Trip to NC: wedding, lake and food!

We just recently got back from a trip to NC to attend the wedding of Kyle's cousin (pretty much sister) we also decided to go to the lake and make a mini vacation out of it.

Free Tea Day happened to fall on the day we were driving out so we stopped and picked one up.  McAlister's tea is my favorite!

We got to NC around 9 that night and then made a trip to Cracker Barrel for breakfast.  I pretty much always get the Fresh Start breakfast, that blueberry muffin y'all!

I had the honor of being a bridesmaid in Kyle's cousin's wedding so we attended the rehearsal dinner.  I was off my game and didn't get a picture of our dinner but it was delicious!  I had pest chicken and green beans, salad, mashed potatoes and the biggest slice of coconut cake I have ever seen in my life!

I spent the night with the bridesmaids and we talked, hung out and discussed marriage.  I didn't know any of the other girls going into the wedding but they were so sweet and inviting I had such a great time getting to know them.

Wedding day started with a Starbucks run to get the bride some coffee and then on to getting ready for the big day!

Photo by Jessica Gardner

Photo by Jessica Gardner

Photo by Jessica Gardner

Photo by Jessica Gardner

Photo by Jessica Gardner

Photo by Jessica Gardner

Such a beautiful and sweet wedding.  I was blessed to be apart of the special day.  We had such a great time seeing family and friends and making new friends.

After the wedding we started the next day with a drive to the lake, but first we stopped at my favorite bagel spot.  Bruegger's Bagels is my absolute favorite.  I got a cinnamon sugar bagel with cream cheese and they also had coconut coffee for summer which they should make a thing year round because it was AMAZING!!

I have been coming to Lake Lure since I was a baby, my grandparents have a house on the lake and I have been so blessed to be able to grow up at this lake.  Fun fact, Dirty Dancing and The Last of the Mohicans were both filmed here.

Not a lot better than starting the day off with coffee by the lake.

 

There was a little family of ducks that would swim up to the dock a couple times a day and we would feed them.

Such a beautiful lake, the mountains are my favorite!

My family also got to come up for the day and it was so great to see my parents and sisters, just missed the brother.  We went on boat rides, floated around and hung out.

Here's a picture of my grandparents' house...just kidding this is the castle on the lake.  It is so gorgeous and I would love to see what it looks like inside.

We only had one rainstorm but it left us with the most beautiful sunset.

We had such a great trip, it is always nice to get back to NC and see our families.

Christmas DIY: wedding invitation ornament

Being newlyweds we don't have a large supply of Christmas ornaments yet so I have been looking around for DIY ornament versions.  I also wanted a way to commemorate our wedding in an ornament.

Here's what you need:
-clear ornament
-scissors
-wedding invitation or program
-ribbon

What you do:

1. Take your program/invitation and cut it into strips.  These can be as large as you want them to be.  Also be sure to cut in the direction of the text so you can read what it says.  

2. I chose to stick my strips straight into the ornament but you could also roll them up like the sheet music ornament diy if you wanted.  

3.  You can stop here but I also chose to add a bow to the top in our wedding color.  

I love being able to look at the ornament and remember our special day.

Wedding DIY: Goomsmen Gifts

Here are more ideas for gifts for your bridal party.  This is what my husband gave his groomsmen:

We got these boxes from Michael's (I think I got everything from there for my wedding seriously) we waited until we had a coupon for them and would buy one every week...I know I know deal-a-holic here

Then he carved their names in them with a wood burning kit, stained them, covered the bottom with some fabric and filled them with some goodies for the guys:

-beef jerky
-altoids
-cufflinks (they have really cute ones from etsy...seriously you can get superhero ones)
-personalized tie clips

The guys loved them and getting something handmade was such a sweet gesture and I know something that meant a lot.  

Wedding DIY: Cord of Three Strands "God's Knot"

For our wedding I wanted to do something a little different than the normal Unity candle or sand.  I wanted to do something that was unique and meaningful, not that those aren't they just aren't my style.  

I was looking on pinterest (surprise) and I found the Unity Cord.  I immediately fell in love with the idea of the demonstration of "braiding" the husband, wife, and God together in the ceremony.  I thought it was such a beautiful visual image and so meaningful.  It was exactly what I wanted portrayed to everyone at the ceremony and what I want our marriage to be about, committing to each other but also committing our marriage to God.  

"Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken."

Ecclesiastes 4:12

This passage from Ecclesiastes illustrates the importance of Christian companionship. Two Christians that are bound together in Christ are stronger than the individuals themselves. We believe that Christian marriage is about more than the union of one man and one woman. The Bible teaches us that God performs a miracle in our marriage, uniting us together in a covenant relationship with Him as one. The Cord of Three Strands is a symbol of that sacred union created on your wedding day.

What is the Cord of Three Strands Ceremony?

The Cord of Three Strands symbolizes the joining of one man, one woman, and God into a marriage relationship. Marriage takes three; you, your soon to be spouse, and God. It was God who taught us to love. By keeping Him at the center of your marriage, His love will continue to bind you together as one throughout your marriage.

The Cord of Three Strands is a great addition to a traditional wedding ceremony. It adds a truly unique element to your ceremony that friends and family will remember. It can also serve as a substitute for the unity candle. This is useful for situations where candles may not be used, or may be difficult. The Cord of Three Strands works well as a substitute in outside weddings.

During the wedding ceremony, the bride and groom braid the Cord of Three Strands together. The groom holds a small metal ring with three attached strands. The bride then braids the strands together, symbolizing the union of God, husband and wife.

While braiding the Cord of Three Strands, you may wish to have someone read an explanation of the ceremony. You may also simply play music or have a song sung. 

What is the significance of the Colors of the Cords?

• Gold Strand - Represents God
  
  The divinity of God is represented in Gold. This covenant relationship is initiated by Him, will be built under His authority, and is intended to glorify Him.
• Purple Strand - Represents the Groom
  
  As a new creation in Christ, the majesty of the Groom is represented in purple. As the husband loves his wife and submits himself to the Lord, the Lord in turn will demonstrate His great love in the marriage relationship.
• White Strand - Represents the Bride
  
  Having been cleansed by salvation in Christ, the purity of the Bride is represented in white. As the wife honors her husband and submits herself to the Lord, the Lord in turn will nurture and strengthen the marriage relationship. 

We chose to use different colors at our wedding to coordinate with our wedding colors and the colors we prefer.  We did Gold for God, White for the bride and a Blue for the groom.  Same meaning just different colors.  


This website also gives some ceremony reading examples just to give your preacher/officiant an idea.
Because we wanted to use different colors I opted to DIY my cord which was pretty simple.  Bev at The Make Your Own Zone has a great tutorial for how to make your own, check it our here.        

Or if DIY is not your thing you can purchase it here 

and we have our wedding video!

Ya'll we got our wedding video preview a couple of days ago and...I'm in love!!!  

We had Anna from The Family Films work with us and she is so sweet and obviously her work is amazing.  

Can't wait to see the whole thing.  This was such a special way to revisit this sweet sweet day.  

Wedding DIY: Groomsmen Boutonnieres

Going budget friendly for my wedding included my flowers.  I made my bouquet, the bridesmaid's bouquets, the centerpieces at the reception and the flower decorations at the ceremony.  I also made the groomsmen boutonnieres.  I did buy my groom's boutonniere but I decided to make the others.

Here's what you need:
-baby's breath (I ordered mine from Sam's and for these you need about 3-5 stems)
-scissors
-floral tape
-hot glue
-burlap
-floral pins (or extra long sewing pins)

What you do:

1. Take your large bunch of baby's breath and trim off into smaller pieces, like the one below.

2. Trim off the extra pieces at the bottom so you have a clean stem.  Take other small pieces and form a mini bouquet bundle.  You can make it as full as you want.  This is how I choose to do mine.  

3. Wrap the floral tape around the stem of the flowers to secure them.  Take your burlap and cut to fit the stems.  Use the hot glue to secure it.  

4. Use the long pins to secure to the men's coats.  

Here's a video demonstrating one way to do it...in case you need a visual demo:

And here are the boutonnieres at the wedding

I love how they turned out.  I wanted a simple rustic look and these worked perfectly.  The guys liked them too since they were pretty small and light.

You could probably use other flowers as well, I just loved the look of baby's breath.  Be creative and have fun with this!

Let me know what you come up with.

If you like these check out my bridesmaid bouquets here

Wedding DIY: Groom gift

Here is what I got my husband on our wedding day.  I wanted it to be something special and documented the day.

I got this guitar pick keychain with this sweet little note and the tag with our wedding date on it.  

He proposed playing guitar so I liked how this documented the proposal as well as the wedding day. 

I also gave him this book, it is a Christian book all about becoming the man God wants you to be.  

Here is the finished product, I just wrapped it with burlap and tied it together with twine.  

Wedding Day Details

Here are some details from the most beautiful, meaningful and amazing day of my life:

Love our rings together! 

love how she captured the details on my dress

monogrammed fishing shirt from ddpmonogramsandgifts

all my girls shoes

lace garter from etsy

love this one of my dad giving me away 

my sweet sister Rae praying over me with all my bridesmaids and my mom

I'm married ya'll! 

love little details like this

putting on my BEAUTIFUL real pearl earrings from my husbad

so sweet! 

love this cool shot

Special moments with my dad (and here come the tears...)

my dad praying over us

The preacher praying with me and my girls 

I loved the feeling that I was so surrounded by prayer that day

my sweet letter

these are probably my favorite, this is when I started to round the corner down the aisle...

and he see's me 

so sweet I am so tankful she got these moments 

I love the colors in this one!!

such a sweet moment with my sweet friend.  

I am so grateful for these pictures and to Emma Kathryn Photography for capturing these special days.  Seriously if you are in the market for a photographer in North Carolina this little lady is wonderful!!  She takes the time for you and really makes you feel special and the pictures are so BEAUTIFUL!