Ben + Madison DeHart

09.02.18

Helllllloooo, dreamy September wedding! It's nice to have you gracing the blog today! Ben + Maddie’s Missouri wedding checked all of the boxes. From a killer La Sposa bridal gown to stunning florals + quite possibly the sweetest groom reaction e v e r, these two nailed their wedding day vision from start to finish. Whether you’re here for the reminder of this sweet marriage, here for your own inspiration, or just here because (like me) you’re obsessed with all things love + wedding, keep scrolling for all of the sweetness - you won’t be disappointed!

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How did you decide to get married in September?

“We knew we wanted to get married toward the end of summer so September was perfect. It was also the perfect date because my husband's parents had gotten married on the same day 28 years prior. So now we share an anniversary and it is even more special! There were a lot of fun little things we did to help tie our two days together!”

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How did you meet your husband?

“We met in a really crazy, random way. Ben is a bit older than me - he was a senior + I was a freshman at the time. Ben was best friends with my sister's boyfriend. My sister played basketball + her boyfriend dragged Ben along to watch even though he really didn't want to come. We made eyes at one another from across the gym + Ben thought I was the older sister. Later that night, I told my sister how cute I thought he was but knew it would be impossible to date him because he was so much older. The next day her + Ben passed a note in English class about me + Ben came up with a plan. He sent me a message on Facebook with the plan of Taylor + Mackenzie getting married + him I getting married, so that he + Taylor could be brothers. I messaged back that it was the perfect plan + we should even do a double wedding. Lots of messages later, a friendship formed that later bloomed into a relationship. Believe it or not, their plan worked. Mackenzie + Taylor are married + now so are we. Ben + Taylor are finally brothers.”

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How did Ben pop the question?

“Ben + I had been doing long distance for almost 4 years while Ben was finishing up college by getting his MBA. We had discussed the engagement happening before he moved to where I go to school in Springfield. I figured the proposal would happen in the spring after he had graduated but I was in for a huge surprise when it happened in January. Since we were doing long distance, we would sometimes miss spending big events + birthdays with each other. So for Ben's birthday we decided to both come home to KC. Ben planned for us two to go out to celebrate on our own at the Plaza. We went to eat + after Ben suggested desert at the hotel across the way. When we walked up to the bridge leading to the hotel, there was a small group of people singing + Ben suggested we stop to listen. At first it was just Christmas carols but then they asked if they could sing us a different song. They then started singing our song which is “Come to Me” by the Goo Goo Dolls. At that point, my heart started to race + I began to slightly ugly cry + then Ben got down on a knee + asked me to be his forever. I, of course, said yes + I walked down the aisle to that same song on our wedding day.”

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What advice would you give to other brides in regard to dress shopping?

“I would tell other brides to invite anyone who is special to them because you will want them with you during this exciting time. Having my favorite people around me made it even better when I found my dress that day + it also made me feel more comfortable! I would also highly suggest to have an idea in mind but not be totally stuck on that one idea. Your perfect dress could be the exact opposite of what you pictured yourself in, which happened to me.”

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How did you know when you found your gown?

“Originally, I wanted a dress with lace sleeves + something super classic. When I went to Something White, I really loved that my consultant not only took the time to listen to me but also gave me + my family the opportunity to browse their selection as well. I really loved this part of the process. I think I was in the store for a max of 15-20 minutes before I found the one. The perfect dress was the 3rd one I tried on at Something White + I knew when I walked out + stood in front of the mirror that it was the one. I immediately got butterflies + the whole wedding process seemed so real. I remember starting to ugly cry + everyone with me said, "well then that's obviously the one." I remember saying that now that I found the dress I wanted to get married tomorrow! Finding my dress made everything feel real + made me even more excited to get married. I felt the same butterflies I first felt when I put it on on that very special day!”

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What was one of your favorite moments from your wedding day?

“My absolute favorite moment was having the chapel doors open + seeing Ben at the end of the aisle, tears + all. It was the best feeling ever to walk toward my future + I had never been more excited to see him than I was in that moment.”

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Did you have a specific theme in mind while planning?

“I knew I wanted things to be timeless + classic with lots of vintage elements incorporated. I also knew I wanted my colors to be burgundy, blush + navy + I wanted to include lots of greenery elements with my florals to tie everything together.”

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Where did you draw inspiration + ideas while planning?

“A lot of my inspiration came from looking at Pinterest over the years as many other brides do. I also knew I wanted to incorporate my own style + taste into every part of my wedding. My home decor + style is very similar to the way my wedding was. I really wanted the little details to matter the most which is why I incorporated a lot of vintage pieces.”