We remember listening to Sara’s reading and each thinking about how perfect the message was.
Next it was time for Bennett and Leslie to share their vows. As Bennett read his to Leslie, he just remembers seeing Leslie, Katie and Leslie’s parents all tearing up. Heartfelt and moving, each with a touch of humor, we’ve included them in their entirety below.
Bennett’s Vows to Leslie:
Leslie,
Within two hours of being with you, I knew you were someone I wanted to spend a lot of time with. Within 48 hours, I knew you the only person I wanted to date. Within one week, I knew I was madly in love with you. And within one month, I knew I wanted to spend the rest of my life with you.
A very wise person once told me that, “True love is not being able to imagine your life without the other person.”
Everyday that I’m alive is another opportunity for me to experience your beauty, your intelligence, your sense of humor, your positivity, your encouragement, and your ability to make me a better person.
In my eyes, you are perfect. You are my best friend, my favorite person to be around, and I can no longer imagine my life without you.
So, for the rest of my days, I vow to hold you above all others, stand by your side, and love you unconditionally. I will protect you with my life, pick you when you are down, and comfort you when you in need. I promise to work every day to be the husband you deserve and give you everything that I have physically, spiritually, and emotionally.
My love for you is eternal, and I vow to give you that love forever.
Leslie’s Vows to Bennett:
It isn’t often that reality surpasses your wildest expectations. And it is no secret that I’ve had a crush on you for over a decade. But you are, in reality, a more wonderful man than I could have ever hoped for.
You are kind and supportive. You are funny and smart. You are sensitive and strong. And you are silly. You give me a sense of security that I never realized I needed.
There is no one I’d rather sit on the couch with, share a meal with, or explore the world with. There is no one I’d rather fight with and no one I’d rather fight for. You are my best friend.
So here, in front of those who love us most, I promise you this:
I promise to always be your number one fan and your partner in crime. I promise to laugh with you, cry with you, learn with you, and grow with you. I promise to listen to you and be kind to you, even when we disagree. I promise to support your dreams and respect our differences. I promise to build a life with you full of laughter, understanding and love.
Today, and every day from here on out, I choose you. And I feel so lucky that you choose me, too.
After they exchanged rings, Leslie remembers the pure giddiness she felt when Barbara finally pronounced them husband and wife. We walked back up the aisle to “Home” by Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros, with Bennett throwing a fist-pump into the air.
Then it was time to celebrate!
Bennett snuck some pulled pork corn muffins, and Leslie grabbed the champagne. After exchanging lots of hugs and kisses with everyone, we went back outside for family portraits and then it was up to the roof to get some photos of the skyline. We took a few minutes alone to relax in the bridal suite eating appetizers and toast one another with champagne before coming back downstairs where we shared our first dance to the Alabama Shakes’ “Found You.” When Bennett caught Leslie off-guard with a dramatic dip, Leslie almost surprised him, and everyone else in the room, with a near wardrobe malfunction.
After our first dance, we sat down together at one long table in the main room and enjoyed an amazing family-style spread from Sun in My Belly. We ate and drank and laughed. Matt even commented on our "classy" selection of background music (think Jon Bon Jovi on strings).
As dinner neared the end, the toasts began, and before we knew it, practically everyone at the table had gotten up to toast us. John and Sara talked about their love for Bennett and how happy they were that he’d found Leslie. Katie embarrassed Leslie with stories of how hard she tried to get Bennett’s attention in high school. Matthew told the group about his friendship with Leslie and how much he’s enjoyed getting to know Bennett. Barbara spoke about how Bennett was her “oldest son.” She remembered when Bennett came home from that first trip to Atlanta and listening to him talk about Leslie, she knew Leslie was special. Frank gave a touching toast about the two families coming together and how much they’d enjoyed getting to know Leslie and her parents. Bob, Leslie’s grandfather, told a story about when Leslie was a child and flying to see them in Orlando, asking a flight attendant to upgrade her to first class, exclaiming to the table that Leslie was “still first class!”
Leslie’s dad spoke last, confessing to the group that when Bob toasted him and Vicki at their wedding, neither understood what he meant. The longer they’ve been married, the more they realize how right Bob was. Ending the toast with the same words Bob said to them more than 37 years ago, David raised a glass and said,
“Friendship is the true basis of marriage. Our wish for you is that, on this day each year, you can look at one another and say, ‘You are my best friend.’”
There were tears and hugs all around, and then Leslie and David shared a dance to “Father and Daughter” by Paul Simon. Afterwards, Karen and Bennett danced to “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” that, half way through, switched to “Happy” by Pharrell. Karen, surprised that Bennett had actually gone along with her request for the song, really started to break it down. She encouraged everyone to join them on the dance floor, so we did! The rest of the evening was spent dancing, laughing, drinking, joking and loving.
At the end of the night our Uber was a no-show. Ever the optimists, Bennett and Leslie seized the moment. They piled into the back of their SUV with Katie, Brooks, Matthew, Ted and John, and 15 minutes later the crew walked into the Majestic Diner for milkshakes.
Afterwards, the group went back to the hotel where they ran into Vicki, Karen and Betty, Leslie’s grandmother, visiting and drinking wine in the hotel lobby. The group joined them, finishing off much of the leftover booze from the wedding.
The next morning, Leslie’s parents threw a post-wedding brunch at Canoe. There, in the wine room, everyone joined together for one last meal before parting ways – a wonderful way to cap off the festivities.
