Tuesday, April 17, 2007

On this very same day...

...three years ago, Stephen and I vowed to love and honour each other forever.



We were married on a rainy morning in the chapel where Stephen was baptised. The youth choir that Stephen had sang with since he was just a lad sang for the occasion. It was very solemn. And beautiful. And meaningful. We exchanged vows and rings and gave each other communion. And when it was all done, we walked back down the aisle hand in hand to the choir singing the Beatle's anthem, 'love, love, love.' It was perfect!



Then it was off to the community centre nearby for a cocktail and five course lunch. We found the caterer through the local wedding show. We were trying to keep the wedding to a budget and were weary of all the glossy flyers we had picked up. There were a few photocopied menus we picked up somewhere and figured this is one we might be able to afford. And it was. Except it was delightful! The caterer was so sweet and kind...and genuinely excited and happy for us. She loved to do weddings and really went all out. We knew she would do a good job but were totally wowed when we walked in to the reception and saw all the first courses laid out. It was an asparagus and lemon feuillete and on each plate was a beautiful violet orchid. The plate looked like something right out of and epicurean magazine. Like I said, she was amazing. And everyone still talks about the wonderful potage crecy, the veal and of course the chocolate cake with marzipan fondant. Mmmmm.



We also hired a brass band to set the tone. We wanted an easy jazzy sound while we all munched and chatted with our guests. No dancing here...well just one for the bride and groom to the classic 'fly me to the moon.' The band leader was our former high school music teacher who we had tracked down for the occasion. They were great! The whole thing was so us. It was sophisticated and elegant, yet easy and simple.





In fact, we did a lot of the work ourselves from the invitations to the centrepieces (cream roses in clear glass vases with green glass votive holders and river rocks strewn casually about), to the cd 'seating cards' which doubled as favours (picture below). I even made my own and the bridesmaids bouquets before leaving for church! It was really nice to be involved so intimately with the little details. It's where the love is, you know ;0)





The best part though was that we felt so connected to each other and to our community. Everyone was so eager to help and lend a hand. And we let them. The whole thing was over by dinner time and Stephen and I got to go to our new home together. We got the house and moved in together at the same time as the wedding so really home is the only place we wanted to be.*

And we lived happily ever after...;0)

Our house




Wait, what's that you ask? What about the anniversary sweater? Well I didn't quite finish it in time for Stephen to wear during our actual cotton anniversary year which ended on April 16th. I've got the front and back as well as two-thirds of one sleeve done but didn't quite make it.




We'll pretend it is knit from leather (the traditional third anniversary gift) and I'll gift it to him this year for sure ;0)


* We joke around that we honeymooned at the home depot. It's one of those jokes that's funny because it's true! So this week, we reminisced by taking care of our house, doing some painting and door fixing and putting up blinds...well, let's just say we spent a lot of time at the home depot ;0)

25 comments:

  1. Anonymous1:31 a.m.

    Happy anniversary!

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  2. Our wedding was one of those "do it yourself" types too. My fondest memories are of all of my friends and family and what they contributed. Happy Anniversary!

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  3. Aaaaaaaaw! Congratulatios! :)

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  4. Anonymous2:52 a.m.

    Happy Anniversary :)! We just had our 6th year anniversary on 4/14 :). I did my own flower arrangements too. You two look so happy together and I love the picture of you two outside your home.

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  5. Happy anniversary! I look forward to celebrating my paper anniversary this year. Our wedding was even more barebones and do it yourself than yours (didn't manage music!), but it was perfect, even though everything went wrong! Well, not everything, I got to walk down the aisle in a gorgeous dress to say "I do" with the man I love - but everything else! Cheers!

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  6. Happy Anniversary! And no worries about the sweater... you did just have a baby and all. (A beautiful little guy at that!)

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  7. So sweet. Thanks for sharing. Just curious, did Love Actually come out after your wedding? I love that opening scene where they play All You Need is Love during the wedding. Though if I had planned that song for my wedding and the movie came out first, I would have been ticked.
    I love the pic of you guys all dressed up in front of your new house.

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  8. Anonymous11:17 a.m.

    What a wonderful story that is and one your beautiful boys will cherish when you share it with them in the years to come. I hope you have a wonderful day!!

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  9. Anonymous11:52 a.m.

    Happy anniversary! Your wedding sounds like it was just perfect- and your photos turned out so nicely. Congratulations!

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  10. Happy Anniversary!

    I love your ziplorganization system. I am indeed looking forward to our next grocery shopping expedition to get supplies!

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  11. Happy anniversary! I love your sweater! It looks great!

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  12. What beautiful photos and what a sweet wedding! I LOVE that you tracked down your high school music teacher to lead the band- details like that get me all choked up. Happy Anniversary!

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  13. Anonymous6:54 p.m.

    Congratulations! We also had our anniversary on that same day, April 17th, but ours was 25 years! Our son and DIL and friends and family put on a surprise party for us( about 70 people) on Sunday, including a DJ and an a Capella song for us to dance our "first dance" together. We were humbled by all their love. It was the wedding reception we never had. Something so sweet about your own children putting on your "wedding reception" 25 years later!
    Your story was lovely. Wishing you millions of years of great adventures together.

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  14. What a beautiful wedding! We're in the middle of planning our own... or I guess it's the end seeing as it's less than three months away!
    Thanks for the inspiration. Joyeuse Anniversaire!

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  15. Congratulations on 3 years. Your family has certainly grown in that time, and everything sounds as though it was wonderful, just as it should be on your special day. I cannot wait to see the anniversary sweater too.

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  16. Congrats, and what a beautiful story! Lovely photos too, especially that bouquet shot... it's super gorgeous!

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  17. Happy Anniversary! We "did" our own wedding, as well- had a great time!

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  18. Anonymous1:33 p.m.

    Wonderful, beautiful story~I had tears in my eyes when I saw the photo of your place card on top of the sweater (so far). I dream of a wedding like this, and now that I've found my greatest guy, I may be in touch for more details when the time comes :)
    Happy anniversary~

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  19. Oh, it's my anniversary too! (Married two years). I love reading your blog and seeing the beautiful knitted things.

    Happy anniversary!! What beautiful pictures.

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  20. Happy wedding anniversary! your wedding sounds wonderful...and you look gorgeous....

    I can't believe we are also 3 years this year...I still feel like a newlywed!

    I love the handmade favours too...I made little boxes filled with handmade (by moi) chocolates...I also made my sisters jewellery for the wedding...ahhh

    have fun...

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  21. Anonymous10:08 p.m.

    your house is just adorably homey and beautiful! were those your actual, real flowers in the colour photo? they're so lovely.

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  22. Anonymous10:40 a.m.

    When you had your new baby, I commented that you have the cutest (most beautidul) children. Now that I see your wedding pictures, I can see why! You are adorable, and you have such a sweet way about you. Happy anniversary.

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  23. Many congrats on your anniversary....thanks for sharing your story....a perfect day! :)

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