Chelsea & Brandon’s Wedding

This might be a bit long! We like to joke that our relationship has been in the works since before we were born. My mom is from the same small town that Brandon is from, so our families have been friends for decades. Brandon used to mow my grandpa’s lawn when he was in high school & when he would be done, my grandpa would show him my picture on the mantel and ask him if he had met me yet.

Living an hour away from each other, the chances of us meeting were pretty low, but a few years later our paths crossed at a lake that our families have cabins at. We had a summer romance for years until one year and it was like our worlds aligned, timing was right and the rest is history.

He proposed Christmas morning while we were still in bed. It was so perfect that it was just the two of us and at our home. We had the best day telling our loved ones at each of our family Christmases since nobody (except my Dad and my Step-Dad) knew about it. 

I love plants – I knew I wanted to grow all of my own centerpieces and pot them in terra cotta pottery. I loved the combination of the greens from my plants and the rust/terra cotta color. I also knew I wanted a bohemian/western look to the wedding, and my dress fit into this vision PERFECTLY. 

All of the people that mean the most to us were there and everyone had a part in helping with the wedding. My sister did my makeup, my sister-in-law did my hair, my brother officiated, Brandon and his friends decorated the ceremony site, my friends and I decorated the reception site…it was an effort from everyone and that made our day so special to us. And this especially rang true in my brother’s sermon when he said “It doesn’t just take a partner, it takes a community, everyone that’s here today reminding you that you’re not alone, that you have our support and we love you very much.” It couldn’t have been more personal.

We wrote our own vows and had our first look was when I walked down the aisle. I was a nervous wreck while I was getting ready, but it all went away as soon as I saw Brandon. 

I went to Rhylan Lang knowing I wanted to try on a Tara Lauren gown. I tried on the Isolde and it was like it was made for me. My style, my shape, everything. Right from the start, it fit every curve on my body perfectly. There was no question it was the one, there is no other dress like it. It was so hard to keep it a secret from Brandon – I couldn’t wait for him to see me in it! I felt absolutely gorgeous wearing it. Since we had a destination wedding, we will have a large reception with all of our friends and family here back home – and I am so excited to wear it again! 

Rhylan Lang

Every moment just being surrounded by our loved ones was incredibly memorable. It would be so hard to pick one!