Real Wedding: Allie & Matt

July 13, 2013: VanLandingham Estate

A llie Van Alstine’s favorite wedding moment was looking out at her closest friends and family seated in the garden of the VanLandingham Estate and then up into her groom’s eyes … as someone rushed up with an umbrella for her and her dad held his jacket over Matt Moynihan’s head as the heavens unleashed a torrent of rain. “Our wedding is like a Nicholas Sparks novel,” says Matt.

During the sweet but brief wedding ceremony, their pastor, Howard Brown, read a passage from Matthew about the pearl of great price and tied it into his homily about the couple and Allie’s love of pearls, especially her baroque pearl engagement ring. Guests sang her favorite hymn, “Be Thou My Vision,” and, in lieu of church bells, rang tiny bells as the newlyweds ran for cover. Because the couple had celebrated with a large party the night before, the wedding and reception itself was an intimate affair, with family toasts, blessings, and an elegant sit-down dinner at tables decorated in classic royal blue and white. The bride and groom took their pick (coconut) from the cake buffet before their loved ones sent them off in sparkler light for a honeymoon week of hiking in the mountains.