I hesitated to use the word “perfect.” I wasn’t sure if it was appropriate.
But, during our thank-you speech at our wedding reception, I couldn’t think of any other word that was better.
November 14th was truly a perfect day.
Disclaimer: All photos in this post, unless otherwise stated, were taken by Amanda MacDiarmid, or her second shooter, Cathy. Amanda owns and operates Stellar Exposures.
All credit goes to them.
We started the day early – My parents and I arrived at the church at 6:45 a.m. Hair and makeup quickly followed, and our ceremony started at 11:00 a.m. sharp.
My dress was hanging in a tree!
One of my all-time favorites.
Amanda is so creative!
Getting dressed!
Our save-the-date postcard and our invitation.
Our wedding program on the brick steps leading to the sanctuary.
Amanda and her second shooter, Cathy, were absolutely FABULOUS!
Our ceremony was held at the church that I have been attending since I was four-years-old. Aldersgate United Methodist Church holds a special place in my heart. We were so fortunate that our former associate pastor, Eric Song, came down from Winchester to marry us!
The sanctuary.
Beautiful shot.
He played his guitar during the groomsmen entrance, and I could hear it as I was waiting to enter the sanctuary.
Dea Atkinson, a long-time church friend, played a lively variety of music on the piano. She is amazing!
Pastor Eric Song playing his guitar during the groomsmen entrance.
Walking down the aisle with Mom and Dad.
Al seeing me for the first time 🙂
Married!!
One of my favorites 🙂
The ceremony had a lot of laughter, and a few tears. Eric did an amazing job! It was a whirlwind – It was over in just 25 minutes! But it was amazing. I felt completely surrounded by love and peace.
One of my favorite parts of the ceremony was the love letters that Al and I wrote to each other. Eric asked us to write a letter to each other, but neither of us could see it. We both ended up writing about our first date on September 4, 2010. It was awesome!
About 100 people came to our wedding, which was perfect.
I married into a HUGE family. Being an only child, it’s so awesome! We were so grateful that most of our family members were able to join us for our special day.
Karen (Momma) and Jim (Daddy).
My family!
L to R: Uncle Richard (Mom’s brother), Auntie Marn (Dad’s sister), Karen (Mom), LB, Jim (Dad), Cousin Ryan, and Uncle Butch (Dad’s brother-in-law).
Al’s immediate family!
L to R: Bruce (Dad), Debbie (Mom), Al, and Nick (Brother and brother-in-law).
This was spectacular – 91-year-old Grandma Helena came!!
L to R: Al, Grandma, Nick
Pastor Eric and his wife, Heather!
Beautiful, and handsome.
Wholesale Flower Market, Inc., in Chesapeake, did our arrangements – They were absolutely gorgeous. They wrapped my bouquet with one of my grandmother’s handkerchiefs and attached one of her gorgeous brooches. Grandma Grace, who passed away in July 2013, was definitely with us in spirit.
Aunt Pam and Uncle Bill.
L to R: Cousin Kellie, LB, Al, Aunt Rosalind, and Uncle John.
L to R: Nick, LB, Al, Mia (future niece), and Savy (future sister-in-law).
L to R: Uncle Ken, Aunt Karen, LB, Al, Brenda, and Uncle Joe.
Uncle Dan and Aunt Jeanne.
Uncle Bill and Aunt Susan.
Cousins Micah and Ashley.
The whole family!
The proud parents.
The wedding party! Y’all rock!
L to R: Liz, Katie, Stephanie, Melissa, LB, Al, Bruce, Nick, Joe, and Mike.
Stylin’!
The ladies!
No one planned the coordinating black and red shoes!
Mom and Dad 🙂
The men!
Standing in front of the floor-to-ceiling stained glass piece.
After the ceremony, Charlie from Orange Peel Transportation came to pick up the wedding party and shuttle us to our reception at Cedar Point Country Club in Suffolk, about 15 minutes from the church. It was a brisk day, but sunny and crystal clear!
Our gorgeous cake, made with love by Tracy Grandon.
One of the three amazing art pieces that our future sister-in-law, Savy, made for us! Check out SavyArt for more!
Father-daughter dance.
Daddy and I danced to “Carolina In My Mind” by James Taylor. This was a surprise for my mom as well – Dad played this song when he proposed to Mom!
Mother-son dance.
Al and Mom danced to “My Wish” by Rascal Flatts.
Aunt Karen said a beautiful blessing over the food.
Al and I love movies, so he edited images of famous movie couples for our tables!
Beautiful! I love this photo of us 🙂 Here’s to more adventures!
L to R: Drew, Katie, LB, Al, Heaven, and Justin.
The beautiful maid of honor, Melissa, making her toast.
The dapper best man, Bruce, a.k.a. Dad, giving his toast.
The handsome father of the bride, Jim, giving his thank-you speech and toast.
After eating and toasts, we DANCED!
Let’s boogie!
If you’re happy and you know it, clap your hands!
Mom and Dad!
Chris and Donald.
Olivia and Christine!
Tearing up the dance floor.
Dancing, L to R: Nick, Crystal, and Savy. Sitting: Mia.
Crystal was our bomb.com (glitter bomb, of course!) wedding planner! Check out Cherry Blossom Planning Factory!
Dance, dance, dance!
Around 3:30 p.m., Amanda and Cathy came to Al and I, and asked us for 15 minutes to go outside for some portraits. I needed it then – I was so hot! The brisk air was so refreshing!
Amazing.
It was a little windy, but it felt awesome!!
I forgot that we were on a golf course!
Beautiful. That light!
November 14th was perfect. The pictures that Amanda and Cathy took, they number in the thousands. I’m incredibly grateful for each and every one. Thank you, Amanda and Cathy, for capturing our special day so beautifully!!
A HUGE thank you goes out to our families, first and foremost. Thank you for supporting our love since 2010. Thank you for being amazing every day!
To our friends, thank you for your love and support. It means the world to us. Thank you to those who hosted bridal showers, offered help of all kinds, were a phone call away when I wanted to pull my hair out, and much, much more. We were so happy that so many of you were able to come celebrate with us!
Thank you to our fantastic vendors!!
Ceremony Site: Aldersgate United Methodist Church
Reception Site & Caterer: Cedar Point Country Club
Linens: Waterford Event Rentals
Videographer: Ebb & Flow Films
Photographer: Stellar Exposures
DJ: Music Makes You Happy Entertainment
Flowers: Wholesale Flower Market, INC.
Hair & Bridal Party Make-Up: Mystique Salon & Day Spa
Transportation: Orange Peel
Wedding Ninjas: Cherry Blossom Planning Factory
Happy New Year, friends.
Here’s to 2016!
Dancing and singing to “Don’t Stop Believin'” – The last song of the event!
Until the next headline, Laura Beth 🙂
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