Shared with their kind permission, many of the pictures featured in this blog post were taken by the wonderful husband and wife team behind Black & Hue Photography. Some photos are my own, but all of the fabulous photos can be attributed to Black & Hue Photography.
When the alarm clock blares on the morning of a wedding, it often feels like there is plenty of time to do everything that needs to be done before the ceremony begins. Hair and make up can only take so long and most of the real legwork is done. And yet, no matter how calm and relaxed a bride’s wedding day may be, it seems like the 30 minutes before she walks down the aisle are always filled with excited chaos.
After Merri slipped into her beautiful dress and the groomsmen’s boutonnieres were pinned to their jackets, guests began to arrive early for the 4:30 p.m. ceremony.
Bridesmaids dashed downstairs to grab our bouquets as Merri realized her wedding vows were missing! One of our girlfriends accidentally took them with her when she left the bridal suite earlier that day, and we called her to tell her to hurry back to the Edson Keith mansion with the vows as quickly as possible.
It was a little tense, but Merri kept her cool. She is a pro in stressful situations and remained enthusiastic and joyful throughout the whole exchange.
(I am in love with this Black & Hue Photography photo of my best friend. She is so, so beautiful.)
Once Laurel dropped off Merri’s wedding vows, we lined up in order and chatted with nervous and excited anticipation. It was almost time for Merri to say “I do!”
Someone started singing, “Going to the Chapel,” and we all couldn’t help but join in. It was a random moment of pure joy and a memory I will always treasure and associate with Merri and Pete’s special day. (Merri immediately whipped out her phone to record some of it when we started singing it again because she wanted to document it to remember it, too!)
When we received word that Pete and his groomsmen were downstairs, we were ushered to the giant wooden staircase at the center of the house to wait for our cue.
Pete walked down the aisle first and took his place in front of 100 guests.
He shook the hand of each of his groomsmen as they joined him to wait for his bride.
And then I walked down the aisle and held my breath as I waited for Merri and her father to step out from inside of the historic home and make their way down the aisle.
(And yes, I had to make sure I didn’t fall! Walking in grass in spiky heels is an art!)
Merri’s dad is so full of life and he was absolutely beaming as he escorted his daughter down the aisle.
Merri walked down the aisle to a beautiful rendition of “Can’t Help Falling in Love” which not only had her groom wiping tears from his eyes, but everyone else as well. Pete’s reaction to seeing Merri in her dress was so moving. His eyes welled up and his mouth quavered as she walked toward him. I couldn’t let myself look at him for too long because every time I did, I started crying… and not delicate, soft tears.
The ceremony was officiated by Paul, a good friend of ours from college. He had everyone laughing and kept the ceremony upbeat and lighthearted. Three couples who are close to Merri and Pete also spoke during the ceremony, offering the bride and groom marriage advice and words of wisdom from couples at different points in their marriage.
They had everyone smiling and laughing!
Then it was time for the exchange of rings and the vows. Merri and Pete recited their own vows which was so special. I didn’t have the courage to say my own vows at my own wedding but I love it when couples do! Their vows were romantic and thoughtful and everyone cheered when it was time for Pete to kiss his bride.
They did it!
Congratulations to Pete and Merri!
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What a gorgeous wedding! And the bride looks stunning!! I LOVE how all the ‘maids dresses are different styles, it adds so much dimension to the wedding party photos!
Looks like a beautiful ceremony! What a lovely couple 🙂
What beautiful photos and what a beautiful wedding. Love the song they chose for Merri to walk down the aisle just lovely!
what a lovely story! great photos. thanks for sharing.
Looks like a wedding you’d find on pinterest!!! I usually am not a fan of every bridesmaid chosing their own dresses but it worked soo soo well here….stunning!!
Gorgeous couple, gorgeous wedding, gorgeous venue. Wow!!
I love all the different dresses! What a fun wedding!
Beautiful wedding!
I walked down the isle to the same song…love it 🙂
these photos are insanely gorgeous!! What an amazing photographer, I hope your sister and fiance are able to snag them!!
Wow what a beautiful wedding and I love her dress!
My husband cried when I walked down the aisle and its funny because I am the “emotional” one so we always thought I’d be a mess, but I had prepared myself and wasn’t so bad, but he didn’t think about it and started crying. It was so special to me!
Beautiful pics! Love the last group shot as well! Can’t wait to hear all about the reception!
What a beautiful ceremony! Congrats to the lovely couple. 🙂
Love the last photo so much! Seems to capture the moment perfectly.
Beautiful! I love that they had three couples speak about their marriages!
wow, gorgeous photos! congrats to merri & pete! they make a lovely couple. 🙂
i’m listening to “can’t help falling in love” right now and it’s giving me chills. such a perfect song for her walk down the aisle.
Couldn’t help but tear up. I LOVE weddings!
I went to my first wedding since we’ve been married that I was a spectator in instead of taking pictures for them and it was such a different experience. I got so emotional because it makes you think of your own wedding and your marriage. We got to talk to the bride and groom a week before and gave our own advice and it was just so nice (and weird!) to be an “old married couple” doling out the advice to those just starting out.
Sooooooo beautiful!!!! congratulations to merri and pete!
Julie, I was in a wedding this summer that Black and Hue photographed and you’re right, their photos are amazing! I follow them on facebook and it was fun when Merri’s wedding came up in my news-feed yesterday after reading your wedding prep blog post!
I love that you girls busted out singing! My bridesmaids did that twice on my wedding day. Once in the salon and once in the limo to the church. Both were Disney songs! LOL
Wow, Beautiful wedding! Love that last photo with the one bouquet in the air…so fun!
Awww what a beautiful time, and such a blessing to be there for your best friend~ 🙂
So, SO beautiful. I’m way to close to my own wedding, I still tear up just READING stuff like this. So much love 🙂
Gorgeous!
so so sweet!!! her dress is beautiful!
What a beautiful ceremony, and what a beautiful bride and handsome groom! Congratulations to Merri and Pete!
Gorgeous photos! Congrats to the lovely couple!
What a beautiful wedding! I love how all of the bridesmaid dresses are a nude color. And I couldn’t even tell the difference between your pictures and the photographers 😉
What great pictures! Looks like a fun, beautiful ceremony! Love the bridemaids dress colors!
Their wedding sounds so special and fun! The bridesmaids dresses are awesome!
I am loving all the wedding recaps lately! Love all the girls dresses 🙂
Beautiful wedding! I really love her wedding gown! 🙂
Aww what a beautiful wedding! I love the different bridesmaids dresses. I was in a wedding a couple years ago where we got to pick our own dresses and it worked out really well. Your friend looks gorgeous!
I love the colors she chose and letting your guys pick your own dresses!
-AJ
FitTravelerAJ.com
I love the different bridesmaids dresses- what a fun idea!
What a lovely ceremony! Are you going to do a post about the reception?!
Such a beautiful wedding!!! I love the different bridesmaid dresses 🙂 are you going to post about the reception?
I would loooove to hear about the reception too! Everything is just so beautiful.
Wow unbelievable photography and setting. I don’t think my bank account could survive the obscene amount of weddings you had this year…
Hey Julie! I am actually getting married at the Edson Keith Mansion this October!! I was wondering if you knew who Merri used for her catering and flowers? Her wedding was gorgeous!
Thanks!
Pate
Hi Pate! A family friend did her flowers but catering was done by a local restaurant called Clayton’s! 🙂
Thank you!
Your wedding recaps are AMAZING. You make the reader feel like they are a guest at the wedding too. Feel free to come to my wedding at the Winter Park Farmers Market in April, tear up the dance floor and cover it with a post 😉