Quick backstory - when Joe and I first got engaged, we had doubts about whether we wanted the "traditional" type of wedding. There were a bunch of ideas flying around. Small ceremony and dinner with family and open bar with friends somewhere after (the look of horror on Jan Dunbar's face quickly convinced us NOT to do this). Getting married at a castle in Ireland. It was all out there. The main things holding me back from the typical Long Island wedding were the expense (OHHHH THE EXPENSE!) and my feelings of self-doubt. Simply put, I just couldn't imagine myself being a bride.
One night while at my parents house, my Dad said something that resonated: "You only get married once, just make sure whatever you decide to do, you won't have any regrets." My Daddy-O. Ever the voice of reason.
That night, Joe and I drafted up a budget for the Long Island wedding I didn't know I wanted. It was ON like Donkey Kong.
Most of the pieces fell into place easily. When I was first dipping my tippy toes into the wedding photography scene 4 or 5 years ago, I was assisting a photographer out East at a venue called The Old Field Club. When I walked in this place, the chorus in my head started singing and I thought "If I ever get married, I want to get married HERE." Surely enough, it was the only venue we visited. There were three decisions that I collectively consider the most important wedding-planning decisions we made. Old Field Club was #1. I literally cannot say enough about the level of service we received and the compliments are still rolling in. It has a very "non-Long Island" feel. A beautiful barn ceiling and hanging chandeliers, plus full service catering? No other place like it on Long Island. Ben and the gang got it going on.
Main point? She made me feel beautiful. She made me LOOK beautiful. Girls, if you are getting married and live in the Birmingham area, you are CRAZY if you don't hire Morgan.
Most importantly, and I feel like this can get lost too easily in the planning process, I got to marry Joe. 10 years after we met in a college dorm room, we stood on an altar in front of the most important people in our lives and made promises to each other. If I could extend one word of advice to clients, potential clients or ANYONE currently planning: THAT is what a wedding is really about.
One of my favorite memories from the entire day is Joe whispering (screaming) into my ear on the rowdy dance floor: "Look around babe...just look around!"
To which I responded "How did we get here!?"
His answer?
"I led you here sir, for I am Sparticus."
Joe Dugan NAILS it with the impossibly obscure movie quote. Oh, how I love that man.
Here are some additional photos (a first draft of our album, to be precise) to take you on a visual tour of the best day of our lives.