Weddingbee Blog

All dressed up and ready, it was time for the ceremony to start. We lined up outside and waited for the signal to enter. First up, the guys, along with our Pastor, emerged from a super secret room. I really have no idea where they were hiding while all the guests were filtering in. I was just happy that they were all there on time.

After that, our mothers were escorted down the aisle. My mom went first, along with my brother, Jeremy, and then Mr. DE’s mom was accompanied by his brother-in-law, Justin.

They lit the unity candle together and then took their seats.

Waiting patiently, Mini was so excited that the moment for which she had been practicing since our engagement was just around the corner.

My dad and I posed for a few pictures as my bridesmaids were about to begin their walks down the aisle.

Here is my cheesiest “I’m-about-to-get-married-and-the-bridal-party-march-music-just-started-wow!-this-is-really-happening” grin. The thing I love most about this picture has nothing to do with that cheesy smile. If you look a little closer, you’ll see my nephew, Gavin, peeking out the door to check out what is going on. He was totally supposed to be next to his mom (you see her between my dad and I) but I think it was super cute of him, in his little tux, to sneak away from her for a second to get a look at his grandma going down the aisle. Maybe he was getting a little impatient for his extra special role in our wedding day. I’ll tell you all about that in my next post.

The guys were ready…

From left to right: Our Pastor, Mr. DE, his brother and best man, Scott, his friend, Jim, brother-in-law, Justin, and my brother, Jeremy.

… so, the bridesmaids were given the go.

First up was April. She and I met in college and forged a friendship that will surely last a lifetime. I was so excited to have her in our wedding and it meant so much to me that she made the trip. If there was an award for the person who traveled the farthest to be out our wedding, April would be the big winner. She, along with her two young and very adorable daughters, flew in standby on a military plane from Germany, where her husband is serving in the Army.

Next, Mr. DE’s sister, Kelly, made her walk down the aisle. Kelly is Mr. DE’s twin and she is super smart (with a PhD to prove it!)

Then came my friend, Erin. We met when I was in 5th grade, so this would make her the person who has been my friend the longest. I was in her wedding four years ago and was happy to have her as a bridesmaid in mine. Erin was a real trooper all day, being that she was about three months pregnant at the time. She is now the mother of a very adorable little girl. (Her hubby is the one in the back right, blue shirt.)

And then it was time for my co-matrons of honor, my sisters, to walk. My oldest sister, Jen, went first. This is the sister who helped me make all of the fresh flower bouquets, corsages and boutonnieres.

And then my older sister, Jessica, was escorted by her youngest son, Gavin. (Again, more on his role in the next post.) Jess helped me make the wedding cake and also assisted with my table numbers and some other projects.

When it came time to picking my bridal party, I knew I couldn’t choose just one person to be a maid/matron of honor. It only seemed fitting to have both of my sisters share the honor since both of them have become my best friends.

As they were all heading down the aisle, I remember thinking how surreal the moment was. This wasn’t a rehearsal. It was really happening. I was about to marry my best friend, my rock, my one true love. A surreal moment, indeed.

All photos are the work of Ticia Mangino Photography.

From the beginning:

• Our (Almost) Accidentally Vintage-inspired Wedding
• Cakes, Cookies and More
• Pampering and Prep
• Time for the Dress
• All the Pretty Things