Totten-Downes Wedding
Photography by Ty Cacek
Molly Totten and Brendan Downes have the most genuine and innocent love for each other. Aside from a long-distance relationship during their engagement, the couple’s courtship was blissful. Thankfully, Skype and Brendan’s laidback personality helped them through the last few months when 10 hours of distance between Dallas and Columbia kept them apart.
The duo has a contagious attitude that makes you want to cherish each and every moment because when they are together, it’s a reminder that life works in beautiful ways. Evident within each of their personalities is a commitment they have to each other and the support system they will be when times get a bit rough. They have their families to thank for that. Both Molly’s and Brendan’s parents are happily married, and their wedding was a representation of the everlasting love the new married couple is about to endure. From the blessing Mr. Totten gave to Brendan to the couple’s first dance that included both sets of parents, love was in the air.
And boy, did we enjoy watching it all! As many of you know from our social media channels, we kind of, well, crashed the Downes wedding. We weren’t technically on the original guest list, but a love story like this could not be overlooked. And thanks to Leanne (see her great Pinterest column above!), we were right in the thick of the celebration and even nestled in comfortably at the dinner table with Molly’s cousins. Each element of the wedding was truly special and complementary of the couple, and we got to experience it firsthand.
The guest book was an adorable arts-and-crafts project for which guests inked thumbprints onto a page, signed their names and added a drawing if they were more of the creative type. That was stationed directly next to the candy bar — yes, candy bar — where we and the other guests relived childhood memories while devouring gummy worms, M&Ms and Twizzlers.
Kate Hardina, Molly’s best friend from high school, and Connor Downes, Brendan’s brother, entertained the crowd with their speeches. In true brotherly fashion, Connor even picked on his brother mid-speech. In Kate’s speech, she highlighted the love that Molly and Brendan share.
“Remember the feeling of this moment: the nerves, the happiness and the butterflies,” she said. “I have no doubt that in 40 or 60 years from now, you will still be looking at each other like you did tonight.”
That line in the speech directly connected with Brendan and Molly’s decision to play “1,000 Years” for their first dance. The song was chosen for obvious reasons, but one connection we found most enduring is the title represented what Brendan said to Molly when he proposed: “Forever is a long time.” And the couple could not be more excited to spend forever together.
To Molly and Brendan, thank you for allowing us to be part of your special day. We can’t wait to hear what the future brings the both of you. Good luck in Texas, y’all!
Love,
