About a month ago, Drew and I spent one amazingly beautiful day with one amazingly beautiful couple. I don’t use the word magical often, or ever really, but this day was magical. Not because it’s details put Pinterest to shame (which they did), or because I wish everyone in the wedding party were my neighbors (which I do), or even because it took place on one of the more beautiful camps in Michigan on a seriously gorgeous lake (which it did). It was because of the duo the day was made to celebrate, Chris&Betsy. They are truly best friends. I love witnessing weddings where you can just tell when the bride and groom look at each other, despite all the craziness of the day, that nothing else is more important. I witnessed a lot of those looks on this day in particular. (Photographer bonus!)
Also, because I believe in the sanctity and beauty of a commitment to marry, I was humbled and overjoyed to celebrate with two sets of still married parents. You just don’t see this often anymore. Tim&MaryAnn and Ron&Nancy, thank you. Really.
So, on an unseasonably warm April 21st, these two lovers committed their forevers to each other, with a lovely group of family and friends there to witness… and celebrate!
I have never had such a hard time picking photos to include in a blog post, and I fear I am about to share way too many, but I wish I could have shared more, as there were so many more wonderful moments! But here are some of my favorites from the day. I hope they tell the beautiful story that the day was.
Chris&Betsy, thank you thank you THANK YOU for everything! Drew and I feel so blessed to know you, and really do feel like we’ve gained two awesome friends in you. So much love to you!
Besty, you are so beautiful.
And theeeen they realized they didn’t know how to tie a bowtie…
Handsome groom in a bowtie. Win!
Chris&Betsy opted for a ‘first look’ on their wedding day, which made for one seriously special moment…
One of the many reasons my husband rules, he shot the following lovely image. A beautiful take on a beautiful moment.
Yep. Nothin’ like covenantal canoeing.
A rather jealous, rather adorable, bystander to witness.
There’s also nothin’ like covenantal archery. I would not mess with them.
By what can be God’s doing only, I happened to move behind Betsy to take a few shots of her sweet skills right as this happened…
…it was indeed a bulls-eye shot. (: Besty, you are my hero.
Lovin’ on the incredible, most talented, way beautiful ‘Clipboard Kate!’ Kate, you were beyond a rockstar this day! (Which I’m sure is not exclusive to this day only!)
This beautiful family. Oh my.
Betsy’s parents, Tim&MaryAnn. I love the beautiful reactions of doting parents…
Chris’s parents, Ron&Nancy. (Both this image and the previous made me tear up upon first view.)
It was an incredibly rich and meaningful ceremony.
The beautiful bridesmaids. I seriously enjoyed my day with you ladies!
There were a few princesses running around (:
Basically this entire wedding was DIY. Incredible. And so creative! Again, Betsy, you’re my hero.
Another thing I adore about Chris&Betsy is their love affair with art. Especially local art. Included to grace the mantle for their wedding was some absolutely delightful artwork by local Grand Rapids artist Stephanie Salamone. I spent way too long poking around her blog this week, dreaming about how I want all of her art to be in my house. That’s hers to the left below! (See what I mean now?!) (:
I want to be friends with whoever claims the gift on the right. So please speak up and I will buy you coffee. I mean it!
This cutie-pa-tootie could not be more boy. Peach hearts and meat. Dinner of champs.
Cake topper made by a lovely niece. (: Striking resemblance, eh?
Oh, they made their own rings too. nbd.
This kid can dance!
Drew captured the following two images. Some of my favorites from the whole day. I kissed him a lot for it. (:
Remember when I talked about that magic?
(And it should be noted that their first dance was to Debussy’s ‘Clair de Lune.’ It started and I lost my breath, and then had to remember to take pictures instead of cry.) You guys, your first dance was one of most incredible wedding moment’s I’ve witnessed. You two are beautiful.
Jake and Elwood made an appearance. They knocked the place down.
This picture is meant to act as a ‘Where’s Waldo’ moment of sorts. Can you spot it? You will know you’ve found it when you literally laugh out loud. (:
That’s right, this bouquet was LAUNCHED. On a giant, homemade slingshot.
Remember him?? (:
