Usually I like to stay out of the limelight but I decided it was important to share my own celebration of 10 years of marriage. I am one of those persons that it took a couple of times to get it right! But right, I got. So it is with good reason that I wanted to celebrate and also to share with others the joy of renewing our vows. I am so fortunate to have found the love of my life and to be able to say that 10 years later I have never felt more certain that we were always meant to be together. I planned the renewal as sort of a surprise for my husband but my daughter and another dear friend suggested that it not be a complete surprise (as my husband would have wanted to prepare his own vows) so after preparing a nice dinner about 10 days before the event, I served up a nice meal along with a bottle of wine and explained my plans to honor our marriage.
We enlisted Grace Felice, of Weddings by Grace to handle the renewal. She was such a dear to work with and melded the story of our meeting and the past 10 years into a wonderful story that she shared, then gave each of us an opportunity to say our own vows. I was so surprised when my dear friend Evelyn England, of Sage Art and Video showed up to take photos along with her associate Deborah Lindsay. I wanted this to be just a simple, casual gathering on the beach with champagne and appetizers followed by a lovely dinner at Ophelia’s on the Bay, where we had been married. I really did not realize how important the photos would be until Ev presented them to me in an album and also digital files to share with you all. I am sharing these photos in hope that others will consider celebrating there wedding vows through a renewal.
My lovely daughter, Sarah, sang and the storm waited until we were completely off the beach. I am so grateful to have been able to have so many of our dear friends join us.
As a wedding vendor, I love working with brides and love to help them make their dream weddings become a reality by making them beautiful with flowers and décor. I chose just a simple tropical arch and a single hot pink duchess rose to carry. I have done beautiful renewals much more elaborate….it is a personal choice. Think about it and plan for it. Life if short and we should take time to celebrate wonderful milestones.
To my dear husband, I thank you for 10 wonderful years and look forward to many more.
