As the weekend unfolds before us, I would like to share with you a wedding beautifully captured by Jessica Johnston Photography. (@jessjohnston)

Happy Friday

Grace Ormonde

At our wedding reception, my sister and maid of honor, Aubrey, said it best when she toasted: “today my sister married her Prince Charming.” Our relationship has always seemed like a romantic fairytale. It’s a love story that one can only dream about. I still feel so blessed that such a perfect gentleman swept me off my feet. Joseph is and will always be my prince charming. Joseph is the kindest, most caring, sincere, genuine and loving person I know. He has the qualities, demeanors and manners only a true prince would posses; he is truly one-of-a-kind.

We met in college at Michigan State University where Joseph was a freshman and I was a sophomore. Joseph used to tutor me in economics, which was a class that I struggled with. During our friendship, I used to always think, “whomever he marries will be the luckiest girl in the world.” Little did I know, that friendship would blossom into more, and ultimately that “lucky” girl would be me.

Fours years later, on a perfect summer day, he proposed to me on top of the Empire State Building in New York City. I had been told we were going to the city for a business meeting my father-in-law had scheduled, but that was a ploy to prevent me from suspect anything. Later, I found out there was no business meeting; the trip was strictly for the engagement.

We arrived in NYC early in the morning and had lunch with my fiancés family. Then Joseph asked me what I would like to do all afternoon. I hadn’t been to NYC in years and was truly overwhelmed by the options so he suggested the Empire State Building since I had never been there before.

When we made it to the top, Joseph handed our camera to a fellow bystander to take our picture, while he proceeded to get down on one knee. Surprised, I asked “What are you doing? I thought we were taking a picture,” until I realized he was on one knee for a reason and said the magical words, “will you marry me?” The rest is history and 363 days later we were married.

We truly had a fairytale wedding. There were over 450 guests in attendance, a five-course dinner, appetizers, orchestra, ice sculptures and so much more. The color scheme was white and gold, which was carried out throughout the entire day. Everything from the bridal bouquet to the ceremony, reception and bridal party dresses fit that scheme. It was something that I had always dreamed. Being 50 percent Chinese, I wanted to incorporate aspects of my culture into our wedding. Earlier in the day, we performed a tea ceremony where I was presented with gold pieces as gifts. Towards the end of the reception I changed into a traditional red Chinese gown. At this time I wore all of the gold pieces I had received earlier. The day was perfect and something I will remember for the rest of my life.

Ceremony: St. Paul Catholic Church
Reception: Andiamo Italia
Cake: Sweet Dreams Bakery
Florist and Event Planner: Jerry Stockie for Venetian Flowers
Hair: Kristina Mara for Figo Salon Birmingham
Makeup: Dawn Baker
Invitations: Flair Necessities
Wedding Gown: Pnina Tornai at Kleinfield
Photographer: Jessica Johnston Photography