Pen Weddings made a perfect song choice and combined it with spot-on editing to create a film that is simply beautiful. Of course, it’s easier to make something heartfelt when you have such good material to work with, and Sarah + Rick definitely did, from the touching words at Elyse + Andre’s ceremony to the sentimental footage from Elyse’s childhood home to the bride’s gorgeous Christos gown (just like me!). And keep an eye out for the father daughter dance — it actually made me tear up, something which does NOT happen often! (Sarah admitted that it’s one of just two that have made her cry in her career, too!)

From the bride, Elyse:

When I first imagined my wedding, I suppose I though about the classic things most brides do. What dress will I wear? What color flowers do I want? Tux or Suit? Band or DJ? I didn’t want to find myself, a year later, browsing Pinterest and regretting every choice I had made. After all, you only get one shot at this and everything must be PERFECT.

Ultimately, that mindset was only setting me up for a stressful and disappointing day, filled mostly with bridezilla meltdowns and lots of eye rolling from my groom. When the guests had gone home, the flowers had wilted, and the white dress placed on a shelf in the closet – would those things still be what were most important to me? No.

Thankfully, I had a change of heart. Instead of focusing on perfection, I chose to focus on love.

Today, when I remember our wedding, my mind doesn’t race with all of the countless details. Instead, I think about the small, quiet, intimate moments that made that day so special. The laughter of my best friends as we reminisced about our childhood, the nervous smile of my future husband as he waited to see me for the first time, the whisper of a tear in my dad’s eye as he held me on the dance floor. These are the moments I remember when I think about that day.

Overall, Andre and I really just wanted our wedding to be about love – the love the Lord has for us, the love we share with each other, the love of our friends and family, and all of the moments during our special day where love still dwells.

Pen Weddings is a delightful member of our Blue Ribbon Vendor Directory!

Cinematography : PenWeddings / Photographer: Kelly Hornberger Photography / Ceremony Venue: Jesus the Good Shepherd Catholic Church / Reception Venue: Bayou DeSiard Country Club / Cake Baker: iDream Cake / Flowers: Chris Allums, Flower Shoppe of Monroe / Invitations & Stationery: Hello Lucky / DJ/MC: TK Productions / Rentals: Ram Rental-All / Bride’s Dress: Christos Bridal / Hairstylist: Lisa Strange at Salon Couture