When I awoke on the morning of December 5, 2009, I couldn’t help but smile. My wedding day had finally come, and I would soon be the wife of Matthew Taylor, my best friend and dearest love in all the world. I got out of bed and went into the kitchen, where I was met by my mother. She smiled, put her arms around me, and told me that she was very happy for me. Needless to say, the tears started flowing, but only for a minute or two. There was much to be done before we could leave for the church. All morning, as my bridesmaids and I were getting ready, I felt very calm and relaxed. I knew that the step I was taking that day was God’s will for my life, and I had no reason to doubt His sovereign plan. After everyone’s make-up and hair were done, we put on our dresses. What followed next was a chorus of oohs and ahhs, along with about 6 cameras flashing furiously. Finally, it was time to leave. My bridesmaids all got into their cars, while my family and I slid into a beautiful black limo that my mom had reserved for us. As we rode to the church, sipping champagne, I couldn’t take my mind off of my groom. We had decided to keep with tradition and not see one another at all before the wedding. I wondered how his morning was going and whether or not he was nervous. I was so excited to see him, and for him see my wedding gown, as he had not been allowed to do so.
When we arrived at the church, our photographer was already in position to capture my family getting out of the limo. We carried all of our belongings into the back room and prepared to start pictures. As I was putting on more lip gloss, I received news that the groom had arrived, and that I was not to leave the room until given permission to do so. The rooms for the girls and guys where almost right next to each other, so Matt was only a few steps away from me the whole time! When the coast was clear, I joined my bridesmaids and family in the sanctuary for pictures. Our photographer was absolutely wonderful. When our pictures were finished, we went back into our little room so that the groom and his groomsmen and family could do theirs. We spent the rest of the time relaxing, snacking, laughing, and re-applying make-up and hairspray.
Finally, our wedding coordinator came into the room and announced that it was time to get in position for the ceremony. The Lord gave us excellent weather that day, though the temperature was in the 30s! As I waited outside, leaning on my daddy’s arm, my excitement began to grow, and I silently gave thanks to God for what was about to happen.
At last, it was time. I heard the ever familiar sound of the Bridal Chorus...the doors opened...we stepped inside the little church, full to the brim with family and friends. At that moment, a wave of emotions swept over me, and I was utterly overwhelmed. And then, I saw him. My groom. The one I had been waiting for and praying for was there to take me as his wife. My excitement turned into pure joy that I could not contain, and the tears began to fall freely from my eyes, which were fixed on no one but Matthew. Dad and I reached the front of the church and stood before Stephen, our pastor and dear friend. The time had finally come for my daddy to give his little girl away. He kissed my tear-stained cheek and gave my hand to Matthew. What followed next was an absolutely beautiful ceremony. We sang a hymn of praise to God, heard the Gospel of Jesus Christ read and preached, vowed to love and be faithful to one another “till death do us part”, and were pronounced husband and wife. Then, after months of waiting and anticipation, Matthew and I shared our first kiss with one another. (And I must say here that all those months of waiting for that kiss were well worth it!)
After the ceremony, we took more pictures, and then Matt and I climbed into our private limo (thanks to my wonderful in-laws) and headed to the Fontanel Mansion for our reception. We arrived at the mansion, made our grand entrance, and commenced to cut our cake. We then mingled with the guests, ate a bit of food, and danced together. Finally, it came time for the bouquet toss and the send off. My Mom had ordered wedding sparklers, which made for an amazing send off! Our wedding coordinator had arranged for a goodie basket filled with food and cake to be put in our limo, for which we were very thankful. We kissed our families good-bye and climbed back into the limo to be taken to the Hermitage Hotel in downtown Nashville, where we spent the night before getting on a plane the next morning for our honeymoon in Naples, FL. (Honeymoon story and pictures to follow soon!)
We have now been happily married for a whole 54 days! I pray daily that Jesus Christ will ever be the center and foundation of our marriage and happiness. To Him be the glory, both now and forever.
When we arrived at the church, our photographer was already in position to capture my family getting out of the limo. We carried all of our belongings into the back room and prepared to start pictures. As I was putting on more lip gloss, I received news that the groom had arrived, and that I was not to leave the room until given permission to do so. The rooms for the girls and guys where almost right next to each other, so Matt was only a few steps away from me the whole time! When the coast was clear, I joined my bridesmaids and family in the sanctuary for pictures. Our photographer was absolutely wonderful. When our pictures were finished, we went back into our little room so that the groom and his groomsmen and family could do theirs. We spent the rest of the time relaxing, snacking, laughing, and re-applying make-up and hairspray.
Finally, our wedding coordinator came into the room and announced that it was time to get in position for the ceremony. The Lord gave us excellent weather that day, though the temperature was in the 30s! As I waited outside, leaning on my daddy’s arm, my excitement began to grow, and I silently gave thanks to God for what was about to happen.
At last, it was time. I heard the ever familiar sound of the Bridal Chorus...the doors opened...we stepped inside the little church, full to the brim with family and friends. At that moment, a wave of emotions swept over me, and I was utterly overwhelmed. And then, I saw him. My groom. The one I had been waiting for and praying for was there to take me as his wife. My excitement turned into pure joy that I could not contain, and the tears began to fall freely from my eyes, which were fixed on no one but Matthew. Dad and I reached the front of the church and stood before Stephen, our pastor and dear friend. The time had finally come for my daddy to give his little girl away. He kissed my tear-stained cheek and gave my hand to Matthew. What followed next was an absolutely beautiful ceremony. We sang a hymn of praise to God, heard the Gospel of Jesus Christ read and preached, vowed to love and be faithful to one another “till death do us part”, and were pronounced husband and wife. Then, after months of waiting and anticipation, Matthew and I shared our first kiss with one another. (And I must say here that all those months of waiting for that kiss were well worth it!)
After the ceremony, we took more pictures, and then Matt and I climbed into our private limo (thanks to my wonderful in-laws) and headed to the Fontanel Mansion for our reception. We arrived at the mansion, made our grand entrance, and commenced to cut our cake. We then mingled with the guests, ate a bit of food, and danced together. Finally, it came time for the bouquet toss and the send off. My Mom had ordered wedding sparklers, which made for an amazing send off! Our wedding coordinator had arranged for a goodie basket filled with food and cake to be put in our limo, for which we were very thankful. We kissed our families good-bye and climbed back into the limo to be taken to the Hermitage Hotel in downtown Nashville, where we spent the night before getting on a plane the next morning for our honeymoon in Naples, FL. (Honeymoon story and pictures to follow soon!)
We have now been happily married for a whole 54 days! I pray daily that Jesus Christ will ever be the center and foundation of our marriage and happiness. To Him be the glory, both now and forever.
(More pictures to follow!)
