Our Wedding 4.14.14
All pictures are courtesy of the talented Dustin Prickett at Sunglow Photography
It feels like it was just yesterday that I was writing about our engagement and now here we are with pictures from the big day. It all flew by so fast, as I was told it would, but I think we did our best to soak in every moment.
Since all of our family lives in Central Florida, we decided to get married back on the east coast. We have always agreed on wanting a small and intimate wedding so we chose to forgo having bridesmaids or groomsmen and invited only our immediate family and friends.
When it came to picturing the setting where Brandon and I would exchange our vows, I imagined it taking place under a big oak tree. It wasn’t economically feasible for us to make a trip to Florida beforehand so I had to choose a venue based on what I could find on the internet and I eventually came across Highland Manor in the small city of Apopka.
Even though neither of us had seen it in-person, I knew it was the perfect spot for us. The estate was built in 1903 and was full of vintage charm plus there were two giant oak trees out front and a small chapel in-case of inclement weather.
I’m the type that fears the worst will happen so knowing we had a back-up plan gave me great comfort. But of course, mother nature pulled through with warm and sunny weather so we didn’t even need it.
The military jacket and golf hat belong to my grandfather who lost a long battle to Multiple Myeloma a few years after Brandon and I started dating. He will forever be one of the most important parts of our family so it was important that his presence was felt.
Our ceremony programs were designed with the help of Smitten on Paper and I love the way they turned out! They were also pretty useful as it was in the 80’s that day.
The sign-in table had one of the memo boards I made along with our guest book in the center which was actually an oak tree puzzle that I found on Etsy. I thought it was such a cool idea and I’m excited to frame it soon!
I got ready in the bridal suite at the venue along with my mom and grandmother and a few close friends. Lejeune Artistry did our hair and makeup and I went for a soft, natural look with a low, side-swept ponytail.
For my dress, I knew exactly what I wanted before I went shopping: a fitted lace gown with cap sleeves and a keyhole back. The options were actually pretty limited but I was able to find this one at the second boutique I went to, Janene’s Bridal in Alameda.
The girl that was helping me pulled a few different dresses but left this one on the rack since it was over my budget. Every time I walked by it, the lace kept catching my eye so I asked her if I could try it on, knowing it was more than I wanted to spend. Sure enough, the second I put it on I got an overwhelming feeling that it was “the one”.
I made a few a subtle changes by having them remove the sash and beading that it originally came with as well as some of the crinoline at the bottom so that it wasn’t as poofy.
The end result was everything I dreamed of and I hope to have a daughter who will wear it one day.
All of your wedding details are absolutely gorgeous and you look stunning! I LOVE your dress! And the way you honored your grandfather was so touching!
You’re making wish I got a re-do on my own wedding dress….smashing!
Kind feels like I just attended a wedding just looking at your pictures and I didn’t even have to pick up a gift!
So pretty =)
You look so beautiful! Love the pics :)
Thank you Mercy! :)
I can’t even handle how gorgeous you look – so incredibly beautiful!
Thank you so much Sam!!
So amazing and beautiful doesn’t even do it justice. Can’t wait to see more pictures!
You’re too sweet Katie! Thank you!!
Looks like a stunning day, and you look gorgeous! Also love the homage to your grandfather. What a wonderful way to include him in your big day.
Thank you Meg!! :)
precious. can’t wait for more photos. i don’t know why, but this whole time i thought you were getting married in sonoma country. where have i been? haha. SO beautiful, sarah!
Thank you Hillary!
I wish we could have got married in Sonoma. That would have been SO much easier but we wanted it to be convenient for our family. My photographer just did a really good job making it look like the wine country. ;)
Gorgeous!! Congratulations!! Glad to see you’re back ;)
Thanks Sarah! I’m so happy to be back. :)
What a wonderful wedding Sarah! You look absolutely stunning.
Love the pictures :)
Thank you Anne! :)
Everything looks so lovely. I’m teary eyed looking at the photo of your grandfathers hat and jacket. I felt the same way of my beloved departed family and with the most recent death of my aunt before my wedding, we had a chair just for her and her purple rose.
The venue looks beautiful. The vintage charm, the Spanish moss hanging there and the oaks. Very nice.
But my gawd, your dress! The lace! Gorgeous! You in it! Stunning! <3 <3 <3
Looking forward to reading more :)
Absolutely stunning. I love all of the personal details and the simplicity of the day. What a beautiful wedding.
Thank you so much Chelsea!
You are such a gorgeous bride!!! You look flawless! I love the details of your wedding. It looks so romantic and amazing!
I got married in April 2012 and honeymooned on Maui too! :)
Thank you Brittany! :) Now I want to go hunt for your honeymoon recap, lol!
Congratulations! Your dress is stunning! I can’t wait to see more pictures! :)
Ohmygosh what a beautiful gown…location…venue…everything! You look fabulous in that dress, although I’m sure you could have worn a potato sack and still looked amazing!
Thank you so much Ashley! :)
You look so beautiful in the dress! It looks like you picked out a great venue, and the pictures you have posted so far are all beautiful.
The venue is gorgeous. Your dress is gorgeous. Everything is just SO beautiful :) Congrats!
Aw, thank you Hannah! :)
You are STUNNING! And your wedding is just picture-perfect, oh my goodness. That oak tree, the colors, everything! No wonder you got that “feeling” about your dress – absolutely perfect. Can’t wait to see more (if the server allows)!
Thank you Erica! I can’t wait to see pictures from your big day too, eek!!
So gorgeous! I can’t wait to see more!
Just beautiful, Sarah! I adore all of the vintage-esque elements, the location, your grandfather’s dedication, your dress…. It all was perfect. Can’t wait to see the next recaps xo
Congratulations!
Thank you so much Kelly! xoxo
MRS. Sarah, you are absolutely STUNNING in these photos! The dress and venue are so perfectly you <3 I love smaller, more intimate weddings. It really means a lot to include the people closest to you and share your special day with them. I cannot wait to see the rest! xo
You are so sweet, Becky. Thank you!! xoxo
Oh my goodness, oh my GOODNESS! Butterflies! You look absolutely gorgeous in that dress, love, and your wedding was perfection. I used to think that I wanted a crazy huge wedding when I was younger, but the older I get, the more set I am on having a smaller and intimate one. I’m no good with planning (hellooooo stress case!) and I want to be able to enjoy my wedding without freaking out.
Gah. So lovely :)
The pictures made me teary! You are stunning Sarah and I can’t wait to see more photos. We had a small wedding to (no bridesmaids or groomsmen) and I loved how simple that made things. Your wedding looks absolutely lovely. XOXOXO
I was waiting for this post!!! Ahh you looked absolutely stunning, Sarah! I love that you brought your grandfathers coat and hat so we could be there with you all. Cant wait to see and read more!
How very beautiful you looked and indeed the whole event. Congratulations to the both of you and I hope you live a blessed life. What a beautiful venue to have your special day outdoors in a lovely setting amongst nature in our beautiful world. Happy memories with family for you both. Love life * live well * love much.
Oh my Sarah how gorgeous is your dress??? Actually, how gorgeous is the whole ceremony? Very. I’m glad the venue worked out :) Also- you and your mom are TWINS. Loved reading this post.
STUNNING!! Seriously Sarah, what a gorgeous day, venue, and bride and groom :)
I had to refrain from reading this whole thing so that I didn’t cry my freshly applied mascara. You look absolutely stunning. I cannot get over it. Congratulations! Can’t wait to fully read this post (after work–hehe) and read the upcoming ones as well!
Beautiful – congrats Sarah!
Sarah congratulations!!! You look stunning! All of your pictures are beautiful. May you be blessed with many years of happy marriage.
CONGRATULATIONS!!! I’ve been so anxious to see these photos – thanks so much for sharing your beautiful day with us! What a gorgeous venue! Absolutely stunning. Your dress…ohhhh my GAH! I’m not a big wedding dress person, but your dress is freaking fabulous! And you, my dear…you’re just beautiful!
Congrats again!!
So so gorgeous Sarah!! You looked absolutely stunning and I love getting to see these pictures : ) We had very similar programs at our wedding so I am particularly enamored with yours! lol You have great taste : )
It’s a beautiful dress, just the kind of wedding dress I like, elegant, classic but full of details. It fitted you amazingly well. I am happy you’re sharing with us this important event of your life :)
Oh my gosh, you look stunning!! Congratulations, can’t wait to read the rest!
Oh my goodness, I’m loving all of these pictures. You are stunning. The venue is stunning. It’s so magical! Love! Congrats :).
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