We had some time between formal pictures and the beginning of the ceremony, so my bridesmaids, parents, and I headed up the mountain to the Ski Lodge to wait until it was time! This was a great time for us all, we popped a bottle of champagne, did some last minute hair and makeup touchups, listened to some fun “gettin’ married” songs, and just had a little bit of time to relax before the real festivities began!

 

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When it was time, we hopped in the car and headed back down the mountain to our ceremony location. I stayed in the back of our van with my parents while all the wedding party lined up on the porch- though Conor and I had seen each other before, I didn’t want him to see me right then before I walked down the aisle. As we were waiting for our wedding party to get all set up, something happened in that car, and it was something that took my breath away, literally.
I’ve mentioned in posts before on this blog, that there is a song that always reminds me of my Grandfather. It is an older George Strait song that we played at the reception of his funeral. Unfortunately it never comes on the radio, so for me to hear it I have to search and listen. While we were waiting in the car, the local country music station was playing on the radio, right before I hopped out to walk down the aisle, all of a sudden that George Strait song comes on. In the midst of all the craziness going on around us I stopped, and realized what was happening, I asked my mom if she heard what was playing, she acknowledged it, and we both looked at each other. We knew what was happening, what we were feeling, and it took everything in us to not just completely lose it. It was my Grandfather, he was there, and he wanted us to know. It tore me apart in the weeks leading up to my wedding, knowing that he wouldn’t physically be there, but as soon as that song came on, I was at peace, knowing that he 100% was there for that moment in my life.

~That will always be one of my most cherished memories of my wedding day~

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The photographers snagged some of these awesome pictures of the wedding party before walking down the aisle. These are some of my favorite pictures of the day- filled with so much pure emotion- excitement, nerves, and just fun!

The wedding party walked down the aisle to “A Thousand Years” by the Piano Guys.

And then, it was my turn!

My Dad and I walked down the aisle to “Can’t Help Falling in Love” by Haley Reinhart

I was overcome with such ease and a sense of calm as I walked down the aisle. I was ready… ready to marry the love of my life

My Aunt, Lisa,  officiated our wedding. She has been a large part of so many important moments in my life, it only seemed fitting. She did a beautiful job, and I couldn’t have asked for a more perfect ceremony

It meant a lot to Conor and I to be sure that our ceremony was something personal and heartfelt- something special and unique to us as a couple. That’s exactly what our ceremony emulated, and it was perfect.

We surprised our parents with a special Rose Ceremony for them, specifically for our Moms. We are so incredibly blessed to have our parents as role models- as loving hearts and homes that have supported our relationship from the beginning and nourished it every step of the way.

The love that Conor and Mattea feel for one another is a seed that

their parents planted in their hearts years ago and, which today has

blossomed.

Today, as they embrace each other in their love, they also embrace the

families that have come together on this happy occasion.

As a sign of their love for their families, Conor and Mattea would like

to present a rose to their Mothers, as a symbol of their eternal love.  

These roses are a promise that no matter how far away you are, that

you are not forgotten and that you are always in their hearts.

We had three very special readings. Two of which were readings that were done at our parents weddings (as this special day was completely dedicated to them) and then one unique to us and our wedding.

Conor’s Uncle read a reading from his parents wedding, 1 Corinthians 13:

Love is patient, love is kind…

My two good friends, Tess and Lauryn performed a reading special to Conor and I, before we said our vows, Union by Robert Fulgham

“…Now you shall say a few words that take you across a threshold of life, and things

will never quite be the same between you. For after these vows, you shall say to

the world, this is my husband, this is my wife.”

And my dearest and life long friend, Kristen, read a piece from my parents wedding, In Celebration of You by James Kavanagh

“…And as I celebrate your being, 

I want you to know clearly and forever, 

That my world would never be the same. 

Without you”

When it came time for our vows, we did something a little different. Conor and I wrote our own vows, together, ahead of time. When we recited our vows, instead of one person reading all of theirs at once, we went back and forth, each reciting one vow at a time.

To us, it was important to do it that way, as in our minds it made it more personal, more real, more us. Based on the response we got after the ceremony, it seemed that others felt this way as well.

We exchanged rings, with the promise:

With this ring,

I pledge my love and faithfulness to you,

Today, tomorrow, and always.

After we exchanged rings, my Aunt sent us off with a beautiful blessing, and it was then time for my to kiss my new hubby!

We were officially pronounced as husband it wife! It was the best kiss- a kiss felt with such excitement, joy, relief, and steadfast love. We were MARRIED!

We went back and forth on whether we would have the traditional military saber arch at the wedding. In the end, we decided that not only would it be special for us, but for our guests as well. So we went with it, and boy am I glad we did!

We all left the ceremony and headed back out into the cold for a brief minute, but we didn’t notice the cold, we were all SO excited and just on an emotional high!

Before heading into cocktail hour, the wedding party all met in the front room of the building. There were glasses of champagne there waiting for us all when we arrived. The wedding party and family all had a chance to share a toast and cheers! It turned out to be such a special moment in the day. I remember being in that room and my entire body shaking uncontrollably. It was as if all the calm and ease I had been feeling all day and through the ceremony just went away and my body allowed me to just feel and let out ALL those emotions I’d been holding back all day.

Because we did all of our pictures beforehand, it allowed Conor and I to spend more time with our guests. So from our post ceremony celebration with our wedding party, we all headed to the cocktail hour to kick off the nights festivities

Cocktail hour was spent sharing drinks, hugs, kisses, and laughs with all of our guests. It was such a special time to thank everyone for coming and to get the night started off on such a high