matt + monica • wedding • mckinney, tx

I'm not sure there could have been a more perfect setting for Matt and Monica's wedding than The Cotton Mill. It was a beautiful September day and friends and family gathered- the ceremony was peaceful, and hopeful, and sentimental...and a great celebration came after that. These two were so much fun to work with- easygoing and so excited about being husband and wife! Here are some of my favorite images from their day along with some commentary from Monica.

Had to include this one- my sister, Lauren, made the veil!

Loved Monica's Casablanca dress.

Love these girls! 

From Monica:

The most memorable moment of our wedding had to be our "first look". I remember how nervous I was walking up towards Matt. The one thought that kept running through my head was "what should I say/do when I finally get to him?" After he turned around to see me, it felt like no one else was in the room and I immediately had a calm feeling come over me. It was like no other feeling I've ever had! I will never forget that moment when we shared our first prayer together and exchanged our letters. I wanted to cry, laugh, kiss and hug all at the same time! I remember even trying to go in to give Matt a kiss and he rejected me and said "no - I want our first kiss today to be at the altar". Haha! 

Our favorite wedding day puchase had to be the hankerchiefs we bought our dads. Mine said "Dad, to remember the day you gave me away. I will always be your little girl - Love, Monica". I got the idea to also have a "first look" with my dad so when I finally got to see him, I thought it would be the perfect opportunity to give it to him. He was speechless.

The hankerchief Matt bought for his dad said "Today a groom, tomorrow a husband, forever your son".

This was such a special gift for both our dads and we could not wait to give it to them on our wedding day!

My friends sure know how to make some cute kids. :)

Floral & Event design by Season Celebrations (which consists of my Mom and her friend, Lisa- who is pretty much my other Mom).

Monica said:

My favorite detail had to be the simplicity of the wedding. The venue itself was so rustic and old that it didn't need alot of decorating or flowers. Brenda Rusten did an amazing job at highlighting each and every room of The Cotton Mill with such elegance and simplicity - I have to say I especially loved the peacock feathers! :)

Love this moment between Monica and her Dad before walking down the aisle.

Monica:

Something I will never forget and something that was so unbelievably special to both Matt and I was getting to hear my brothers sing a song they had written for us. I knew I would be emotional but just hearing the words and seeing their faces as they sang is a picture that will forever stick in my mind. I still tear up thinking about it and will never forget that song or that moment! I'm so thankful for the love of family!

Matt:

Everyone told me that the whole ceremony would be a big blur, but for some reason I was able to take it all in and remember most of the ceremony so it is hard for me to pick just one memorable moment. One of the most memorable moments for me was just waiting for her to walk down the aisle with her dad. I can just picture myself up there just so excited and about to shed a tear just waiting to see her walk down. It took everything I had to keep from crying. I knew that if I cried she would have too and probably messed up her make-up. But my most memorable moment had to be right after our first prayer together. We walked back to the center of the stage and just stood there, arm-n-arm, watching her brothers Michael and Mark sing a song that Mark had wrote for us. The song was perfect for that moment that we were in. That moment will be something I will never forget.

The cakes were so delicious- and the Oreo design of Matt's cake was a huge hit! Created by The Cake Stand in McKinney. 

Monica said:

The funniest moment of the day had to be when Briley, my 9 yr. old neice caught the bouquet and then immediately wanted me to throw the bouquet again because she didn't want it! 

I asked Monica if she had any advice for other brides looking back, and here's what she had to say:

Everyone says this but it is SO true - don't stress and let everyone else around you take care of everything. People truly want to be there for you and do things for you on your wedding day so don't feel bad. Also - try to take everything in. Even things as small as the napkins, lights, flower arrangements, weather, etc because you'll look back on your wedding day and always wish you had! The most important advice of all - just have fun and remember to breathe and relax! 

Thanks so much you guys! Congratulations!