ONE. + #YOLOmondays Link-Up!
Today is a photo-heavy post and I don’t even care.
One year ago today, February 18th, 2012, I put that white dress on, walked down that aisle, and said the most important words of my life: my vows to my husband.
I know every cliche in the book like, “It was the best day of our lives” and “I married my best friend” etc. etc. etc. You name it. But every cliche in the book couldn’t be more true.
This has been, by far, the most amazing year of my life, and I am so blessed to be married to a man that loves Jesus so much and tries every day to love me just as much as Jesus loves His bride, the church.
John makes me laugh, he challenges me, he pushes me to be a better woman, and I love every minute I’m with him even more than the last. He is honestly more than just my best friend, my husband, and my partner, he is my everything and I can’t imagine life without him.
John Stillman, I love you more than words will ever be able to ever describe. Thank you for putting up with my quirks, laughing at my nerdiness, and telling me I’m beautiful every day. I love you. I love you. I love you.
Happy Anniversary.
So, on this our anniversary, I had to relive our wedding day through images. And I wanted to share some of them with y’all. (It was SO hard to narrow it down! But hey, it’s fine, right? Right.)
Our Wedding Day – 02.18.12
All photos by the AMAZING Katelyn of Katelyn James Photography. (Original wedding blog post here)
Getting ready:
Yep. This was me trying to not be so nervous.
We used a 150+ year-old Bible to carry the rings rather than a pillow. 🙂
Our invitations that I designed. You can view the tutorial of how I did them here.
My pink cowboy boots. 🙂 AND a little fun fact, my “something borrowed” was my birdcage veil which I actually borrowed from my dear friend Emily who blogs over at Oh That Emily. 🙂 
Had to have a remembrance of my mom – I had her dog tags along with her photo on my bouquet.
My amazing friend Bec and her mom did ALL of our wedding flowers. Aren’t they gorgeous?
It’s a Phi Mu tradition to sew five pearls into your wedding dress – I STILL had mine and was so excited to have them put in my wedding dress. 🙂
My gifts from John. You can see the whole post here about our bride and groom gifts.
My dad means the world to me and so I wanted to do a “First Look” with my dad. Yeah, there wasn’t a dry eye in the house.
John and I also opted for a “First Look” before the ceremony. YEP, we broke tradition and saw each other before the ceremony. BEST DECISION EVER. 
We wanted everyone to feel comfortable and casual – so we had the guys wear Old Navy jeans, boots, and vests. I handmade all of the boutonnieres myself.
And for my bridesmaids, I just told them to get a “fuchsia” dress – worked out well!
Now, let me explain briefly… after the bridal party walked down the aisle, the lights went out and a video played. It was like a “wedding checklist” – etc. and then the music built and all that and then I came down the aisle. It was a total surprise to our guests and it was AWESOME.
So, I thought it would be a good idea if I sang a song during the ceremony. Well, it was going great until the awkward instrumental break. I was SO nervous that I deflected by doing a dance. Then I started laughing and everyone started laughing and I couldn’t regain composure. It was hilarious and so very typical me.
Instead of a unity candle or anything like that, we did a God’s Knot ceremony. You can read about that here.
At our reception, all our tables were labeled by locations or other meaningful things in our life. 
The sweetheart table:
Husband HAD to have cornhole at the wedding.
Groom’s cake 🙂 (made by my amazing sister of course)
And of course our AMAZING wedding cake (that matched our invitations) made by my sister!
A mantle to remember our loved ones who couldn’t be there with us.
Our first dance.
The “shoe” game
Phi Mu “picture a girl” sorority sing
Our getaway car…
And finally, us with our AMAZING photographers Katelyn and Jill (and a hilarious photobomb).
It was honestly an AMAZING day. We couldn’t have done it, of course, without our amazing families and our friends. We love you all!
Vendors:
Ceremony Location: newhope Church
Reception Location: The Big Barn, Hillsborough, NC
Flowers: Bec’s Blossoms
Caterer: Jim’s Famous BBQ
Cake: My sister
Invitations, programs, etc.: I made ’em
DJ: Music Makes You Happy! DJs (a great friend from college)
Photographer: Katelyn James Photography
+++
NOW it is time for the #YOLOmondays LINK-UP with my awesome co-host Carly from Lipgloss & Crayons! If this is your first time here, #YOLOmondays is a chance for us to link up anything we want (as long as it’s a blog post…). You know, cause it’s Monday, and what better way to jazz up your mundane Monday than to link up and meet some new bloggers? Carly and I love seeing y’all linked up every week! 
- The Rules for #YOLOMONDAYS Link-Ups: Follow your hosts Molly @ still being [molly] and Carly at Lipgloss & Crayons!
- Grab a button and / or post a link back here in your BLOG POST (NOT your blog’s main page) so your readers know what all the #YOLOMONDAY-ness is about. We love you guys linking up and we do go through and read all your posts… so if you do not give credit, we will have to remove your link. That’s no fun, right? Right. So be nice and share a link! Pretty please?
- Link your blog post up using the linky tool below! It can be ANYTHING! An outfit post, a giveaway, a story, a recipe, whatever. Why? Cause it’s #YOLOMONDAYS!
- Visit a blog or four that you’ve never been to before and leave a #YOLOMONDAYS comment – you never know, you might “meet” someone new that you will lurve!
- Have fun! Cause #YOLO!
I’m a little late to the game but I feel like I have to comment that your photos captured such a beautiful, relaxed and FUN wedding! Happy anniversary!
aw thank you so much, jenn!
Happy Anniversary! Your photos are SO beautiful and I love love love the pink cowboy boots!!! I hope you two had a wonderful anniversary!
aw thank you so much, niki!!
Congrats on your first anniversary! I loved your photos (you had a fabulous photographer & looked beautiful)! I usually don’t like the jeans on the wedding party, but I’m pretty sure you’ve changed my mind on that subject… Ya’ll totally ROCKED the denim & it looked classy! <3 Also, I love your Phi Mu tradition! I have a couple friends that are Phi Mu's & I'm a Kappa Delta. So I love seeing weddings where sorority traditions are involved. 🙂
Oh & I love that you guys love Jesus… That makes my heart happy & I hope I find a man that loves the Lord as much as your husband does! (Or as much as I feel he does from reading this one blog. Lol. :))
aw thank you so much, brooke!! my cousin was a KD at Longwood! Great women! I know that the Lord will give you a husband that loves Him!!
Wow what gorgeous photos!
I love how you styled your wedding. So unique. All the little details made it.
Happy Anniversary!
bisous
Suzanne
thank you so much, suzanne!
Your wedding looked AMAZING!!!! And you were gorgeous of course!
thank you so much, vanessa!
Love your wedding pictures!!!! You look stunning!!!! Happy 1st anniversary.
Agi:)
vodkainfusedlemonade.wordpress.com
thank you so much, agi!
Happy Anniversary!! I seriously teared up when I read about how you had a reveal with your dad…that’s so sweet!
Jess – J’s Style
aw thank you so much, jess!!
Happy Anniversary!! It looks like your wedding was a blast!
thank you so much, allyssa!!
Happy Anniversary Molly! These photos are beautiful, and he wedding looks so stunning!
Meredith
createthatoutfit.com
thank you so much, meredith!!!
Oh Molly! I love everything about this post! Happy Anniversary to you and John!
thank you so much, brit!! miss you!!!!!
Ok I just made it through all of your gorgeous pictures, with a smile growing on my face the entire time! Such a magical looking day, and the way you two love birds look at each other – toooo adorable!
I am going to file away the table naming cuteness that you used for my “one day”!
Happy anniversary you two cuties!
xx
Here&Now
Enter my Lash Boutique Giveaway!
of course! that would be awesome! girl if you need help planning your wedding one day, you let me know! 🙂
you had such a beautiful wedding! SOOOO cute – love all your details! and what a gorgeous bride you are!! congratulations on one year!!
thank you so much, katie! <3
this is lovely!!! happy 1 year girl!!!! 🙂 eeeekkkk!!! now y’all need lots of baby bump pictures! 🙂 and if you still need a shoot on your style, I should be coming to NC in march! congrats on 1 year pretty lady! 🙂
thank you so much, ashley!! that would be AWESOME, girl! keep me posted!
Happy Anniversary! LOVE the pink boots! My wedding day was def the best day of my life! Well..up until the day my daughter was born. That was pretty special too 🙂
awww that is awesome! i can’t wait to meet our baby in august!! thank you so much, jen!
Happy Anniversary! What a beautiful post! Thank you for sharing your very special day, I feel like I was there! And yes… I did cry! 🙂 Beautiful!
awww thank you so much, sandra!
What gorgeous pictures! Thanks for sharing your special day! And Happy Anniversary 🙂
Kate @ A Journey in Style
thank you so much, kate!
Molly! Happy Anniversary! I just want to say that I hope my wedding this July is filled with as much love and laughter as yours. I’m planning on doing a first look and I really can’t wait!
Enjoy your day today!
Awww thank you, nilda!
Thank you soooo much for sharing that day with us. I love the pink cowboy boots, the antique bible and the jean jacket over your gown. You are too cute for words.
xo,
Alyssa
thank you so much, alyssa!
Wow! So many amazing photos! I just love it 🙂 🙂 🙂 Happy Anniversary dear 🙂 Hope it is amazing!!!!!!
thank you so much, rachel <3
Wow, your wedding looks like it was amazing!! I love your style!
Happy Anniversary!
Lacey @ CHARM + Sass
thank you so much, lacey!
Happy Anniversary! Love the pink boots!
thank you so much!
I LOVE every single photo, thank you for sharing with us! Your dress was amazing, bridesmaids were beautiful and your husband looks so happy! I am so happy for you Molly!! Happy 1 year! XO
XO http://shesaidhesaid-fashion.blogspot.com/
thank YOU so much, chelsea!!
That was awesome getting to share in those memories with you. Your wedding looks like it was a blast! Happy Anniversary!!!
thank you SO much, kym!
So gorgeous Molly! I love your dress and your color scheme 🙂
thank you SO much, tara!
Happy Anniversary! Beautiful images! Beautiful Memories! Thank you for sharing your wonderful day with us! I wish you many many many more happy blissful years with your growing family!
thank you SO much, justiss!
Happy anniversary, Molly! What a gorgeous wedding! We did a first look too which was such a great decision. Thanks for sharing your wedding with us!
-Sharon
The Tiny Heart
JCrew giveaway!
aww thank you so much, sharon! yes! the first look was the BEST decision ever.
Molly, thanks so much for sharing again! You were a stunning bride and it looked like you enjoyed your wedding day too.
It is so encouraging to hear a bride say the things of her husband and marriage as you have posted above. Gives me hope.
And…. if I ever get married, you are planning my wedding! You have a gift for sure.
kristin thank you SO much! and girl, you knows it! i will TOTALLY plan your wedding!!!
Happy Anniversary Molly to you and your hubby! Everything looks so perfect and I love that it was so personalized! That just makes the day that much more special!
Alice
http://www.happinessatmidlife.com
thank you so much, alice!
Your entire wedding was Pinterest perfect…and those invitations you made…oh girl, they were ADORABLE!! Thanks for sharing your BIG day and happy anniversary. And if you don’t mind me asking, what happened to your mom? I didn’t know that you lost her.
thank you SO much, shanna!! we really wanted the whole day to feel like “us” 🙂
and i don’t mind at all – my mom passed away a little over 10 years ago – long story short she was a nurse in the Vietnam War and contracted an illness due to her exposure to chemicals when she was there. she got sick from it when i was 7 and was sick for 10 years before she died when i was a senior in high school.
Yaaayyyyy!!!! Happy Anniversary! And what a GORGEOUS wedding you had, girly!!
xo
thank you so much, clare! <3
All of your wedding photos are gorgeous. You were a beautiful bride. Happy Anniversary!!
thank you so much, meghan!!
Happy Anniversary!!! These photos are amazing, and I LOVE all of the personal touches you guys included on your wedding day. I love the idea of naming tables after significant dates/things in your relationship, and I also loved seeing all of the things you designed and made yourself. You have such beautiful photographs to remember such a beautiful day. Enjoy your anniversary, here’s to many more years together for you and John!! 🙂
xo,
Stephanie
aw thank you so much, stephanie!!
I seriously tear up everytime I see you “first look” with your Dad… SO previous!
-Chels
http://cchicc3.wordpress.com
aw thank you so much, chelsea!
GORGEOUS!!! our anniversary is Feb. 20th! yay for winter weddings!
thank you so much, ruthy!! that is AWESOME! happy almost-anniversary!!!
Happy Anniversary! Ours was yesterday…12 years!
Ashley:)
flats to flip flops
thank you so much, ashley!! happy anniversary to you!!!!!!
You looked stunning Molly! I loved your dress, and especially how you paired it with the bright pink cowboy boots…so you! Happy anniversary to you both!
thank you so much, alyssa!!
What a beautiful wedding! Thank you for sharing Molly and happy anniversary !
thank you so much, biti!
Molly, thank you for sharing your special day with us!! It was beautiful in every way. We used a Bible for the rings in my daughter’s wedding as well and did the dad’s “first look” and groom’s “first look”. Great choices! Happy Anniversary!! Blessings on this coming year!!! XO
awww thank you so much, girl! 🙂
Happy Anniversary!! Your pictures are beautiful!!
thank you so much, emily!!
Happy Anniversary! I like how you used a 150+ year old Bible to carry your rings, what a cool idea! Thanks for sharing your photos!
thank you so much, alexia!! 🙂
I’m not one to cry…but I got all teary eyed as soon as I saw the picture of you and your dad together. Happy Anniversary!
awww thank you so much, darlene!! i definitely BAWLED my eyes out 🙂
Wow! Happy Anniversary Molly. Your wedding was totally beautiful and it looks like you all had TONS of fun. Wishing you both many more happy years together!
http://thriftyandshameless.blogspot.com
thank you so much, miss rockwell!!
Happy anniversary!! You were such a gorgeous bride. And I just love the cowboy boots, so cute and so you!
xo, Yi-chia
Always Maylee
thank you so much, yi-chia!!
BEST wishes on your 1st year Molly….Thanks for sharing these lovely images & you looked every inch the radiant bride on your wedding day!!
Rebecca
http://www.redtagchiclosangeles.com
thank you so much, rebecca!!! <3
happy anniverisy:)
Not gunna lie the photo of your dad seeing you for the first time made me tear up, such a sweet photo! and Im luving the country vibe. Ive seen the cowboy boots done a few times, always great look but never the jeans thats AWESOME! so laid back!
thank you so much, kay!! 🙂 we really wanted everything to feel like “US”
Oh my goodness, has it really been a year? It has FLOWN BY! Congratulations – this wedding memoir filled me with joy!
PS – I just have to say this. That kiss (the one on stage after you were “pronounced man and wife” looks like a doozy 😉 )
i know, right? CRAZY!!!! oh oh girl WAS it! it was a doozy 🙂 🙂
That is a great photo essay of your day. Looks amazing. Congratulations on the anniversary. Thanks so much for hosting. xx
thank you so much, charlie!!!
I love that you wore your denim jacket and pink cowboy boots! So cute!
thank you so much, tiffany!
Happy Anniversary! 🙂 Your wedding was so beautiful and touching…I love all of the personal touches, and your invites were TOO cute!
thank you so much, mandy!!
I love all the photos! Happy Anniversary!
thank you so much, steph!
Molly, your wedding looks like it was so awesome! Seriously, I have tears in my eyes. Happy anniversary!
thank you so much, rebecca!!
So pretty! I love your dress, the bridesmaid dress colors, everything! Happy Anniversary!
thank you so much, rachel!
Molly, this looks awesome! Happy anniversary and here’s to many more!
Ginny
mynewfavoriteoutfit.blogspot.com
thank you so much, ginny!
Happy Anniversary sweet girl! Your wedding pictures are just stunning, it looked like a blast! I love the 5 pearl tradition 🙂
thank you so much, mia!! <3 <3
Molly, I’m a wedding planner here in NYC, and I have to say your photos are amazing and the style of your wedding is downright gorgeous! I loved all the pop of pink, and huge kudos to creating your own invitations. They are better than some professional ones I’ve seen up here.
Have a great week!
xo
Nicole
Southern Love/City Lights
oh wow thank you so much, nicole! what a compliment! 🙂
SO SO beautiful!
Happy one year anniversary!
ps – I had a one shoulder dress too!!!!
thank you so much, sarah! aren’t one-shoulder dresses the best?
Happy Anniversary!! I love looking at all your wedding pictures. I can’t believe you made your own invitations!! They are so cute.
thank you so much, ashley! 🙂 it was SO fun to make our invites!
AMAZING pictures, and congratulations! I can’t believe you’ve only been married a year! I would have thought much longer… that is awesome! What an amazing few years you are having!
XO
Pearls & Paws
thank you so much, heather! i know! it feels like so much longer, but nope – just a year! 🙂
What a wonderful day! Happy Anniversary! Your photos are beautiful and I am in the process of trying to find a photographer for my wedding in Oct(its our 10 yr anniversary). I want to be able to look back and remember every moment.
I love that the men wore denim, it looked awesome! I wonder if I can talk my husband into wearing denim instead of suit pants. 🙂
Hailey @ Love, Laughter and Lipstick
thank you so much, hailey!! 🙂 oh you should TOTALLY look into Katelyn! She travels!!! 🙂 🙂 she is honestly AMAZING. best investment EVER!!!!
oh Molly this is gorgeous………..happy anniversary, you were such a beautiful bride and you can tell through the pictures how happy you are!!!! love you friend 🙂
brooke @ what2wear
thank you so much, brooke! LOVEYOU!
What an amazing and gorgeous day!!! Happy one year to you and John!!
thank you so much, jamie! <3
Happy Anniversary!! Love, love, love your pictures!!! Question: what’s the shoe game??
thank you so much, elizabeth!! oh man – i should do a blog post on it! 🙂 the shoe game is a game you play at the reception where the bride and groom have their backs to each other and the DJ asks questions and you lift the shoe of the person who is “guilty” of that question – kinda hard to explain in a short response, but it’s really fun!!
Awwww these photos actually made me cry they are so beautiful and you looked absolutely amazing and even more amazing now that you are expecting you make a stunning pregnant ladie 🙂 your glowing now and your were glowing the day you wed stunning I really enjoyed this 🙂 Happy Anniversary and maybe you have many more xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx hugs and kisses Nina 🙂
aw wow! thank you so much, nina!! your comment made my day <3
Molly, these photos are amazing! Happy Anniversary! You looks stunning and your wedding looks like it was a blast! And absolutely beautiful.
thank you so much, emily!! 🙂
I could say a lot of things, but I will leave it at this… simply spectacular:) Happy day of wedded bliss times 12 months.
thank you so much, maddie!
What a beautiful post! Your wedding was seriously cool…..love your bridesmaid dresses!
Denise
http://silhouettedefemme.blogspot.ca/
thank you so much, denise!!
ahh molly i love your wedding photos!! thank for reliving teh day for us, i certainly didn’t mind!! my husband and i did the chord of three strands too in fact i think we have the exact same one!! i love all the details of your special day, happy anniversary you lovebirds!
aw thank you so much, meg!! that is SO cool y’all did the cord of three strands, too! that is AWESOME!
Happy Anniversary Molly!!!!!!!! This Wedding collage is truly beautiful! What a unique and really cool idea to wear cowboy boots under the wedding dress-love it!!!!!!
Elena
http://dcinstyle.com/
thank you so much, elena!!
Happy Anniversary! It looks like you guys had an amazing wedding! I love your pink cowboy boots and the jean jackets! Best Wishes for many more happy years to come!
thank you so much, crystal! 🙂
Happy Anniversary friend! Your wedding looks like a blast….and our engagement rings look almost identical!
Carly
http://www.lipglossandcrayons.com
thank you so much, carly! it was a blast!!