The ceremony was beyond emotional. Up until the day before, I was on a serious hunt for an old ford pick up truck for my father to drive me to the ceremony with. I had envisioned it for months, and every person who I had been in touch with fell through. The day before my wedding, my mother received a call from someone from my town, who had the PERFECT truck for me. It was just meant to be. He flat bedded it up (3
hours away!) and it arrived 20 minutes before my ceremony.

Once my father pulled up to the site, and I heard my song begin to play, it became very real and I somehow lost my breath and the tears became nonstop. I had listened to that song while driving, picturing the moment my father would walk me down the aisle, and now it was happening, and it was me in the dress, not with a camera, walking down to see Shawn. It is a very surreal feeling to be in that spot, where I have photographed it hundreds of times before. I walked down the aisle, on a chilly October day, overlooking the mountains, the smell of burning firewood in the air, with my favorite people in the world, to the man that has been my heart for over 10 years. I thought of every struggle we overcame to be there, how much growing we each did, and how now we had made it. I hope every bride feels that magnificent on their wedding day. I hope every bride becomes that overwhelmed with emotion. It's truly unforgettable.

Processional: Bridesmaids: You'll Never Walk Alone - Gerry + The Pacemakers; Bride: Big Red Machine - Justin Vernon + Aaron Dessner

Recessional: Postcards From Italy - Beirut

First Dance: I want to know your plans - Say Anything

Be yourselves. It's so easy to get caught up in Pinterest and dozens of wedding blogs, but stay true to who you both are as a couple. Planning will be much easier once you conquer that. And enjoy it! It is so easy to say, because it was said to me, while I was up all night trying to decide if I wanted burlap or ivory table cloths, but in the end, it doesn't matter. We kept our wedding small, and I am so happy we did. I got to enjoy everyone and didn't feel like I had to spend my night talking to my old boss's wife's cousin's aunt. Or whatever. Invite the people who matter the most. Hire amazing professionals. Oh, and hire a planner. Seriously. Best decision I ever made.