My Best Friend’s Wedding

Gorgeous Winter Wedding | Photos by elle and arre photography for JustAGirlAndHerBlog.com

Last year during the week of Christmas, I did a short little series on our Christmas wedding. Donnie and I are celebrating 8 years tomorrow {which is pretty amazing considering we’re only 22 😉 }, but today I am so excited to be talking about another wedding that happened recently.

Gorgeous Winter Wedding | Photos by elle and arre photography for JustAGirlAndHerBlog.com

{Invitations by my talented friend Alison at Just Add Confetti}

Two days after Thanksgiving my best friend, my little sister Brittany, married Jon, the love of her life. It was a perfect day and I can’t wait to share their gorgeous photos with you. (All taken by my cousin Laura and her assistant Kristi of the amazing elle and arre photography!)

Gorgeous Winter Wedding | Photos by elle and arre photography for JustAGirlAndHerBlog.com

Brittany and Jon met when my dad hired him to work for his non-profit ministry, which serves local high school students. Brit says she was actually determined that she wasn’t going to date Jon.

She was a single girl, he was a single guy, so of course everyone immediately started trying to set them up and since it would have been totally cliche to actually go along with that plan, she wanted no part of it.

Gorgeous Winter Wedding | Photos by elle and arre photography for JustAGirlAndHerBlog.com

{This brooch was first worn by my great, great grandmother at her wedding and has been worn by every bride in my family since.}

Despite Britty’s “determination,” it wasn’t long before the two of them got together and the rest, as they say, is history.

Gorgeous Winter Wedding | Photos by elle and arre photography for JustAGirlAndHerBlog.com

You may remember me talking about their engagement story this past summer. One of the programs the youth ministry runs is a week-long day camp, which ends with a huge block party for everyone in the community.

Gorgeous Winter Wedding | Photos by elle and arre photography for JustAGirlAndHerBlog.com

As the block party was coming to a close, my dad handed the microphone to Jon, and he got down on one knee and proposed to Brit in front of about 500 elementary, middle, and high school students, their parents, and other friends and family. It was epic. I’m pretty sure the whole town is still talking about it.

Gorgeous Winter Wedding | Photos by elle and arre photography for JustAGirlAndHerBlog.com

And the best part was that she had no idea it was coming. Man, he’s good! 🙂

Gorgeous Winter Wedding | Photos by elle and arre photography for JustAGirlAndHerBlog.com

After just five months of planning, it was their wedding day, and it could not have been more beautiful. It had snowed the few days before the wedding, leaving a pretty coating of white on the ground for pictures, but the wedding day itself was in the 40s– cool enough to keep the snow from melting but warm enough that we weren’t too freezing for outdoor pictures.

(Kudos to our awesome photographers for being willing to run around in the snow to get these shots!)

Gorgeous Winter Wedding | Photos by elle and arre photography for JustAGirlAndHerBlog.com

The cute fur wraps helped too– thanks, Brit!

Gorgeous Winter Wedding | Photos by elle and arre photography for JustAGirlAndHerBlog.com

We hung out and got ready in the library room of the church, and the adorable flower girl and my little Cs joined us. So much cuteness!

Gorgeous Winter Wedding | Photos by elle and arre photography for JustAGirlAndHerBlog.com
Gorgeous Winter Wedding | Photos by elle and arre photography for JustAGirlAndHerBlog.com

Admittedly, Caleb was going to be the wildcard for the day. At the rehearsal he danced down the aisle. On the morning of the wedding when I asked him how he was going to walk down the aisle, he struck his best superhero pose and took off running. I was a little worried.

Gorgeous Winter Wedding | Photos by elle and arre photography for JustAGirlAndHerBlog.com

When the time came, though, he was such a little gentleman and walked perfectly down the aisle just like he knew he was supposed to… even if he did insist on carrying his Captain America and fireman action figures down with him. 🙂

Gorgeous Winter Wedding | Photos by elle and arre photography for JustAGirlAndHerBlog.com

Brittany was absolutely gorgeous. She looks great in sweatpants, unkempt hair, and no makeup, so in a wedding dress and beautiful hair and makeup– stunning.

Gorgeous Winter Wedding | Photos by elle and arre photography for JustAGirlAndHerBlog.com

And my dad didn’t even cry. I was impressed.

Gorgeous Winter Wedding | Photos by elle and arre photography for JustAGirlAndHerBlog.com

These two. Sigh…

Gorgeous Winter Wedding | Photos by elle and arre photography for JustAGirlAndHerBlog.com

The ceremony went perfectly smoothly and Jon and Brittany were soon Mr. and Mrs. Ledyard!

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They were excited… and Caleb was too.

Gorgeous Winter Wedding | Photos by elle and arre photography for JustAGirlAndHerBlog.com

Laura and Kristi whisked them off to this sweet little snow-covered lane for more pictures. Doesn’t it look like a scene from a movie?! Seriously, SO beautiful!

Gorgeous Winter Wedding | Photos by elle and arre photography for JustAGirlAndHerBlog.com
Gorgeous Winter Wedding | Photos by elle and arre photography for JustAGirlAndHerBlog.com
Gorgeous Winter Wedding | Photos by elle and arre photography for JustAGirlAndHerBlog.com

Stunning. Just stunning.

Gorgeous Winter Wedding | Photos by elle and arre photography for JustAGirlAndHerBlog.com

All 20 members of the wedding party then packed into a mini bus and headed off to the reception, stopping to take a few more photos along the way.

Gorgeous Winter Wedding | Photos by elle and arre photography for JustAGirlAndHerBlog.com

After Brit and Jon made their grand entrance, we spent the night celebrating. I even gave a speech, which was apparently kind of funny.

Gorgeous Winter Wedding | Photos by elle and arre photography for JustAGirlAndHerBlog.com

(Confession: I had to look up on the internet what you are supposed to say in a matron of honor speech because I wasn’t sure. And actually the site I read gave me permission to collaborate with the best man on a song and dance number, but we decided to forego that… 😉 )

Gorgeous Winter Wedding | Photos by elle and arre photography for JustAGirlAndHerBlog.com

Of course they did the ceremonial cutting of the cake. They may look like they’re being all nice to each other, but…

Gorgeous Winter Wedding | Photos by elle and arre photography for JustAGirlAndHerBlog.com

…they totally smashed it in each others’ faces!

Gorgeous Winter Wedding | Photos by elle and arre photography for JustAGirlAndHerBlog.com

The day was straight out of a fairytale and could not have gone more perfectly. I am so thrilled for Brittany and Jon and can’t wait to see what’s next for them.

Gorgeous Winter Wedding | Photos by elle and arre photography for JustAGirlAndHerBlog.com

I have to give a quick shoutout to elle & arre photography for their amazing work at capturing the day so beautifully. They were a dream to work with– they had all of the locations scouted out in advance, came in with a plan, and caught every moment perfectly. We are thrilled that we will have their gorgeous photographs to help us remember this day for years to come.

I hope you enjoyed these photos as much as I did! Have a wonderful Christmas, friends!

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15 Comments

  1. Aw, BEAUTIFUL photos!! The wedding looks stunning. Happy for your best friend! 🙂

    1. justagirlabby says:

      Thank you so much, Joanne! Have a wonderful holiday!

      ~Abby =)

  2. Wow! Winter weddings can be so beautiful! Her dress is one of the most stunning I have seen.

    1. justagirlabby says:

      Thank you, Emily! It’s always a gamble with the weather in the winter, but I agree– they can be so pretty! Have a wonderful holiday!

      ~Abby =)

  3. Tiffany-A Touch of Grace says:

    What a gorgeous wedding! Your sister is adorable and either she is mini, or he is very tall. What a wonderful day for your family.

    1. justagirlabby says:

      Lol! It’s a little bit of both! She’s 5’2″ and he’s 6’3″, so there is quite a difference! Hope you have a wonderful Christmas, Tiffany!

      ~Abby =)

  4. Amanda @ Dwelling in Happiness says:

    I just LOVE looking at people’s wedding photos!! That totally makes me sound like a crazy stalker. 🙂 But these are just GORGEOUS, and you all looked so beautiful! So special seeing your little sister get married! Congrats to your family! 🙂

    1. justagirlabby says:

      Not stalker at all! I LOVE all things wedding, too! I could look at wedding photos all day. 🙂 Thank you so much, friend! Enjoy your Christmas!

      ~Abby =)

  5. Christy@Confessions of a Serial Do-it-Yourselfer says:

    Everything was absolutely picture perfect! I teared up at Caleb a bit as my oldest was a ring bearer when he was two and I was equally as proud. The pictures on the road under the trees are so spectacular! Thanks for sharing her special day with us, sweet friend! Merry Christmas! XOXO

  6. Kim@NewlyWoodwards says:

    What a beautiful couple and a gorgeous wedding! Her dress and flowers! So stunning. And I love the bridesmaid dresses, too!

  7. Cat @ therusticwillow says:

    What a gorgeous wedding, and your sister is just beautiful. I love the look of snow in wedding photos too! Sending all of my prayers and well wishes to your sister.

  8. Kendra @ www.joyinourhome.com says:

    Such a beautiful wedding, Abby! I love looking at people’s wedding pictures… and love a wintery wedding! Your sister looked beautiful! Love how the photographer captures you smiling at them in a couple of pics!

  9. Elaine Hite says:

    Just came across your blog and I love it. I am sure I am not your typical subscriber. I will be turning 75 on Feb. 2nd, but I am still young at heart and still looking for new ideas to pass along to my daughters and granddaughters. Loved the wedding pictures! Brought back memories as we grew up and married in Pittsburgh almost 56 years ago. God bless you and your beautiful family, and thank you for all the exciting new ideas!

  10. thentheres2.com says:

    Ahh…your lil’ sis. You’re right…the lane shots were awesome! I assume your dad officiated? I guess I’m just now noticing this post due to the fact it was a wedding, and my daughter just got married in Oct.. We flew down to GA, to have an outside/barn wedding.

    1. justagirlabby says:

      Awww… congratulations to your daughter! How exciting! Sounds like it was beautiful! Hope you’re having a wonderful week!

      ~Abby =)

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