Picture-Perfect Wedding
"It was the best day of my life," Lipinski, 35, tells PEOPLE. "Obviously winning an Olympic gold medal for my country in 1998 was a very proud moment for me, but nothing competes with finding someone you love to spend the rest of your life with!"
They Exchanged Handwritten Vows Under Thousands of Flowers
The sports power-couple, who met in 2015, walked down a 200-foot aisle to exchange handwritten vows beneath a 12-foot tall canopy of 12,000 roses and hydrangeas. "It was so fun planning all those small details, and you hope when you get there it'll be what you envisioned," explains Lipinski.
"The ceremony was our favorite moment, especially hearing Todd's vows, they were so beautiful. And just standing there in that moment made it the best day of our lives."
BFF-Turned-Bridesman Johnny Weir Got His Own Wedding Surprise
Lipinski recruited bestie Johnny Weir, a two-time Olympic figure skater, to be her "bridesman." She even surprised him with a glittering boutonniere to match his custom Swarovski crystal-studded Hermès shoes on the big day. "It was absolutely adorable," says Lipinski.
Adds Weir: "My special flower made me so happy!"
Her Gown Featured a 20-Foot Train
Lipinski wore a hand-embroidered strapless sweetheart bustier gown with a circular lace skirt by Reem Acra and a detachable 20-foot tulle train and skirt by Laura Basci. She completed the look with precious Charlotte Olympia pumps. “She was so beautiful,” Kapostasy tells PEOPLE.
Pretty in Pink
Guests, including Olympian Scott Hamilton and sportscaster Dan Patrick, retreated to a glitzy tent complete with chandeliers, a customized pink dance floor and rose garlands designed by Jackson Durham Events for the reception. Hamilton tells PEOPLE that he “was totally blown away” by the couple’s big day. “
A Cake Topper to Top All Cake Toppers
The exquisite wedding cake was a six-tier masterpiece, each level with a different flavor done by Charleston’s Ashley Bakery. As a nod to Tara’s love for Gone with the Wind— she was named after the fictional Georgia plantation 'Tara' — the cake featured a silhoutte of Scarlett O'Hara and Rhett Butler on top.
Southern Cuisine
Lipinski worked with Cru Catering to select a reception menu featuring local Charleston fish, chicken in waffle cones with maple bacon remoulade, and fried green tomatoes. Guests were also treated to a special sweet tea punch named after the bride and groom.
Lacy Invites
Lipinski worked with Jasmin Michelle Designs to create dreamy wedding invites with lace and gold foiling. “We did a really pretty laser cut with lace over the actual light blue invitations,” says Lipinski. “You can probably tell the theme here: Romance!” Michelle also designed reception guides and placards.
Like Mother Like Daughter
The bride's parents, Pat and Jack, flew in from Texas for the wedding. A tearful Jack walked his daughter down the aisle, while Pat (pictured here with Lipinski at her bridal shower) spent "12 hours a day" for months helping her daughter plan the wedding. "Everything was perfect," Pat tells PEOPLE.
Pre-Wedding Mexico Fun
Before tying the knot, Lipinski and Kapostasy flew to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, for a four-day joint bachelor-bachelorette destination fête. “We’re so happy we did a joint party," says Lipinski. "A lot of our friends hadn’t met before and now there was four days of great memories to talk about at the wedding."
Happily Ever After
The newlyweds are now on a 40-day honeymoon adventure around the globe to countries including the Maldives, Switzerland and Greece -- and are basking in post-wedding bliss. “It was a fairy tale come to life,” says Lipinski. “I felt like I was living in the moment with all of my friends by my side and marrying the love of my life — it was the best day of my life.”
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