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With an artist groom, it’s no surprise that Cara and Major’s wedding was filled with thoughtful decisions, handcrafted details, and joyful, genuine emotion. For example, take note of the handcrafted leather belts Major presented to his groomsmen: each was customized with a hand-carved scene of their “bonding moment,” and Major made sure to talk about what each meant with each groomsman. Despite braving freezing temps and blowing winds, the love oozing out of these two and their family and friends shines through in this film from Hampton Road Studios!

P.S. Make sure to read below for Cara’s thoughts on hiring a videographer — I agree wholeheartedly with what she had to say!

A few words from the bride:

If I’m to be honest, I was way more excited about being married than the wedding day, as I had never put a great deal of thought into the day itself. However, when the day was upon us, I was thrilled and overjoyed with excitement. Major and I really wanted it to be a celebration of the Lord’s providence and gracious love He had given us by blessing us with each other. We wanted to keep the day sacred, but we also wanted to show how excited we were in joining our lives together, which I think we did in music and laid back decor.

My first most memorable moment is when Major saw me for the first time, before the ceremony. It was incredible. He cried. Well, not just cried, more like wept, and it was the sweetest thing. Our wedding coordinator had given us some awesome advice when we were deciding whether to do a first look. She said, “Why would you not see your best friend on what could be the most stressful day of your life? The one who knows you best and will give you great comfort?” We had a very special moment together, and great joy and relief was had for sure! My other most memorable moment was my dance with my dad. He chose two wonderful songs, and we had the DJ mix them together. We just let all our cares go and danced like no one was watching. It was an extremely special moment for me.

My advice? HIRE HAMPTON ROAD STUDIOS! Or the videographer of your choice. It’s been so amazing to go back and see all aspects of our day — I saw what Major’s day was like, and he got to see what mine was like, as well. We have watched our film over and over again, and I truly believe it is an investment in our marriage. Even at our three-month anniversary, it was so wonderful to remember our vows and bring us back to center. Life isn’t easy, and it helps to have a tangible gift like our DVD to re-focus our hearts.

See all of our past wedding films here!

emily Written with love by Emily
1 Comment
  1. avatar Lisa reply

    The love and joy so evident in this wedding is breathtaking!

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Does anyone else want to throw their hands in the air and wiggle ’em around because it’s Friday? I’ve been looking forward to this weekend for awhile. The boyfriend and I are headed to the beach for the first time this year! Hooray summer! What are all y’all doing?

We took Monday off for Memorial Day, but we knew some of y’all would appreciate a little round-up of our favorite military weddings. Take a look right here.

Yeehaw! We added some sparkly new prints to our shop! We think they’d fit right in at a wedding, but we love envisioning them hanging on the walls of a newlywed’s home.

For many lucky Southerners, inheriting silver is in the cards. But whether you’re inheriting it or registering for it, here are some handy tips about these pretties.

Real weddings are like sunshine to our souls!

Lauren + Devin’s Alabama wedding was full of sparkly details and Montgomery pride. See it here.

Sunny + Chris’s wedding was an alternative celebration that brought life to a rainy day. See it here.

Megan + Joe’s wedding took a bright spin on Virginia fall colors. We love seeing the many details created by loved ones! See it here.

Y’all might be itchin’ to start the weekend, but be sure to stop by our Facebook Friday for a look at a sweet session from By Shea.

Have a happy weekend, friends!

nicoleyang Written with love by Nicole
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John and I took the longest time deciding on the songs we’d use throughout our wedding. We wanted to strike just the right note at each moment, choosing songs that would help bring back those moments for years to come. We searched high and low for the perfect songs, wanting ones that were unique, and special… and that successfully navigated the fine line between sappy and sweet.

For my father daughter dance, I had initially suggested that it might be fun to dance to Elton John’s “Crocodile Rock,” as I have amazing memories of bopping around the kitchen to that song with my family. Turns out my Dad had a bit of a different feel in mind (a much more sentimental one), and we ended up going with “Lullaby” by Billy Joel, another song from my childhood.

In case y’all are still on the hunt for the perfect song for your father daughter dance, I’m tickled pink to present a new option for you: “Daddy Dance With Me” by Krystal Keith.

In addition to being a tearjerker (Lara was tearing up as we listened to it in the office!), this one has the sweetest story behind it: Krystal, a recent bride herself, wrote and recorded this song as a surprise for her father, Toby Keith, who heard it for the first time while dancing with his daughter at her wedding. Take a listen:

I think this would be an amazing pick for Daddy’s girls who grew up listening to country music, and I love that the story behind it makes it even sweeter! Not that father/daughter dances need much help getting sweeter…

Harwell Photography, Robyn Van Dyke, Tanja Lippert, and Jonathan Canlas (all via Southern Weddings – 1, 2, 3, 4)

You can purchase “Daddy Dance With Me” on iTunes here, and keep an eye out for Krystal’s full-length debut album, Whiskey & Lace, which will release later this year!

If you’ve already chosen your father/daughter dance song, I’d love to hear what it is! Chime in below.

Robyn Van Dyke and Harwell Photography are delightful members of our Blue Ribbon Vendor Directory!

emily Written with love by Emily
6 Comments
  1. avatar Madelynne Moulton reply

    We danced to Jimmy Buffett’s ‘Little Miss Magic’ :)

  2. avatar Melissa reply

    I love that you all posted about the father/daughter dance, because I need help! My father passed away in 2008. I have plans to dance with my 12 year old nephew, and we want to keep it light and fun so that we aren’t all crying! Do y’all have any song suggestions?

    • avatar Emily reply

      Melissa, that is so sweet! The best songs are definitely the most personal ones, so maybe something upbeat that you listened to as a child? Maybe “How Sweet It Is,” “Isn’t She Lovely,” “Brown-Eyed Girl,” “September,” “Sunshine on My Shoulder,” or “In My Life”? Hope that jump starts your search :)

    • avatar Melissa reply

      Emily:

      Thanks, Emily! I saw my nephew over the weekend. I think we are on the right track! :)

  3. avatar Lauren reply

    I let my father choose the song. He chose “I’ll Write A Song for You” by Earth Wind & Fire. I’d never heard of the song until my dad chose it, but the song is so sweet and was perfect!

  4. avatar Parker reply

    I’m crying!!! I’m crying right here in my office at work!!! So sweet!!!!! I love it!

Southern Weddings reserves the right to delete comments which contain profanity or personal attacks or seek to promote a business unrelated to the post.  And remember: a good attitude is like kudzu – it spreads.  We love hearing your kind thoughts!

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