Doug and Kristin's Wedding Day Celebration!

 My brother Doug wed his fiancee, Kristin in a beautiful backyard ceremony the first weekend in September.  

(L to R: Rob, Doug, Kristin, Tom) 

We couldn't be happier for my brother Doug and Kristin. They've been together 8 years and the time was right to make it official over Labor Day weekend. Together they planned the entire day and it was amazing.

They wanted the ceremony in their backyard, and they wanted it casual- which included shorts, and a button down shirt. There was a DJ who played all of their favorite songs.

A sign greeted everyone at the gate to the backyard. There was a beautiful floral trellis where they took their vows, a "flower bar" with a nice display of flowers, a special Sand Ceremony box where members of both families add colored sand into a glass framed box to symbolize the families coming together- What a cool concept!  - There was a giant tent in the back of the yard with tables nicely decorated for the meal. 

Another thing that was really cool were memorial candles for those in our hearts who had passed. Each candle had a matching photo. Included were my mom and dad, Kristin's dad, and her son JJ's friend.

 HERE COMES THE BRIDE!  Kristin made her entrance to the backyard from the back door of the house and she came down the stairs to Tom Petty's song "Here Comes my Girl."  CLICK LINK TO SEE 1 MIN VIDEO: https://youtube.com/shorts/dlR6iNQ6UQg?si=b7IradeZ-BXW85sr

SAND CEREMONY and MEMORIAL CANDLES -  These two events came after the welcome, opening words and hearing about Doug and Kristin's story of how they met.  Kristin's mom lit a candle for Kristin's dad, JJ lit a candle for his friend, Dawn, my sister in law, lit a candle for my dad, and I lit a candle for my mom. 

VOWS- Both Doug and Kristin gave their vows and it was very emotional not only for them, but for everyone witnessing it. I got pretty choked up! 

RING BEARER'S "MISSION" - There were three ring bearers at Doug and Kristin's wedding - Kristin's brother, brother-in-law and her nephews, all dressed up in suits to bring the rings to the altar as the Mission Impossible theme played. You can see the short video here: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/t246zQtssJ0

(Photos: Standing at the altar, the first dance  

FIRST DANCE  - Their first dance was to the song "A Better Place" by Rachel Platten. Kristin told a funny story of how Doug looked at it as a "nice song," while Kristin took it to be a sweet sentiment about how they were in better place since they met... and then Doug got to see it that way. :)  

I had never heard of the song, but when I heard it, it made me tear up! 

 LISTEN TO THE SONG HERE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pvI9PuGorwI

(The groom and bride under the trellis) 

WEATHER- The weather could not have been more perfect. A brief early morning shower gave way to bright sunshine and blue skies with temperatures in the low 70s (Farenheit), and a nice breeze.

  (Photo: Doug's brother Steve, and sister-in-law, Dawn - who lit one of the candles during that part of the ceremony) 

SPEECHES!   - Kristin's brother and sister and Doug's sons, Brian and Scott gave speeches to the newlyweds that brought a lot of laughs and smiles. 

(Photo: Doug's sons, Scott and Brian. Doug, Kristin, and Kristin's son, JJ) 

(Kristin's brother, Doug, Kristin, Kristin's mom and sister, Kerry)

ALL IN ALL - A perfect wedding, a perfect day for a perfect couple!  Congratulations!!