Becoming the Garzas: Ceremony and Mr & Mrs!

Sharing the last of our wedding photos today (part 1 // part 2) with some ceremony, a few reception and some bride and groom shots! 

For our ceremony, E and a friend built the beautiful arbor that we stood in front of. My wonderful aunt draped it with real blooms. I went pretty light on the decor, but wanted flowers EVERYWHERE. We even had flowers in mason jars on top of logs in different places around the venue. 

E and I didn’t know what to do for a unity ceremony. We thought about lighting a candle or doing colored sand, but neither really felt true to us. In the end, we had a friend make us a box. We wrote letters to each other the night before the ceremony. During the ceremony, we had our officiant snap our picture with an Instax camera. We then placed the instant photo and our letters to one another in the box and nailed it shut right then and there (which was kind of comical because I am not very handy with the hammer as we quickly found out). The idea is that sometime down the road (we are thinking maybe our 10 year anniversary or if we need a pick me up), we will open the box and read the letters we wrote to one another. 

Becoming the Garza’s: First Look & Bridal Party

Sharing our second batch of wedding photos today (see getting ready photos here)…the first look and some of our bridal party! 

We got married in our home town at the beautiful venue, Hampton Hideaway. Tucked away in the mountains, it had the orchard trees and open space that I always craved, along with my reception must…a rustic barn. I was never one to plan out my wedding, but I did have two MUSTS…a barn for reception and a flower crown. 

Our wedding took place on possibly the hottest summer day of the year, with temps reaching over 100 degrees. It was hot and muggy and my sister did an amazing job of capturing these images despite us complaining about the heat. It was unbelievably hot! However, as I held E’s hand around the side of the barn, getting ready to see him for the first time as his bride, the heat melted away and all I saw was him. It was a truly magical moment! I definitely recommend doing a first look if you have the chance! 

Becoming the Garza’s: Getting Ready

Today marks E and I’s one year anniversary! I can’t believe we have been married for a whole year! While I shared our engagement story and pictures here and here, I never shared our wedding photos! This week in honor of our one year anniversary, I will be sharing our photos in a few installments! Today, are some getting ready photos! I’m leaving it short and simple today, but will fill you in on some of the wedding details on Wednesday! 

Photography by Haley Christine (my sister!) 

On another note, there is a $1320 Nordstrom Gift Card Giveaway happening now! Head to the bottom of the post to enter! Good luck! 

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