Sweet dreams and high expectations filled my sleep on that Friday night. It would be my wedding day in just a few short hours, and I could hardly wait. I awoke to a beautiful sunrise to start such a great day and memory in my life. I felt so calm and ready for this day to take place. I had been told by many friends to “enjoy” the day and not rush through it; to embrace every moment, so this was what I was determined to do. I grabbed a cup of coffee and headed to my front porch swing to just savor what precious gift I was about to enter into. My dad, Tab, has been a minister for several years and even before he became a minister, he and my mom taught me some great truths about who God is and what He desires for me as His daughter. Today was not going to be just another great day with beautiful weather, good food, fun, laughter, and love; it was a day of covenant in which Brandon and I would make with each other and with GOD in front of our family and friends. My parents taught me a marriage covenant is a gift and should always be treated that way. I knew I was ready for this gift.
My good friend and also hairstylist, Elizabeth Broderick and her daughter, Carrington, arrived at my house to ride with me to the venue. I was so excited. We were the first to arrive at The Old Place and began unloading our stuff. The other bridesmaids and my mom began to arrive shortly after and it was time to start hair and makeup. I had decided to do my own makeup and have Elizabeth do my hair. One of the great things about Elizabeth is that she is one of the stylist at the salon I own, Madallion’s Salon, so we have had lots of time to practice and talk through what we wanted to do with my hair and that of my bridesmaids. 🙂 Our photographer, Amanda Rice, arrived shortly after we did and began to capture every moment of this day for us. Everything was going great. The florist arrived with our amazing flowers and the caterer began setting up the food displays. I wasn’t able to leave the room to go see things as Brandon and I didn’t want to see each other before the wedding, but my mom and bridesmaids slipped out and took pictures for me to see. Everything was so beautiful and more than I had imagined.
Since we had decided not to see each other before the wedding, we exchanged letters to each other. This was a very special memory for me that I will always cherish.
The music was playing as our guests began arriving, and things began to set in. This was really it. Time had seemed to fly by and now it was time. I was so excited and ready to see Brandon. I will never forget the look on my dad’s face as I stepped across the threshold of those doors.
I was and will always be his little princess, but today he was giving my hand in marriage to another man. He was placing something he treasured into the hands of another. I could not imagine this time in my life without him there to hold my hand and lead me into my future. As he and I made our way down the aisle, I remember looking up to see Brandon as he turned around and saw me for the very first time. His whole face lite up with a smile and it gave me a feeling I will never forget. My dad and I stopped at the front row and my mom, Cathy, joined us. It was important to them for them both to give my hand in marriage so it therefore became important to me to have them do this. What a great memory it will always be.
The ceremony was absolutely beautiful and perfect. Brother David Williams preformed our wedding ceremony and did an amazing job defining the realm of marriage and what entering into this covenant meant. It was more than just words read from a book, it was truth from God and we are so thankful for each word spoken. I wanted my dad to be my dad on this day, but I also wanted him to be a part of the wedding ceremony as he was a minister himself, so we had him perform the unity sand ceremony and pray a prayer of blessing over us. Hearing the words spoken over us and our life ahead was powerful and meant more than words can begin to express.
As the ceremony came to a close, it was time to hear the words I had longed to hear, “Brandon, you may kiss your bride.” I was his bride; no longer a girlfriend or finance, but his bride. My heart leaped with joy.
We had taken some pictures before the wedding with our bridal party and family, but none with just the two of us and us and our bridal party and family, so immediately following the ceremony we started pictures. We didn’t want our guests to be waiting around for us to finish so we had decided to let them begin eating as soon as they entered the reception area. It was so awesome taking pictures for the first time as husband and wife even though it really had not totally set in that we were really married. 🙂
It was now time for us to go celebrate with our family and friends. When we entered our reception it was great to see our guests enjoying themselves so. Our DJ, Big Mike’s DJ Entertainment, did a fabulous job. He had the atmosphere filled with bliss and our bridal party and guests were loving it. Our caterer, Full of Grace Catering, out did herself with the food. I am still getting comments on how awesome the food was. It was a perfect time. After spending some time visiting with our family and friends, it was time to start the dancing. We did our first dance as husband and wife, then the father/daughter dance, and mother/son dance. What great memories these were.
Then the fun dancing with our family and friends began. Everyone had so much fun. Big Mike kept the party rolling and was fabulous to work with. He went with the flow and played whatever we wanted. I even got my mom on the dance floor; PRICELESS is understatement as to this moment in time. loll.
The entire day was PERFECT!!! Brandon and I cannot thank our parents enough for everything they did to make this time in our lives a memory we will never forget. We are also truly grateful for everyone who came and celebrated this day with us. We are excited about our future and all God has in store for us.
Mr. and Mrs. Brandon and Madalyn Slater
Photography Provided By: Amanda Rice with Amanda Rice Photography
Wedding Ceremony & Reception Venue: The Old Place, Gautier, MS
Wedding Designer: Jessie Parnell with Agape Special Events
Caterer: Full of Grace Catering, Chunchula, AL
Baker: Cakes By Judi, Mobile, AL
Florist: The Empty Vase Florist, Hurley, MS
Rentals: Ace Party Rentals, Pascagoula, MS
Entertainment: Big Mike’s DJ Entertainment
Videographer: Johnny Broderick
Hairstylist: Elizabeth Broderick with Madallion’s Salon, Lucedale, MS
Bridal Attire: I Do Bridal, Mobile, AL
Groom & Groomsmen Attire: D&K Suites, Mobile, AL
Minister: Brother David Williams with Temple Baptist, Moss Point, MS