There’s no question in our minds that these two hearts were meant to be! Matt & Sara were so deeply in their own universe that they completely forgot the flow of their ceremony and tried to end things early. But, hilarious goofs aside, their joy was plain as day in every second of their wedding — right down to the last sparkler and blissfully-stolen kiss!
A word from photographer Amilia James of Amilia Photography:
“While I love photographing beautiful, romantic portraits, there is something about photographing real moments that wins every time. There’s no way for me to choose a single favorite moment from Sara and Matt’s emotional and joyful wedding at Sara’s family home in Gallatin, TN. Maybe it was when Sara automatically went in to kiss Matt after he read his vows to her before realizing they weren’t supposed to kiss yet! Or it could be watching Sara dance with her father and step-dad, and then seeing both fathers embrace each other afterwards. Maybe it was seeing the way Matt looks at Sara like he’s the luckiest person in the world, or all the times he kissed her on the cheek. I think you’ll agree with me that this wedding was truly something special.”
Love noted from the couple, Matt & Sara:
How did you two meet? What were your first impressions of one another?
Sara: “Matt and I matched on a dating app and decided to meet for drinks on a Wednesday at the beginning of December 2016. I knew him as soon as I walked in, and quickly found a drink and a seat across from him. We clicked right away, talked and laughed for a couple hours, and made a plan to go on a hike together that weekend. After a cold wintry hike, we sealed the deal with our first kiss off a waterfall trail here in middle Tennessee.”
Tell us a funny story relating to your wedding day!
Matt: “Sara and I decided to write our own vows for our wedding. When it came time to the ceremony, we were head over heals gawking at each other. So much so, that after I read my vows, Sara leaned in for the ‘I Do’ kiss. I didn’t even notice, I leaned is as well. It wasn’t until everyone erupted in laughter that we stopped and started laughing too. I think our friends and family knew, yeah these two will be just fine together.”
Any special ways you incorporated your family into your wedding day?
Matt: “It was just so special to see our families come together with so much love and fun. My family is rather small and Sara’s is massive, but it was easy to become one big family. Sara’s siblings and their significant others stayed with us during the week. We stayed up way too late most nights, singing songs and telling stories with our other friends. My sister was a bridesmaid and her 3 brothers were my groomsmen. So many great memories we will have of my grandmother riding around with Sara’s mom in an all terrain vehicle. Sara’s 15 month old niece being pulled in a wagon by her bothers. It was nice for our families to not have to worry about any planning or execution, for them to just sit back and enjoy!”
What was your favorite part about planning your wedding?
Sara: “I plan a lot of events in my job, so when I first decided to take the plunge as the primary wedding planner for our big day, I was confident that the details would be fine. I knew the vendors to call and how to organize a timeline like nobody’s business. While much of the work felt like a checklist, one part of wedding planning consistently brought me joy: our ceremony script. I have always loved writing, and the idea of putting together a program for our big day is something I guess I always knew I wanted to do. With input from Matt, Google, and our officiant (and good friend, Kerry), I came up with a structure and flow that felt just like us. It gave Matt and I a chance to really get on the same page about what exactly we would be doing up there in front of our family and friends. I have more faith in our marriage knowing that we infused our deepest values into that ceremony scrip — really thinking through our lines, not just repeating after someone. It turned out so great!”
If you had one piece of advice for other couples, what would it be?
Sara: “Find the joy. It can be easy (if you’re a planner like me!) to get lost in the details, but remember the purpose. Anchor yourself to small moments with your fiance throughout planning and the actual wedding day. Our wedding and reception definitely went by fast, but I think we absorbed every second to the fullest. It really IS possible to eat, say hello to (almost) everyone, cut a rug on the dance floor, and remember your wedding in slow-motion instead of a blur.”
Matt: “Be patient. Express your opinion, and speak up if you don’t like something. But be mindful to the other person. And consider premarital counseling — you’ll learn something and it’s pretty cool to see how you love each other in your own way.”
photographer: Amilia Photography / venue: Family Home in Gallatin / stylist, planner, and designer: Sarah Abell with Flavor Catering / floral designer: Bride’s Family: Emily Findley and Sara Adams / dress boutique: USA Bridal in Nashville / dress designer: Allure Bridals / cake designer: Dulce Desserts / hair and makeup artist: Jess Bostic / men’s formalwear: The Black Tux / rentals: Liberty Party Rentals / accessories and decor: Veil – USA Bridal in Nashville / additional vendors: Caterer – Flavor Catering / DJ – 3rd Coast Entertainment / bridesmaids dresses – Birdy Grey / wedding Invitations – Minted / film lab: Boutique Film Lab
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