On Friday, July twenty-third, Gil and I were married. It was a beautiful, special day, and the love and help that our friends and family lavished us with overwhelms me still. We are so loved, and so fortunate. If you were in any way involved in our wedding day, either by helping, or by attending, or by being with us in spirit, I thank you from the bottom of my heart.

A wedding cannot be summed up by details, and a marriage cannot begin to be described by a wedding, but I know if I were one of the few people who still read this blog I would want some wedding details and photos. So I will give them to you.

First of all, my dress was the find of a lifetime. I made a sketch (before I even got engaged, truth be told) and decided that the best way to achieve the design I had in mind would be to find a vintage dress and remake it. God was apparently on my side on that one, because the very first time I went looking at a local vintage clothing store, I found “the one.” It was long-sleeved and very much too big for me, but it was only thirty dollars and the fabric was amazing. After my seamstress took it in, gave it a strapless sweetheart neckline and added tulle, it was a whole new creature. And I loved it. (You can see some better photos of the dress in our photographer’s blog post.)

(Photo by one of my bridesmaids)

My headpiece was from this shop on etsy… I highly recommend taking a look at her gorgeous floral headbands and combs.

My wedding band is from etsy as well, actually; I decided to go with something economical and unique for the time being, so I had this ring made to fit me. I love it. (I know, I’m one of those people who can contemplate switching to a different wedding band someday. My mother thinks I’m crazy, but there you have it.)

Once again, for photos of Gil and I, of the gorgeous location (we had the wedding at Mt. Pisgah), of our bridal party, and of other details, please take a look at our photographer’s blog post. He did a fantastic job capturing the day. If you are someone I know in real life and would like to see the full gallery, let me know and I will give you the password.

That’s all for now. I hope, as I continue to get used to the new normal around here, that I will find time to come share more words and photos with you in the near future. Until then.

Today at Shutter Sisters, they’ve asked readers to share either photos that remind them of their childhood, or photos from their childhood. This assignment reminded me of a coincidence that a friend of mine pointed out recently.

Here’s me, five years old, already displaying an entrepreneurial and somewhat idealistic spirit (not to mention a love of purple):

Here’s me and Gil, in one of my favorite photos from our lovely engagement session this February:

(Photo copyright Brandon Schmidt of Foto Vitae.)

Sixteen years apart—same girl, same table. What a visible reminder of the change that happens in such a short period of time.

(For the record: thanks in large part, I assume, to that giant purple hat, my “picture” business was actually quite successful. Most people who stopped paid me more than ten cents, and I’m pretty sure the mailman left me with a dollar and the picture he had paid for. I distinctly remember the satisfaction with which I subsequently purchased those roller blades I wanted so badly. Ten points for five-year-old Erin!)

After an embarrassing number of purchase-and-returns, I believe I’ve settled on these shoes for the wedding. (Purchased at DSW, a choice made even sweeter by free shipping and a significant coupon I had just received in the mail from them.)

Here’s a sneak peek of my wedding dress; it’s a vintage gown I found at a local second-hand shop, which I am going to have slightly remade. Be excited to see more pictures of it later. (Though probably not until after July 23rd. )

On Tuesday, we visited the site where we’re going to have the wedding. I’m super stoked about it–it’s a beautiful location, with all the amenities, and at a reasonable price. Thank you, Lord, that we were able to still book it for the date we wanted.