I think about my wedding day all the time. It was kind of a blur, very overwhelming, but so very special. I would be lying if I said that it was perfect and there is nothing I would change if I could go back, but despite all the little things that went wrong, it was still the best day of my life because it’s the day I became one with the man God made just for me.

It’s hard to believe that it’s almost been a whole year since I walked down the isle wearing the most beautiful dress I’ll ever own. What a day.

I thought I would share just a few of the many things that made my wedding day so special. These little details are my favorite parts of our wedding, because they are what truly made it “ours.”

For those of you that don’t know, the church that we got married in burned down just a few months ago, making us the very last people to ever get married there. When the church burned, all I could think about was that our (future) little girls will never get to see where their Momma and Daddy got married, and it’s also the church where Grayson grew up. Thankfully, we have pictures and precious memories, because they last a lifetime and now, more than ever, they are worth more than gold.

On the front doors of the church, we had two of my great aunt’s wreaths with big red bows. My aunt lives on a farm in a small town nestled in the mountains of North Carolina and it was so special having these fresh, fragrant wreaths as the first decorations people saw when arriving at our wedding. I also have to mention that Grayson stood at the doors and welcomed each and every guest as they arrived to our wedding and I didn’t even know it until after the fact. I love how he took the initiative to add another personal touch to our day.

Everyone who knows me knows I love anything monogrammed, so it was only fitting that the doors be adorned with our initials (I ordered these unfinished monograms from Jane.com and spray painted them white, only $13.99 each).

My wedding gown is a treasure in itself. It would take me all day to explain how I found it or even begin to describe the precious memories I have with my Mom the day I put it on for the first time, but I’ll just say that it is exactly what I’ve always wanted, down to every last detail.

Another special part of our wedding weekend was spending the night before my wedding with all my best friends. We sat up talking all night and I wouldn’t trade that time of fellowship with them for anything in this world. As a gift, I gave them monogrammed satin robes to get ready in the day of the wedding and pearl Renmen Abonde bracelets. It was so special seeing all my girlfriends wearing a little piece of my ministry so beautifully on such a special day.

One special touch Grayson was excited to incorporate into our wedding party’s attire were the American flag socks his groomsmen proudly sported. It was such a fun, festive way to bring out something Grayson loves- our country- and it still matched!

Both of my grandparents passed away before my wedding, and I knew I wanted to do something special to honor them on my wedding day. I considered several options, but I’m so glad I chose to add a photo charm to my bouquet with one of my favorite pictures of them. I loved having that sweet reminder of the kind of marriage I hope Grayson and I have.

Our wedding day was completely covered in prayer, which is another reason that the whole day was so special to me. Grayson and I chose not to see each other before I walked down the isle, but we did pray together. He stood on one side of the door and I stood on the other, and we took turns lifting each other’s name up to our Father. There aren’t even words for what this few minutes meant to us. It was such a peaceful, precious reminder of the magnitude of the promise we were about to make before God and everyone we love.

Right before it was time for the wedding party to go line up, my bridesmaids, flowergirls, mother-in-law, and Mom laid hands on me and prayed over the celebration that was about to take place. My deepest desire was that our wedding be a true worship service, and that it would point everyone there to Jesus above all else. This time of prayer truly set the tune for that, and I’m so glad we paused in the middle of the chaos to call on His name.

I can’t even really talk about walking down the isle to my groom without crying. My entire life, I always thought that my Paw would be there to walk me down the isle, but when he passed away my freshman year of college, that dream was shattered. I didn’t have a peace about anyone walking me down the isle, although I am close to several wonderful, Godly men. A few nights before my wedding, the pastor who married us (who has watched me grow up, served as my youth pastor, did our premarital counseling, has mentored me over the years, and always been like a daddy to me) called me and asked if he could come over to our house to talk. Three days before my wedding day, he sat at my Mom’s kitchen table with me, Grayson, and my Mom, and had big tears in his eyes as he asked permission to walk me down the isle. It was one of the sweetest gifts anyone has ever given me, and I have never been more honored than I was to walk down that isle on his arm. It’s a privilege his only daughter so graciously shared with me and me alone, and I know without a shadow of a doubt that it’s exactly what God intended. So, the reason you see my groom standing at the altar waiting on me with no pastor, is because that pastor filled two very important roles that day, and I’m forever grateful for both.

Our ceremony was special for the obvious reasons- saying our vows, “I do’s,” and sharing our first kiss as husband and wife- but other special parts of it were Grayson singing a song called “Better Today” by Anderson Coffey and our congregation standing and singing “In Christ Alone” together in worship. To this day, when we hear that sweet hymn, my husband and I share a knowing look and we get to relive just a little snipit of our wedding day all over again.

We chose to walk in to our reception venue and be introduced as husband and wife to the song “You’re the One that I Want,” from Grease, which was so fun (and Grayson’s idea!). We also wanted a way to honor his parents, so we chose “You’re the Inspiration” by Chicago, which was their wedding song, as our first dance.

Our wedding cake was made by a good friend of Grayson’s family, and it was just as delicious as it is pretty. We toasted out of the same glasses that my grandparents used for their 50th wedding anniversary, and there were a thousand other little decorations and sentiments at our reception that added that special, personal touch. From my great aunt’s famous mints, to sparkling Christmas trees dotted around the room, to our decision to have a “dessert first” dinner so that our guests could satisfy their sweet tooth while waiting for us to finish pictures, I loved every little detail.

The last thing I’ll mention (although I really could go on forever) is the dancing. Grayson and I both wanted a fun, upbeat reception full of dancing, and we knew from experience that this only happens if the bride and groom dance, too! We danced every dance and had the time of our lives with all of our favorite people. Seriously… the most fun. We left our reception totally and completely exhausted… but oh, so happy.

Photos by: Erica Serrano Photography