The Wedding March - Part 3

After finally getting a full nights sleep for the first time in a while, we started off  Saturday, March 4th on the chill side of things. We we down stairs and had some breakfast, came back to our room and just hung out for a while, and then went to the pool for a swim and bubbly soak in the hot tub. After showering and having some lunch we talked to Mikaela to see what the plans were for the day. They were mostly just hanging out with friends and then had a few last minute things to get done in the evening. So we left the hotel around 3:00pm and headed towards Collierville to meet up with them and some friends. 

I went with Mikaela and her Maid of Honor, Jackie, to pick up the flowers later that evening, and then we all met back at the house. Nathan and I helped make hamburgers for supper and grilled them for everyone that was there, which was pretty fun. There was some running around, and last minute things that took place after supper, but nothing too major. We headed back to the hotel around 9:30 and just watched some TV before hitting the hay.

What we saw when we woke the next morning was a bit of a disappointment. The 20% chance of rain  for the day that the forecast had predicted the night before had now turned into a full fledged down pour outside :( 

With prayers the rain would let up before it was time to start setting up for the wedding, we started making our way towards the location in Southaven Mississippi, at 9:30 that morning.

We got there right at 10, and everyone got right to work. The girls were getting their hair done, the guys were figuring out what to do with set-up and so forth. 

In between photographing the events of the day, I also helped Mikaela and a couple of the girls get their makeup and nails done too, which was a fun unexpected surprise. :)

By 12:30 the rain still hadn't let up completely and it was now quite muddy out, the executive decision was made to just have the wedding indoors, which was a bummer but all came together beautifully in the end nonetheless.

Melissa (the mother of the bride) helped Mikaela get into her wedding dress, and boy was she a vision!

Everyone looked so beautiful! The Braught girls don't get dressed up very often so it was a huge treat to see my sister's-in-law looking sooo gorgeous in their bridesmaid dresses and their hair all fixed. They looked so mature and grown up!

Cristen and Amanda (sisters), and Jackie (friend).

After everything in the front room was ready, and the girls were all dressed and set to go, we went out by the giant stone fireplace to do some photos.

Some were more serious than others ;p 

L-R Jackie (Maid of honor) Amanda, Mikaela, Cristen, and Kaitlyn (Sisters of the bride).

After the girls were done I rushed them to the back room once more, and had the groom and groomsman all take their turn for photos.

L-R, Caleb, Sam, Travis (Groom), Joyner, and Adam. 

As the time drew near for the ceremony to begin the guests started flooding in, and we knew very quickly we were going to be tight for space in the small area. So they sent some up to the balcony to watch from above.

Then set up a "live video feed" of sorts in the room where the reception was to be held, so people could sit in there and still see the ceremony.

The food options were amazing!

So was the cake!

Right on time at 2:30, the ceremony got underway. Travis took his place, and Peter, a friend who was officiating the ceremony stepped up as well.

Sam, the Best Man, and Jackie, the Maid of Honor started off the procession.

Followed by Caleb and Kaitlyn.

Then Joyner and Cristen.

With Adam and Amanda coming last.

After an anxious pause, the bride and her father proceeded by the flower girl, Travis's niece Branae, started to make their way down the hall.

Finally everyone was in their place...

Blake (father of the bride) took his seat, and the ceremony began!

They joined hands...

Said their vows...

Exchanged rings...

And he kissed the bride!!!

And just like that, they were married! :)

Nothing beats the smiles that come to the faces of a newly wed couple ;)

There was a brief "intermission" and then the bride and groom joined everyone in the reception area to cut the cake and begin the party!

Everyone really enjoyed the food that was served, they had all sorts of little appetizers that made up a delicious meal.

After everyone had made it through the line the speeches were made, Sam started things off with his Best Man's speech.

Followed by Jackie with her Maid of Honor speech.

As older sister of the bride and close friend of the groom, Kaitlyn gave a great speech as well. The parents, and several other friends said some wonderful things to the couple too as everyone was finishing up their food.

We all stepped outside for a little breather before heading back inside for the dance.

The couple danced to Home by Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros as their first dance.

Then Travis danced with his mother, while Mikaela danced with her father.

Then the whole wedding party, and others joined in as well.

After everyone was danced out we chatted with friends for a while before heading back outside to get the rest of the photos done. Thankfully it had stopped raining a little while before, so the boardwalk was only slightly damp, and we were able to do all the remaining photos out there. 

We started off with our Braught family photo, which Peter was kind enough to take for us.

Then I took over and did the rest from there.

Travis's mom and dad, and Mikaela's mom and dad.

Travis's family

After dismissing the family we got started on the wedding party photos. Which was quite the experience, the girls were full of giggles and had a horrible time keeping a straight face... Meanwhile I could barely even get the guys to break a grin! 

Mikaela wanted to make sure the girls knew who was boss on her special day ;p

Let's just say this was one of the most memorable groups I've ever had the pleasure of working with. The Braught's are well known for their hilarious facial expressions and photo bombing skills, so... yeah it was an adventure! haha

Finally after I was pretty sure we'd gotten enough of that crazy crowd, I sent them packing so we could get some shots of the bride and groom alone ;) hehe

Are they not a stunning pair!

These two have plenty of personality to go around! ;D

Travis and Mikaela were a joy to work with, and I was so happy to be the one to document their special day. 

We had to get one of the four of us together before the day was out, I call us the Married Braught's!

And of course Nathan had to make sure he was documented being a goofball before the day was over too, isn't he just handsome ;p haha!

Finally photos were done, and things were drawing to a close. Mikaela trekked up the stairs to the balcony for an epic bouquet throw ;)

There friend Emily was the lucky catcher.

 The guests were pretty much all gone by this point and it was down to the group we had started the day with. We got our last little bit of visiting in while the happy couple opened their gifts and cards from the day.

This was my mom's gift to them, their first official Floyd household item :)

 We said our bittersweet farewell's to the family and new friends we had made, and headed out around 9:30pm very tired and exhausted from the long but wonderful day. 

By the time we got to Memphis we realized we were both starving, so stopped off at Little Italy for some late night supper. 

It was most definitely some delicious pizza! I've not made it to Italy so far, but felt like I got a little taste of it that night!

Once we made it to the hotel we crashed pretty much as soon as our heads hit the pillow. Which was much appreciated since we had an 8 hour drive to Iowa to make the next day. More on that in the next post... Stay tuned!