Shared with Christina Block’s kind permission, the pictures featured in this blog post were taken by the incredibly talented team behind Christina Block Photography.
Catching up?
Ross and Leslie’s Wedding: Part Two
Leslie, her bridesmaids and her flower girl all arrived at the wedding venue 45 minutes before the ceremony began. We wanted to be sure the bride was hidden from her groom and guests and while we chatted away, Ross and his groomsmen finished their pictures on a quiet St. Augustine street.
Recognize anyone? Ryan was one of Ross’ groomsmen!
As longtime blog readers know, Ryan and Ross were fraternity brothers and best friends in college. (Ross was also a groomsmen in our wedding!) I’ve known Ross for 10 years and could not have been more thrilled when he started dating my sister. It was wonderful to see Ross surrounded by men from all stages of his life and a handful of guys I know and adore from college.
Before their wedding day, Leslie surprised Ross with peach argyle socks to wear which I thought looked awesome with his classy black tuxedo.
Once the last of the groomsmen pictures were done, the guys walked to The White Room to greet guests before the ceremony began.
While I waited with my sister and her bridesmaids downstairs, Leslie’s photographer told Leslie is was time for a special pre-ceremony moment with Ross where they were able to hold hands, talk to each other and pray on either side of a wall without Ross seeing his bride.
Though I wasn’t there for this moment, I can say that when Leslie returned to the room where we were all waiting, she was beaming. Her nervous energy seemed to evaporate and she was filled with an excited calm. More than ever, it seemed like she was ready to marry Ross.
In the moments before we were ushered upstairs, Leslie’s bridesmaid Allyson said a prayer for the wedding ahead and Ross and Leslie’s future together.
After some tears and hugs, it was time to pack into the elevator and line up! It was almost time to walk down the aisle!
The mothers of the bride made their way down the aisle first. Ross’ mother was escorted by his brother and best man, Jeremy.
Ryan escorted my mom down the aisle before joining the other groomsmen by Ross’ side.
As the bridesmaids began walking down the aisle, my sister, dad and I huddled together and shared some last-minute “I love yous” and hugs. As I left the two of them together, I took a deep breath to keep the tears back.
When I took my first step down the aisle, I remember immediately locking eyes with Ross. He looked confident and nervous at the same time. As he stood under the gorgeous wooden cross, I walked toward him and knew he couldn’t wait to see the woman who would follow the precious flower girl behind me.
My little sister. His bride. His wife.
When I asked Leslie whether or not she thought Ross would cry on their wedding day weeks before the ceremony, she said, “No. He feels like there’s pressure on the groom to cry… like everyone wants the groom to cry or something. He thinks that will psych him out, so I don’t think he will cry.”
She was wrong.
Her groom cried.
And I will never forget the way he looked at my sister that day.
I will also never forget the way my sister looked at him.
That is Leslie’s I’m trying as hard as I can not to cry face.
And this is my dad’s Forget it, I am crying and I can’t stop face.
As the pastor asked my dad the standard, “Who presents this woman to be married to this man” question, his reply was barely audible as he hugged and kissed my sister and placed her hands in Ross’.
After the pastor welcomed everyone and shared some beautiful words about Leslie and Ross, it was time for the bride and groom to exchange their vows. They elected to write their own vows and share them with each other for the first time on their wedding day.
They were emotional, funny and extremely heartfelt.
As Ross and Leslie recited their vows and the tears started flowing, my dad and Ross’ mom stepped up from their seats in the front row and handed them tissues for their tears which they gratefully accepted!
More laughter came once my sister was done with her soggy tissue and decided to hand it to me. Some things only sisters can get away with, right!?
That was one of those hilarious, “Did that really just happen!?” moments for sure!
Hearing Ross and Leslie speak such loving words to each other made everything inside of me overflow with happiness. I have all the faith in the world in their relationship.
They are wonderful apart, but even better together.
Soon after their vows, it was time to exchange rings. I was responsible for carrying Ross’ ring and made sure to keep it safe on my thumb until it was time for me to pass it off.
For my parents’ 30-year wedding anniversary, my mom and dad changed out their original wedding rings. The ring that now sits on Ross’ left hand is actually my dad’s original wedding band, melted down and fitted to Ross’ finger and style preference.
After the exchange of rings, it was time to kiss the bride!
Husband and wife!
I have never seen Ross or Leslie look happier than they did that day!
To be continued…
Reception fun to come!
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So lovely! I was teary just reading this post 🙂
Oh Julie, this is such a sweet recap. I had to actively try not to get a little teary when I was reading it. You and your sister (and everyone really) looked so gorgeous. Congratulations to Ross and Leslie!!
This was beautiful! My tissues are out now.
You captured such a beautiful day so well in your words 🙂 I love how happy Ross and Leslie seem/look! They will have a great marriage!
I actually laughed out loud to “the groom cried” haha nice job. They both look great!
Where did Leslie find her dress? I’m in love with it!
The brand is Watters and the dress is called Greta. 🙂
Thank you so much for sharing this. I just cried into my dinner. It’s so beautiful. I love the pictures of Ross seeing his bride. 🙂
Crying as I read this…so beautiful and touching! Leslie looked amazing! Love the dress, too!
I love Leslie’s dress! Such a gorgeous wedding!
I’ve been reading for a while, but don’t think I ever commented! Everything is just so beautiful…your sister, her dress, the flowers, the cross! Just beautiful! Thanks for sharing and thanks to your sister for letting us get a peek into her special day! 🙂
Thanks for commenting, Laura!
Awww! This post made me tear up! I’m getting married next Saturday and I can hardly believe it!
I dont comment often, but this brought tears to my eyes. Just beautiful!
Thank you, Denise!
Loving all the recaps! Such a beautiful day 🙂
Gaahhhh these are too beautiful, Julie! Everything looks so natural and filled with genuine joy. 😀 I have a question, are Ross and Leslie Christian, as in they have a relationship with God? From the many posts you’ve written about them it just seems like they always try to put him in the center of their relationship. It’s just so sweet and encouraging to see that, hope I’m not being intrusive! Seriously though…love the photos. <3
Yes they are! Their faith is very important to them. 🙂
🙂 I love this.
I feel like I am just echoing everyone, but this was truly so gorgeous and romantic. Thank you so much for sharing such a special moment, and I love all the details!!! I can’t wait for the reception!!! Oh, would you mind also doing a post or two on the honeymoon??? I would very much appreciate it.
Thanks again for sharing so much of yours and your loved ones lives.
Beautiful post! What a perfect couple and a lovely ceremony. Thank you for sharing!! Can’t wait for the next recap 🙂
What an amazing ceremony! Everyone looked so amazing! I can’t wait to read about the reception
As beautiful as the first part! Love it… you love for your sister is all over the place!
your*
This was so sweet! It almost brought tears to my eyes. I love that Ross has your Dad’s old ring – that’s just awesome.
Wow… What a beautiful wedding. Your sister was a beautiful bride! I’m looking forward to the next post!
Beautiful post Julie! You and your sister looked gorgeous. Blessings and best wishes to Leslie and Ross!
Oh my, this is GORGEOUS! Such a sweet ceremony. So happy for them!
I’m really enjoying these wedding recaps! You do a beautiful job of recapping weddings… I even got teary eyed on this second post! I absolutely loved Leslie’s dress as well… I wish I would have seen her before I ordered mine a few months ago !!
This is so sweet and emotional, it brought tears to my eyes. Also, I LOVE your sisters ring!
Omg their first kiss is PERFECTION! What a beautiful bride and groom!
Your sister is gorgeous!! Her dress is so romantic and stunning, and I love the traditional touches. The look on your Dad’s face brought tears to my eyes. I know I saw that look in my Dad’s eyes when he gave his speech at my wedding and I felt the same when I watched my little brother get married. Your family is so precious, congrats to you all!
And, oh my goodness, the way your brother-in-law looked at your sister walking down the aisle…no words. Beautiful moment. The photographer did an amazing job!
Beautiful pics! You don’t even need words this is so gorgeous.
Beautiful pics! You don’t even need words this is so gorgeous.
Everything looks gorgeous!
omggggg.
when i saw the picture of them standing on either side of the wall holding hands I LOST IT. so much love, happiness and beauty in this post!
all of the details are amazing, and the photos are perfect. the mother of the bride and mother of the groom looked stunning, too– i loved their dresses.
beautiful ceremony for a beautiful couple. wishing them a lifetime of happiness together <3
Beautiful photos. Your sister is gorgeous!
I love the picture of Leslie trying to hold back tears. So much emotion…it’s beautiful!
Oh my goodness WOW! So beautiful! I was holding it together until I saw the picture of Ross crying and then I lost it! What a touching ceremony!
From one Julie to another – such a beautiful wedding! Everything is perfect from the way Lesie and Ross look at one another with so much love, to the color palette and flowers, and just all the amazing details.You both looked beautiful. Thank you so much for sharing this special day with your readers! Can’t wait for part three (and embaressed to admit how eagerly I was awaiting parts one and two!)
Oops *** Leslie 🙂
Stunning!! So sweet about using your dad’s ring to create Ross’!
I got married the same exact day as them and it definitely made me smile reading through your story. I was completely fine (mostly excited and not nervous) and as soon as I entered the room I was suddenly hit with emotion and was trying not to start crying before I made it down the aisle!
I loved reading this. Thank you so much for the recap!!! You’re a great writer, Julie…made me feel like I was there. :0)
WOW I don’t think I made it half way through your post without crying. What a beautiful ceremony for a beautiful couple! I think it’s so sweet that your dad’s ring was melted into Ross’ ring; that is so special and unique!
What a gorgeous day! So much beautiful emotion caught in all the picutres. I am getting married next weekend so reading these recaps is making me more excited for my own big day!
I’m getting married this July so the whole wedding thing is getting VERY REAL and this post had me crying on my couch! These pictures are gorgeous and they are such a beautiful couple!
So. many. tears.
Julie, you have the gift of words. This was so beautiful; I felt like I was there too as I read! Thank you for sharing!
Thank you 🙂
What a gorgeous wedding!! This is such a sweet recap; thanks for sharing!
lovely….the look on Ross’ face says it all!!!!!
Beautiful photos! Definitely tearing up at work; keep it together, Courtney!!
I knew I would cry at my wedding, but my goal was to at least make it down the aisle. Fail.
Right before we started I was doing a great job keeping my eyes dry until my MIL told me how my husband cried while writing his vows… BAH! I lost it.
Julie,
You sure have a way with words. Every time you write a recap post of an event I feel like I was there, this was no exception. SO beautiful
And nw Im crying as well. Such a beautiful story, and wedding. Your sister is stunning in her gorgeous wedding dress!
Such a beautiful wedding! Everything looks so wonderful!
Lost it when I saw the pictures of Ross crying. The emotions are so real and you can see how beautiful his love is for you which is how every man should look at his wife. Love these re-caps!
Absolutely beautiful. Congratulations to all of you!