0The Couple: Elizabeth and Keith Gagnon

Wedding Date: September 25, 2011

Photography by Trizza Gerhart Photography

Tell us a little about you and your beloved: Keith and I met while performing in a musical at a local theater group. The musical is called Little Shop of Horrors and we were cast as the romantic leads, Seymour and Audrey.

We fell in love almost as soon as we first met. The experience of falling in love in real life as our characters fell in love over and over again every night on stage was a magical one! We still perform separately, but when we perform together it’s a special experience for us both.

What was the most amazing part of your day? It’s hard to pick the most amazing part! I can say it was the hour I had alone with the hairdresser in my hotel room, listening to classical music and silently rejoicing in the fact that I would be married to the most wonderful man in just a few hours.

I can say it was our first look, and the feeling of pure joy I had and I could see in his face.

I can say it was our first dance, a special moment between us that I will never forget. Everything was amazing. Everything.

Here’s the one thing I can say was the most amazing… having all of our friends, family and loved ones in one room and feeling the bond of love and support we got from each and every one of them. That feeling really lifted us up as a couple.

What else would you like to share about your big day? Like many brides, I really wanted my Dad to walk me down the aisle. Unfortunately, my Dad has Multiple Sclerosis and has extremely limited mobility. Due to the set up of my ceremony site, my walk was very long and very grassy, two issues that my dad could not overcome in his condition. I knew he was very disappointed that he could not walk with me. I was, too. I wanted to find a way to include my Dad in my ceremony in a way that showed how special he is to me and accommodated his needs.

Keith and I talked about it and decided that we would have my dad officiate our ceremony. We legally married before our ceremony and had my dad perform our service. He’s never done anything like it before and he was nervous, but he did wonderfully. It was so special having my awesome Dad be the one to guide my husband and me through our vows and pronounce us married.

Ceremony and Reception Site: Crawford’s Barn

Photographer: Trizza Gerhart Photography

Videographer: Artistic Smith

Wedding Planner: I only had a “Day of Coordinator” and she is a dear friend who does not normally perform such services. Her name is Dr. Foster McManus.

Caterer: Hannibal’s Catering

Cake: The cakes and desserts were all provided by friends and family.

Flowers: The flowers were all DIY, made by myself along with many friends and family.

Favors: Matches

Bridal Attire: The Collective Bride

Bridesmaids’ Attire: The bridesmaid dresses were all purchased by my bridesmaids independently or were dresses they already owned.

Hair: Ashleigh from Details Salon

Make-up: Mandie Jackson Makeup

Invitations: DIY from Vistaprint

DJ/Entertainment/Band: DJ and emcee services were provided by dear friends who usually do not perform such services. Their names are Jeff Graham and Joe Moye.

Honeymoon Location: Cruise to Cabo San Lucas

Any other of your wedding vendor(s) you’d like to call out? I was probably the luckiest DIY bride ever in that there was almost nothing I could have done without the help of my many talented friends and family. I have to give them all the props in the world for making my vision come true. From the DJ to the DOC, from the photographer to the many helping hands who helped set up the barn while I was making myself pretty – it was all possible because I have a lot of very kind and talented people in my life who were willing to give me a hand. I cannot thank them enough.

First Dance Song: “Real Love” by Regina Spektor (John Lennon cover)

Any advice you’d give to our readers who are planning their weddings right now? My advice to readers is to enjoy the process! Some of my favorite memories occurred during wedding planning, but I also feel like I missed some great opportunities by not remembering that this is supposed to be fun! Things will go wrong, things you thought were important won’t be, but if you remember what’s important, you will have the best day of your life no matter what. I promise!

Anything that you would have done differently if you were given the chance? I would have eloped. Kidding! In all honesty, there’s nothing I would have done differently. My wedding was beautiful, but the end result of it is that I am married to the most perfect man for me and that is the only thing that matters.

Blog post by Real Weddings Magazine’s Social Media Maven, Aimee Carroll.

Photos courtesy of and copyright  Trizza Gerhart Photography.

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