This past weekend, in addition to celebrating Sister’s birthday in DC, I was in Richmond for Emily and Matthew’s wedding!

Welcome Gathering:

I got in on Saturday evening – just in time for dinner. While the bridal party had their rehearsal dinner, the rest of us went out to Union Market for food and drinks before meeting up with them later for the Welcome Gathering!

We sat out on the patio under twinkling lights and so, naturally, prom poses were in order after dinner.

Though we could have stayed there chatting all night, we were eager to see everyone else so we walked the half hour to Capital Ale House for more drinks and happy reunions.

Lani had mentioned several times throughout the night that she loved weddings because they were “a window into people’s lives.” I’ve only known Emily and Matthew for a few years so being able to meet all the people that have been in their lives for so long – and have influenced and shaped who they are today – was really special to me!

Wedding Day:

We started the morning off with coffee and breakfast at Lamplighter Roasting Company.

I took advantage of the fact that I was away from Harrogate and, thus, had access to all the iced coffee that I could possibly drink.

After breakfast, we drove over to Emily’s childhood home where the bridal party was getting ready for the wedding. As we pulled up to the driveway and got a peek of her beautiful house, Lani shouted out, “Guys. Emily just makes SENSE.”  (<—Lani was full of wise, wonderful quotes this weekend. Per usual.)

We wanted to hang out with the ladies before they had to leave for the venue. And we also got to spend some time with her family for a little bit – who were all, surprisingly, so calm and collected.

After every encounter I had with someone, I was brought back to the sentiment, “Emily just makes sense.” The things that I love most about Emily – her ability to stay 100% present with the people she’s with, the compassion with which she speaks, the goodness she embodies, and the pure and genuine love she shares with people – were all things I saw in her family and close friends.

In what could only be one of the most stressful times for the mother of the bride, Mama Tombes stopped to pick a goddess card, read it’s description, and reflect on how special it was to have received the guiding words from Lakshmi (!). Not to mention that she had prepared a whole table of goodies for the wedding party (and friends who stopped by that really like mac&cheese).

Like mother, like daughter.

Emily didn’t get swept away with the stress and the craziness that wedding days so often bring with them. She paused to take everything in, greeted everyone so lovingly, and even had a mini Women’s Circle before heading off to the venue.

We all went around and offered Emily 30 seconds of goddess wisdom as she prepared to jump into this next chapter of her life with Matthew! But we also made sure not to get too sentimental because everyone’s make-up looked so GREAT and there were no time for tears.

While the bridal party went off to wedding party things, the rest of us stopped by the Armenian Festival.

We didn’t stay for too long. Just long enough to try out some really yummy food and watch 30 seconds of dancing on stage. We wanted to have enough time to get ready for our own festivities!

The Ceremony:

The ceremony and reception took place at Historic Tredegar. It was so beautiful and so perfect for Emily and Matthew!

Just like most people, my favorite part of the ceremony is watching the groom’s face as the bride walks down the aisle. Emily and her dad were walking from a platform above the ceremony and she had to walk down a set of stairs behind all of our seats. So her walk down the aisle was an extra long one. Matthew’s smile did not break for one second. He just stared up at her and had the biggest grin on his face the entire time.

The ceremony was short and sweet. Just a half-hour after her walk toward Matthew as Ms. Tombes, she walked back down the aisle with Matthew as Mrs. Figley!

#GettingFigleyWithIt

The rest of the night was spent dancing, chatting, and eating.

And, the minute Bieber started playing, we took over the dance floor.

Emily and her tribe.

Thank you, Emily and Matthew, for letting us be a part of this special day with you! Your love is truly something to be celebrated.