Raven and Dave were married on Saturday!! We are so happy for them and it was such an honor to be a part of their day!

I stayed with Raven and the bridesmaids the night before and we all got ready together in the morning. We had a great time but we all knew that the big black cloud outside had nothing to do with the day, but everything to do with the weather. Before we could hope, pray, and will it away, the skies opened up and they just wouldn’t stop!

Luckily, the groom knew just what to do to lift Raven’s spirits -

And we did the best we could to make sure no one’s mood got dampened. We blasted the music, danced, put loads of makeup on, had fabulous things done to our hair, and dressed in fabulous gowns!

And I…. took pictures… of course. Walter stepped in with the camera once I was summoned by the bride, but it was fun to get all the candids before “go time”.

Raven and Dave were supposed to get married on a beautiful golf course in Palm Beach. Unfortunately, they could only snuck out every now and again between rain drops for photos. Instead, they were married in the entrance of the gorgeous Breaker’s Golf Club – under cover.

Isn’t she GORGEOUS!?!

Raven’s father collects old cars. This was his first and it is named after Raven’s grandmother (who has passed). Rose just HAD to be there, and so she was.

The groomsmen all received cuff links that were very fitting to their personality, relationship with Dave, profession, etc. Walter snuck in the locker room to get this of the guys between the candids of them goofing off!

The wedding party! You can see how wet the ground is here, but you can also see how happy we all were in spite of it all!

In the Jewish religion and tradition, you not only marry but you sign a prenuptial agreement called a ketubah. Not like one from the lawyers of today, but a document outlining the rights and responsibilities of the bride and groom to each other. Their Rabbi, parents, and a few select Jewish friends signed as witnesses in this small, pre wedding ceremony.

And then it was wedding time!

And after beautiful ceremony and a few “I Do”s, they were husband and wife!

Afterwards we bustled the bride, and my 5+ years of wedding planner experience paid off! We had her tied up and ready to mingle in no time!

Walter didn’t get much coverage of the ceremony since it was a tight space and she already had professional photographers to capture it all. After the wedding we agreed it was time to dance and party with the rest of the guests so we’ll have to wait for the photos from the pros to see how that went down.

I gave a speech as part of my Maid of Honor duties (actually Matron of Honor, but the other one hated that term). I wouldn’t let Walter video the “performance” just in case it went horribly wrong, but it actually turned out great! I was nervous and I’m so glad that my friends Grey Goose and Cranberry helped me through. I was quite impressed with myself and loved being able to share this with everyone that was there to celebrate with them -

Good Evening! For those who don’t know me, my name is Dawn. Raven and I met twelve years ago in college, we became instant friends and we’ve been inseparable ever since! I will always have such fond memories of those care free college days when we might not have been the most responsible kids, but man we had fun!

After college we had each other to navigate the beginning of real life with. The ups, the downs, the victories, the defeats, the loves and the losses. We had each other and, SHE was amazing.

Raven was my maid of honor.  She was there when I had my children, she’s been such a big part of my life. Through everything that matters, she’s been there. When I needed encouraging words the most she sent me this quote (which I still carry with me today) – “Promise me you’ll always remember: you’re braver than you believe, and stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.” Those words have become my mantra, I still hold them close to my heart.

My relationship with Dave has been tons of fun, naturally, if you know him you know there is no other option. When I met him, also in college, it was clear that he was not only the class clown and one of the most outgoing people on the planet, but also the love of Raven’s life. Way back in college, she knew. She knew that someday this day would come. What she didn’t know was that it would take Dave over a decade to figure it out! Dave has been a fixture for as long as I’ve known Raven. He’s also been the life of the party, the guy who hosed my kitchen down with a fire extinguisher at my son’s first birthday, and the guy that would make my best friend ridiculously happy!

So today I share with you these words, that I hope you will carry as your new mantra – May you share a joy that grows deeper, a friendship that grows closer and a marriage that grows richer through the years. May your good times be plenty and you sad times be few, may all your troubles be little ones, and at least one of them a girl!!

To love and laughter and happily ever after, to the bride and the groom!

 

 

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