While she was getting ready, Emily was so excited for Paul to see his boutonniere, made with shell casings his best man secretly retrieved. She orchestrated it as a surprise for Paul who is a hunter, wanting there to be pieces of the wedding that could speak to who he is just as much as the rustic flowers and lace spoke to her. She had a wedding cake made with that in mind too, designed to be half white lace and half camo. I was really struck by those details, by the consideration and even the symbolism in it.. two people with their own distinct personalities coming together in a relationship, an official union, to build something entirely different, new, and beautiful.

Beyond those details and touches, it was really clear how much love there is between these two. The amount of emotion at their ceremony was tangible; I think everyone got choked up as Emily came down the aisle, tears in her eyes. That energy carried through the night with heartfelt toasts and then a whole lot of celebrating, including quality dance moves and a packed dance floor!