While spring and summer are typically seen as popular seasons for soon-to-be brides and grooms to say “I Do,” winter weddings offer an even greater opportunity for a truly dreamy event! From twinkling lights, to deep wedding color palettes and the chance for a blanket of snow on the big day, your guests are bound to experience a real treat.

After eight years together and starting their beautiful family, winter bride Jennifer and her husband Blake hosted a romantic December celebration, solidifying their commitment to one another. While among family and friends, glistening Christmas lights and poinsettias draped across the altar, the pair perfectly showcased their deep-rooted love and savored a truly blissful evening!

Read on for Jennifer’s take on their wedding, and transport yourself back to the spirit of the season through the stunning moments Andrea DeLong Photography captured from this lovely day!

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How did you meet? How did he pop the question? Tell us your love story.

Blake and I met at Johnny’s Tavern in Shawnee, Kansas eight years ago. We have had two children since and finally decided it was time to have the big shindig! He took my daughter and I out to a quiet place on our family land and he asked me to grab a pretty big rock to put in front of the 4-wheeler’s tire. I went to pick it up and he had cut the rock in half, hollowed it out and inside was a beautiful 2 carat oval diamond ring on a simple gold band. Just what I had always wanted!

Describe your wedding vibe in one sentence: Elegant, romantic and fun! I wanted everyone to leave and say how pretty everything was and what a blast they had.

How many friends, family members, and loved ones attended your wedding? 250

Where did you allocate the most funds? Flowers, the dress, and the dress accessories.

Where did you allocate the least funds? Bridesmaid dresses.

Share a few things that helped you along the way with planning a wedding. Definitely our wedding coordinator McKenzie, Etsy and Wedding Paper Divas.

Tell us about some of the songs you used throughout your wedding and why you chose them. To start the ceremony, my sister-in-law Megan Ingala sang “A Thousand Years” by Christina Perri. During the preparation of the gifts, she sang "From This Moment On" by Shania Twain. For a Catholic wedding, we were very lucky to be able to chose non-Catholic songs.

Did you have something borrowed, blue, old, and new? If so, do tell! I didn’t have something blue, but my something borrowed was my mom’s garter. My something old was pearls given to me at my high school graduation. My something new was earrings from my parents from Cabo San Lucas.

Do you have any practical advice for a soon-to-be bride? If so, please share your tips! Get a wedding coordinator. We could not have had the kind of wedding I imagined without McKenzie. Also, on the day of the wedding, try to take it all in. It will go by so fast and you will want to remember the little things that made it so special.

What’s next for you as a couple? What memories are you looking forward to making together? We bought our dream home along with ten acres in Johnson County, and we are currently adding on to the home. We have made lots of memories by being involved with the house and being able to see each others different views on a home addition. He does construction, I do design. We are also taking our family to Hilton Head in the fall and we are looking forward to seeing the beautiful beach with our children.

Let us know one thing that WOWed you while working with McKenzie Phillips: Her attention to detail and professionalism. Major WOW!

Jennifer and Blake’s Elegant Winter Wedding