Wedding Weekend Back Home

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One of my best friends (been friends for 2/3 of our lives), Taylor, got married in Pensacola a few weekends ago. With COVID and Hurricane Sally there really were some wrenches thrown in the mix. The size of the wedding was changed to family and wedding party only. They went back and forth on whether or not to keep the reception in Gulf Breeze since the bridge connecting Pensacola to Gulf Breeze is shut down for probably a year. There’s another bridge, a little bit further, connecting the areas so they decided to keep things as is and they made a great choice. The venue was perfection.

Let me start from the beginning though.

Friday

Being in the wedding, we got in Thursday as festivities began Friday. Friday was the bridal luncheon downtown Pensacola at the bridal loft above 5 Eleven. 5 Eleven is also where they had the rehearsal dinner that evening after rehearsal at Old Christ Church. Both 5 Eleven and the church are historic Pensacola spaces and both unique, gorgeous spaces. Snuck in a nap between the parties with my sweet P. The rehearsal dinner had so many lovely speeches (so many crying moments that weekend hah) and just confirmed how wonderful Taylor and Shanks are together. Gotta love the selfies when your friend grabs your phone ha

Saturday

Kick off to getting ready started early-ish morning at Taylor’s sister’s salon, Moonflower. The ladies of the wedding all did hair and makeup (always so fun). We then got dressed and got to the church early for pictures. My bridesmaid dress was one I have seen for awhile and always loved so when I had the option to pick it for her wedding, I jumped on the idea. Here is it. I know I’ll get a lot of use out of it too! Then of course we had the ceremony at the church. Taylor brother officiated the wedding, her dad said a prayer and her grandpa did a blessing. And Taylor and Shanks precious baby girl (along with her nieces and nephews) got wagoned in. Such special moments for a beautiful occasion. Afterwards we took more pictures (duh) and then hopped on a party bus to make the trek to the reception. The reception was outside on the water and so lovely. You can’t beat a sunset on Pensacola Bay. They had great food and a love band and my daughter was the first one on the dance floor. My parents brought her and then left early to take her home. It was a blast having her there as she had so much fun. The picture with her and the bride is after she told my mom and ran up to us asking to see the ‘princess’. If that doesn’t just melt your heart!!