Living with Craig Marriage

Our Wedding Day: Inspired by God’s Love & Nature

17 October, 2013
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This is a story about two people that fell in love and decided to become one by taking an oathe to love one another until death do them part.  Sharing this story was inspired by the fact that we just received our wedding photos 2 and a half years later.  The photos tell the story well, but I will add my own commentary along the way.  This post is photo heavy, but it was really difficult to narrow down from 700 amazing pictures!  Hope you enjoy!

The wedding was held at Brasstown Valley Resort in the hills of Young Harris, GA on April 22, 2011.  (Would highly recommend this venue.)

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After having rain in the forecast, we were all pleasantly surprised to have been blessed with the most beautiful weather.  While my girls and I were getting our hair done, Craig was having fun with the photographer.

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My handsome…

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So serious…

His boys consisted of his brother, my brother in law, and my nephew as the ring bearer.

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The flower girl…

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My mother helping me get ready…

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The dress…

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Heading to the ceremony…

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My chariot…aka golf cart…awaits!

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Note that smile…you will see a whole lot more of it…

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Craig’s mother, his nephew, and our babies head down the aisle…

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Note bright red dress compared to the wedding colors green and brown…hmmm…

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After much practice…this cutie ends up throwing every single petal with the first throw…<3

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Here comes the bride…mewalkingdownaisleCollage

 

Together…at last…206-8

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Ring bearer giving up the rings…223-8

I remember feeling so nervous…

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Instead of a unity candle, we added water and soil to a tree sapling to indicate that we will both contribute what is needed to grow a happy and healthy and strong marriage.

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That little tree sapling may or may not be dead right now.

We welcomed our mothers into our marriage by presenting them each with a rose.

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Prayer…


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You may kiss the bride…

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Mr. and Mrs. Chandler…260-8

My handsome nephew, adorable flower girl and of course my girls (a very special friend and my 2 sisters…one being very pregnant at the time).

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We did pictures during the cocktail hour…usandtreeCollage

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My babies…146-8

The wedding details…

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A sweet girl named Nataley helped me with decorating the venue.  I purchased the hydrangeas and roses from a wholesaler online and she made all of the arrangements and our bouquets.  She has since started her own company and can be found at Natoure Design Company.

I DIY’d the moss ring carrier, moss framed picture tree, and favors.  My youngest sister made our wedding tree canvas.

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I loved our cake.  It was sweet and simple.

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I surprised Craig with a lotto ticket groomsmen cake in red velvet.  He loovvvvees lottos and the cake is NOT to represent him taking a gamble by marrying me…haha!  His mother gifted us with an engraved cake cutting set.

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First dance…

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After the first dance, we all enjoyed dinner…well…sort of.  I just nibbled because nothing else was going to fit into that dress!  Such a shame too…the food was so good.  Craig and I had someone make us a video montage.  It was so much fun and by the look on our faces…hilarious.
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Toast time…my ever prepared matron of honor reading a very sweet toast from her napkin…

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Craig’s brother giving his speech…may have been a little inappropriate.

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Mother-daughter dance…
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Clearly, an emotional moment for us both…

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This woman has played the role of a my mother and father all my life and I love her deeply…

 

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Mother-son dance.  Interestingly, his mother has also played both roles raising him.  His father passed away when he was 6.

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Our thank you speech…523-8

 

Cake cutting…mmm…cake…  I must also add that this cake tasted amazing all over again on our one year anniversary!

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A little dancing fun…559-8

 

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Who’s ready for the bouquet???
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This girl is!!
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Craig searching for the garter…finds other things…


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A little more celebrating…things got a little silly…

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Sparklers to end the night off right…

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Haha! Look at Craig’s face…looks like he’s struggling a little…

 

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I will always remember this day as one of the BEST days of my life.  Sounds chiche…but man is it true.  Pictures don’t lie.  That smile never left my face.  During these past 2 and a half years Craig and I have already grown so much…in different ways.  We’ve already made some pretty big life changing decisions and we are each others number one supporter.  It’s crazy…sometimes when I look at him…I am overwhelmed with love.  It is amazing how one can love another more and more as time passes.  I can only pray that it continues throughout our lifetime.  Please know that I am not saying that everything in our world is always perfect.  That’s just silly talk.  Let’s just say that God’s grace and His love is ALWAYS perfect…and we will leave it at that.

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Thank you for sharing our wedding day with us :-)

Photography by Jessica Horwitz

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13 Comments

  • Reply Pinky at Designs by Pinky 17 October, 2013 at 7:46 am

    This BEAUTIFUL wedding so reminds me of our suaghters wedding. She had the SAME color scheme, a flower girls that threw bunches of petals:), 2 rings beareres(brothers), and a FABULOUS, fun reception! Congrats on 2 years. They just had their 3rd anniversary on 9/11. Yup, they will never forget their anniversary. You were a gorgeous bride and your hubby is very handsome! Best wishes to you both. My hubby and I are coming up on 46 in Nov.!!!!

    • Reply Luisa 6 November, 2013 at 11:12 am

      So sorry for the late response! :-( Thank you so much for your sweet comment! And congratulations to you and your hubby for 46 years! I love to hear that. Long marriages make my heart smile :-)

  • Reply Jessica Bowman 18 October, 2013 at 3:02 pm

    Such a beautiful wedding! Love you!

    • Reply Luisa 6 November, 2013 at 11:12 am

      Thank you darling!!!

  • Reply Nicole Boulier 6 November, 2013 at 2:56 pm

    Catching up on some of your posts… what a beautiful wedding!! Brasstown Bald is such a great idea for a wedding venue, the setting was stunning. You are gorgeous in that dress! We had our 16th Anniversary over the summer, certainly some bumps along the way but I will never forget our day!

    • Reply Luisa 8 November, 2013 at 4:16 am

      Thank you Nicole! Congratulations on your 16th!

  • Reply pam 27 December, 2013 at 4:53 am

    Wow, what a beautiful bride you made. :o) And to be married in such a beautiful setting in nature just made it all the more lovely. That last picture of you and Craig overlooking the landscape and that lone tree there, almost signifying the joining of two into one. No wonder it is one of your best days ever … you got to marry the love of your life with family and friends attending and the day was gorgeous, as well as the venue. I’m glad you finally got your pictures, lol. They are great reminders of a great day.

    • Reply pam 27 December, 2013 at 4:55 am

      Um … that was supposed to be a smiley face, lol. Instead I seem to look shocked. Haha. Oh, I know … it’s because I added a nose. Apparently, eyes, nose and a smile add up to a shocked look with an end parenthesis. Oops … I really wasn’t shocked that you made a beautiful bride, Luisa. Lol.

      • Reply Luisa 27 December, 2013 at 8:50 am

        Haha! You are too funny Pam! It doesn’t looked shocked at all…just really…really happy! Thank you so much for your super sweet comment though. That man drives me crazy but I can’t imagine a day without him!

  • Reply pam 28 December, 2013 at 4:54 am

    Driving us crazy, it’s what they do best. Of course, they would probably say the same about us! :)

    • Reply Luisa 28 December, 2013 at 6:25 am

      Oh yes! Sometimes I wonder how in the world I found someone that puts up with me!!

  • Reply Jesse 10 November, 2014 at 4:43 am

    Wow, I’m not sure how I missed this post when you originally wrote it, but I’m so glad I found it now. What a gorgeous setting and you were such a gorgeous bride! Thanks for sharing these photos and giving us a peek into your lovely life. :)
    Jesse recently posted…The Evolution of our Loft SpaceMy Profile

    • Reply Luisa 12 November, 2014 at 5:58 am

      Awwww! Thank you so much for all that sweetness! It really was just the best day ever! I know that you can totally relate!

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