They did it!
Congratulations to Dru and Carrie!
Last night I had the honor of witnessing two of our good friends exchange vows and become husband and wife. I was so glad that my pal Pepto Bismol seemed to ease my stomach and allow me to feel well enough to attend their wedding and even break it down on the dance floor!
The ceremony took place at 5:30 p.m. at The Burroughs Home and Gardens, a beautiful, historic riverfront home in downtown Ft. Myers.
Ryan was a groomsmen in the wedding (he was Dru’s “big brother” in their fraternity in college), and I had a great time watching him have such an integral role in the big day.
Since this was the first wedding I’ve attended since our own, I found myself oddly emotional. When Carrie walked down the aisle, I looked right at Dru, because I will never, ever forget the way Ryan looked at me when I walked down the aisle. It is such a special moment and Dru and Carrie were both beaming.
Perhaps my favorite part of the ceremony occurred when their pastor shared what they both said they love most about each other. It made the ceremony personal and reiterated their love for each other.
After sealing their vows with a kiss, the ceremony was over and I was reunited with Ryan as all of the guests enjoyed cocktail hour before the reception.
Once the cocktail hour was over, we headed onto a patio for a fun reception full of food and dancing.
For dinner, the guests enjoyed a buffet that offered plenty of options. I stuck with penne pasta, sweet potatoes, salad and sautéed vegetables. I also grabbed a chicken breast on my plate for Ryan since one chicken breast won’t do for him.
My stomach felt a little funny after dinner, but fortunately after sitting through the speeches I felt okay again and ran out to the dance floor once the band started playing.
All of the guests had a great time dancing to Top 40 songs (including Justin Bieber… so funny!) and only left the dance floor for a brief time to participate in a photo booth and watch Carrie and Dru cut the cake.
Ryan and I both said the wedding was so nice and it was great to see two of our friends dedicate their lives to each other and make such a wonderful commitment.
Congratulations Carrie and Dru!
I’m in a bit of a hurry this morning because I have to change before their post-wedding brunch! Should be fun and I can’t wait to visit with everyone a bit more!
That looks like a beautiful wedding! Glad you felt okay!
Glad your tummy cooperated! Dancing is the BEST part of weddings, so glad you didn’t miss out! LOVE your dress, can’t wait for the details on the fashion page 🙂
Julie Dear, You looked radiant even though you weren’t feeling too hot. Seriously, gorgeous!
After hearing about you rippin it up on the dance floor, it made me go to Pandora and now I am listening to top songs and doing a little jig 🙂 have a great day!
Looks like such a beautiful wedding! Seeing the bride walk down the aisle always makes me cry. I love your dress, as well- it’s so classic but with a unique twist!
soo soo sweet!! they are such a cute couple! i LOVE your dress!!
Glad you felt good enough to enjoy the wedding!! Your dress is amazing btw!
looks like a beautiful wedding. That is so cute how the pastor personalized the ceremony. And I love watching the first look! Too cute!
I love your dress, Julie!
I always want to include pictures of other people on my blog but I don’t want to do that without permission or make them feel awkward asking them! What do you do? If you ask everyone who’s picture you include on your blog do you find that most people want to be on it?
Thanks 🙂 and I’m glad you’re feeling better!
everyone in these pictures are really good friends of ours and know that when i snap pictures they’re likely going on the blog. they know they can tell me not to post something and i definitely won’t! as for strangers, i typically avoid posting pictures of people i don’t know as well (like some of the guests we met this weekend) just to avoid any issues.
love love loovee that dress you wore? may I ask where you got it?
check the fashion page!
Thanks! 🙂
Girl, your dress is phenom! I am loving the lace!
And this is such a sweet post 🙂 Happy couples make me so … uhh .. happy haha
P.S. I am glad that your stomach is feeling better!
Looks like a very fun and pretty wedding!! What kind was the cake?
What a beautiful wedding! And you looked stunning as well!
Weddings are so beautiful. The bride was stunning!
What a beautiful wedding and beautiful couples all around 🙂 Love your dress, Julie! And your heels – hot mama!
I giggled about Ryan and his extra chicken breast, haha! Ohhh men!
Enjoy your morning and I hope you’re feeling SO much better! Maybe you danced it al out?!
I’m glad you were feeling better Julie! The wedding looks like it was absolutely beautiful!
The bride’s dress is beautiful! In some pics there are straps on the dress and in some there aren’t. Are my eyes just playing tricks on me?
Congrats to Dru and Carrie! I’m glad your stomach allowed you to have a good time. Your dress looks beautiful! 🙂
Beautiful wedding… and LOVED your dress 🙂
what a gorgeous wedding!!!! 😀
glad you’re feeling better!!
Looks like a fabulous time! The wedding looks very simple and elegant. So beautiful! 🙂
What a beautiful wedding! Glad y’all had fun. And your reception dress is gorgeous! I hope it makes an appearance on the Fashion Page. 🙂
Despite not feeling too hot, you looked stunning, love the dress! The bride and groom look great together. Weddings always have such a feel-good factor, even when you don’t know the couple! Enjoy brunch!
What a beautiful wedding! I get emotional at weddings too, thinking about mine. 🙂
Your friend is so beautiful!! Congrats to her and her husband! Weddings are so beautiful! Im so excited even more for mine after reading this and seeing pics!! I will miss my wedding planning when its over!! Loved your dress too! U looked amazing! I am glad you felt better!!
What a gorgeous wedding!! Everyone looks amazing, especially you and the bride! I love both of your dresses. Have fun at the brunch! 🙂
Weddings are so sweet! Glad you felt well enough to enjoy yourself 🙂
Your dress is absolutely beautiful!
like everyone else said, love your dress!
What a lovely wedding,…. and I still can’t get over how gorgeous that dress is on you!
Oh my goodness, your dress is so cute! (Her’s is pretty, too!)
I hope you didn’t get the bride or groom sick!
Wow I love your dress!
What a beautiful wedding! Glad you were feeling better to enjoy it 🙂
I really love that dress-nice choice 🙂 And I am glad the wedding was so fun- you all look happy!
That dress looks so pretty on you! And you don’t look sick at all. Btw, yesterday while out and about I saw a beautiful Vizsla and instantly thought about Sadie!! I had to put my puppy down over the weekend (yep, still crying!), so now I’m going to enjoy seeing your love for Sadie THAT much more!
Oh I am so, so sorry to hear that. 🙁 sending lots of hugs and sadie kisses your way.
You’re dress is so pretty! You always look so gorgeous!
Glad you felt better…looks like it was a fun wedding!
Glad you had a good time—your dress was awesome =)
You are beautiful and so is your dress!! You did not look sick at all even though you weren’t feeling the best. I’m glad you were able to enjoy the wedding and not miss anything. Hope you start to return to your healthy self soon!!
glad you felt well! I love that dress 😉
LOVE the dress. I have a blue one that is similar… I am glad you are feeling better!!!!
You looked stunning in that beautiful dress! You and your hubby look awesome together!
You look SOOO GORGEOUS as does she! what a beautiful couple they are! and I love your gym pic this morning! hehe
Wow, that is one huge bridal party! Looks like a beautiful wedding, amazing location too!
wowww what a beautiful location! they all look so wonderful too~ 😀 I like your dress! very elegant and not overbearing!
Ahhh the wedding looked amazing!!! As did the bride and groom:) I’m going to have to check out that venue! It looks absolutely gorgeous…
PS… LOVE your dress!!!