Monica & Chris Get Married!

An amazing fall day. An amazing wedding day! An amazing couple. Monica and Chris are now husband and wife! We started the day at Our Father's Lutheran Church (way up) in Rockford, MN. The bride was all smiles, and nerves, when we arrived. Shortly after the groom arrived and Monica kept hearing his voice across which made her light up! The happy couple waited to see one another for the ceremony but that didn't stop Chris from making sure his bride knew he was thinking about her. Monica shared his sweet texts with us and he sent a note across the hall via a bridesmaid letting his bride know how much he loved her. Adorable...

The love and nervousness was contagious! My heart was racing as their ceremony started! That never happens. You could see the sheer delight and happiness in Chris' face as he saw his bride walk through those church doors. And you could definitely hear the sniffles from all around the sanctuary as Monica gracefully walked down the aisle in her Casablanca gown from Heartstrings Bridal. Monica and Chris were surrounded with a lot of love from family and friends as well as their sharp looking wedding party! The 'maids dolled up in fuchsia floor length gowns from David's Bridal and the men ever-so classy in black suits from Men's Warehouse. The ladies also carried gorgeous bouquets from Festivites. 

A lovely ceremony was sealed with a kiss as Monica grabbed Chris' face to make it official! Immediately after the ceremony guests headed over to Medina Entertainment Center to start the evening off! Midwest Sounds was crooning the crowd with pre-dinner music in the Michael Buble genre. The happy couple and wedding party arrived to a very cheerful room of guests! Medina's staff also catered the event including a lovely buffet for the nearly 200 guests. A three tiered cake from The Dobo's Cafe and Bakeshop was surrounded by candlelight and fresh flowers. And what a cake topper! 

The emotions were high all day flowing into tearful and personal toasts (and short and sweet) from the best man and maid of honor. Every now and then I'd catch both Chris and Monica tear up as they'd look at each other or even just feel the overwhelming happiness that was surrounding them. Dances followed toasts, and again emotions and happiness! And not just between the bride and groom. This was also quite possibly one of the sweetest father-daughter AND mother-son dances that I have seen. 

We chased the sunset after the spotlight dances and boy was it worth it! Even the mosquito bites. :) And when it came time, these guests danced! Even the kids of the wedding were busting a move AND singing the lyrics to Michael Jackson's P.Y.T... What! Coolest kids ever in my book. The DJ dusted off a few oldies including the Electric Slide and Macarena which really got this crowd warmed up. We ended our evening with a bouquet toss and FUN garter toss thanks to Bobby from Midwest Sounds. The "challenge" was for the groom to dance his way to his bride for her approval before being allowed to remove her garter. Chris worked his way through the single men and Monica loved it; two thumbs up for approval! I wish I could've witnessed what the late night festivities turned into. ;)

Monica and Chris, thank you for being awesome and adorable! Enjoy your recap of your amazing wedding day!