Jessie + Jason : Bonnet House Museum and Gardens Wedding in Fort Lauderdale, Florida

So, my little sister-in-law is now a Mrs.! <3

I talked a bit about my love for Jessie when I blogged her and Jason’s engagement session here, so make sure you read that post first!

Nate and I have been privileged to photograph all of our family members and best friends’ weddings since we started shooting weddings, but this was our very first time sans camera bags, both of us in the bridal party! Nate has done the groomsman/best man thing at least 4 times I know of (who wouldn’t want that face in a groomsmen lineup?!), but this was my very first time as a bridesmaid. I was completely shocked when Jessie asked- I knew her sisters and Jason’s sister would make it to the “line up,” but me- The in-law?! !t made my heart so happy to stand behind my Jessie as she committed herself to the love of her life.

So yes, this was my first time playing octopus bridesmaid the week before the wedding: tying bows one minute, going to pick up a wedding dress the next, and doing everything I could to help my stressed out little sister make her wedding as stress-free as possible. :) I was so happy our schedule allowed us to be in town a few days before hand, so we didn’t have to fly in and barely make it to the rehearsal dinner.

Jessie and Jason were married at the gorgeous Bonnet House in downtown Fort Lauderdale, and this colorful historic catapulted its way to our dream wedding venues to photograph list! Just a couple quick photos from the rehearsal and rehearsal dinner:

Jason’s reaction to a surprise UM groom’s cake, while Jessie looks on with her token “yeah, I know I’m amazing” face. ;)

Sometimes I worry I love on him too hard!

I loved some of the photos Nate got hanging out with the guys on the wedding day…

… But this one’s my favorite. :)

This cannot be that four year old boy I met 10 years ago! I love that Jessie and Jason had all of their siblings and siblings-in-law as part of the bridal party. (Nate wants me to specify his 14 year old brother isn’t smoking a cigar here, it’s chocolate. But we *will* be recreating this photo on his someday wedding day!)

Nate’s first glimpse of his little sister as a bride. :)

Katarina, my mini-me. <3

Sister photo! :)

Nate’s grandpa, probably our favorite photo subject ever!

My mother-in-law looking gorgeous with her sister:

Faaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaavorite. <3 Thank you, Sarah Bray, for my favorite photo of us!!

When I first met Austin he was 8, and now he has a girlfriend and leaves for college in the fall!

More gorgeous in-laws: Dad and Lisa. :)

Then it was ceremony time! I think the weirdest thing about being a bridesmaid was how fast it all went. I was expecting ~5 minutes of stressful waiting time in a line-up, but the second we got to our spot, we were queued to walk down the aisle! They had almost 200 guests and a loooooong gravel aisle to walk down, so I was thankful we got to walk two-by-two (and that I got to walk with my husband!) Since Nate and I eloped, that was our first time walking down an aisle together. We basically went twice as fast as we were supposed to and just kept smiling and repeating “Sooooo, this is weird…” to each other. :) The ceremony and cocktail hour flew by, and a couple glasses of wine later, we were being announced into the reception!

Loooove this one of my mothers-in-law watching the father/daughter dance.

Sooooo I’d say Jessie and Jason’s reception was one of my top 10 favorite memories of all time. I basically drank wine and danced with my beautiful little sisters to every song. Love. My. Family. 

Pretty sure this was Nate’s view the whole night: Him trying to go talk to family and visit, and me leading him riiiiight back on to the dance floor. :)

Jessie, you were an unfairly gorgeous bride and Jason, we know you’ll provide a wonderful life for our little sister! We’re so excited to have front row seats to whatever adventures the future has for you, and please know we’re always here for you and love you to pieces. Yay for our new brother!!