Hello! I’m back again today with part four of our wedding series – The Ceremony! Our ceremony was definitely the most emotional part of our whole wedding. We were finally going to say, “we do,” in front of all our family and friends – it was happening, right NOW! I’ll admit, I had butterflies and was feeling flooded with emotions just moments before my dad walked me down the aisle. I was ready though, and as soon as Iron & Wine’s version of Such Great Heights began playing, all of the butterflies floated away and my dad and I seemed to float down the aisle together.

Scott walked with both his mom and dad down the aisle. I love that he chose to walk with both of them, and I’m happy that I have this picture to look back on this happy moment (as I was still hidden away, awaiting my moment).

I asked my mom to walk down the aisle with my her brother, my Uncle Billy. I wanted them both to be involved in the ceremony, as my aunt was marrying us and my dad was walking me down the aisle. They’re both incredibly special to me, and I love this photo of them together.

Our bridesmaids and groomsmen were our closet family and friends. My cousin, Odessa, played the role of my Matron of Honor, and Scott’s best friend, Ryan, was his Best Man. Scott’s younger brothers, Cody and Dylan, were his groomsmen, and his sister, Sara, and my best friend, Courtney, were my bridesmaids.

This photo makes my heart melt into a million little pieces. I feel so blessed to have had my dad walk me down the aisle. It was an incredibly special moment that will never, ever leave me. In this moment, I loved looking around and smiling at our family and friends as we walked by, but most of all, I loved looking up at Scott and seeing his smile as my dad and I glided down the aisle.

My dad giving me a kiss before he gave me away was so, so sweet. He knew he wasn’t really giving me away, though, but only gaining a son.

My Aunt Louellen had prepared a very sentimental and untraditional ceremony. Untraditional in the sense that we didn’t say, “I do,” but rather, “we do.” We also prayed, listened to stories about love and promised our love to one another for all time and eternity. On a side note, I knew that I never wanted to have the saying, “until death do we part,” in our ceremony, as I don’t believe your love ends after death, so we said a wonderful alternative that represented us more as a couple, our bond and our never ending love for another.

We exchanged rings and said our vows to one another. In this moment, my entire attention was on Scott and the words I was promising him forever. I tried my best not to stumble, but I think a little nervousness hit me somewhere in there. However, this moment was us and perfect in every way.

Our moms lit a unity candle together to resemble the bonding of our two families. I loved having our moms being a part of the ceremony, and also loved their not so matchy matchy blue dresses.

Scott and I also lit a unity candle together. When my folks got married they had lit one, so I knew I wanted us to do this as well. My parents have been married for over 30 years, so I’m hoping this added a little blessing to our marriage and the years of wedded bliss ahead of us.

We walked back together, hand in hand —

And then the deed was done! We were pronounced husband and wife and Scott kissed his bride! This was such a surreal moment, and I remember wrapping my arms around Scott for the first time as his wife. Our family and friends cheered and hollered, and then we walked down the aisle together to the tune of Best Day of My Life by American Authors. It was the perfect song for the most incredible moment!

Let me introduce to you the newly wed Mr. and Mrs. John Scott Goodson! 🙂

I’ll be back soon with part five of our wedding series! Thank you all again so much for reading and for leaving such sweet words on our past wedding posts (one, two & three). We love sharing these incredibly special and emotional moments with you, and truly appreciate all of your kindness and love!

Love,

Chelsea (& Scott) xo

Details:
Wedding Planner: Katherine of Lucky & In Love

Makeup and hair: Mariana Marie

Photography: Arrow & Apple

Videography: Romantic Wedding Videos
Venue: Clayton on the Park