Growing up, every little girl dreams of her wedding day. The dress, the vows, the beautiful flowers, a handsome hubby-to-be waiting at the end of the aisle. Everyone tells you it’s supposed to be the best day of your life.
To all the ladies out there waiting for your prince charming, let me tell you.. it’s true. Your wedding day will be all you’ve fantasized about and more. It’s well-worth holding your standards high and waiting patiently (or most likely, impatiently) for the day to come. Why? Because when that day comes, you’ll be lucky enough to walk through the entire experience with the love of your life.
I’ve been so excited to share our wedding day. Every time I scroll through the photos, I feel the very same emotions I felt on that day. The excitement, the anxiousness, the joy, the hopefulness, the ready-to-get-this-party-started-ness. The flood of emotions feel so real, all over again. Nostalgia to the max.
But first… to give credit where credit is due. Y’all, I had the best crew leading up to the wedding and on the day-of. Not only are my friends and Mama as good as they get, but my vendors were phenomenal.
(Hey Bride-to-be, this is for you: I encourage you to find vendors who will make your day seamless and worry-free. Just like finding a husband, don’t settle. I almost hired a vendor that just didn’t feel right- it gave me a pit in my stomach. Last minute, I decided to change direction and hire someone else. I’ll save you the details, but I will say, it was a great decision. Listen to the intuition that God blessed you with.)
Do yourself a favor and check out these amazing people:
Photography: Briana Calderon Photography
Hair/Make-Up: Melissa Sodergren | The Blushing Bombell
Planning/Coordination: Lauren Manitta
Floral Arrangements: H & J Flowers
Venue: Picchetti Winery
Dress: Sophia Tolli
Food: Tutte Al Forno, Icing on the Cake
The Highlights:
Blake’s vows- I’m pretty sure every guest shed a tear at Blake’s “I do’s”. I love that sweet, honest, and genuine heart of his!
Pizza and Cupcakes- From the beginning stages of wedding planning, Blake and I knew we wanted our wedding to be a true representation of us: relaxed, fun, casual. Serving Artisan pizza for dinner and cupcakes for dessert was pretty spot on. Hot, cheesy, authentic pizza was made fresh from a food truck with a wood-fired oven. Served family style at each table, guests had their pick of four different pizzas. I can’t even count how many people raved about the pizza. It was delicious. But let’s not forget about the tasty cupcakes from my favorite little bakery in my hometown. The banana cake is unreal. I could eat it until I make myself sick. I’m pretty confident we will all feast on it in Heaven. .
Dance Party– My favorite part of any wedding is the dancing. This time around, I had all my best friends and family dancing with me. Two-stepping with my new hubby, circling up with my girls and waving our hands in the air to throwbacks, twirling around with mama, and getting as low as I could in my wedding dress to Low by T-Pain. In my mind, this is the true definition of a party.
Small Guest List– A small venue = a small guest list. With Blake being the social butterfly that he is (and always has been) and my large, Italian extended family, a small guest list proved to be challenging. Looking back now, I wouldn’t have it any other way. We spent the night surrounded by our dearest friends and family members, making such sweet memories that we’ll cherish forever. Plus, a smaller venue provided the intimate, romantic feel I had always dreamed of.
Lessons Learned:
Dance Party- Yes, dancing was a highlight of the evening, but also a lesson learned. After what seemed to be 30 minutes of getting down on the dance floor, it was already time for the grand exit. Trust me on this one: allow extra, extra time for a dance party. Time flies when you’re having fun and time essentially disappears on your wedding day.
Don’t Sweat It- Surprisingly, the wedding day went smoother than I could have ever imagined. Leading up to the big day was another story. It’s really easy to get wrapped up in the small things, the details and to-do’s. Yes, those things are important, but not worth the strife. Be patient and take your time. Plan ahead and don’t make rash decisions. And, please, delegate- you can’t plan an entire wedding by yourself, so let your best gals and family help. Or, hire Lauren Manitta, who is the best wedding coordinator on the planet (seriously).
Most Importantly– Your future marriage outweighs your wedding. Simple as that.
Now, without further ado… Some of my favorite shots from the best day ever:
And they lived happily ever after…
