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CourtneyBrittain
Master August 2019

bam - Pro! Long post :)

CourtneyBrittain, on August 18, 2019 at 12:24 PM

Posted in Married Life 63

Hello all! It has been 10 days since Ethan and I tied the knot and I am so happy to report that married life is going well. It has been hard because our work schedules are opposite, but now that we are married we still get to fall asleep together and wake up together every day and that is magical....
Hello all! It has been 10 days since Ethan and I tied the knot and I am so happy to report that married life is going well. It has been hard because our work schedules are opposite, but now that we are married we still get to fall asleep together and wake up together every day and that is magical.

Here are some highlights I received from our AMAZING photographer this morning (thank you Nicole Bristow!) In addition, here's an overview of our wedding and our budget.

The day started out beautifully. I woke up and felt so at peace with everything and we went out to breakfast with Ethan's parents. The waitress was fantastic, you could tell she enjoyed her job. We got to the venue and I went to the Bridal suite to get ready while Ethan stayed downstairs and helped set up some before he went off to the Groom's room to get ready.

We did a first look, which I definitely recommend! It was perfect seeing him for the first time just the two (four I guess if you count our photographers!) of us, and our DOC actually captured it on video through a window so that was fun too. Our pre-ceremony photos went well overall, we got family shots and bridal party shots, although I didn't get a chance to get a photo with my girls in our robes so that was kind of sad but oh well. The flower girls were also being a little fussy so we didn't get a picture with all the flower girls and bridesmaids but again, they're 4, 3, 2, & 1 so I expected them to get fussy eventually.

The ceremony itself was perfect! The flower girls didn't want to walk alone, so Ethan held one, Tammy (MIL) held another and the other two walked behind them. It was so cute! Our vows were wonderful, I cried like I knew I would. Ethan's dad was a groomsman and I caught his eye and he was crying too, it was beautiful. I am so thankful that we did our own vows. We got lots of compliments on our officiant and ceremony, it only lasted maybe 25 minutes. We exited to Le Freak by CHIC and put on sunglasses then strutted back up the aisle to leave. Everyone loved it.

The reception had a couple of minor hiccups but nothing I would change! Our cake was supposed to have yellow & pink flowers on it but apparently one of the flowers was too heavy so they called and asked if they could change the colors. The lady in charge of bringing our cake was a long time friend and restaurant owner so I told her whatever she decided I trusted her judgement. The cake turned out even prettier than we originally thought, and we got lots of compliments on it (thank you Wall-Mart!) The pizza was supposed to come at 6:15 for us to eat at 6:45 but it didn't come until 6:45, no big deal, it came while we played our Shoe Game. During toasts, one of the champagne glasses got broken and I had to scoop up the 3 year old flower girl because she was running around barefoot but it got cleaned up within two minutes. We ended up not doing the Dollar Dance, which I was thankful for. Everything went so well and if you just relax and breathe throughout the day it will be great!

I'm only going to input important things in the budget, I'm not including gifts to people, cups & napkins, etc.

Budget: $9000

Actual: $8155.46

Venue: Rustic Grace Estate $1950

Tablecloth Rental: $339.37

Dress/Petticoat/Veil: David's Bridal $708.98

Alterations: $211.08

Shoes: Boot Barn $147.21

Invitations: Sister made $74.69

Flowers: Trader Joes DIY $113.41

Photographer: @CatherineNicolePhotography on Instagram, Nicole Bristow $1675

Cakes: Walmart $181.98

Pizza: Italian Villa $1216.68

Table Decorations: DIY $75

Groomsmen Ties: Mens Wearhouse $84.27

Officiant: Scott Ross (Family Friend) $150

Music: Spotify Premium $0

Walking Down the Aislecfb_1263023.jpgTHE KISScfb_1263025.jpgMr & Mrs Brittaincfb_1263027.jpgA Peekcfb_1263029.jpgI Criedcfb_1263031.jpgThe Brides Cakecfb_1263033.jpgFirst Dancecfb_1263035.jpgWho Spends More $cfb_1263037.jpgCake Smashingcfb_1263039.jpgMr & Mrs Brittaincfb_1263041.jpgThe First Dancecfb_1263043.jpg

Detailscfb_1263047.jpgThe Rings (in the box made by my FIL)cfb_1263049.jpg3/4 of our Flower Girlscfb_1263051.jpgWaitingcfb_1263053.jpgMom & Icfb_1263055.jpgMy Mancfb_1263057.jpgThe bridal partycfb_1263059.jpgFamilycfb_1263061.jpgYou + Mecfb_1263063.jpgYou Spin Me 'Roundcfb_1263065.jpgFirst Lookcfb_1263067.jpgKiss!cfb_1263069.jpg


63 Comments

  • Lauren
    VIP February 2020
    Lauren ·
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    These pictures are beautiful!!! Congrats! I love your big cross! I was going to get one originally, but our venue provides an arbor so we're using that to save money.

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  • Ivy ORP
    VIP October 2019
    Ivy ORP ·
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    Such beautiful photos. Congratulations! It looks like a wonderful day.

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  • C
    Super January 2020
    Cassie ·
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    Congrats! I love the brick walls at your venue. Where did you get your flower girl dresses? That’s the color I’m looking for.
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  • Jordan
    Expert September 2019
    Jordan ·
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    Everything looks amazing! Congrats!!

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  • MrsD
    Legend July 2019
    MrsD ·
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    I love your boots & cake topper. The ceremony looked stunning. Congratulations!

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  • Clíodhna
    WeddingWire Administrator January 2030
    Clíodhna ·
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    Oh these are so beautiful, Courtney!

    What a wonderful wedding Smiley smile

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  • Btbride
    Super August 2019
    Btbride ·
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    These pictures are everything!!! So happy for you!

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  • CourtneyBrittain
    Master August 2019
    CourtneyBrittain ·
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    Thank you!!!

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  • CourtneyBrittain
    Master August 2019
    CourtneyBrittain ·
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    Thank you, we did!

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  • CourtneyBrittain
    Master August 2019
    CourtneyBrittain ·
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    Awww thank you so much Susan!

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  • CourtneyBrittain
    Master August 2019
    CourtneyBrittain ·
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    Thank you Jill

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  • CourtneyBrittain
    Master August 2019
    CourtneyBrittain ·
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    Thank you Alyrae, we did Smiley smile

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  • Cristy
    Master May 2021
    Cristy ·
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    Congratulations!! Everything is so beautiful!! Thanks for sharing your day!!

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  • Alyssa
    Devoted October 2019
    Alyssa ·
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    Such beautiful photos. Looks like you had a beautiful day! Congrats!
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  • Amanda
    Master December 2020
    Amanda ·
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    Yay! Congrats, beautiful
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  • Gabby
    Savvy October 2022
    Gabby ·
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    These are stunning! Congratulations!!

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  • CourtneyBrittain
    Master August 2019
    CourtneyBrittain ·
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    Thank you! I believe Macy’s, Kohl’s, and JcPenny’s is where they found them.
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  • Pirate & 60s Bride
    Legend March 2017
    Pirate & 60s Bride ·
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    The one of you cheering in the church with sunglasses is my fav! So much joy. 💕
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  • MIWM
    VIP June 2019
    MIWM ·
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    Congratulations on your special day! You look beautiful! And I love your cake!

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  • Brittany
    Super October 2020
    Brittany ·
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    AWWWW!!! Courtney!! These are incredible!!! I love these photos!!! I am so glad that your day went so well (with only a few hiccups)!!! You look so happy!!! Congratulations!!!

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