Having witnessed so many weddings through work, I just KNEW that I was ready for the feelings that my own wedding day would entail. I have never considered myself a super emotional person either, BUT I was so wrong and so unprepared for what I experienced.

Obviously, I had immense excitement to see my future husband on our wedding day, hold his hands, give him love, and confirm with our vows what we have always felt in our hearts. But I didn’t expect to have so many emotions from the way I felt seeing the support and love we were shown by our friends and family. The effort they all made in traveling to be there, the help those gave to make it happen, and the precious moments we all shared together. By the end, I felt so ridiculous for tearing up and crying as much as I did throughout the weekend, but I have never in my life been so overwhelmed with such pure and uninhibited happiness. When you’re that happy, smiling just doesn’t fully express that joy you feel in your heart. And so, the happy tears continued to flow.

Even with an entire weekend to spend with family and friends, I still feel like there wasn’t enough time. I guess when you’re living in that perfect moment surrounded by your favorite people with the love of your life by your side and feeling like you’re on cloud nine, you NEVER want that to end and the finality of it will always be too soon. But it’s true what they say: your wedding WILL pass in a blur; you blink twice and it’s all over! My hope is that all of our guests truly understand how much it meant to have each and every one of you there. Bradley and I are beyond grateful for your presence in the start of our lives together.

Also, it’s a rare opportunity to see my friends from Clemson. After college, some moved to Chicago, some moved home to Baltimore, and there’s a few a little closer in Atlanta. As years passed since then, we spoke fewer times and saw each other less, but to have them all travel such great distances and come back together to be a part of our weekend was so very special. We picked right back up where we left off, dancing and singing like we were back at the house on Wigginton. To Jessie, Mal, Court, Jess, Kate, Beth, and all of your handsome men…I love you all so much!!

Having a destination wedding also took a lot more planning and effort to pull off, and our wedding wouldn’t have been half as complete if it weren’t for the help from our family and friends.

To the Friday evening crew that helped set up, what can I say…y’all are amazing.

Daddy, the arbor was even more beautiful than I could have ever imagined. Thank you for all the work and time that you put into making it. We look forward to enjoying it for many years to come.

Momma, you looked so beautiful on Saturday. Thank you for always being by my side, and especially during that most important short walk down the aisle.

Denise and Edwin, thank you for raising Bradley to be such a kind-hearted, warm, and loving person. I can’t imagine spending my life with anyone else.

Melissa and Jake, thank you for running around town to pick up things for me, for all your help with setting up, and for never showing exhaustion or ever complaining. I have to give you both huge credit too for making the light posts a reality. After I finished with hair and makeup, I was ready to come downstairs and tell you to scrap that part of the reception because it was taking too much time. But then I walked out onto the porch and saw that you already had them all hanging and lit, my heart was overjoyed. You both did a fantastic job.

Dale and Stacy…wow…I don’t think there are words to express how thankful I am for the two of you! I had a moment on Friday when I broke down in sobbing tears because I knew in my heart that my vision for our day was not going to be fulfilled; there was simply too much left to be done. But then my superheroes arrived. Without hesitation, you two jumped in and took over every task I asked you to do.

Dale, you pretty much single-handedly crafted all of the flowers for the day by yourself. They were everything I wanted and more. Thank you for being my right hand woman and executing my vision so well. I’m so excited to have you as a new sister!!

Stacy, from taking photos throughout the weekend to cueing the ceremony music to corresponding with the vendors throughout the night and seamlessly organizing it all…you made sure every tiny detail was covered and just the way I wanted. You even kept my lip gloss on hand and made sure I reapplied throughout the night!! I couldn’t have picked a better “coordinator”, and I’m so grateful to have you as a best friend.

And finally, to my HUSBAND, Bradley, thank you for putting up with all the crazy wedding planning over the past six months. I know we both had moments where it seemed like it would have been so much easier to elope at the courthouse, but I think we both agree that it was 150% worth the effort. The wedding weekend filled my heart to the brim, and I look forward to making YOU that happy for all the days of our lives.

As I finish writing this, my eyes are welling up with tears yet again. To all of our family and friends who became a part of our biggest adventure yet, we are forever endebted to you for making our dreams come true. Thank you for helping create our newest favorite memory!

Photos courtesy of Stacy & Instagram photos from Jess and Kate