EMILY + STEPHEN WEDDING| CONGRAEE & PENN| JACKSONVILLE, FL

WEDDING

Nov 20

I don’t even know where to begin with this one, I’m still pretty emotional. When a couple hires us, It’s often 6 months to a year before their wedding date. We use that time to get to know our couples and we are able to grow our friendship over time. Sometimes, it just seems like their wedding is sooo far away and in the distant future. And then, the day arrives and then the day just FLIES by. Then it’s, it’s sadly, over. It’s such a mix of emotions. Of course we’re happy that they are now married but we’re also sad we have to go home! Haha, I don’t know if that makes any sense at all but we wish we could keep celebrating with our couples. I always find myself saying after the exit, “wow, I cant believe it’s over!” We anticipate the day for so long that when it’s finally here, it’s almost overwhelming that it happened.

I don’t think a wedding can get more personal than Emily + Stephen’s. Let’s begin with Emily’s beautiful dress, which is truly one of a kind. If you know Emily, you know she’s a bada$$. She needed a dress that could be on her level, annnnd they just DON’T exist. She bought a dress that had potential and her amazing multi talented aunt enhanced it with her personal touches and not only made it fit Emily like a glove but really engraved Emily’s style and personality into it. This woman added a grey underskirt to the dress, added all of the black floral appliques (which she had to hand dye herself), added little black pearls, reconstructed the sleeves from being spaghetti straps to beautiful floral applique sleeves AND created a keyhole back!! It was so perfect and beautiful! But it doesn’t end there! The same amazing aunt Jen did Emily’s hair AND makeup! WOW! Aunt Jen, you are SO SO SO talented and you continue to amaze me with all the ways you have helped Emily’s wedding come together and to become such a memorable day!

Emily’s favorite holiday is Halloween, Stephen actually proposed to Emily on Halloween last year! So you know Emily wanted to incorporate her love for all things Halloween into her wedding day. Emily’s aisle styling was a beautiful arrangement of books, pumpkins and lanterns. All of the books she used in her aisle styling belonged to her late grandpa. [insert “awwwww”]

Emily + Stephen both, individually and mutually, have ALOT of friends. I’m talking friends from elementary school. Like real friends. I feel like that’s so rare nowadays. Even I can’t say I have a friend that I’ve known since I was 5 and still keep in contact with, DAILY. So when I say, everyone cried during their personal vows, I REALLY mean it was everyone! Their vows were so unique and personal that I would literally butcher them if I tried to retell you. But, I CAN tell you that they both had everyone laughing and crying and then laughing again, and then crying some more. Everyone that attended their wedding was special to Emily + Stephen. It was such an honor to witness such unity, love & support from so many people.

The Reception was one for the books. Emily did something I’ve never seen before. She had her family (who are all musically inclined) bring instruments, set up mics to sing + play! Even Emily treated us all to a few songs along with her dad, brother, Stephen and father in law. It was so much fun. Emily also put together an EPIC playlist to play in between sets and it was hands down, the best playlist I’ve heard!! We were on that dance floor right along with the them all night long!

We cheered, we cried, we laughed, we danced, we even rapped the fresh prince of bel air song together! So many great memories from your wedding. Thank you again for trusting us and letting us join in on all the fun. Your wedding truly depicted who you and Stephen are together and was filled with so much love and joy. We wish you both Mr. + Mrs. Usina the very best and may the force be with you!