We are starting off the week with an intimate vow renewal from Smith House Photography. This couple has a beautiful story and had an even more beautiful day to mark a new chapter in their lives. I love the dreamy neutral toned florals and all the special details the couple created. They even spent the time to write each guest a thank you note as the place setting at their seat. Plus, the bride wore her mother’s gown, so it just doesn’t get any sweeter.
For people who don’t know our story they’re always a little confused as to why we chose to renew our wedding vows after only 2 years of marriage but for us there was already so much to celebrate in that short time. We almost didn’t make it. Our first year of marriage was marked by lies, anger and resentment and after one year we separated. During the first month of our separation we each sought Christian counseling and the Lord. During this time apart Scott became a Christian and God softened my heart to forgive both Scott and myself. We spent the next 9 months attending counseling and pursuing Christ as well as our eventual reconciliation. On October 18, 2015 we renewed our wedding vows in front of 50 guests who had supported us during our darkest days and have continued to cheer us on as a couple. Tiny Boxwoods was the perfect venue location because of it’s intimate and romantic feel. We felt that a French provencal style would contribute to our simple yet elegant theme so we chose white flowers with sprigs of lavender and incorporated lavender throughout the evening.
I wore my mother’s wedding dress and had my Grandmother’s wedding dress to take pictures in before the ceremony. This was special to me because my parents have been married for 33 years and my grandparents were married for over 50 years. Each of their marriages has modeled for me what it looks like to love someone unconditionally through the good and the bad.
The most important thing for each of us was telling the story of what God has done in each of our hearts and in our marriage. There was a time when we didn’t think that we were going to continue together and had it not been for God intervening we wouldn’t have the joyful marriage we have today. We also wanted to thank and celebrate with each of the people who had supported us as a couple during our separation and reconciliation.
Our ceremony was our favorite part of the day. Standing in front of 50 people who have truly loved each of us no matter what and reciting new vows that we had wrote for each other was one of the most special moments of our lives.
Since each person we invited had played such a significant role in our marriage we wrote each guest a thank you note for what their support has meant to us. For favors we made sachets of lavender with our initial on the outside that were at each guest’s place setting along with their thank you card. At the reception there was a large chalkboard where we hung a clothesline with lavender sprigs and polaroids of pictures of us and our guests from our relationship. We also had pictures of my parents and each of our grandparents on their wedding day to honor them and the models they have set for us.
To think that God was able to overcome each of our pride and selfishness and create something beautiful from that was such a humbling experience that we’re so glad we got to share with each other and our loved ones.
Photography | Smith House Photography | Venue & Catering | Tiny Boxwoods | Florals | Maxit Flower Design | Rentals | Swift + Company | Paper Goods | Nancy Page Lettering & Design | Videography | Green Leaf Film | Jewelry | Almaza Jewelers | Hair & Makeup | Alexandra Nini
