melanie + andrew | intimate palm beach wedding

This wedding is extra special because the bride is my very best friend. Melanie + Andrew were married in a candlelit suite at the Four Seasons in Palm Beach, Florida. The guest count totaled 8 people: Andrew’s parents and grandmother followed by Melanie’s parents, her two brothers, and myself.

It was the most beautiful ceremony I have ever witnessed. My words will fall short for this one, so I’ll share the toast I gave at their wedding dinner.

I wrote this toast in April, before Melanie and Andrew were even engaged. I was trying to fall asleep one night and started thinking about what I could say. And this is what came to me: Melanie shared the gospel with me my freshman year of college. We were sitting in a booth in Panera; it was U of I's Unofficial, and she read the first chapter of "The Saving Life of Christ" to me. It was all about the once for all forgiveness we have, the Spirit living inside, and the new life we've been given. She shared that with me and it changed my life. It changed our friendship. It changed how we encouraged and cared for each other.

And when Andrew came along, she shared that same good news with him. And I know it's changed his life too. What Melanie and Andrew have is truly beautiful and it is founded on those truths. Melanie's favorite verse is "The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it." And he has done it, he has done a good thing here. And he will continue to do a good work throughout your marriage. Melanie, you are my best friend, my sister, and I love you. Andrew, you have become a dear friend of mine and I love you. I love you both. Cheers to Mel and Andrew.