This weekend K and I headed to Cleveland to celebrate the holy matrimony of a college friend/roommate and her fabulous man.

Amanda and John are two of the classiest human beings I know. John is the definition of “Renaissance Man” and Amanda is a pie-baking, dress-wearing, tea-loving feminist. They are also two of the smartest, nicest people I know- and they totally deserve each other.

Cleveland, Ohio is a two hour drive for the husband and I, so we loaded up the car around 11:30am last Saturday and made our way north.

We looked pretty darn good…

They asked that no pictures be taken at the wedding, so I refrained, but it was a beautiful ceremony. Halfway through the groom tried to kiss the bride and she held him back, telling him “not yet” while the preacher jokingly reprimanded him. Instead of a unity candle or sand ceremony, the bride and groom washed one another’s feet, similar to how Jesus washed the feet of His disciples and hosts. They cleaned off the dirt from their pasts so that they could move forward washed anew. During the feet washing ceremony my college pal Dana sang “Where I Land” by J.J. Heller and played ukelele. It was an incredible moment.

The ceremony ended around 3 and the reception began at 6, so we decided to wander around the little “village” of Coventry. We visited a thrift store, game shop, and an antique store.

While perusing the antique store a little stray dog wandered in.

Other Shopper: Um I think a dog wandered in.
Dana: What happened to [Louise]?
K: Well, if there’s a dog in here, she’s probably with it.
Not a second went by before I came through the door with the dog in my hand.

We didn’t find his owner, but a wonderful woman offered to take him and walk him around the area and look for his parent(s). Thank goodness for her, or we’d have a third dog.

Knowing the dog was in good hands, we left Coventry and hit up Starbucks before making our way to Night Town for the reception!

We had a short cocktail hour, then headed to our seats. Table 11, y’all!

The atmosphere was excellent and the food was AWESOME. I had the Dublin Lawyer.

The evening was filled with cake, dancing, and some really adorable family speeches.

John comes from a Lebanese background. He also has a deaf mother and father. During the speeches his grandfather read a beautiful letter to John and Amanda, saying how the day was the happiest of his life and he could now peacefully pass on. I’d be lying if I said I didn’t cry…

The cake was yummy, the card box was crafty, and the couple was 1920’s perfection.

The newly weds are now headed to Arizona to begin their life together!

Thanks for letting us witness your beautiful day, Amanda and John!

Here’s a bonus (Snapchat) picture of my adorable workaholic husband taking a business call during cocktail hour.

-Louise