Our Ceremony

For every different time in our lives together, David and I have tried to remember Ecc. 3:1, 

"For everything there is a season, a time and a purpose." 

While we were dating and long distance, we would remind each other that "this is just a season".

When we didn't like our job or school, we would say, "this is just a season". 

So, when the season finally came for the Lord to allow us to follow through with marriage, we embraced the season, and I give Him all the glory for that. The engagement season was so much fun and so memorable, but nothing has beat this season of marriage. 

I wanted to share our ceremony with the blog - for my own safe keepings. 

It was hot. 

It was cloudy - with a chance of rain.

It was early when I woke up and snuck away from bed to try not to wake Lauren, my matron of honor who had stayed up all night with me while I was too restless to sleep.

It was overwhelming to think that I had dreamed of this day through every heartbreak before David, every good time I had ever had with David, and especially since January 30th when he proposed to me, the day was finally here.

It was June 27, 2015.

It was {finally} our wedding day.

The ceremony was to start at 2:00. The day FLEW by! Since David and I decided to do a first look, we were able to do most of the posed photos with the wedding party and family beforehand. That would allow us to go straight to the reception afterwards, and we wanted to do that in order to get on the road to our honeymoon!

Inside, the church was decorated with a custom build arch (if you will), from my daddy. He cut the trees from our property, and we had fresh greenery adorning it. Tapering away from the arch on either side was an assortment of different sized and colored lanterns with candles lit inside of them. Some lanterns were given height by cut tree stumps that we also gathered from our property where we recently cut timber.

I wanted our decorations to be meaningful and sentimental. Almost all of the wood used throughout our wedding was from the property that my dad grew up on. It kind of felt like bringing a piece of his childhood and his family into the ceremony with us. I will post more on the sentimental aspects of our wedding soon!

The time came for everyone to trickle into the church. The prelude included a mixed CD of songs that were a soundtrack of David & I's dating (and engaged) life. They were songs that we consider "ours". I will put a list at the end of the post! 

So, as our friends and family were coming in to find a seat, our songs played softly in the background. 

Next, it was time to seat the family. My cousin, and our pianist at church, Gina Cotton, played the paino as the mothers & grandmothers (and aunt!) were seated to Great is Thy Faithfulness. We chose this because the lyrics ring true in our lives. They rang true especially during that season of life. 

"Great is Thy Faithfulness - morning by morning, new mercies I see. All I have needed, Thy hand hath provided. Great is Thy Faithfulness!"

The bridesmaids and groomsmen (and TK - the 'best dog') walked down the isle to "Clair De Lune", which is a classic favorite of mine. I have always though it was lovely - since taking a music education class in middle school. 

Next, it was time for my daddy to walk me down the aisle, and we went with the traditional "Wagner's Bridal Chorus". To be honest, I remember the first notes of it, but the rest is a total blur! I remember looking at my bridesmaids about halfway down the aisle, and I remember finally seeing David's face once I almost reached the front, but in my mind - there was no music. 

Complete silence. 

All I could think about was, "is this really happening?" 

I was living out a dream I had had for so long.

Next came the vows... We spent a period of time before we got married going through marriage counseling with our pastor, Bro. Bill Ross. David and I learned a lot about each other during that time, and Bro. Bill taught us a lot, as well. We have tucked so much of his advice away, and we use it as armor in our marriage now - we use it as a shield to guard and protect our marriage. So, when we began discussing vows, we wanted to use some that were personal to our lives and meaningful to look back on in the future. We wanted simple, but powerful. 

I, David, take you, Julianna to my wife,

my partner in life, and my one true love. 

I will cherish our friendship and love you today, tomorrow, and forever.

I will trust you and honor you.

I will love you faithfully through the best and the worst, 

through the difficult and the easy.

Whatever may come, I will always be there. 

As I have given you my hand to hold, 

so I give you my life to keep - 

as long as we both shall live.

I, Julianna, take you, David to my husband,

my partner in life, and my one true love. 

I will cherish our friendship and love you today, tomorrow, and forever.

I will trust you and honor you.

I will love you faithfully through the best and the worst, 

through the difficult and the easy.

Whatever may come, I will always be there. 

As I have given you my hand to hold, 

so I give you my life to keep - 

as long as we both shall live.

After our vows were said, we took part in the unity portion of our ceremony. 

It took us awhile to decide on something that we wanted to display for unity during our ceremony. We have seen so many different ideas for this portion of a wedding, and we wanted ours to be unique. So, we chose to plant a tree - but not just any tree - and we didn't want to plant it just anywhere. 

Here is the excerpt taken from our program: 

"In many wedding ceremonies, you often see the happy couple lighting a unity candle. Today, Julianna and David have instead elected to use a tree for this portion of their ceremony. The tree they have chosen is an American Bald Cypress. The Cypress Tree can live up to a thousand years. It can grow up to a hundred and twenty feet tall, and over fourteen feet across at the base. 

The cypress tree is mentioned in records throughout history, and it has many different meanings in many different cultures, but the meaning that applies here today is: 'The Cypress Tree represents the role of sacrifice in life'. As we all know, sacrifice is an important part of any successful marriage. 

Today, David and Julianna each bring a portion of dirt from their respective homes and each will place their dirt into the container with the tree, signifying their sacrifice and their pledge of unity in this marriage. This tree will then be planted on family property and will serve as a living reminder throughout the years of their love and sacrifice to each other." 

(thanks to daddy for always knowing exactly how to portray my thoughts - and for writing this up for us.) 

* I will add that the tree was planted by the end of the weekend by my brother, Matt, on our family land in Crawford, MS. I can say that, almost a year later, it is healthy & happy... and growing! 

We exchanged rings, and Bro. Bill added a special portion to the end of our ceremony. 

A week or so before the wedding, before all of the craziness with last minute prep began, Bro. Bill asked us to meet him at the church one night. So, David and I agreed. He met with us in order for us to make a pledge to him - but more so to our marriage. He read aloud our commitment as a symbol of confirmation to the congregation and to God as our witnesses, and this was (is) our commitment:

(The following words are a paraphrase of words recorded from the Book of Ruth)

"We promise to not leave each other, or to return from following after each other.

We promise that for where one goes, the other will go - and where one stays the other will stay,

your people will be my people, 

and your God will be my God.

Where you die, I will die, 

and where you're buried, I will be buried.

These things we promise to each other - for as long as we both shall live."

After that, Bro. Bill prayed over us, over our marriage, and over the people who would witness our marriage after we left the ceremony that day.

He then announced us as husband & wife....

and David kissed his bride!

(Song List) 

----------------

• that's how I know you love me 

- Justin Moore 

• enchanted 

- Taylor Swift 

• Feels Like Home 

- Chantel Kreviazuk 

• I just love you 

- Five for Fighting 

• kiss me 

- Ed Sheeran

• parachute 

- train 

• faithfully 

- Journey 

• make you feel my love 

- Adele 

• gravity 

- Dean Brody 

• i have and i always will 

- Dave Barnes 

• love will be enough for us 

- Dave Barnes 

• mine to love

- Dave Barnes 

• thinking out loud 

- Dylan Scott 

• kiss me 

- Jason Walker 

• I feel like that 

- Jason Walker 

• marry me 

- Train 

• never stop 

- Safety Suit

• shotgun 

- Nashville Cast 

• when I say I do 

- Matthew West 

**all photo credit goes to Twice The Focus Photography 

Our First Look!

It has been awhile (like, almost a year 'awhile'), but moving away from home means having no internet... until recently! So, I am back to finish up our wedding blogs. In no particular order. Just as I feel led to. 

And I feel led to share our "first look" today.

I went back & forth with this idea. I wanted to do a first look because I thought it would calm our nerves before the ceremony, and I knew it would save time in the long run as far as pictures and the reception were concerned. On the other hand, I wasn't so sure about it because I wanted our very first look to be authentic and genuine as I walked down the aisle with my Daddy. 

However, the pro's outweighed the con's when it came to the first look, and despite what everyone says about it - it is worth it! 

For us, it was just as special as it would have been during the ceremony, minus all of the people and the music.

My dressed had been fluffed. 

My hair had been fixed.

My veil had been put on. 

My perfume had been misted. 

My hands were shaking. 

My feet were bare. 

But my {almost} husband was waiting for me -

no time to spare.

In some ways, it seemed like the longest walk of my life, 

but it was gone in a flash.

It was the last time that David would have to wonder what I would look like in my wedding dress. The last time he had to keep an old image of me in his mind until he saw me in person again. It was the first time he would open his eyes and vision his wife there - instead of his girlfriend or his fiancé. It was the first time for me to really have a second to think, "This is happening. I am almost his. Forever." 

The next time we would walk down this sidewalk, it would be side by side - neither of our backs to each other. Hand in hand, not one falling beside us. It would be as one - unified - forever, no longer separated because God joined us together. 

.."It's always been a mystery to me, how two hearts can come 

together and love can last forever..

..but now that I have found you I believe that a miracle 

has come when God sends His perfect one..

..now, gone are all my questions about why, and I've never

been more sure of anything in my life..

..He must have heard every prayer I've been praying..

..because He made all my dreams come true..

..when God made you, oh I thank God He made you; when God made you,

He must have been thinking about me."

Our first look was one of complete amazement to me. I can remember looking at David through blurry eyes as I fought back tears. Those tears came from the joy that I felt in knowing that He was (is) mine. 

He will always be my first look. 

On June 27, 2015, every morning when I wake up, and every day after work. 

And my last look as I fall asleep each night and leave for work in the mornings. 

It's kind of nice looking through these almost a year later because I am able to say that He still greets me with that look on his face every single time that he sees me. 

He makes me feel desired, loved, and cherished. 

This first look was the beginning of a new look on our lives together as a married couple. We have faced many firsts since that first look, and it has been a great adventure - as long as we can face the firsts together, the ride will be well worth it for me. 

*all photo credit to: twice the focus

Wedding Party Attire

The bridesmaid's dress color is something that I couldn't quite nail into stone. I wanted something soft, summery, flow-y, and comfortable for them. My vision has always been one shouldered, but the color I was unsure of until I saw it at the store. Neutral was always the vision, but this color ended up being a dream.

I thought the color and style really complimented the girls well, and they all seemed to really like it! I've been a bridesmaid before, so I knew I wanted them to have something that was comfortable since they would be wearing it for a good while, and I knew that I wanted them to FEEL good in it. The color was complimentary of each of their skin tones as well. 

For the guys, I really had David in mind. I wanted him to be comfortable, to feel like himself, and to be polished yet relaxed. I feel like we really achieved that with the blue jean & blazer look. So many people would ask, "wait, blue jeans?" but I think it worked! David was comfortable, and all of the guys looked really nice. 

I wanted David to stand out a little, beyond having a different tie, so he wore a vest under his jacket. The ties were a PERFECT match to the dresses, and their bouts were simple. David's held a ranunculus (aka - my favorite flower), and the boys just held a coffee bean stem and filler. 

All together, the wedding party looked exactly how I imagined it. It was simple, soft, and different. It was easy, elegant, and true to the season.

Wyatt, our sweet little ring bearer, wore jeans, a white button up, a bow tie, and suspenders. He also wore his boots! He looked so grown, and he ACTED so grown! I am so proud of him, but he could've acted crazy and still been the cutest kid in the church. I'm so glad that Jacky and Ryan allowed him to be a part of our day. It was so neat to have him there with us. The guys made him feel like he was grown, too, from what I understand :) He's gonna make someone a fine fella one day.

For my dress, I chose a cap-sleeve ball gown style dress with an illusion boatneck. The bodice of the dress was adorned with beaded lace appliqués and we added a beaded sash with it as well. Instead of letting the sash be tied in the back (I didn't want it to interfere with the veil), I had it altered into the dress. I felt like a princess. I owe most of that to Autumn doing my hair and makeup, but the dress itself was comfortable, and that was a big factor for me, too. There will be more photos of the details of the dress in the "getting ready" post, but I didn't want to flood this post with photos of myself.

Doesn't David look comfortable? This was taken as they were doing some portraits of me, but this truly reflects the way that I see David dressed up. I've never seen him in a tux, and I couldn't imagine our wedding day depicting people we really aren't. I loved my dress, and I wanted him to love his look for the day. He could really go from wedding to riding a tractor in about three seconds flat with this look, don't you think? I think he, along with the rest of his buds, looked "sharp".

sidenote...

I have the most handsome husband in the world. 

Still trying to make myself believe that this is real life. 

my life. 

blessed is an understatement. 

ps -  TK wore a bowtie! That's all he needed to look like "The Best Dog".

photo credit: twice the focus 

ONE month (and a few days) of Mrs. Tyson!

 I will say that I had many preconceived notions of what marriage would be like. Pictures that were painted for me by my family, some wedded friends, and even just a general picture that the married public painted for me, and I have to say - while I am thankful for so many of those portraits that were sketched into my mind, I am even more grateful for the opportunity to have my own chance at being the artist (along with David) of our marriage. The Lord has shown us so much grace and mercy that has allowed us to even BE in this season of life, and it's sometimes overwhelming to think that each day hereafter will begin and end with David by my side. God answers prayers in a powerful way, and I have been blessed with more than I deserve by being blessed with David. To God be the glory!

I have so much to blog about, and I cannot wait to share every tiny detail about our wedding, but until I can get that series going, I thought I would update on life after marriage. Well, life after ONE MONTH of marriage.


 This blog has seen so much change in David & I's relationship. We have come from the first date, loss and gain, the engagement, and now marriage. I have to say, this season of life is turning out to be a spectacular one, but I had no doubt about that. After all, I started this blog with the anticipation of journaling our lives as they happened. I have somewhat failed miserably lately, but I have tons of things coming. I can't wait to share!

 In one month, I have begun to learn what it's like to live away from my parents - something that I, at almost 24 years old, have never done. I would be lying if I said that I didn't cry the first one or two (or 5) times that they left our house or we left theirs. Not because I wanted to be at home with them instead, but because the adjustment was just overwhelming for me -- i had not anticipated missing them that much, and crying usually led me to feel terrible for David, but he always encouraged me that "it's okay. This is a big adjustment, but it's going to get better, and you're going to get used to this." And I have. Because he has helped me through it. Through all of this, I have learned even more about the way that David loves me. He loves me through bad, good, tears, smiles, anger, happiness, good and bad. And yes, I have learned that over and over within the last month. 

 In one month of marriage I have learned a few things. I hope I can do this each month for the first year, but this month has definitely  been one of trial and error:

I have learned..

...that I enjoy housework (vacuuming especially), but I love the feeling of all the clothes being washed, dried, ironed, folded, and hung.
...that there is a possibility of me being able to impress David with cornbread just like his moms!
...that folding the sheets is quite possibly the most frustrating thing on the planet.
...that things get dusty TOO quick.
...that I can blanch peas and butterbeans (even if Mimi helped!)
...that Mimi's help is valued and treasured.
...that chatting with Mom to & from work is a new normal that I am glad we have created.
...that Daddy will still come over at 9:30 to look at a ceiling fan, even if he was in his pj's before the call.
...that finding a puppy in a culvert can really show you how big your husband's heart is (even if we decided that we couldn't keep it.)
...that eating each meal at the table really makes a difference (eating in the living room makes me feel like we are college roommates with no dining room).
...that having a "bed hog" really is a real thing.. and sometimes he kicks!
...that David's nighttime prayers have been a huge encouragement to me.
...that family coming over on a friday when I'm off is precious time that I enjoy!
...and that Sunday lunch is as special as Christmas dinner to us now!
...that David really does like tomatoes (at least the green ones) (he just won't fully admit it)
...that waking up everyday & realizing this is my life still hasn't sunken in.
...that when planning to buy something "big", you should definitely ask your parents. Frost-free deep freezers are probably the way to go, but we are proud of the frosty one we purchased anyway!
...that living life with another human is DIFFERENT... but so. much. fun!

It may seem crazy that a month has taught me these things, but marriage is big. Marriage isn't just taking on a last name. It isn't just a wedding (although that was SO much fun!). It isn't just a honeymoon. It's learning to love the person you're with every single day, through every single mood and transition, and if learning this takes a lifetime, that's okay with me. 

Everyone has joked with us about "the honeymoon phase" of marriage, and while I know we aren't even in the eye of that storm being over, David did lean over to me (after what I guess was the last joke he could take for the day) and said, "I'm gonna do my best to make our honeymoon phase last til my dying day," and in one month of marriage, I have learned that that's   r e a l l y   what marriage is about.