View the start of Stephanie’s recaps here
I loved every single part of our ceremony.
Our pastor was very laid back and easy to work with. We were given the freedom to piece together our ceremony which made it so much more meaningful to us.
After our pastor welcomed everyone, my cute cousin read our first reading.
‘Love’ by Roy Croft
I love you, not only for what you are, but for what I am when I am with you.
I love you, not only for what you have made of yourself, but for what you are making of me.
I love you for the part of me that you bring out.
I love you because you are helping me to make of the lumber of my life not a tavern but a temple;
Out of the works of my every day not a reproach but a song.
I love you because you have done more than any creed could have done to make me good, and more than any fate to make me happy.
You have done it without a touch, without a word, without a sign.
You have done it by being yourself.
After the reading my insanely talented aunts, uncles, and cousins sang “Love Never Ends”. The lyrics are from the oh-so-popular 1st Corinthians ‘Love is kind’ passage, and the pianist at my aunt’s church put together the music. The song had only been sung once before! How’s that for originality!
Then our pastor gave a message about love, marriage, and all that…which I apparently found funny.
Then with our wedding party looking on…
(the guys look so serious don’t they?!)
it was time for our vows.
Read by Pastor: If it is your intention to share with each other, your laughter and tears, and all that the years will bring, then would you please face one another and join hands, and bind yourselves to each other by repeating your wedding vows after me.
First Lance:
I, Lance, take you Stephanie/ to be my wife/ from this day forward/ to join with you and share with you/ all that is to come/ and with the help of God I promise to love you/ and be faithful to you/ until death parts us.
Then Stephanie:
I, Stephanie, take you Lance/ to be my husband/ from this day forward/ to join with you and share with you/ all that is to come/ and with the help of God I promise to love you/ and be faithful to you/ until death parts us.
This was by far the most emotional part of the entire day for me…and the most amazing. Saying those words to one another is something I will never forget.
Stay tuned for part 2! Where we exchange rings…and plant a tree!!
*all photos by Kabloom Studios
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I cannot wait for part 2! I am finding myself frantically saving the words to your vows and the reading. Seems like a beautiful ceremony!
your wedding canopy structure is absolutely beautiful. i would like to make something similar for our wedding. we have acquired some beautiful birch poles but i am struggling with how best to construct it. I would like to avoid planting the poles in buckets if i can. did you do a post on building your canopy? if not, would you consider it? I can’t seem to find any good construction advice on the web – and this is exactly what i’m looking for! thank you – and congratulations on a gorgeous wedding!
Thanks @Jeanette! If you’re interested I can email you a copy of our ceremony! I have it all typed up in word! just let me know :)
@Etcetera I would love to say that I made our canopy! Turns out…I had no idea it would even be there…quite the amazing surprise when I showed up on our wedding day! The owners of Country Pines made it and use it for ceremonies out there. Sorry I don’t know much about how it was constructed…wish I could be of more help!
.-= Stephanie’s most recent blog post: Christmas Gifts =-.
Stephanie, I love your wedding vows and hand ceremony reading! Would it be possible to email me a copy of your ceremony as well? :)
Hi Patty! Sorry it took me so long to reply…I would be happy to email you a copy! check your inbox soon!
Stephanie yes please I would LOVE that! :)
I love your vows
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Beautiful wedding! Looking forward to part 2!
Whoa, this is beautiful. I LOVE the back of your dress, and that sweet sweet canopy. Congratulations!
Thank you so much for sharing this!
I’m living in Belgium with my fiancée and we are at the moment getting ready for our wedding here in April. Whenever I feel a bit lost in the wedding planning jungle I browse the internet for inspiration, and when I found your posts I was so happy. They are truly inspiring!
I also LOOOVE your hairdo for the wedding. It is amazing and exactly how I have always imagined to have my hair during my wedding… :) Thanks for the inspiration!
Longing for your next post!
All the best,
My from Sweden/Belgium
Just had to throw out another comment, just finished reading all of your previous entries and I can’t believe it took me this long to acctually realise that you are from Nebraska from the beginning….guess I’ve been a bit stupid there. haha. But it made me really stoked to realize, since I have quite a close relationship with this wonderfull state as well. My mom was an exchange student in Bertrand, Nebraska way back in the 60′s and we’ve been back there to celebrate her reunions every five years of my life. Needless to say – nebraska has a special spot in my heart… :)
Stil can’t wait for your next post… :)
/m
Hi Stephanie,
Wow, I feel so fortunate to have stumbled across your site. I’m getting married in October and have been mulling over unity ceremony ideas, and nothing just felt right. I absolutely adore the hand fasting and passages that accompanied it. And your vows were simple, but oh-so-meaningful. I sit here with tears in my eyes.
If it’s alright with you, I would love to incorporate some of the aspects of your ceremony into our own. Would you mind emailing me a copy of your ceremony details?
Thank you so much and congratulations!! :)