If you’re just jumping into the story now, go back and read this post first. If you’re all caught up on what happened the morning of our wedding, keep reading for details on our wedding ceremony!

After a whirlwind morning of photographs, laughter, and happy tears, our wedding party, my soon-to-be husband, and I headed to the church for our wedding ceremony.

We piled into the limo, and I had to laugh at this picture Dave took of us. With my dress bunched up like that I look like a loofah!

During the week leading up to our wedding, Greg and I scoped out picture locations based on where the fall foliage and nature looked its best. And those are the places where we stopped on the way to the church.

Then we arrived at our wedding church, a sweet stone building in Killington, Vermont, nestled into the mountains.

Our wedding dress code was black tie, and as much as I wanted to see our guests in their finest attire, I mentally prepared myself that not everyone, albeit likely unintentionally, would be dressed appropriately.

So imagine how thrilled I was when my photographer rushed into the guest house where we were waiting, to tell me that every. single. guest. was wearing black tie!

And they all looked fabulous, didn’t they?!

One everyone was seated in the church, it was time to begin. Greg and I shared a quick moment together, our last as single people.

Before he walked across the street to the church with Drew, his best man and twin brother, by his side.

Then it was our turn to walk to the church.

Grandma Barbie was first down the aisle, accompanied by Vytautas, a friend that Greg’s had since he was five years old, who served as one of our ushers.

Grandma Katie came next, escorted by Mark, another of Greg’s longtime friends and also an usher.

Bob and Donna, the parents of the groom, followed.

With my mom and brother walking down next.

Then it was time for my girls.

Caitlin, Jenny, Amber and I have been close friends since high school, which means that they’ve now been part of my life for longer than they haven’t. And Marisa is family, which means that I’ve known her for practically my entire life.

Caitlin walked down the aisle first. She currently lives in Germany and it meant so much to me that her mom flew to Germany to take care of Caitlin’s kids, so that Caitlin could fly to Vermont to share in the weekend with me. She and her family went above and beyond to make it happen, and I’m so grateful for that!

Caitlin has always been my most empathetic friend. No matter what I’m going through, she can always find a way to understand where I’m coming from, and make me feel seen and understood.

Amber was next, a friend who also made sacrifices to be there! Amber recently had her third daughter, and still made a weekend in Vermont happen, so that she could be there for all of my important life moments.

Amber and I share a strong faith in God, and she’s someone who has given me encouragement throughout the years, sending me bible verses when I needed them as well as love and support in difficult times. In fact, I first read my favorite bible verse, Joshua 1:9, when Amber sent it to me.

Marisa followed, a woman who I’m lucky enough to call not just my cousin, but also my friend. We’ve traveled the world together, from France to Switzerland to Morocco. And now that we live on the same coast, I’ve loved being able to spend more time with her. My wedding party wouldn’t have been complete without her.

Jenny, my Maid of Honor, walked down the aisle next. On the day of my wedding, I wanted someone who could be “me” so that I could relax and enjoy every moment. And by “me,” I mean someone who would be organized, making sure everyone was where they were supposed to be, keeping everyone on schedule, and making sure everything happened that needed to happen.

Jenny did an incredible job of being “me” and made sure the day unfolded seamlessly. She was so effective that my parents now jokingly refer to her as “General Jenny.”

I was lucky to have her take charge on my wedding day, and I’m lucky to have her in my life in general. We went to the same high school as well as the same college, and she’s been by my side for major moments in my life. So it was only fitting that she was by my side on my wedding day.

Greg’s nieces E and W, our two flower girls, then walked down the aisle.

And it was time for my dad and I to make our entrance.

As my cousin Alexa played my parents’ wedding song, One Hand, One Heart, on the violin, my dad walked me down the aisle, something we’d both looked forward to for years.

Even though I had just seen Greg about 10 minutes beforehand, there was still something special about seeing him standing on the altar, waiting to marry me.

This was the moment we had been preparing for since the beginning of our relationship.

The ceremony began with my Uncle Michael singing When I Say I Do by Matthew West while his wife, my Aunt Colleen, accompanied him on the piano.

It then continued with my sister-in-law, Kate, reading Love by Roy Croft, followed by Greg’s Aunt Condit reading Song of Songs 2:10-14.

After that, my Cousin Julia and her husband Andrew performed Reckless Love by Cory Asbury.

And then Greg’s sister Katherine read Touched by an Angel by Maya Angelou.

My Uncle Vic followed, reading Psalm 105:1-5.

And then my talented cousin Alexa, along with her husband Paul, sang Faithful to the End by Bethel Music, while Aunt Colleen played the piano.

My Uncle Vic also happens to be my godfather, as well as a Deacon, so he gave the message during the service. He began by talking about how he remembers holding me at my baptism, and how it feels like it was just yesterday.

He then discussed the unlikelihood of Greg (who was born in Germany, grew up in Florida, went to college in Virginia, and moved to New York City) meeting me (someone who was born in Chicago, went to school in Texas and California, and later moved to New York City). So many factors had to align for us to meet, and if not for God, it wouldn’t have been possible.

After calculating the probability of us meeting and wanting to get married at 0.4%, Uncle Vic teased me by saying: “And you thought getting into the New York Times Vows Section was a big deal!”

Then it was time for the exchange of vows, and of rings.

Greg and I had made many commitments to each other up to this point in our relationship. However there was something special, and holy, about making those forever promises in front of God, our family and our friends.

It was official: we were Mr. and Mrs.!

The service continued with another rendition of One Hand, One Heart, this time with Uncle Michael and Aunt Colleen providing the vocals while Alexa accompanied them on the violin.

And then our families exchanged God’s peace with each other.

For our exit music, Julia and Andrew performed The Heart by NEEDTOBREATHE, complete with a banjo and maracas.

Greg and I left the church.

Followed by these social butterflies!

As we walked outside as husband and wife, our ushers rang the church bells, announcing our marriage.

And then everyone filed out of the church, giving us their congratulations and best wishes.

We took this opportunity to take extended family pictures, as well as photographs with our groups of friends.

And then as everyone headed off to the reception, Greg and I took a few moments together to soak it all in.

And then we headed off to join our guests at the party!

Read all about our wedding reception, here.

~A

For all of my wedding-related posts, click here.

For all of my Vermont travel posts, click here.

Wedding Ceremony Details

Church: Church of Our Saviour

Photography: Amy Bennett Photography

Videography: Juharo Productions

Hair and Makeup: Traveler Beauty Company

Florist: M’s Wedding Flowers

Wedding Dress and Veil: Monique Lhuillier

Rings: Erdman Jewelers

Earrings: Tiffany & Co.

Cufflinks: Sally Clay

Bridesmaid Dresses: After Six