Bride and Groom, Both 78, Meet at Church and Marry in Wedding Ceremony Just 4 Months Later: ‘Don’t Give Up’ (Exclusive)

A newlywed couple is proving that it’s never too late to find love.

Dale Pitsenbarger and Mae Clemons, each 78, tied the knot at Four Seasons Barn in Cardington, Ohio, on Sept. 13, less than four months after they first met. Having both lost their former spouses and swearing off dating, the couple never expected to open their hearts again. However, when their unexpected romance ignited earlier this year, they decided to let love back in and go all out with their wedding day.

“They were both so giddy from the beginning to the end,” Hailey Kinnamon, the wedding photographer, exclusively tells PEOPLE.

Kinnamon, 37, shares that Clemons “wanted the whole nine yards for her wedding.” From the flower toss to the wedding garter, Clemons had it all. She and Pitsenbarger were joined by all of their loved ones, including their closest friends, who likely didn’t expect to be in a wedding party again, but happily accepted their roles as bridesmaids and groomsmen.

“They didn’t want to cut back on anything because this was a day they both had been dreaming about and a rare opportunity to have all of their families together,” Kinnamon says.

The day began with the couple excitedly getting ready separately with their wedding parties. Pitsenbarger looked dapper wearing a classic tuxedo with a black bow tie. Meanwhile, Clemons dressed in an elegant long-sleeved gown with floral detailing. Her long hair was styled down in soft curls.

Making the morning even more special was that the bridesmaids, who dressed in sage green, joined Clemons in an emotional prayer before the ceremony. The happy tears continued when Clemons’ son escorted her down the aisle — which she says was her most cherished moment of the big day.

“Dale was constantly smiling ear to ear as he was getting ready and Mae, excited but nervous, enjoyed her time with her bridesmaids as they fussed and prayed over her,” Kinnamon remembers.

Pitsenbarger and Clemons skipped having a first look, both wanting to save the special moment for their outdoor ceremony. The groom tells PEOPLE that the wait was worth it because seeing his bride walk down the aisle was his favorite memory.

“As soon as she saw Dale at the end of the aisle, her expression changed to a permanent smile for the rest of the evening,” Kinnamon says.

The ceremony was both sincere and lighthearted. At one point, a joke was played on Mae pretending that her ring was lost. The couple said “I do” in front of 115 guests then held hands as they walked back down the aisle together as husband and wife.

Guests cheered as Pitsenbarger and Clemons made their grand entrance into their reception, where a plated dinner was served. After a starter salad, everyone enjoyed their entrée choice of classic lasagna, lemon mushroom chicken, or mushroom stuffed ravioli. Cookies and wedding cake was served for dessert.

“While photographing Mae and Dale, I hardly had to give them direction or prompts because they were naturally enjoying their first moments together as Mr. and Mrs.,” Kinnamon says. “Many of the guests said they reminded them of young love, the way they lit up when they saw each other and how at times it seemed like they didn’t notice anyone else in the room when they were together.”

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It was love at first sight for Pitsenbarger and Clemons. The pair were introduced by a grandson at church on May 31. Clemons was smitten by “how handsome” Pitsenbarger was while “everyone was teasing him and told him he needed to meet her.”

The duo was admittedly a little rusty when it came to dating because neither had gone out on a date since their previous marriages. However, everything went off without a hitch and there were instant sparks on their first date on June 6. About one month later, they got engaged on July 5.

Clemons says she knew Pitsenbarger was the one because he rang the doorbell and brought her flowers on their first date. For him, it was the next morning because he “couldn’t stop thinking about her.”

The couple’s love advice is simple.

“When you put God in the picture, there is true love after 70,” they tell PEOPLE. “Don’t give up. Spur of the moment is the best.”