Happy Monday, friends! I got back in Raleigh on Thursday and was here for less than a day until it was off to Plattsburgh, NY for Ryan’s sister’s wedding. After two planes, a car, and a ferry, I got in Friday after midnight (I guess that’s technically Saturday!). The next morning we all woke up, had a yummy breakfast, and got ready for the wedding festivities. The wedding party and parents came over for photos and Jessica & Ryan had their first look.
I used to think a first look would take away from that breathtaking moment when the bride walks down the aisle and I thought that should be the first time the groom sees her. That tradition actually came from the olden days of arranged marriages when the groom wouldn’t meet his bride until the actual ceremony, so there would be no turning back. Not the best tradition, huh? Then you get to thinking about logistics. Getting the first look and wedding party photos done before the ceremony allows for less time between the vows and the reception. Guests don’t want to wait hours for you to arrive and you don’t want to feel rushed taking photos, so it’s really a win-win. Anyway… That’s my spiel on that. I would love to see how you married ladies liked the first look or why you chose not do it. And now for a few wedding photos!
The happy couple- Jessica & Ryan
Love this boy in a tux!
Ryan and his big sis!
The signature drink: Caramel Apple Martini (delish!)
The Turchins!
I did a lot of traveling just to be there for a day and a half, but the wedding was beautiful and it was so great to meet the rest of Ryan’s extended family. Jessica and (her) Ryan looked so incredibly happy and it was exciting to share that special day with them!
Lake Champlain… ain’t it gorgeous? For some reason, Ryan was up at 7:30 am yesterday and wanted to get some shots of the sunrise.
In other news, today I start rotation #2… the ER!! Today I’ll just be doing orientation, meeting my preceptor, getting a badge, etc. so I won’t be seeing any patients until tomorrow. Since I’ve been gone for a month and traveled this weekend, it will be nice to have the rest of the day to grocery shop, get organized, and finish unpacking my life! Hopefully y’all had a great weekend as well and happy 2nd day of fall!!
oh wow her dress was stunning (as was she)! You guys looks so great! I can see the benefits of a first look, but I'm old school (not so old school that I didn't meet my husband until walking down the aisle, but you know…haha) and went with the traditional "walk down the aisle" first look. I do like the intimate photos generally captured during a first look though!!
Beautiful photos and you looked gorgeous as did the bride!!! For me personally there was no question that we were going to do the first look…neither one of us could have imagined not seeing one another until 5:30 that day and logistically speaking getting all the photos out of the way before the ceremony and reception allowed us to really enjoy our reception!! The photos from my first look are some of the best…the raw emotion that we both had was just amazing!!! My fave!!
I LOVED doing a first look with my husband. We love spending time together, so spending it apart for so long was already tough enough. Plus, we really wanted an intimate quiet moment before it all began. It helped get rid of the nerves and made the day go by so much more smoothly!
You looked beautiful! I love that dress. I can understand both sides to the first look and probably could have been convinced either way, but I loved that my husband was old school and didn't want to see each other before I walked down the aisle!!
Loving that black lace dress! Simply stunning!
That lace dress is gorgeous (and so are you!) I completely agree with the first look. I am so glad we did one. It was such a quiet, personal moment before the ceremony for us. Also, Lake Champlain looks so beautiful!
Your dress is gorgeous, love it!
We did a first look at our wedding, and I totally advocate for that too! It really is such a special quite moment! I love the dress you wore to the wedding – so pretty!
http://www.madeintheshadeblog.com
LOVE your dress! So pretty! And the bride looks gorgeous!
<3, Pamela
sequinsandseabreezes.blogspot.com
Looks like such a beautiful wedding! And LOVE the dress you chose!
xo Southern Style
You look so stunning in this lace number! The wedding looks like a lovely event! Glad you had a great time. XO
Anna
alilyloveaffair.com
you are killing this dress. love it! and i love boys in suits… they look so handsome!
Girl, that dress is stunning! The wedding looks like it was gorgeous as well!
You look in-cre-dible!! Love the dress!!
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Such a beautiful wedding — love love love your dress! We did a first look for all the reasons you mentioned.. timing, convenience, etc. and it was the best decision. It definitely didn't take anything away from seeing each other while walking down the aisle either 🙂 I've been to some weddings where there is a 5 hour gap between the ceremony and reception.. brutal!
You look GORG! I love your dress! My hubs and I did a first look and it was the BEST decision ever! I was having such anxiety about being the center of attention and not being able to talk to him, so this was the right decision for us. We got to cry, hug, and get amazing pics together! Aaaand we got to go straight to the reception and start dancing/drinking without holding everyone up for an hour 🙂
I absolutely love your dress and hers! Also where in the world (or Charlotte) can I find a handsome man like yours? Y'all are so cute together and it looks like you had a great time!
xoxo
Meghan
LOVE your dress! And I'm with you on the first look… we did a first look and I loved having that moment be private for just the two of us to hug/kiss/cry/talk plus it makes for some pretty awesome pictures! It was great getting a majority of our pictures out of the way so we could celebrate with everyone else and not keep them waiting.
You guys look amazing!!! I absolutely love your dress!!
xo,
Angela
I love your dress
http://www.highheelsandtutus.com
Such beautiful pictures! I love your dress!
I reallyyy wanted to do a first look, but my husband was adamant about not seeing me until I walked down the aisle. Old-fashioned I guess…I wish I would have know that story to tell him back when we were discussing it!
What a gorgeous wedding! You looked stunning! Love your dress!
<3 Shannon
Upbeatsoles.blogspot.com
I love your dress! Gorgeous wedding! I just asked if DG knew where Plattsburgh was since he's from Buffalo. It's absolutely gorgeous! xo
What a beautiful wedding! Love your dress!
Lauren xo
You Have the Right to Remain Fabulous
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