Google+ Katharine's Big Day :: The (Mini! iPhone!) Recap - Southern Weddings

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Surprise!  I’m married!!

Okay, so maybe it’s not a total surprise, seeing as how we blogged about most of the details in advance, but hearing myself referred to as a “Mrs.” certainly is something that’s going to take some getting used to.

It’s hard to believe that it’s almost been an entire week since Kyle and I said “I do” at our alma mater, but sure enough, we’re six days into marital bliss (and how blissful it is!).  While our professional photos from the amazingly talented team at A Bryan Photo won’t be ready for awhile, Emily insisted it was time to share a sneak peek from our big day.  The iPhone and point-and-shoot quality doesn’t quite do the surroundings justice, but I think our happiness still comes through, right?  First, the portraits and ceremony:

The overview?  It was sunny and 75 (yes, really!) in Cambridge last Saturday, and I’d venture to say I’ve never seen the Harvard campus look so beautiful.  (A troupe of nine of my best friends clad in black gowns and carrying white bouquets definitely didn’t hurt.)  And while wedding days, like marriages, don’t ever go off without a hitch, I don’t see how I’ll ever be happier than I was standing at the altar before our family and friends with my brand new husband.

Oh, you’d like a peek at the reception, too?

A few highlights:

1.  Emily was a beyond-amazing bridesmaid.  Seriously.  Em not only looked stunning in the dress she herself inspired, but girlfriend could be a professional attendant.  She’s just that lovely, especially in the clutch.  As a matter of fact, all my bridesmaids were a dream-come-true that day.  I think they were referring to my girls when they said “for better or worse,” because all nine were total troopers.  Looking beautiful was just a plus.

2.  Lara rocked it out with the flowers, courtesy of Fifty Flowers.  Don’t you just love the bridesmaids’ all-white blooms and my own rose bouquet?  I sure did!

3.  My maid of honor, Molly, offered the most perfect version of the “Ave Maria” I’ve ever heard.  I’m pretty sure everyone forgot about the bride and groom when she was singing.

4.  Our ceremony was everything I hoped it would be – and more.  In addition to reciting traditional vows, we also wrote personal promises to one another.  That was the single best decision we made… after agreeing to get married, of course.

5.  My father surprised us with a vintage Rolls Royce for our getaway immediately after the wedding.  Kyle still is undecided as to whether it was the bride or the car that was the real show-stopper.

6.  And most importantly… when someone tells you your wedding will not go according to plan and, like your marriage, won’t be perfect, she’s right.  There will be unforeseen bumps and hold-ups, but they won’t ruin your day and won’t detract from your happiness in the least.  I didn’t really understand this until my own wedding, but I sure do get it now!  Case in point: I may or may not have gotten sick in the middle of family portraits with the new in-laws.  Awkward?  Yes.  A little nerve-wracking?  Absolutely.  But a bottle of water and some expert handling from three of my maids had me back in action and snapping photos with Bryan in under ten minutes flat – looking none the worse for wear, I might add.  (Thanks, Scoobie!)  The one take-away I’d offer all our brides-to-be out there?  Plan for the best, prepare for the worst and be happy!  We’ve been together for five years now, but Kyle and I have never been so happy as we were when we promised to love one another forever.  And I’ll take that over a perfect, sick-free wedding day, any day.

xo,
Katharine

P.S. [From Emily] Katharine covered the basics admirably above, but I have to add two things of my own. 1) She was freaking GORGEOUS, y’all.  Seriously.  It was almost unfair.  The dress, the hair, the makeup, the beaming smile… almost too much.  And 2) While the toasts across the board were absolutely terrific, Katharine’s left practically everyone in the room bawling.  True story. xo, Emily

P.P.S. OK I [Lara] have to jump in here, too!  Katharine was, as Emily said, beyond-words beautiful and the wedding was most certainly the best celebration of marriage I have ever witnessed. Not just because I know the bride. A complete stranger could have witnessed the love in those two families and the unmistakable bond between Katharine and Kyle and felt like nothing else in the world mattered. They were the embodiment of real love. Not the romantic, fleeting kind – the kind that people spend a lifetime trying to cultivate. I was blessed to witness it.  Someone asked me yesterday what my favorite memory with Southern Weddings is.  Hands down it was being out on the dance floor with Katharine, Emily, Whitney, our wonderful men and a flood of happy people, all celebrating the very thing we work so hard for every day – authentic love.  Thinking back on the day Katharine and Emily first started with me and the risks I took on them, the risks they took on me, all that we have been through together that lead us all to be there at that very moment singing our hearts out in the Harvard Club, was a profound gift.  I cried more at Katharine’s wedding – happy tears – than I have at any other event!

P.P.P.S. We’ll be back with more just as soon as we have more to share!

Written with love by Katharine
16 Comments
  1. avatar Another bride to be reply

    I'm so happy for you!!! I've been dying to see your pics! My wedding colors are going to be the exact same as yours! Classic elegance. And you WORKED that gown, girl! Is that Romona Kaveza?

  2. avatar Terrica reply

    These are just beautiful! The wedding was extremely classy and beautiful– everything you are! Cannot wait to see more. All the best to you two!

  3. avatar Jo Morgan reply

    Did you have your wedding filmed? Will we get to see a clip? :)

  4. avatar Shawn reply

    What lovely pictures, and encouraging words– (the part about everything not having to be perfect on your wedding day), as we're on our countdown to 10/23 for our big day. We have been together 5 years, too, so will look forward to the best day yet as we exchange vows and promises….Congratulations!!!!

  5. avatar Mary Marantz reply

    Congrats Katharine!!! You looked GORGEOUS!!

  6. avatar Jill reply

    I'm so happy for you Katharine! Can't wait to see more pictures!!! Amsale looked GORGEOUS on you!!

  7. avatar Emily @ Southern Weddings reply

    Katharine's still floating about in newlywed bliss, so I'll do my best to answer your questions, ladies :) Another bride to be, KTW's dress was Amsale (the Blakely), but Romona Kevezas definitely have a similar feel! (Love them, BTW.) And Jo, yes! There was a videographer all day, and we expect to share something as soon as it's ready!Emily @ SW

  8. avatar Rose reply

    Congratulations!! Your dress is so stylish, the whole day looks fantastic!! But hey, shouldn't you be in honeymoon……

  9. avatar Patricia Ronan reply

    As a guest at this wedding, I can attest to it's beauty and grace. (I'm one of many of the groom's cousins.) In our family, a wedding a way to witness the couple's love and committment and welcome a new person into our hearts. It's the best way to celebrate who we are and what we are about, which is love. "The house of the heart is never full." Katharine's event was a celebration of that abundance and also an express unique talents. I'm proud she's one of us and I'm one of hers. Congratulations.

  10. avatar Kate@MagnoliaRouge reply

    Congratulations to you both!!! You look stunning….looking forward to seeing more!!

  11. avatar Jennifer reply

    Everything about your wedding is simply stunning, Katharine! I love the details and decor for your reception at the Harvard Club — this is the most beautiful wedding I've seen there (and I've been stalking it for some time now since I'm having my wedding there soon :)).One question for you: where did you find the bridesmaids' dresses? I read the post about the search but couldn't find the exact style number. Would you be willing to share it? Thanks so much!

  12. avatar Southern Weddings reply

    Thank you all so much! Your warm wishes made our day.Tricia, thank you for being so sweet and for welcoming me into your incredible family! See you in October :) xoJennifer, congratulations on your wedding! I'd love to see pictures of your big day. The bridesmaid dresses were "Xscape 7479." I believe it's a discontinued style (having been replaced by a very similar dress!), but some stores do still have a few in stock if you email directly.Celebrating our 1 week anniversary today!xo,Katharine (and Kyle)

  13. avatar Krista B. reply

    AMAZING! Katherine you looked amazing, your dress was amazing, your girls…the get-a-way car…your reception. I have been following all of the posts leading up to your big day! Congratulations! I'm looking forward to my own special day in November!

  14. avatar Kelly reply

    AMAZING. gorgeous! so happy for you katherine!!!!!!

  15. avatar Kylene reply

    As everyone else has mentioned your wedding looks to have been an absolutely beautiful event. Congratulations!I also have a question. Where did you find the brooches for you cake? I have been looking to do something similar, but can't find any brooches that I like as much as what I see on your cake. Thank you!

  16. avatar Southern Weddings reply

    Hi Kylene! The cake design and jewels came from the ultra-talented Jay Qualls of Maples Wedding cakes in Tennessee! Jay is incredibly nice and helpful (not to mention the MASTER of jewel-studded cakes). Tell him we referred you, with our compliments. http://www.maplesweddingcakes.com/Katharine @ Southern Weddings

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