The Ceremony

"Dear family and friends, on behalf of Tom and Sara, I welcome all of you to this wedding celebration. We are here today to encourage, rejoice and support the promise between these two people, so beloved to us, and to share in the joy that Tom & Sara are feeling as they pledge their love and commitment to each other. We rejoice and celebrate in the ways life has led them to each other and brought them to the place where they now stand.”

“Tom and Sara, today you choose each other before your family and friends, and to promise your life to one another. For all the tomorrows that follow, let your love and friendship guide you, as you learn and grow together. Experience the wonders of the world, embrace patience and wisdom. Through your partnership, triumph over the challenges in your path. Through the comfort of loving arms, may you always find a safe place to call home."

"I, Tom, take you, Sara, to be my wife, as a mirror for my true self, as the partner on my path, to honor and to cherish, in sorrow and in joy, in sickness and in health, as long as we both shall live."

"I, Sara, take you, Tom, to be my husband, as a mirror for my true self, as the partner on my path, to honor and to cherish, in sorrow and in joy, in sickness and in health, as long as we both shall live."

"United with a single key, Tom and Sara unlock their future and reveal their wedding rings, the symbols of the treasure they have found in one another."

"Everything in my past has prepared me to be with you, all that I am and have is yours, and all that I will become and accomplish I share with you. This ring I give you is my bond made metal. Let it’s endlessness, it’s shine and it’s weight always remind you that I am by your side and forever connected to you. In turn, I offer you my hand, as well as my heart, as I know they will be safe with you."

"You were born together and together you shall be forevermore. Tom, you may now kiss your bride."

   


(I know most of you have seen that last one already, but I included it for family and friends that are visiting that don’t regularly visit my blog. (What the heck, y’all?!) I have two more wedding posts after this to cover the reception, and then we’re all weddinged out! I also included the script that I wrote for the ceremony.

Probably the most exciting part for me was saying, and hearing, those words out loud. It was like hearing my heart echo.

   
   
   
   
   

   
   

For our wedding, Tom and I chose not to hire a wedding photographer. This will probably come as a shock because since I am so obsessed with photography you think it would have been the first thing on my list. Well, it was. It’s just that when I thought about it, it made more sense to just spend the money on a good camera (that I then get to keep) and to pass it around and let photos be taken that way.

If I could’ve had the best of both worlds, I would have hired this gal, this gal, or Bronwyn. Partly because I love their photography, and also two of those fellow photographers I haven’t met in person yet. But two of them live out of the country and Bronwyn was stuck in University for midterms. (Oh, the downside to a fall wedding for a young couple.) So I prepped my two cameras with nice lenses and then just basically let people pass them around and take photos they wanted. We ended up with some amazing shots and some even better surprises.

For the first time ever I felt okay not knowing for sure if a particular shot “made it” or not. Before dressing I took photos I wanted of the decorations so I could always remember them, and then I just let go. I was positive that there would be some amazing photos and that I would be happy with how they turned out. And I most certainly was.

So thank you to everyone who took a photograph, in focus or not, composed or slanted. Every single one is perfect and now I have a vast collection of truly memorable moments now to that my husband and I will cherish for the rest of our lives.

*The photos of us getting ready were taken by my sister, my mom, my aunt Jyl and Dani.

(The photo of my sisters and me rocking the victory signs is going on my mantle.)

Sick of wedding photos yet?! I hope not! There’s a few more batches yet to come! And then Ireland!

   
   




   
   


   

Updos are so very elegant, but I always imagined romantic twists, baby’s breath, and hair blowing in the breeze.
A perfect compliment to a rustic barn wedding.

   
   

   

   

   

*photos 2-6 by my sister Kat
*photos 1 & 7-14 by Tom