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“I learned to stop and smell the roses while planning. I was just so excited to marry my best friend and I kept that first and foremost the whole planning process. No matter what happened, I was marrying Karson and that was most important!” – Paige Gentling & Karson Hudelson

Tell us how you and your spouse met! 

Karson and I met in 2017. I was attending summer class at OU and one weekend a couple of my girlfriends asked me to join them and some some of their friends from high school for a lake day on lake Arcadia. Karson and I met on the lake that day and bonded over a game of beer frisbee and we’ve been inseparable ever since!

Describe your proposal! 

Karson was so set on surprising me with the proposal. I always joked with him that I would see the proposal coming from a mile away and he would never be able to surprise me with it. In February 2020 we were going to Vegas to spend Valentine’s Day and I was so sure he was going to propose there (but he had other plans). Karson’s birthday is on February 12th, and he ended up proposing to me on his birthday in the foyer of his parents home surrounded by our friends and family. I thought we were just meeting his family for his birthday dinner but when we walked in I knew immediately what was going on. Biggest surprise of my life!

Tell us about your wedding day! 

Our wedding day was the most magical day of our lives. It was the most beautiful day, 70 degrees and sunny without a breath of wind. My mother in law was so integral in the planning of the whole day. The wedding planning process was overwhelming to me as I was a full time student so she really executed so much of the day. All of the girls started getting ready at my in law’s house. My mother in law had an amazing breakfast spread for us to snack on while we got ready. Getting ready at their house was so special and it made me feel at ease being somewhere familiar when I was so nervous! Once we were all ready we piled into a rented van and headed to the venue for the day! I did a first look with my dad and then a first look with Karson. The first look with Karson was one of my favorite moments of the whole day. Seeing him made my nerves go away and fill with even more excitement. We chose to read our vows to each other during our first look and that was so special. We could be ourselves and get emotional without a crowd looking. Next was the ceremony and one of the big surprises of the day. My mother in law had surprised me with the most amazing florals at our ceremony. She and Poppy Lane came up with an amazing idea of lining a winding aisle with ombré growing roses from the ground. They had to drill each rose one by one into the ground but it looked so beautiful. It brought me to tears to see such a beautiful surprise! We wanted our guests to have an amazing time from the second they arrived at our wedding. We had bartenders serving guests limoncello cocktails as they arrived to the ceremony. After the ceremony guests were taken to cocktail hour in the courtyard of the greenhouse. We had an open bar with signature cocktails and passed hors d’oeuvres. We had the wait staff wear aprons with our monogram and carry monogrammed towels with the name of the appetizer on them. It was a fun personal touch. We also had Wade Tower sing during cocktail hour and dinner. Once dinner was ready the curtains into the greenhouse were lifted and guests were escorted inside and found their tables by finding their name on an escort wall with a vase and flower to take home. We had a coursed dinner with salad, butternut squash soup, and chicken piccata. After first dances, dinner, and cake cutting the party began. Our dance floor was packed the whole night and we all had the most amazing night ever. I always told Karson that we our love was epic so I wanted the party celebrating our forever to be epic! At the end of the night we left in a vintage jaguar car. It was the most amazing day surrounded by our loved ones. I would not have changed a thing!

What was your favorite wedding day memory? 

Karson and I shared a final dance just the 2 of us before we left the reception. We danced to a very special song, it was the song Karson played before we got engaged. We both just cried during our last dance because we were so filled with love and happiness. We were so excited to finally be married and so glad we got to spend the whole day with our favorite people. It meant everything to us and it was a great little moment to reflect before we ended the night.

“A vendor who really stood out to us was Hunter Hennes. Her authentic, genuine and caring nature made the experience so wonderful. If I could recommend a vendor to anyone, it would definitely be Hunter Hennes. It was truly such a remarkable experience working with her, and I cannot wait to capture more of life’s milestones with her beautiful work of art.” – Esmeralda & Hector Perez

Tell us how you and your spouse met!

Hector and I met in high school in California. Hector and I started talking and dating my senior year of high school, and he quickly won my heart over with his genuine and caring nature. I guess you could say I married my high school sweetheart, my best friend.

Describe your proposal!

It was one a beautiful summer day in August near the beach at Pensacola Beach. The beach was just a walk away from our stay, we were on a family trip, and it was my birthday. We went to the beach to take beautiful pictures with his family, went back to the stay, and had some delicious sea food. When it came time to cut the cake and sing Happy Birthday, he got on one knee. I couldn’t believe it, it was definitely a pinch-me moment. We hugged and kissed. It was our moment. When we turned to look around the room, everyone had joyful tears, and congratulated us. It was perfect. Family means everything to us.

Tell us about your wedding day!

The entire wedding was an unforgettable and memorable experience. It was truly everything we wanted and more. We really incorporated our tradition, our roots, our religion, our culture and our family. We had family travel in from far places, which we are beyond thankful for; in particular, my uncle, who was the Catholic priest and officiant, traveled from Mexico to celebrate with us. We started the wedding day getting ready in separate locations with our families, following tradition of not seeing each other until the religious ceremony. We celebrated at the reception with delicious tacos that Los Desvelados were carving and danced the night away with true Latino music that our DJ, Sonido Gorila, was blasting. We continued the celebration with our favorite Mexican wedding traditions: our favorite, La vibora de la mat; and our photographer, Hunter Hennes took the most beautiful wedding pictures and sunset pictures to capture it all.

What was your favorite wedding day memory? 

My favorite memory of our entire day was seeing my now husband become emotional as we watched me walk down the aisle. Truly and unforgettable moment. Most importantly, receiving the holy Eucharist for the first time as husband and wife was also an unforgettable memory from the entire day.

Who was your favorite/most helpful wedding vendor? Why?

All of our vendors and family were amazing, truly helped make our day unforgettable, and we are so thankful for each and every one of them. A vendor who really stood out to us was Hunter Hennes. Not only did she want to capture the most stunning memories for us, but she was friend throughout the whole process and now. She was truly there for us, and even made a schedule for the events that were taking place in the wedding, which made our wedding planning so much smoother. Hunter even helped me find different vendors when I was having trouble finding what I needed. Her authentic, genuine, and caring nature made the experience so wonderful, and her bubbly, outgoing, happy personality was a plus. If I could recommend a vendor to anyone, it would definitely be Hunter Hennes. It was truly such a remarkable experience working with her, and I can not wait to capture more of life’s milestones with her beautiful work of art.

Are you looking to book the perfect vendors for your big day? Look no further! The Indie Bride Bridal Show & Market is just around the corner! You are invited to join local Oklahoma wedding pros at the Indie Bride Bridal Show & Market on Sunday September 11, 2022, from 12-4 p.m. at the Farmers Public Market Building in Oklahoma City.

This is the perfect way to stay in-the-know with all the latest wedding trends and unique services that are sure to make your day a dream come true. Grab your friends and peruse featured florists, wedding favors, calligraphers, beauty vendors and so much more! Plus, stock up on delicious samples or indulge in the cash bar. You can even pick up your very own copy of the Fall/Winter 2022 issue of Brides of Oklahoma. The time to plan the wedding you’ve always dreamed of is here. Happy planning, friends!

Tickets to Indie Bride will be sold for $10 at the door or can be purchased online here.

Don’t forget to check out other bridal events happening near you on our events page!

Brandlink Media Digital Marketing + Social Media Internship

Our advertising agency interns are responsible for client research, social media content creation and caption writing, copywriting including blog posts, and are responsible for working on client accounts in various capacities. Those seeking to fill the internship must be a strong writer and intimately familiar with all social media platforms.

APPLY HERE!

Get to know all of our brands: Brides of Oklahoma, Brides of North Texas, Brides of Austin, Brides of Houston, Brandlink Media

If you’re looking for dazzling wedding jewelry to complete your bridal look or have just begun the hunt for the perfect engagement ring, look no further than one of Oklahoma’s best local jewelers. Choosing a gemstone, a style and a cut that suits you, not to mention a band that complements it on a budget that doesn’t break the bank all takes a little thought and effort – which is why we’ve assembled this helpful guide to survive ring shopping! These jewelers are guaranteed to help you and your man find the perfect fit, literally and metaphorically speaking! Cheers!

Rings: Mitchell’s Jewelry | Photo: Sarah Libby Photography

Mitchell’s Jewelry

Mitchell’s Jewelry has been making dreams come true for their customers since 1981.  Engagement rings and wedding bands share space with on trend collections and timeless classics. In addition to their hand-selected Antwerp diamonds, they offer an extensive collection of lab grown diamonds, colored gems and moissanite to give you every option for the ring of your dreams.

Ring: Jewels by Simpson | Photo: Kailey Watson Photo

Jewels by Simpson

Jewels by Simpson is first and foremost a customer needs jewelry store. They pride themselves on their ability to closely listen to the customers’ needs and are willing to go above and beyond the call of customer service to find exactly what you’re looking for, and within your means. Having a keen eye for what their customers will be looking for allows them to provide you with a unique piece of jewelry. They strive to become the jewelry store that grows with your family. Shop Jewels by Simpson when seeking rings for nontraditional nuptials and classic affairs alike!

Rings: Naifeh Fine Jewelry | Photo: Amanda Watson Photography

Naifeh Fine Jewelry

Naifeh Fine Jewelry is a full-service, retail luxury jewelry store located in the heart of Oklahoma City. They carry an extensive selection of loose diamonds, engagement rings, semi-mounts and wedding bands for the bride and groom in gold and platinum. They are also known for their custom work and frequently hand-craft engagement rings and wedding bands utilizing diamonds or gemstones you already own! You will also find an extensive line of fine fashion, designer jewelry on their showroom floor as well as pearls and watches, ensuring that all your wedding day jewelry needs are met.

Ring: B.C. Clark Jewelers | Photo: Ashley Sunderland Photography

B.C. Clark Jewelers

Serving as one of our first official partners starting back in 2007, B.C. Clark Jewelers has a special place in our hearts as well as in the hearts of many other Oklahoma brides and brides-to-be! As a full-service jeweler, B.C. Clark offers a full line of merchandise and services including a large selection of engagement rings, designer jewelry, watches, china, silver, crystal, bridal registry, gift wrapping and complete jewelry manufacturing and repair facilities at all three Oklahoma City locations!

A Complete Diamond Guide

Engagement Ring Styles

Wedding & Engagement Ring Inspiration

Half the fun in planning the perfect bach bash is choosing the perfect bachelorette party theme, amiright?! Once you’ve nailed down your party destination and attendee list, it’s time to nail down the party favors. We’re sharing our all time favorite bachelorette party themes with favors for each below.

Everything linked below can be found on our Wed Society Amazon shop under Bachelorette Weekend Must Haves, so you’re just a few clicks away from being all set for your bride-to-be weekend that will leave your maids and men talking for years to come!

Photo: Carsyn Craytor Photography

Bachelorette Party Favors

Bachelorette Pool Party Ideas

1. Swimsuit | 2. Disposable Flasks | 3. Flawless Sash Set | 4. Ring Pool Float | 5. Napkins | 6. Shot Glass Necklaces | 7. Feyoncé Tee | 8. Drunk in Love Balloon Kit

Final Fiesta Bachelorette Party

1. Neon Margarita Cups | 2. Margarita Cocktail Mix | 3. Napkins | 4. Tote Bags | 5. Taco Holders | 6. Tassel Garland | 7. Sleep Mask | 8. Temporary Tattoos | 9. Mini Piñatas | 10. Final Fiesta Balloon Kit

Beach Themed Bachelorette Party

1. Hair Ties | 2. Inflatable Flamingo Drink Holder | 3. Let’s Get Flocked Up Cups | 4. Let’s Flamingle Koozies | 5. Flaming & Pineapple Disposable Cups | 6. Flamingo & Hibiscus Party Beads | 7. Balloon Garland | 8. La Croix | 9. Flamingo Straws

Camping Bachelorette Party

1. Table Runner | 2. Wine Bottle Label Stickers | 3. Buffalo Plaid Cupcake Liners | 4. Wine Tumbler | 5. Straws | 6. Paper Plates | 7. Flannel Fling Photo Booth Props | 8. Wine Bottle Covers | 9. Buffalo Check Table Runner | 10. Burlap & Flannel Bride-to-Be Banner

Bachelorette Boat Party

1. Nauti Bride Tank Top | 2. Nautical Balloon Pack | 3. “Last Sail Before the Veil” Sashes | 4. Gift Tags | 5. Heart Shaped Sun Glasses | 6. Waterproof Phone Pouch | 7. Get Nauti Balloons | 8. Bride’s Crew Cups | 9. Knot Sober Balloons

Nashville Bachelorette Party

1. Cowgirl Hat with Veil | 2. “Drink If” Game | 3. Last Bash in Nash Cups | 4. Cowboy Boot Shot Glasses | 5. Nash Bash Balloons | 6. Nashville Bachelorette Party Sashes | 7. Straws | 8. Tank Top | 9. Western Boots | 10. Nashlorette Garland

Bachelorette Party Theme for Any Destination

1. Headband Pack | 2. Tote | 3. Tank Tops | 4. Hair Clips | 5. Bachelorette Pong Game | 6. Mini Champagne Bottle Stickers | 7. Paper Plates | 8. Napkins | 9. Bach & Boujee Balloon Kit

After you’ve perused our favorite bachelorette party themes, tell us which is your favorite! Sound off in the Wed Society Community – join for free here! Plus, dive into some of our other helpful bachelorette party articles:

How to Plan the Ultimate Bachelorette Party

How to Curate a Private Party

Our Guide to Local Photo Booth Rentals

Oklahoma Bachelorette Party Ideas

Brides of Oklahoma powered by Wed Society is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

If you’re searching for the perfect band, DJ or wedding entertainment for your big day, be sure to check out Box Talent Agency! With a wide repertoire of entertainment options for you to choose from, you’re sure to find the perfect style for your celebration. Their website makes it so easy to search for what you’re looking for, and we’re giving you pro tips below for helping you navigate it. Booking the ultimate wedding entertainment doesn’t have to be hard, so read on to see how Box Talent Agency makes things oh-so-easy. Enjoy!

Photo: Ashley Sunderland Photography

Oklahoma Wedding Bands

We love that Box Talent Agency has a helpful wedding band section on their website that is conveniently broken down into ceremony, rehearsal dinner and reception bands/musicians. Just click on a band you’re interested in to find out more about their music, song lists and happy customers. The best part is that you can even check out a short clip of a live performance, so you know exactly what to expect for the big day! If your “I do” crew loves to dust off their dancing shoes, hiring one of Box Talent Agency’s many amazing Oklahoma wedding bands might be the best option for you.

Local Wedding Entertainment

There is no limit to what kind of talent you might stumble upon! Box Talent Agency is a long-time provider of local wedding entertainment that ranges widely in style. Find anything you could possibly be looking for – their site offers comedians, magicians, face painters and party tricks galore accompanied by photo galleries that offer a sneak peek of the act that’s to come. You can also read reviews to hear what other brides and partygoers had to say about the performance! Give your guests a laugh, or mystify them with magic for a unique wedding entertainment act.

Live Wedding DJs

We’re never not amazed by the diverse set of skills that Box Talent Agency live wedding DJs have to offer for couples hosting music-centered celebrations. On their wedding DJ section, you can find local pros with artist information, an audio gallery to peruse, as well as a custom song list, so you know what they typically play at other events. This can give you an idea of their personal style or even point you toward more tunes to use on your own big day! If you have a group who can’t get enough of classic hit songs, a live wedding DJ is likely the best bet for you. Queue the Taylor Swift, please!

BOOK WITH BOX TALENT AGENCY HERE!

Book your wedding entertainment beyond the band here!

If you are looking for a fun way to improve your overall health before your big day, consider adding Pure Barre classes to your wedding fitness routine! Barre classes have exploded in popularity over the last few years for more reasons than one, and lucky for us there is a convenient and gorgeous location nearby to utilize – Pure Barre – Edmond! Check out the following six reasons you should add Pure Barre workouts to your wedding fitness routine.

Relieve Stress

Exercise of any kind pumps up our body’s natural production of endorphins, which are the famous feel-good transmitters of your brain. Think “runner’s high” without the running! Just the act of working out in any way increases your overall sense of well-being, putting more pep in your step every day. Plus, getting the activity in can be a healthy distraction from wedding planning which we never want you to get burnt out on.

Find Community

Get a group of old or new friends to take up this healthy hobby with you or fly solo and make pals at every Pure Barre class! Either way, you will find yourself surrounded by positive people working toward the same goals as you. Finding a sense of community in any fitness setting is key to feeling comfortable, and feeling like you belong makes you want to keep going back!

Improve Your Posture

To look your best in wedding photos, good posture is key! If you are like most people, your posture could use some serious improvement. Barre classes are the perfect workout for improving your posture. Many of the basic ballet movements that you perform during barre workouts require a straight spine to do them right. This focus on making your back straight during barre class will also make you more aware of how you are carrying your spine outside of class. With awareness of slumping, you will automatically adjust to hold yourself upright with good posture.

Low Impact

As well as being good for your joints, the low-impact nature of barre classes means that your odds of being injured are low. The last thing a bride needs before her wedding is an injury! The low-impact factor also makes barre workouts great for pregnant women.

Have a Blast

The most motivating way to get into an exercise groove is by finding an activity that you enjoy, so it doesn’t feel like working out! The fun you have during every session is one of the primary attractions that barre workouts have to offer. The upbeat nature of barre instructors is legendary! When you combine that with the up-tempo music and the fun movements, you will have a smile on your face for much of your workout. Next time you are feeling a little down, a barre class will pick you up while helping you get fit and feel healthy.

Strengthen Your Core

Fitness experts will tell you that the best thing you can do for your body is to strengthen your core. Barre is one of the best possible core workouts. The focus on isometric exercises in barre workouts ensures that you get a total-body workout that forces your core stabilizer muscles to engage constantly. The effects of barre classes are cumulative for your core strength and endurance. When you make barre workouts part of your regimen, you will be able to hold core-centric poses like plank for minutes at a stretch. You deserve to be your happiest, healthiest self!

LEARN MORE ABOUT PURE BARRE – EDMOND HERE

Ready to get on the Pure Barre grind? Shop our fave fitness accessories here. Cheers!

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“The moment that we saw each other for the first time, it was like time and everything else stopped around us and it was just me and her for a moment where nothing else mattered.” – Gabriela + Carlos

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“Wedding planning tests a relationship but don’t let it get in the way of what’s important, which is spending the rest of your life with the person you love.” – Ellie + Ian

The best night of your life just ended and now it’s time to start the best vacation of your life with the person you love most! Will you be laying by the pool all week or going on the adventure of a lifetime? Wherever your dream honeymoon takes you, we’re here to help with our must-read honeymoon ideas and tips. Plus, take our quiz to help find your dream honeymoon!

The Most Popular Honeymoon Destinations

Beach

If you’re planning on relaxing at the beach all week here are some tips we have for you to get the most our of your trip. First, do your research on the beach scene at your hotel or resort. Not all beaches allow for you to swim in them and you might be allowed to hangout on the beach but not able to get in the water. Other locations may have beaches you can swim in but it may not be right by your hotel. Call and ask the hotel if they provide transportation to the beach if it isn’t a walking distance. Lastly, if you have room in your luggage, pack some sunscreen! Gift shop sunscreen can be overpriced and may not provide you with many options.

Mountains

The mountains can be one of the most romantic places to spend your honeymoon. With the cool weather and activities during any season, mountains are definitely a fun way to go. If you’re planning on skiing or doing any snow activities, we recommend renting your pass and snow equipment before your arrival. This will shorten any processing time and guarantee all your rentals. If you’re traveling in the United States, an easy solution to maximize your suitcase space can be shipping your heavy jackets and ski clothes home. For a summer trip, we recommend bringing at least two comfortable pairs of walking shoes. If one pair gets wet or ruined, you don’t want to be left without a plausible pair of shoes.

City

Bright lights, exciting people and a place full of endless opportunities…city life! A honeymoon in a bustling city leaves couples with countless options to pick from. When planning a honeymoon in a big city, it’s important to consider transportation ahead of time. You can save a lot of money by planning out your public transportation routes instead of ubering. A bustling city also calls for amazing restaurants. Guarantee a table in these restaurants by booking a reservation months in advance. You can always cancel the reservation if your plans change, just make sure to check the cancelation policy. Lastly, leave some extra room in your suitcase for all your shopping excursions. This may be the perfect opportunity to shop at a store you don’t have in your hometown and you don’t want to be stuck paying for an overweight suitcase.

What to Consider when Traveling

The Weather

Even if your honeymoon is planned to a tea, there is always going to be that one little thing you cannot control: the weather. Oh weather, will you ever be on our side? You were so perfect on that special day and now you can’t act up on our honeymoon! The best way to embrace the unexpected weather is to plan accordingly for any weather. We recommend packing a few items that you wouldn’t originally plan to wear. Going to the beach? Pack a pair of sweatpants and a sweatshirt just in case it gets chilly at night. Going somewhere with a cooler climate? Pack lighter clothes so you can layer. If you’re worried about the rain ruining all your outdoor activities, do some research on indoor activities as a backup plan. Don’t let a little rain won’t ruin your week!

GET OUR HONEYMOON PACKING LIST

Honeymoon Travel Insurance

You and your partner are ecstatic to hike around Costa Rica for ten whole days and then you twist your ankle in your gorgeous heels on your wedding night and can barely walk! That’s okay, you have travel insurance to help you reschedule your trip! One of the biggest mistakes couples make is not purchasing travel insurance for their honeymoon. Unfortunately life has a way of throwing even the most unexpected curveballs our way (like a worldwide pandemic) and you are going to want to be prepared for that. Here are a few basic travel insurance coverages:

Trip cancellation coverage is a pre-departure benefit provides a 100% reimbursement for the trip if you cancel for a covered reason such as unforeseen illness, injury or a sudden death.

Trip delay insurance will provide reimbursement for transportation costs and lodging if your flight is delayed due to inclement weather or other covered reasons. Missed connection coverage expenses that stem directly from missing a connection due to unforeseen circumstances that are out of the traveler’s control.

Travel Medical coverage will cover you in that circumstance you need medical treatment outside of the United States due to illness or injury.

Honeymoon Budget

There is nothing better than relaxing on vacation by eating the best food possible and getting to splurge on nice things with your honey. We recommend setting extra spending money aside to accommodate for those unforeseen purchases. These purchases can be something really exciting like splurging on a private beach bungalow for a night or something more unexpected like an additional hotel room fee. Did you know that even with an all inclusive resort there can still be additional costs? If you’re interested in things like outdoor excursions and spa treatments while on an inclusive resort, be prepared to spend a little extra on these things!

Read our article on budgeting for the honeymoon here!

How to get a Passport in Oklahoma

Leaving the country is an adventure full of new culture, exciting food and endless activities! Let’s make sure you have everything you need to jet off into your paradise. If there’s one thing that shouldn’t be done last minute, it’s getting a passport. Getting a passport in Oklahoma will be a breeze if you follow these simple steps.

The first form you’ll fill out is the DS-11 form that requires all your basic personal information like your name, address, date of birth, place of birth and your Social Security number. This form can be filled out before you go into the acceptance office but should not be signed. You will need to bring identification documents to establish your identity and citizenship. This can be but is not limited to your driver’s license and birth certificate.

Your passport will include a photo but it may be difficult to achieve all the requirements on your own. Your best bet is taking the photo at the passport acceptance center or an official passport photo service.

You will go to a passport acceptance office to file for a passport. The list of offices and centers in Oklahoma can be found here. We recommend calling and making an appointment to lessen the wait time. The passport will cost around $100 and take four to six weeks to arrive in the mail. For an additional fee, you can expedite your passport to arrive within two to three weeks.

Local Travel Agents in Oklahoma

You’ve planned the most dreamy wedding, but now you’re scrambling to plan the most dreamy honeymoon! Don’t let the stress of having a perfect honeymoon ruin the fun. Using a travel agent may just be the best decision you’ve ever made. Travel agents take all the stress out of vacations and help you save an abundance of time. These masterminds will not only have the best honeymoon ideas, but will book your hotel, transportation, meals and excursions. We highly recommend using a travel agent so you can sit back and relax before your vacation even begins. Check out our local travel agents here!

BOOK YOUR TRAVEL AGENT

Check out our other honeymoon ideas + posts including budgeting for the honeymoon, what is a minimoon?, and is all-inclusive right for you. Happy planning!

Image courtesy of Unsplash

“I learned that our story is unique to us and comparing to others took away our joy! With COVID, so many aspects of our wedding didn’t turn out how we originally planned. But at the end of the day, it was about being together in marriage and the details faded away.” – Taylor + Kaden