Last week, I shared the first 3 blog posts from our wedding day: The Details, Getting Ready and First Look. Today, I’m sharing our CEREMONY (!!!) and some of my favorite portraits that followed!

When Hayden and I were planning our ceremony, we knew we wanted to keep it focused on joy, laughter and the lightheartedness of being in love with your best friend. Neither of us wanted a super long, traditional ceremony. Instead, we wanted it to be super personal and include the story of our relationship, the history of knowing each other since 4th grade and the ways our families have supported us in our journey. Hayden’s incredible Aunt Sarah was our officiant – and she could not have done a more perfect job incorporating all of these things (and more) into our ceremony!

We did a few months of pre-marital counseling with Aunt Sarah before our wedding, and we absolutely loved it. We looked so forward to the calls each week! It helped us to dig deep and analyze questions we may have otherwise not asked each other, and allowed Sarah to get to know us on a deeper level to really make our ceremony special. She had us write separate letters to her about why we were each other’s person…and she incorporated them so beautifully into her presentation. We privately exchanged our own personal vows before the ceremony, but we also sent them to Sarah ahead of time so she could incorporate those, too. It was so, so beautiful!

I will never forget the moments walking down the aisle with my dad. I thought I was going to be cool, calm and collected…but I was NOT. By the time it was our turn to start walking, I was shaking like a leaf. I just remember feeling SO excited and jittery…and talking to my dad the entire way down the aisle about how surreal it was! During the entire ceremony, I cried like a baby. I had to ask Hayden for a handkerchief at one point to wipe my tears because they were completely running down my face HAHA! I’m not normally a crier…but the waterworks were running the ENTIRE day at our wedding.

The team at Hewitt Oaks did such a beautiful job with our ceremony florals…the arch at the end of the aisle was truly larger than life!!! I was blown away! Our welcome champagne wall was also a detail I was so, so excited about. I just really wanted our guests to feel loved and welcomed because almost all of them traveled in from out of town. They loved the extra touch of pink champagne to sip as they arrived!

These photos are some of my favorites from our entire wedding. They obviously capture one of the most important moments of our wedding day…but one thing I will never get over as a photographer is the LIGHT. I didn’t know it until the next day, but apparently it was POURING rain on the guests in downtown Savannah when they boarded their trolleys to come over to the venue. On the short 20 minute drive, the rain completely cleared and the sun came out to give us the most STUNNING, glowing light for our ceremony (and 80 degree weather!!!) There was literally never a grey cloud in the sky at the venue. It was such a miracle and I am so, so thankful!!!

And another shout out to our full, amazing vendor team:

Planner | Social Graces Events

Venue, Florals, Catering, Rental Production | Hewitt Oaks

Photography | Lauren Fair

Videography | Mark Yeattes

Rentals | Amazing Events

Hair and Makeup | The Beauty Tribe

Invitation Suite | Empress Stationery

Band | The Midnight City Band

Wedding Cake | Sugar Whisk

Transportation | Old Savannah Tours

Wedding Dress | Berta at Anjolique Bridal

Jewelry | SJ Bailey Co.

Bridesmaid Pajamas | Bon Viviann

Bridal Robe | Pallas Couture

Groom Suit | Silver Lining Clothiers

Engagement Ring | Heidi Gibson Designs

Wedding Bans | Olive Ave.

Welcome Party & Accommodations | The Alida Hotel

I also feel like this is the perfect place to plug in our incredible wedding VIDEO thanks to Mark Yeattes! You can hear a few pieces of the ceremony in it!

I LOVED using these quintessential Savannah trolleys as our guest transportation!!

From the bridal suite, I could see guests starting to arrive…it was SO surreal to watch everyone slowly trickle in!

One of my favorite moments before the ceremony…a quick prayer before it was “go time”!

As soon as I locked eyes with Hayden!

MARRIED!!!!

Love this one!!

All the parents…so sweet! Time to party!!!

Guys…..THE LIGHT!!!!!

A favorite 🙂

If you enjoyed this post, you may also love:

Our Wedding Day | The First Look

Our Wedding Weekend | The Rehearsal

Clemson Grad: Glowy Downtown Charleston Senior Session