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my most favorite day

August 21, 2014

May 31, 2014 will forever be my most favorite day. Not only did I get to marry my best friend, but we were surrounded by all of our friends and family from so very many different walks of life. It’s not everyday you have both sides of family from all over the United States, high school friends, Clemson friends, Navy friends, and your best friend who lives in LA all there to celebrate with you. The sun showed up for the day bringing the most beautiful weather. For someone who gets overly anxious, my wedding day was filled with nothing but joy and excitement. The morning was spent getting my hair and makeup done before we headed to the venue. Once we got to Wisteria Ridge, the music went on. Thank goodness for loud speakers and a lot of dancing to shake any nerves out and for this song.Carrie reading letter zipping up dress bridesmaids first look

Having your childhood best friend, your roommates, and your new sister standing by you is the best feeling. These humans, they are my favorites, and so dear to me.
bridesmaids

You know the scene in Matilda where the little girl gets swung by her pigtails into a field of wild flowers and grabs them as she goes? That’s how I explained what I wanted my bouquet to look like and they nailed it. carrie carrie bridal

Ben and I went back and forth deciding whether to do a first look and I am so glad we decided for it. It was such a special moment of the day. Time stopped as I walked up behind him and my heart raced and tears streamed. It was such a special quiet moment to share with him before the rush of the day.first look first look carrie and ben radford SGP_Carrie&Ben_Married169 carrie hair

Like I said, the weather was beyond kind to us that day. Wisteria Ridge Guest Book centerpiece menu Radford bridal party

Radford bridal party

I loved the whole planning process of adding personalized touches. My mom and I thrifted all of the centerpieces with trinkets, books, vintage floral fabrics, and pictures of Ben and I throughout high school and college with little memories written on each. Most all of our flowers are from a family friend’s farm and turned out more beautiful than I could have imagined. Wild flowers and lots of greenery are the way to my heart. 
Radford centerpiece Carrie and Ben table SGP_Carrie&Ben_Married235 Radford beer and wine Radford cake

So many emotions running through my mind with my eyes locked on my sweet husband’s.
SGP_Carrie&Ben_Married381 Ben aisle \
Radford ceremony

He nailed the kiss, let me tell ya!Radford kiss

I’m a Mrs!
man and wife

This is one of my absolute favorite pictures from the entire day. You see, this is right after we got down the aisle and looked at each other and exchanged the whole, “oh my gosh we are married!!” look. It really started to sink in and sometimes you just celebrate by planting a big ole kiss on each other. SGP_Carrie&Ben_Married465
Radford arch of swords Radford details
Ben and Carrie SGP_Carrie&Ben_Married760 Ben and carrie dancing Ben and Carrie Ben and Carrie

If you know me at all you know I love to dance my face off. Having everyone you love join in on this passion all for you is one of the most exhilarating feelings. Yes to dancing, and yes to weddings.Carrie dancing kiss Last dance send off

 

Planning a wedding is no easy task, but enjoying it is. Marrying your best friend is a gift and a joy. I have never smiled so much in one day or felt more loved. Ben, thank you for taking me as your bride and I hope you always stay this excited (see picture above) to be my husband ;).

Here’s to living #happilyeverradford

All pictures taken by Sarah Gormley Photography

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watt a happy day

August 17, 2014

This weekend was an absolute dream. All of my most favorite people were finally back in one place and all was well in the world. And, to top it off we all got to celebrate some of my dearest friends, Liz and Ashton, on their wedding day. #wattahappyday

These are my go to people and it has been such a long summer without them.Goodness, I am thankful for their friendship and their hearts. Getting to laugh all weekend and catch up and all be in the same place was exactly what I needed. Leaving each other for more than a few weeks should never be allowed.

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Sweet Ashton and Liz are my favorite couple. You two know how to make everyone feel so loved, and you deserved to be celebrated.

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Also, one of my favorite things over these past few months is having my husband and best friends together in one place. It has been such a rare occasion over these past four years and my two worlds finally get to collide and they are real friends which is the absolute best to watch.

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He is my favorite date.

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I mean wow, look at her! Liz- you are hot and dangerous. Liz, you are the ideal bride. The venue, the decorations, the ceremony, the food, and everything in between was the most beautiful. Stick this girl in a magazine I tell ya.

wattwedding-11

Getting ready with everyone again was such a treat. It is the little things that I have missed. We all have our jobs- Kat is makeup, Steph is hair. Pre wedding festivities included a lot of curling irons, laughs, more peanut M&Ms than should be allowed, fish bowl, music, and a lot of pictures.

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Blurry, but Liz you are the most beautiful! Welcome to the married club my dear!

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No White House gathering is complete without selfies.

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I am so thankful to now always have a dance partner and wedding date. I mean, we danced our faces off. Hope you don’t mind being stuck with me, Ben.Processed with VSCOcam with a6 preset

This weekend was more than I could have asked for. A perfect wedding celebrating the perfect couple with the biggest Clemson reunion. It ended with a lot of hard goodbyes and tears as Ben and I get ready to move across the pond, but it was the greatest last hoorah. I really, really love these people and truly believe it is such a rare gift to find friends as wonderful as these.

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a weekend in Dallas

August 10, 2014

 

This past weekend Ben and I ventured to Dallas to spend a few days with Ben’s aunt and uncle, Maggie and Bob. We have been looking forward to this little weekend getaway all summer, and it did not disappoint. After arriving on Friday we headed to lunch to grab some tasty tacos before heading to the George W. Bush Presidential Library.

dallas

Bush library, Ben and Carrie

When you first walked in the ceiling was surrounded by a 360 degree video playing with the most beautiful scenes.
Bush Library ceiling Bush Library ceiling

We even got to play around in a replica of the Oval Office!
Bush Library Oval Office

I’d vote for him.Ben at Bush Library Oval Office

On Saturday we woke up and enjoyed quite the decadent breakfast complete with croissants from a nearby bakery, eggs, coffee, and the best berries. Such a lovely way to start a full day. Breakfast in Dallas

And then there was the pool. Easily one of our favorite parts of the trip as you can see.

dallas_diveCanon Ball

Ben playing in poolAfter quite the relaxing morning by the pool we were treated to Tex Mex. If there is one thing about I have learned about Ben and I this summer, it’s that we can put down some Mexican food. We are huge supporters of chips and salsa and all things related [guac]. After lunch we headed to the Winspear Opera House downtown to see the Phantom of the Opera. The design of the venue was incredible and the show was by far one of the best I have seen. I mean the voices on the performers were unbelievable. I will never understand how they have the lung capacity to do what they do. The sets and music were so beautifully done! It was all such a treat!

Winspear Opera House Winspear Opera House outside the Winspear Opera House outside the Winspear Opera HouseI really like him a lot.

outside the Winspear Opera House outside the Winspear Opera House outside the WInspear Opera House

We had some time after the show to venture around Dallas and get the tour of the city before heading to dinner. I do believe we are both fans of this city. Let’s discuss dinner: Pecan Lodge. With a dad who makes some of the best barbecue around at Baum’s BBQ, I am pretty particular about my barbecue. That being said, this was easily some of the best I have had (right up there with The Smokin Pig for all you Clemson people). We ordered the sampler and got a taste of all the meat. So good. Ben was truly in heaven.Pecan Lodge Pecan Lodge dinner BBQ

We had such a good time catching up with Maggie and Bob, exploring a new city, relaxing, eating our weight in food, and playing in the pool. Our weekend in Dallas was a good one!

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