Our Own Day. Part 5.

The first look. A debated topic in wedding-land. Throughout our engagement, John and I went back and forth on having a first look. After he was a groomsmen in two weddings in the summer, he decided that we should do a first look. I agreed. It was set. We made plans for the girls to go out to the B&B first to take some pictures and for the guys to arrive later.  This would give the girls a chance to finish up and then set us up for our first look. As my mom and I drove to De'Starte, John called me. I could immediately tell that he was panicked. He quickly explained that he had changed his mind, and absolutely did not want to see me before the ceremony.  Then he asked if I was mad. :-) I was not. At all. It was so sweet to hear his worry of seeing me.  We took it in stride. I called Jill, explained, and we rolled with the new schedule. No harm done.  I had a bandanna in my bag that I made sure got to John before he approached where the girls were taking pictures. He wore it for about an hour and a half before the wedding.  When the girls were finishing pictures, we walked back towards the porch of De'Starte and I saw this: 

Ain't he cute? Well, we took this opportunity to not see each other, but get some really great pictures. I treasure these...

I can't tell you how many times he said "DO NOT let my hand touch your dress!!"  He didn't want any of the surprise ruined!

this is one of my favorite pictures now.

Roll with it. 

Our Own Day. Part 4.

My Duckies. The gorgeous women that I have had the honor of knowing throughout my life. I do not know what I would do without these ladies. They have loved me and encouraged me through so many seasons of my life. Not only are they amazing in the ways that they have loved me, but they added quite a lot of beauty to the wedding day. 

After the worst 8 month headache of a search, I found these dresses for them. I liked it so much that I bought one for myself.

Personally, I find it amazing that the tree line nearly follows the heights of our heads

Natalie, Carolyn, Sandy, Katie M., Laura, Kristen, Katie H., Quinn

seriously love them

sassafras

 Lurko

<3

Again, all photographs are taken by Jillian Lee Photography, if you are looking for loveliness for your own day...contact her. :)

Our Own Day. Part 3.

Some love for the boys!  First some shots of the groom (groomal portraits? how is that not an official title after bridal portraits?? srsly, people?). Then some shots of his groomsmen. All of nine these men have played an important role in John's life and his walk with the Lord.  They all loved and served him in order to prepare him for this day where he would become my husband. Seven of these men are friends from college and the other two are my brothers. It was a joy to see them standing beside my groom on this important day! 

good lookin'

one fly outfit

all the boys. Jonathan, Dan, Chaz, William, Lindsey, John, Mark, David, Morgan, Tim

Gold, the model

prayer before the ceremony

impromptu pose post-ceremony. I should have expected it..

As John's wife, I am thankful for these men and the wisdom that they willingly pour out on him. They have been an integral tool that the Lord has used in John's spiritual growth.  John would not be the man that I know today if it were not for the Lord's work through these men.  That is why they were standing beside him, ushering us into a this covenant with the God of the universe and each other. 

Our Own Day. Part 2.

I want to get this post over and done with. Why? Because it is full of awkward pictures of just me. Bridal portraits, why must you be so strange?  I was not trained to stand in front of a camera all by myself. I never set up a session for just bridal portraits, so Jill took these for me the morning of the wedding. I got ready at the house that I grew up in, so these were all taken at the house. I love that I was able to get some pictures in a place that is so important to me.  This is the house that my grandfather grew up in, so there is a lot of history for my family.  Looking back, I would not have wanted these taken anywhere else. 

So without further adieu, enjoy!

The next set of pictures posted will include people other than myself. Thank goodness...