so excited for her because she will be walking down the aisle this Spring! I can't wait!

Bailey and I are sorority sisters, and we began our friendship at the beginning of our freshman year of college at Alabama. We grew up in the same city, but we met for the first time a few days after we moved into the dorm. Bailey lived right across the hall from me our freshman year, and when we pledged the same sorority a week later, a friendship was destined to form. Bailey was one of the first friend's I made in college, and I knew from the start that it was the kind of friendship that would last a lifetime. This girl is easily one of the funniest people I have ever met, and I'm so thankful for her support and friendship.

Morgan is the sister that I waited almost twenty-five years for. I knew the first time I met her when Steven took me to Georgia to meet his family that we would get along wonderfully. It's so funny how you can meet someone so different from you, but yet so much the same as you. That is how Morgan and I are. Growing up I never knew anyone else with the name Morgan. Now, I have a sister who I not only share the same first name with, but also the same last name. You would think it would get really confusing during family events, but we have it pretty worked out. At last resort, we both answer when someone calls our name.

Steven had a wonderful group of guys standing with him. My poor groom was so nervous and anxious on our big day, and I know those guys spent the day calming his nerves. Steven's dad stood next to him as his best man. His groomsmen included Tim, a childhood friend from Tennessee, Justin, another great friend from his time living in Georgia, Matt, one of his closest friends who also happens to be my best friend's husband, and Brady, my younger brother. Our Ring Bearer was my adorable cousin, Tyler. How cute is he in those suspenders?!