Here Comes The Bride...

This weekend, our family split up so that we could attend TWO weddings. Bryan and Aaron stayed in Raleigh so that Bryan could be a groomsmen for his good friend, Tom. Katelyn and I traveled to Charlotte to be there for my cousin Emily's big day. Although both weddings were great fun, our family camera could only document one wedding. Since Bryan was in Tom's wedding, he really couldn't take a lot of pics, so the camera came with me to Emily's wedding.

I think almost everyone from my dad's side of the family came to the wedding. We all stayed at the same hotel, and went to breakfast together on Saturday morning. That afternoon, many of us chose to relax by the pool. Katelyn and her crazy cousins were the only brave ones who actually stayed in the pool (the water was COLD) for any length of time. Okay, well I did dare Kelly to dive in, and she did it! Go Kekey!!

Out of respect for the bride and groom (and because I was having a hard time seeing through watery eyes), I didn't take any pictures inside the church. I did get some shots outside the church & at the reception.

Katelyn and I both decided to wear navy blue dresses to the wedding.

Andrea & David outside the church. I loved AV's dress!

Emily's sister, Shannon made a beautiful matron-of-honor, but Shannon's baby girl, Morgan "stole the show" as flower girl. I love those cheeks!!

Nanay & Carrie at the church. I love that pretty blue on Mom.

Brothers: Robert (father of the bride) and my dad

My sister and her family...the girls looked so cute with their new dresses and curled hair.

The site of the reception: Symphony Park at SouthPark

My girl

Nanay & Papa

Dale & Ashley. Since my hubby was not there, Dale was sweet enough to ask me for a dance.
He was a good dancer too!

Gorgeous.

Crazy Uncle Buddy (with his heart pillow)...for having major heart surgery only a few weeks ago, he is looking GREAT.

The reception was just beautiful. I loved that all my immediate family got to sit at one table. And did you see the huge flower arrangement in the center of our table? I wanted to take it home with me!

Who doesn't love flickering candlelight?

AV with her nieces

When they finally announced "Emily & Todd Santa Maria", Shannon couldn't contain her excitement.

Emily's mom, Melanie, enjoying her hubby's toast to the newlyweds

A sweet moment between a daughter and her parents

Ahem. Remember how much I wanted the flower arrangement on my table at the reception? Well, today we went to Robert & Melanie's house for a post-wedding family breakfast. To my surprise, Melanie was hoping that some of us would take the arrangements home. Hmm...she didn't have to ask twice. Although it made for a cramped ride home, I think it was worth the small sacrifice. I'm a sucker for flowers.

I think everyone at Emily & Todd's wedding had a BLAST. It was definitely one of those fun weddings that you will look back on and remember fondly. The fellowship was sweet (and so was the yummy chocolate fondue). The music was awesome (an oldies' band)...and oh boy, did we dance. I have muscle pain to prove it. They even had a photobooth where you could take funny pics of yourself...and then paste the pictures in an album and write a note to the bride & groom. Such a fun touch! And best of all, the happy couple left the reception, arm in arm...under a gentle shower of rose petals. So beautiful and romantic.

Emily, may your smile always be this bright!
Congrats to you & Todd...I pray God's blessing on your new marriage.
Oh, and Emily...you were stunning.

Come, let's be a comfortable couple and take care of each other! How glad we shall be, that we have somebody we are fond of always, to talk to and sit with. Let's be a comfortable couple. Now do, my dear! -Charles Dickens