Fort Lauderdale Wedding by Kat Braman Photography

Sometimes it isn't about the details or the flowers or the dress. Sometimes it's all about the things you could only know about if you were there the day of, or if you read about them like you are now. And that's precisely what happened with this Fort Lauderdale wedding. Sure, Leslie's gown is stunning and looks just like this gown here. And the periwinkle bridesmaids dresser paired with the yellow calla bouquets is so perfect for a Florida wedding. But then when you hear that the bride's Dad sang her a song during the ceremony and then you find out that said song is the same one that Dad sang to his wife during their own wedding years ago, your heart completely melts. I've included only a few of the stunning images from Kat Braman so be sure to head over to her blog to see the rest of the photos from this wedding. The shots of their sweet ceremony, their intimate first look reaction, and the bride dancing with her Grandma, well it's sweet enough to fill you will happiness for the rest of your day. Be sure to catch all the goodies below, blogettes!

{Leslie and Devan's Love Story} We both went to a small liberal arts college in a southern Minnesota town. In 2006, Leslie moved to Miami for her master's degree. A few months later, in the spring of 2007 Devan was promoted and was also relocating to Miami. He knew through friends that Leslie was already living in Miami and emailed her to get together once he moved down to Florida. Devan was going to be celebrating his birthday a few weeks later and invited Leslie to celebrate with him and some new friends. We remained friends for about a year after that but in September in 2008 of relationship took a change and it definitely became more than friends. We started hanging out much more often. We went on our first "official" date in early October, to Timpano's Steakhouse and then to a Panthers hockey game. In January of 2009 we spent almost every day together. We both always talk abut how that time totally 1000% solidified how we felt about each other. We both felt like we were experiencing "what everyone always talks about" when the person they were meant to be with. There was one moment in particular at 2:30 on a Tuesday afternoon after a visit to the pool we found ourselves slow dancing to Alan Jackson's "Red on a Rose" in the kitchen (of all places). Despite our attire and the location it could not have been more romantic. We both agree that at that moment we both knew that this was it.

{Biggest Obstacle Planning} I think the biggest obstacle while planning the wedding in general was picking vendors. For us picking the site and date was easy, however when it came to picking who would do the flowers, photography, and music we definately took our time. We interviewed a lot of people for those  three vendors in particular. We did not choose until we found venors we really felt comfortable with. We felt it was important to feel very comfortable with the people you are working with on that day, as the day can be stressful enough on it's own. While everyone was wonderful, we were especially thankful  to have Kat Braman as our photographer, as she is so talented and made everyone feel comfortable on front of the camera that day.

{Advice to Future Brides} Take your time planning. Use any tools you can get your hands on. I found the time line and checklist provided by books, internet sites and our wedding planner to be very helpful. The checklist on The Knot was particularly helpful too as it made sure I didn't miss any detail and I could add my own details to it. Also, as I said beforemake sure you are really comfortable with your vendors. Shop around, ask friends of friends. It one vendor you really like is booked, they usually know and trust other people in the business and can give you the name of someone who has a similar taste or style. As far as expenditures, we were so glad we spent extra on our DJ, who kept everyone dancing all night. The same goes for our photographers as we know the pictures we have will last a lifetime.

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Photographer: Kat Braman Photography / Venue: Ritz Carlton Fort Lauderdale / Coordinator for the Ritz: Brooke Bassett / Flowers: Petals Panache / DJ: Nick Raineri / Officiant: Rev. Eddie Rodriguez / String Trio: Barbara Corcillo, Encore Chamber Players / Make up: Kristin Brown / Hair: Jenn Versosky

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Quirky Southern E-session by Onelove Photography

So I've completely been on the edge of my seat waiting to share this engagement with you all. You can only imagine my surprise when I myself opened my email to find this little gem of a submission waiting for me. I have an incredibly large soft spot for balloons partially due to the the fact that I had them both in my own engagement and wedding photos but mostly because they are so whimsical, fun and it's hard to not smile when you see em in pics. But then, to top off all the goodness that is this feature, Brian the groom to be, goes ahead and sends me the write up for this post which you will be able to tell from below, left me completely in awe of how much he loves his fiance Mary. I won't tell you much more except if these photos from one of my faves, the crazy talented Sara of Onelove Photography are any indication of how wonderful Mary and Brian's wedding will be, well then count me in. Happy Monday loves!

{Mary and Brian's Love Story} Oh Lord, where to start? She's been calling me Pumpkin since our second date. She will even confess she wanted to get married and have babies ASAP. But here's our Love Story and take it with a grain of salt as it's from the guy's perspective. We met in Pensacola, Florida when I was stationed  there as a flight instructor for the Navy. We had met several times in social settings, and at the time she was moving to take a job in Philadelphia. So six months passed and I went to my favourite watering hole for lunch one day and there behind the bar was Mary. Funny thing was that I remembered her name but she didn't remember me. I chatted her up and found out she had moved back to take care of her ailing mother, and had taken the bar job because she knew the owner. So, in a passive way, I pursued her by going to that bar frequently in the hope that I would be there when she had a shift. Finally, after she made one of the strongest Bloody Marys' I ever had, I gathered enough liquid courage to ask her out. She will say she was nervous and excited so she had to get me tipsy, but I tell you that she had one of the best poker faces when she said, "Yes."

Our first date was almost a disaster as I showed up to the restaurant in a t-shirt, shorts and sandals (it's a beach town in the summer mind you) and she shows up looking like a billion dollars. New shoes, new dress, hair done, manicure, pedicure and make up as perfect as a girl can get it. Needless to say say I felt like a fool, and thought I screwed it all up before it even started. Yet, we had a great time and after a few dates we were inseparable. During our courtship, my commitment to the military ended and I had to look for a job. I was hired on through a military transition program at Technicolor in Burbank, so I had to move cross country; and have a long distance relationship with Mary (albeit for a short time). After I moved, I think ten had passed and Mary called me and said "to hell with this, I'm moving out there now!" A lesson from this is: if Mary wants it, she's going to get it!

Living together we became closer and closer and I realized that she was the one I wanted to be with, and I truly loved her with all my heart. So last Christmas, we spent the holidays with my family in Houston, and the very last gift was me on one knee proposing to her. Mary was so excited that before I could remove the ring from the box, she tackled me and wouldn't let go. In the meantime, my five year old nephew asked aloud, "Why are you kissing? You need to stop that!" Everyone's a critic.

{Details Behind Their Engagement Session} First, Mary cannot take a bad photograph. She looks great in everything, even though she protests that she doesn't. Mary and I are both from the South. I'm from Texas, she's from Alabama and Florida. We are both die-hard college football fans. We also wanted the theme of southern comfort, the feeling of being outdoors among century old trees and pickett fences, Needless to say, Mary looks amazing and we have received a whole bunch of compliments on them. Sara did an amazing job!

{A Little Bit About Their Upcoming Southern Wedding} We are getting married in Houston, Texas at a chapel on the Lanier Estate. The chapel's architecture was inspired by the Italian renaissance, and looking at it you would think you were in south-east Tuscany rather than south-east Texas. The reception will be at the Westlake Club. We are still planning the details and it would all fall apart if Mary wasn't the super-organized person that she is. All I have to say is the groom's cake will be the most awesome groom's cake ever as I picked it out myself. (I know Mary will object to that last statement, but I stand by it).

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