Our Wedding
Feb 3, 2020 - Our perfect 75 degree winter day
The last thing I did as an unmarried woman was stop by Chick-fil-a and get a large fry.
We got married on a Monday - the day after the J-Lo + Shakira’s Super Bowl halftime show - like anyone could forget this.
Our Charleston wedding took place at a total strangers home. A wonderful couple who I previously never met opened their home to us 5 days before our wedding. We originally planned for our wedding to take place in Johns Island in a beautiful early 1900’s home overlooking the water. Through all of the planning and excitement of our wedding I had failed to visit the home where we were getting married at originally (mistake). It was 7 days before our wedding date and I went to see the estate. This place was a nightmare. Real tears streamed down my face when I saw the property. I called our photographer Katie Wilson to see if she could do anything with the overgrown bushes and dilapidated scenery. She is such a sweet, talented, optimistic soul that she told me she could make it happen. But, I knew this place wasn’t meant for our wedding.
The pictures of the estate had been taken 10 years prior and before a hurricane had hit. There wasn't anything we could do, but find another venue 7 days before our wedding.
SILVER LINING
One of my fellow Crossfit coaches in Charleston had a client who owned a beautiful property in Mt. Pleasant. These clients of his opened up their home to our family. Nestled on a golf course beside a wildlife reserve overlooking the water - this was the place for us. I am still amazed they allowed perfect strangers to use their home.
I saw our wedding venue 3 days before our wedding.
My husband saw our wedding location the day he arrived to marry this gal.
The morning of our wedding our photographer called and told me she had a stomach bug and could not make our wedding.
I do not want this to reflect poorly on our Katie - this is just LIFE and had never happened previously. This is just part of the story that made our day still amazing. SO, Katie being as fab as she is - sent her associate shooter Haley Babbit. I did not hesitate to trust her judgement and send someone else! HALEY KILLED IT! She was so calm + relaxed and let us do our thing!
This is me 10 minutes before the ceremony changing into my wedding dress.
In true Hayes fashion I was one of the last people to arrive at our wedding. Our photographer even beat me there. I tend to be so over prepared that I’m not prepared at all. Does that make sense? I spend the majority of my time planning to be prepared and on time, then it all comes down to the final 5 seconds and the clock runs out on me.
Cameron’s family showed up early to set up our wedding. Thank god for them because it would have not happened with me in charge.
I wish I had this awesome link to the girl who made our cake in Charleston . . . but I seriously don’t remember. I ran into this woman while getting coffee one morning - struck up conversation and she agreed to make our wedding cake.
I bought all of our wedding flowers from Trader Joe’s and made arrangements. Our random, no name cake lady added leftover flowers from the leftover arrangements.
Cameron was awaiting his bride in the front of the home, while I was in the back still getting ready. Pictured is Cameron’s father, Cliff and best friend Sam. Ladies, the best friend is single.
I asked each of my closest friends to take turns buttoning my dress
Next came the best part - It was time to walk down the aisle. I hid in the bathroom while Cameron made his way down the aisle and turned his backed towards me. Butterflies had taken the best of me and I was so nervous about being met with my husbands eyes looking into mine.
Side note: this is not my husband, but our best friend Sam. He became my family this day also.
I walked down the aisle as the song Iris by the GooGoo Dolls played in the background. I had the most nervous feeling to see Cameron’s eyes staring back at me. The journey to where he was standing winded around the property - so we made him turn his back to me until I was standing at the gate to make my entrance around the pool.
We chose to include the the washing of the feet before we read our handwritten vows. This was my favorite part of our wedding. John 13:1-17 is the ceremonial surrender of Jesus washing the feet of his disciples. This was a demonstration of our humility to one another, our servanthood to the life we are about to walk together. It is symbolic of our role in the body of Christ.
I share this part of our wedding and tears stream down my face. It was absolutely the best part of our day.
Next, we read our handwritten vows. Cameron’s Aunt, Robin officiated our wedding.
I SEALED THE DEAL WITH THIS HOT MAN OF GOD
Cameron is a teacher by nature. He teaches me how to love & how love does many things for others. My husband brings heaven down to earth through God himself. In my arms is a soul that I am sure I didn’t know I would ever find, and in my belly, at this very moment, was the love we created.
I love you Cameron Epps.
xxo,
Hayes
