Wedding :: The Ceremony

Our ceremony was short and sweet. We were married in Olin Park in Madison, WI surrounded by 35 of the people that we hold nearest and dearest.

Both of Pat’s parents walked him down the aisle. Such incredible people that have raised the incredible man that is now my husband.

My lovely bridesmaids were all Pat’s sisters. I told them I wanted them to wear a short blue dress and left the rest up to them. I know weddings can become expensive not just for the bride and groom, but for the wedding party as well and I didn’t want them to spend hundreds of dollars on a dress they would only wear for a day. I thought this way, they could wear something they already had or at least have a shot at getting something they can use again!

My dad walked me down the aisle and gave me away to Pat.

Pat made the archway out of fallen trees in a park near our house. He surprised me and carved our initials over our heads. So sweet.

A friend did a reading of a poem that I love by Pablo Neruda:

Sonnet XVII by Pablo Neruda 

I don’t love you as if you were the salt-rose, topaz
or arrow of carnations that propagate fire:
I love you as certain dark things are loved,
secretly, between the shadow and the soul.

I love you as the plant that doesn’t bloom and carries
hidden within itself the light of those flowers,
and thanks to your love, darkly in my body
lives the dense fragrance that rises from the earth.

I love you without knowing how, or when, or from where,
I love you simply, without problems or pride:
I love you in this way because I don’t know any other way of loving

but this, in which there is no I or you,
so intimate that your hand upon my chest is my hand,
so intimate that when I fall asleep it is your eyes that close.

A friend got ordained online to marry us. He did a wonderful job and it made the ceremony so much more personal. Pat and I exchanged vows we had written ourselves. Much to my dismay, I was so overwhelmed with emotion that I ugly-cried. In solidarity, Pat did too.

There weren’t too many dry eyes in the house!  

In a little over 15 minutes, it was all over and done. Boom. Married!

Vendors:

Hair: Anna Lutzke, Be Inspired Salon
Make up: Erin Helley
Dress: Custom
Shoes: Kate Spade
Jewelry: Kate Spade
Flowers: Fontaine
Photography: Kinsey Mhire Photography

See more of our wedding photos & DIYs:

DIY Hanging Twine Balls
First Look Wedding Photos, Part I
First Look Wedding Photos, Part II
Wedding Dance Party Photos
Wedding Details – Dessert Table & Table Decorations
Wedding Updo – How to Chalk Your Hair
Wedding Ceremony Pictures
Wedding Getting Ready Pictures
Vintage Drawer Pulls as Placecard Holders DIY
DIY Wedding Photobooth Setup with Printable
DIY Gilded Upcycled Plastic Cups
DIY Glitter Upcycled Silverware
DIY Honey Jar Wedding Favors
Rustic Wedding Cake Frosting Technique
Stuffed S’mores Cupcakes Recipe
DIY Glitter Swizzle Sticks
DIY Embossed Envelopes
Engagement Photos, Part I
Engagement Photos, Part II