How they met

I love that this couple found each other on Match.com where I met my husband! The groom is from Minnesota, one state away from my husband's home state. The bride is from Alabama, one state over from where I grew up in Georgia. But what made this wedding most special for me was that I'm the bride's aunt, and I'm so happy for the love they have found together.

Before the ceremony

The couple chose not to see each other beforehand, so as Grace was putting on her wedding dress, she told her mom, "I feel like I haven't seen him in forever." We helped calm her nerves and then teared up as she looked in the mirror in the dress we had both worn in our own weddings as well, along with her grandmother who had no idea anyone would wear it besides her when she bought it in 1977.


Grace stunned the bridesmaids when she entered the room for the first time to oohs and ahhs, squeals of delight, and clapping. They said a prayer for her to calm her nerves and bless their marriage.


Meanwhile, when taking pictures of the groomsmen, I asked if they would be willing to try picking Brendan up for a photo. They went far beyond what I had in mind! I had no idea they had such skill...nor what I was getting myself into.


Brendan later pulled a tiny tape measure out of one of his suit pockets. He typically (always) wears his tape measure clipped on the side of his pants, but he made an exception for the wedding and chose to carry his grandfather's small one out of sight.

What I thought the groomsmen were going to do when I asked if they would pick Brendan up.

What I did NOT think the groomsmen were going to do when I asked if they would pick Brendan up.

The ceremony

As guests entered, they took a polaroid photo they added to the guestbook they signed. The bride's brothers ushered in the grandparents and parents.


The couple chose a sand ceremony to represent how their separate lives were being united. The guests were asked to pull out a hymnal and join them in singing, "Great is Thy Faithfulness." Pastor Al, who drove down from Minnesota, informed the congregation that Grace and Brendan hadn't shared their first kiss yet...and proceeded to ask if we could sing another song with lots of verses first.


After the kiss, Brendan whisked Grace off the stage. As he spun her around before their exit, the length of her gown seemed to fill the room like magic.

the rings

I love when couples let their uniqueness shine through in their wedding. One way they did that was by getting married on Brendan's grandparents' anniversary, which is also Brendan's birthday! But Brendan did not stop there. He does work as a blacksmith, so he made both of their gorgeous rings!

After the Ceremony

The groom carried his bride to sign their marriage license, where Grace swiftly removed her shoes. Thankfully Brendan was there to hold her upright for the final set of photos! It had been a long day for her without him. They looked so natural and at peace once they were finally together.

The reception

Mr. & Mrs. Stevens entered the reception where a live band played while guests ate their meal. The groom joined the bride and her family for a celebratory country-style dance. I could not get enough of all the smiles!


They had a difficult time cutting the bride's ice cream cake, only to find out the reason why was that the top layer had cardboard underneath it and they were trying to cut through it! They moved on to the groom's blacksmith-themed cake while showing off the rings and speaking to guests.


Some of the guests joined the bride in "Cotton-Eyed Joe" and a few other line dances. The mother of the bride had a friend who also has 7 children come from Oklahoma. They are a family band, as is the bride's family, so they played a few songs, too. Then Grace's friend, Hannah, caught the bouquet before the send-off.

The send off

The bride and groom left the reception through rows of sparklers, which guests enjoyed long after the couple was gone to their hotel at Mt. Cheaha where they stayed before heading home to Minnesota together.