January 26, 2013, when much of North America was a wintery wonderland, Kara and Matt married under the sweet Arizona sun. The couple met at ASU where they shared a class together. What began as friendship quickly blossomed after Kara paid Matt a compliment, which he took as a green light to ask her out.
For the ceremony, Kara wore a strapless dress with a bustier-style lace top and beaded belt that separated the sweeping skirt of the dress from the sequined and lace upper half. A cathedral veil swept out behind her. The bride’s bouquet of ivory and pink roses was wrapped and finished with a pearl brooch. For part of the ceremony the bride wore a fascinator with feathers, offering a European flair to the day. The bridesmaids wore pink dresses each with a different style top. Matt went for a classically handsome look with a black tuxedo, white bowtie and vest. The groomsmen also remained traditional with black bowties and black vests. When the father of the bride handed his daughter over to her new husband, the two men shook hands.
During the ceremony the officiant talked of how the couple’s relationship had progressed. The importance of friendship and family and the close ties they create was apparent in each detail of the day. Before the ceremony, the bride gave both of her parents an embroidered handkerchief. Her father’s read ‘Dad – As you give me away today, always remember, you will always be the first man I ever loved – all my love.’ And her mother’s read ‘‘to dry your happy tears on my wedding day as you have always dried mine.” Thank you for everything. I love you.’
During the ceremony, stories of closeness continued with one of Matt’s brothers talking about their childhood together at the farm in Kansas and knowing Kara was “the one” for Matt. Stories about life with both the bride and groom were shared from friends and loved ones.
While the bride and groom asked for advice for their future in the form of hearts that were dropped in a wooden box, including Villa Siena’s advice to laugh often, the couple had their own methods for keeping the passion alive. They wrote love letters to each other that were placed in a box with a bottle of wine to be opened in a year.
Dancers from Taiwan wore custom costumes and performed three songs on the dance floor after the couple danced to My Wish by Rascal Flats. The groom’s uncle sang Forever Yours for the newlyweds.
As farewells were being said, each guest left with a lavender pouch from a family member’s farm before a traditional Villa Siena sparkler farewell brightened the night. Congratulations Kara and Matt. May your love continue to grow.
Photography by: Erin McFarland Photography