On October 10th, 2009, I became Mrs. Judd Martin. This day was nearly two years in the making. I changed my mind a million times on colors, decor, flowers, small wedding party/big wedding party/no wedding party, and on and on. But in the end, it couldn’t have turned out more perfect or wonderful beyond my wildest dreams!!!
Almost an exact year before the wedding, my mom, sis, and I went shopping to get an idea about a dress. We were not planning on buying anything that day…especially when I didn’t like anything I tried on. Since I had been married before, (I naively married my high school sweetheart), I wasn’t looking for anything fancy. I wanted something simple, but with a touch of elegance. The last dress hung limp and lifeless on the hanger. I didn’t like it. It was strapless and something about it looked “cheap” to me. Uggh. But I tried it on anyway. I remember walking out of the dressing room and hearing my mom and sister oooh and aaahhh and sigh and exclaim “Oh, Kellie!”. I turned around to look in the mirror and suddenly the dress was full of life, shimmering and sparkling, and creating a glow around the reflection before me. I realized I was actually what was glowing – this was the one!!! Strapless, fitted, flowing, made of chantilly lace with some beadwork – it was perfect! I loved the vintage feeling it gave off. I bought it that day and the dress decided the rest of the wedding. It would be a cross between vintage and garden romance. Very natural, yet romantic and chic. Here is a description of everything involved in the big day:
The wedding party was chosen, 5 bridesmaids/groomsmen! I decided to let Judd involve anyone he wanted to, it was his first (and LAST) wedding afterall, so I wanted it to be what he wanted . I didn’t want him to be shorted the experience just because I had already had one. That’s why we decided to have it in Louisiana, where all of his family and friends could attend.
My sister, Vicki, was my maid of honor and bridesmaids were my friends: Ashley, Erin, Raven, and Blanca. (Ashley was not able to come so Judd’s sister-in-law, Amanda, filled in for her.) They were all able to choose their own dress, as long as it was solid chocolate brown. My sister and I made the bouquets and boutenierres. The bridesmaids carried silk hydrangeas with other fillers added in – all fall colors, tied with a pretty ribbon. A cameo pendant was added to the bow for a final touch. My bouquet incorporated some more “branch-like” fillers and also had a cameo pendant. Judd chose his dad, Greg, as his best man and groosmen were his brothers: Stan and Wade, brother-in-law: Brad, and cousin: Drew. They wore a chocolate brown linen shirt with ivory slacks. The boutenierres were made with silk leaves, feathers, and small filler flowers tied with ribbon.
Our flower girl was our niece, Carson, and the ringbearer was our nephew, Cayden. Carson and our other niece, Conley, read I Corinthians 13:4-8. (Our two younger nieces, Landry and Anna Kate, also walked the aisle to be included in the ceremony.) My brother, JT, was an usher; Judd’s sister, Erin, was our photographer; Judd’s cousin, Brad, played guitar and sang with Judd’s sister-in-law, Amanda. Judd’s sister-in-law, Amye, was our guestbook/gift attendant. We were so happy to be able to share our special day with everyone involved. But perhaps the most special of all was that my grandpa, Gorman Welch – my “Popi”, was the officiant for the ceremony.
The invitations, (which I hand made – all 200 of them!), invited everyone to Judd’s mom’s house – The Edwards Residence – in Delhi, Louisiana, where we live. She and Judd’s step-dad, Tommy, have a beautiful home with a large pond in front. The ceremony took place outside on the front lawn near the pond and under the beautiful oak and cypress trees. Wade and Judd’s Uncle Lanie created a beautiful spot for the ceremony. Mix-matched wooden dining chairs were used for seating, along with an old wooden church pew. Pine straw was scattered along the ground and pumpkins, rocks, deer horns, and candles lined the aisle. At the end of the aisle there was a small iron arch adorned with branches and limbs and dried hydrangeas. Dried hydrangeas were also tied to the aisle chairs with brown ribbon. Lights were placed in the trees to create a “glowing” effect. It was truly and remarkably beautiful!!!
My hair was done earlier in the day by Ms. Jeanna Davis. She curled it and pinned it up, placing the veil under the curls, and my Bella Donna piece on the right side. Bella Donnas, made by Katie May of Two Suez photography, are made of silk flowers, feathers, jewelry, etc. and you can wear them in your hair, on a belt/sash/scarf, or as a pendant. After getting dressed I was anxiously waiting in the master bedroom with my bridal party. We toasted with a glass of red wine. The entire week before the wedding had been filled with rainy, nasty days. On our wedding day it was cloudy, had already sprinkled some, and had turned quite chilly. I was just hoping the rain would hold off – we had NO back up plan!!!
At 6:00pm we made our way to the front door to begin our walk down the aisle. I chose two instrumentals from the “Elizabethtown” soundtrack for our walk – the bridesmaids walked out to “River Road” (vol. 2) and my dad and I made our entrance to “60B etown theme” (vol. 1), both composed by Nancy Wilson. Carson tossed silk fall leaves from her basket as she made her way out before me. As we stepped out from under the front porch I looked up to see my sweet fiance smiling at me. Judd was dressed in a light beige colored pair of slacks and vest, with an ivory long sleeve shirt, and beige colored tie. He also wore a straw fedora hat adorned with chocolate brown ribbon. He was so very handsome! I knew I was smiling, but I also felt my heart warm and tears brim my eyes. The ceremony was short and sweet. Judd and I looked into each other’s eyes, smiling, crying, laughing – it was wonderful. The girls said their Bible verse, Brad and Amanda sang a touching version of “Have a Little Faith in Me”, we prayed, repeated our vows, and exchanged our rings. Everyone laughed when my Popi mistakenly said Jellie and Kudd instead of Kellie and Judd…it was hilarious! Then it was time for the kiss, something Judd and I had forgot to discuss, other than me jokingly saying we should do a “Hollywood” kiss - which is something I always aggravate Judd with – a very sloppy kiss where you move your head back and forth all silly like on the movies. It is an inside joke between us, but Judd definitely got the last laugh because he gave me a great big sloppy “Hollywood” kiss in front of all of our family and friends!!! And that perhaps is the best picture of all (notice the girls’ reactions):
Judd’s family had worked all week on decorating for the wedding and the reception, which was held behind the house around the pool and cabana. They did a spectacular job!!! Tables had white table cloths with either a rust or chocolate brown overlet. Centerpieces consisted of branches and tall grass placed in a glass vase, wrapped with rust orange and golden colored toulle, and surrounded by grapevine and candles, (which later caused two table fires!! eeek!). The cabana had a large grapevine decorated with dried leaves, burlap, rust orange toulle, and filled with white Christmas lights. The food table was under the cabana and was displayed like a royal feast. We had pork loin, mashed potatoes, green beans, fruit, cheese, rolls, sweet tea…it was amazing!!! Our cake was four-tiered and the ivory icing looked like lace, with silk hydrangeas placed here and there. Judd’s cake was two tiered and chocolate with a funny “hunter becomes the hunted” statue on top.
Best of all was our dance floor. Judd’s brother-in-law, Brad made some tall light poles/stands and we strung white Christmas lights up to look like the top of tent. In the center was a lighted grapevine pumpkin as our “disco ball.” We had a DJ who played oldies but goodies from the 70’s through today’s current hits. Judd and I danced our first dance to Ray LaMontagne’s “You Are the Best Thing” and my dad and I danced to Willie Nelson’s “Angel Flying Too Close to the Ground.” The kids did most of the dancing, but Judd’s brother, Wade, did entertain us with some of his breakdancing moves. Most of the guests found their way inside where it was warm and the LSU football game was on. LOL.
Judd and I made our way home to find our bedroom filled with flameless candles, fall leaves, chocolate candy, grapes, chocolate covered strawberries, and wine. It was so romantic. 
We headed out the next morning to our private cabin located just outside of Heber Springs, Arkansas, on the Little Red River.
And that was our wedding day. Now being completely honest, I would love to say that our entire relationship has been as perfect and wonderful as that day…but I think we all know that no relationship is always absolutely perfect. Judd and I have had our ups and downs like everyone does. The move to Louisiana, buying our first house, me being away from my family and friends, jobs not working out – it has all taken a toll on us. We’ve had some hard times…but we always decided to stick it out, we both always felt that loving each other would ultimately help us to rise above all the rest – and our wedding day was an exact reflection of that. It was such a happy day, a day I will never forget. I am so excited to be Mrs. Judd Martin!!!
I have to say thank you again to Tammy and all of Judd’s family for all of their hard work. It was so beautiful!!! And thanks again to all of my family and friends that were able to make the trip – I know it was a long way for all of you and I truly appreciate you being there to share our special day with us!!
Sunshine and Love,
Kellie …MARTIN!!!
***ALL PHOTOS BY ERIN SMITH – DELTAPOINTE PHOTOGRAPHY
But He is a merciful God who loves us and only wants us to know Him and have a relationship with Him. If we are willing to do that, He is willing to forgive us for all that we’ve done. And He sent His only son to die for those sins, so we could have everlasting and eternal life with Him in heaven. Isn’t that AMAZING???
