My husband Andrew and I were married on a beautiful Sunday afternoon just outside of Washington, DC. We planned a vintage-inspired garden wedding that we hoped would feel like a big, fun dinner party for 50 of our closest family and friends. To stay within our modest budget and to personalize our wedding as much as possible, we incorporated DIY elements and projects throughout the ceremony and reception. I hope you enjoy our wedding recap!
{all photographs by Punam Bean}
...THE VENUE + GROUNDS...
...GETTING READY...
{our niece - and flower girl - Clara, getting very impatient!}
...KETUBAH CEREMONY...
Our Ketubah signing ceremony took place inside the house with just our family and two friends as witnesses before the larger ceremony. At this point, we are officially considered to be husband and wife!
...CEREMONY...
From this day on, I choose you to be my wife/husband...
To live with you and laugh with you
to stand by your side and to sleep in your arms.
To be the joy to your heart and peace to your soul.
To bring out the best in you always
And to be the most that I can for you.
I will follow you anywhere,
From the driest desert to the tallest mountain to the farthest city.
I will love, honor, and cherish you
in sickness and in health for all the days of my life.
To live with you and laugh with you
to stand by your side and to sleep in your arms.
To be the joy to your heart and peace to your soul.
To bring out the best in you always
And to be the most that I can for you.
I will follow you anywhere,
From the driest desert to the tallest mountain to the farthest city.
I will love, honor, and cherish you
in sickness and in health for all the days of my life.
Andrew's Vows:
The
Earth would die
If the sun stopped kissing her.
I am now such an exquisite world
That perishes
When you are not
Near.
- Hafiz
Nole's Vows:
i carry your heart with me (i carry it in
my heart) i am never without it (anywhere
you go i go, my dear: and whatever is done
by only me is your doing, my darling)
- ee cummings
May these vows and this marriage be blessed.
May it be sweet milk,
this marriage, like wine and halvah.
May this marriage offer fruit and shade
like the date palm.
May this marriage be full of laughter,
our every day a day in paradise.
May this marriage be a sign of compassion,
a seal of happiness here and hereafter.
May this marriage have a fair face and a good name,
an omen as welcome
as the moon in a clear blue sky.
I am out of words to describe
how spirit mingles in this marriage.
- Rumi, This Marriage - Ode 2667
May it be sweet milk,
this marriage, like wine and halvah.
May this marriage offer fruit and shade
like the date palm.
May this marriage be full of laughter,
our every day a day in paradise.
May this marriage be a sign of compassion,
a seal of happiness here and hereafter.
May this marriage have a fair face and a good name,
an omen as welcome
as the moon in a clear blue sky.
I am out of words to describe
how spirit mingles in this marriage.
- Rumi, This Marriage - Ode 2667
For a list of wedding blessings by Rumi, please click here
...POST-CEREMONY WALK...
...RECEPTION...
