"Life is about learning to dance in the rain"

Our first dance as husband and wife.

Today marks 3 months since a very special (and very rainy) November day at the American Village in Montevallo, AL.  Ironically, we are now under a winter weather advisory and preparing for snow in a couple of days.  Never a dull moment around here :)  Moving on...

Did I mention it rained on our wedding day?  Not really just rain; more like a torrential downpour that seemed never-ending.  Regardless of the weather, I knew that nothing would steal my happiness on the day that I had planned and waited for for so long.  As the saying goes, "Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass... It's about learning to dance in the rain."  Thankfully, the sun started peeking through the clouds just in time for our 3 PM ceremony, and it soon turned into a perfect evening.  We had a wonderful turn out and had an amazing time celebrating surrounded by family and friends.  I'm sure our wedding day was only the first of many "storms" that we will weather together, but I wouldn't want to do it with anyone else by my side.

Featured below are some of my favorite special moments/things about the day:

My beautiful bouquet with both of my parents' wedding bands tied to it.

My Mama helping me get dressed.

 Sweet Aunt Lolly who never left my side before the ceremony.

Almost ready to walk down the aisle!

My lifelong friend and "twin sister" Darna helping with the garter.

My groom getting ready.

So handsome!!

Some of the guys venturing over to the chapel in the rain.

All of my girls!

My flower girls and new nieces, precious Lauren and Allie.

I am obsessed with this picture of Miss Allie!

This is the first "outside" picture I was able to get all day.  It was almost ceremony time and I was ready!

I love this shot of our wedding rings!

Our wedding invitation.

My mother giving me away.

This cross was on the altar in memory of my Daddy and Grandmother.  It was perfect!

The kiss!  Such a relief that the ceremony was over :)

Since we didn't see each other before the ceremony, we took a little time to have some pictures made before the reception.  I love the way these turned out and wouldn't have had it any other way!

This 1930 Ford Model A belongs to Jimbo's grandfather.  It was so sweet of him to let us use it!  Definitely a memory we won't forget!

This is the Bible that my mother carried on my parents' wedding day.

This ceramic bride and groom was made by my Grandpa.  He gave it to my Grandma as a gift for their 40th wedding anniversary.  He was so proud that we were able to display it at our wedding.

Such an appropriate verse for a wedding.  The chalkboard art was done by our friend, Toni Davison.  All of these small, personal touches really added some uniqueness to our day!  

This is the infamous "window picture".  You rarely see photographs from an American Village wedding without a shot of the bride in the upstairs window of the chapel.  I'm glad we took a few extra minutes before the reception to get this one!

My cake made by Jan O' Donnell.  It tasted as good as it looks!  Only 9 more months until we get to indulge in the top tier ;)

Our boss, Dr. McCormick gave a fabulous (and hilarious) toast!

In addition to keeping a very busy clinic schedule and family life, the McCormick's are also beekeepers.  Their bees produce the most delicious local honey that Alabama has to offer! As a wedding present to us, they gave us a large amount of honey to use as wedding favors.  It was a huge hit!

So much love!  Our hearts were full.

These table arrangements made me happy!

 Minus saying my "I dos" with my groom, this was the best moment of my entire wedding.  For 6 months, I prayed that my Grandpa, who turned 90 last May, would be well enough to come to the wedding.  My prayers were answered and then some... He not only was able to come, but also stayed for the whole reception and danced the night away!  How great is our God!

A moment I will never forget!

Bouquet toss.

Getting ready to throw the garter.

Happily ever after!

And so, the rest of our new life begins... :)

All of these pictures were taken by Angie with Angela Blake Photography.  Check out her website at www.angelablakephotography.com!

Engagement Session Recap

Last spring, when we set a date for a November wedding and I dove head-first into wedding planning, I received a lot of advice.  One of the most valuable pieces of advice I got was, "Choose a quality photographer, because the pictures are all you have left of the wedding in the end."  Truer words have never been spoken.  I knew when I looked at Angie Blake's website that she would produce quality work.  What I didn't know is what a pleasure she would be to work with.  She is patient, down-to-earth, and to top it off, we share a mutual obsession of doxies.  I feel very blessed to have met a new friend along with a great photographer.  Not only did she welcome our little pup to our engagement session, but she even joked that she might take him home at the end. :)

We chose to have these pictures made in some historic areas of downtown Birmingham, including the iconic Alabama Theatre and Morris Avenue.  We ended the session in Railroad Park and got some nice shots with Children's Hospital (the place we met) in the background.  The end result was worth every minute of the walking (and sweating) in the heat and the blisters on our feet.  I will treasure these forever!  Check out Angie's website at www.angelablakephotography.com.  You will not be disappointed!

Here are a few of my favorites from the day...

                                   

           

I know ya'll find them as wonderful as I do! ;)  Happy Sunday!