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Both of our rings have a great deal of meaning to each of us. My wedding band was crafted from the gold in my great-grandmother's wedding band, while my husbands combine the gold from both of his grandfathers' rings. The other two halves of his grandfathers' rings were used to make his brother's wedding band.
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Every detail of Lord Thompson Manor brought my European mansion vision to life. As a wedding photographer myself, I knew I wanted something different for my wedding day and never felt "at work." My goal was to feel as though I was celebrating at a family home rather than a wedding venue. The setting, ambience, and design of Lord Thompson Manor were everything I could have hoped for and more.
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The morning of preparations was calm and full of laughter. Having your best girlfriends and family surrounding you while you prepare for the most exciting event of your life is indeed an incredible memory and a gift I'll always be grateful for.
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My gown choice surprised me in every way. The initial silhouette and design I had in mind was the complete opposite of this beautiful Leanne Marshall number, and I am still so pleased with my choice. It brought every element I had hoped for to my wedding aesthetic, but in a completely different way than I had initially imagined.
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My favorite aspect of my gown was the flowing layers. A whimsical wave of organza followed every step I took.
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Putting on my Bella Belle shoes that I had been waiting months to wear.
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I wanted my florals to feel loose and slightly wild. Something just different enough to stand out yet still makes a timeless statement.
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One size does not always fit all. I saw all of my bridesmaids' gowns together for the first time on our wedding day, and the palette exceeded my expectations. Each of these eight women is incredibly important to me, whether family or lifelong friends and to have them all together in one place, by my side, was such a special feeling.
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I've always thought my husband is incredibly handsome, whether in sweatpants, a golf polo, or a suit. But on our wedding day, he could not have looked more perfect.
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Alden's groomsmen were a mix of childhood friends, siblings, and dear friends from college. The perfect group: A bit rowdy, but always fun and incredible friends to both of us.
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Clark Chapel brought my wedding dreams to life. Having first seen the English-inspired chapel as a child, I always said it would be the most idyllic location for my future wedding one day. So when the stars aligned and the site was just minutes from our venue, I knew it was meant to be, and I couldn't be more grateful that Alden and I were able to exchange vows inside.
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This moment was without a doubt my most memorable and exciting of our wedding day. The doors opened, and all of our closest friends and family were looking towards my Dad and me with smiles while Alden stood teary-eyed at the end of the aisle. It was an overwhelming and incredible rush, and it all seemed to happen so quickly.
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The unique layout of the church with pews facing inward offered an intimate and unique feel for us during the entire ceremony. I loved the ambiance. Sharing vows and making promises to one another with zero doubts in our minds, our ceremony being led by our hometown priest and friend, was an extraordinary touch.
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Nothing but joy and a sigh of relief that the most challenging part of the day was a success
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I can remember us saying to one another, "Wow," and giggling to ourselves then embracing in a massive hug, still entirely on Cloud Nine.
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The chapel provided all of the photography locations we could ever need, and the side of the building, under the hanging greenery, was perfect.
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Though we were gently being coaxed and posed throughout portraits, it was nice to spend some quiet time together after all the formalities.
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We knew our bridal party would be "all or none," and we chose to include our nearest and dearest, which meant a larger bridal party—a spunky and fun group that made our wedding day that much better.
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We could not have asked for a perfect day. The weather was every bride's dream: 75 degrees and sunny with a breeze. The sun shining on us outside the chapel was almost magical.
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This image emulates everything I had dreamed for my gown—one of my favorites from the day and an honest, fun shot.
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Some of my favorite images from the day took place in front of the Manor House.
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Our bridal party was making jokes behind us while we tried to stay composed for our portraits.
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This was our final portrait set before we joined our guests with our main entrance.
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The most genuine smile. I love this portrait.
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This will forever be one of our favorite and most loved images by our family and friends. At the time, we felt a bit silly cozying up so close to one another in front of the camera, but the artistic aspect almost makes it look like a painting, and we are happy we have this image.
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I wanted to mix in small details that brought the feel of someone's home to our wedding day. This canvas welcome sign was just enough to add a personal touch while keeping with the vintage feel.
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As soon as I dove into wedding planning, I knew my kitties needed to be involved somehow, so I decided to name our signature drinks after each of them, "The Margot" and "The Pierre." Alden is, in fact, allergic to my cats but knows my love for them and how they were wonderful companions for me before we met. Once we got engaged, we agreed to all live under the same roof, and this was the perfect way to incorporate them into our celebration.
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The landscape of Lord Thompson Manor is vast and perfectly manicured. While walking through the hedges and garden, we both felt like royalty.
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Entering through the garden with our friends and family on either side was nothing short of a "royal entrance." We were both focused on not spilling our champagne on ourselves and soaking in every warm face welcoming us.
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Alden's brother, Addison, was his Best Man, while my sister, Julie, was my Maid of Honor. They both blew us away with their thoughtful and genuine speeches, though they were incredibly different. Addison welcomed me into their family in the warmest, most authentic way, and I was amazed and touched.
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My sister Julie managed to acquire a cute and comical poem Alden wrote to me months earlier, which provided an abundance of laughter to our entire crowd. While the side garden of Lord Thompson Manor provides the perfect location for cocktails and entrances, my favorite aspect is the balcony where toasts are given. It's so unique and picturesque.
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We are incredibly thankful to have this image. Every guest present on our wedding day is pictured, and this is often impossible to create on a wedding day.
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The ambience of each room in Lord Thompson Manor differs from the next, which is one reason I was drawn to it. The garden room is whimsical and classic, with views of the garden and landscape.
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The blue floral dishware was perfectly fitting as a lover of everything chinoiserie, ginger jars, and vintage patterns. Each table differed slightly while still holding to the vintage floral feel. I loved the combination of gold silverware paired with different textures and patterns, and I wanted the tablescape to feel more like a well-styled, elegant dinner than a wedding-themed event.
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Hand-crafted menus were the perfect finishing touch to the floral dishware combinations.
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Utilizing natural candlelight throughout our event brought every bit of romance I had imagined to life. In addition, I was elated that we could incorporate different sizes and colors of lit candles throughout the entire mansion.
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Our sweetheart table was adorned with loose greenery and pastel blue candles.
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This image is framed in our home, and the honest, authentic emotion makes it one of my all-time favorites. We danced to "Can't Help Falling In Love," sung by our Maid of Honor with our Best Man accompanying her on guitar. It was beautiful and so meaningful to us.
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My Dad and I practiced a short dance during the months leading up to the big day. We had lots of laughs, and it was a special moment for the two of us to share.
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Alden chose "Simple Man" by Lynyrd Skynyrd for his dance with his Mom, and it couldn't have been more fitting for their relationship and personality.