Let me just say that this was one of the most difficult weddings to cull through; their day was so magical that I wanted to give Stephanie + Tim everything! …but that would have been horrifically overwhelming to say the least.
Stephanie + Tim are such a sweet couple, who are surrounded by equally sweet family and friends. Example:
During toasts Stephanie’s Mom shared that while they were dating Stephanie was out of town for one of her birthdays. Bonnie asked Tim if he would like to go to dinner with her to celebrate Stephanie even though she wasn’t home. Of course he did… and they wore party hats… and they sent a selfie to Stephanie. Awwwwwwww!
And not to understate all of the awesome wedding parties that I get to work with each weekend, but Stephanie + Tim’s bridesmaids and groomsmen definitely have my vote for Wedding Party MVP of the Year Award. They were excited, happy, emotional, funny, helpful, early, and ready to dance dance dance!!!
I met with Stephanie and her ladies at a local salon in Salem for hair and make-up. The rooms were full of chatter, laughter, coffee, and snacks. The girls wanted to do a lil something for their bride so they made up a custom coffee cup to get her even more excited for her big day.
After leaving the ladies to finish their primping I met with the rest of the creative team at Green Villa Barn. It’s a darling venue with a fully finished barn (complete with commercial kitchen, ready rooms, market lights, and stage) and a garden bursting with color. S+T did their homework to make their wedding day as smooth as possible by using some of the best vendors I’ve had the pleasure of working with. Tim and the guys soon arrived; making their way to the second floor groom’s room to chill, play some foosball, and eat lunch. When Stephanie arrived early I thought, “Great! This will give the girls a chance to eat lunch before we get started.” …yea, they had already stopped AND eaten lunch AND were still early. Un-Freaking-Heard-Of! Good work ladies.
Once everyone was dressed it was time for Stephanie + Tim to see each other for the first time. It was perfect. The love and joy that they bring to each other’s lives poured out of their smiles and was clear to anyone in the way they held each other tightly. They also took this time to exchange gifts. For Tim, a printed and bound copy of “The Transcripts” (all of their courting emails to each other). For Stephanie, maps of all the places they plan to adventure to together with a framed city-map inspired account of their relationship.
After we finished pre-ceremony photography, it was time to get this party started! Tim and the wedding party walked themselves down the aisle and awaited Stephanie, who would be walked in by her Mother. The service was touching, vows were heartfelt, and their unity ceremony – adding soil from their home states to rose bush that they would plant together – was completely representative of their love. There was laughter, lots of laughter, happy tears, and an AWESOME first kiss!!!
Tim + Stephanie enjoyed some alone time together (highly recommend this) following their service. Guests were entertained by cocktail hour, over-sized lawn games, and a photo-booth. Soon they emerged to join the fun and start the dance party. Dancing, more laughter, and games continued into the night peaking when one of the groomsmen got everyone to hold hands and dance around the newly weds in a circle to Sweet Caroline. It was the best!!! A sparkler exit sent Mr. and Mrs. Ottusch on their way to begin the next chapter of their lives together. Congratulations!!!
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