With all of our focus on how to make your wedding special, we thought it was important to highlight some ways to make your marriage awesome, too. Introducing “Snapshot of a Marriage,” a series from contributor Emily Westbrooks, who interviews couples on some of their secrets for a strong and successful marriage.
When DeAnne left the Georgetown bar where she first met Greg, she remembers telling a friend that she had just met the man she would marry. Little did DeAnne know, Greg was simultaneously telling a friend the very same thing!
After eighteen years of marriage, Greg and DeAnne are still on the same page and have learned a few lessons along the way.
When the couple was first married, DeAnne says she found it difficult to understand why Greg chose to work so much. “I realized pretty quickly that a man shows his deepest love through creating a life and making things stable for his family. It was difficult for me in the beginning to accept how much my husband worked but I soon realized that it was all for us and our family. I’m so grateful for how hard he worked in those early years because now he has so much more flexibility.”
Through the loss of DeAnne’s parents, the couple realized how much they both rely and depend on each other. When her parents passed away, DeAnne explains, “Greg just understood me and quietly stayed by my side and let me grieve. Through this process I learned that marriage is so much more than romance; it’s about having someone to hold you up when life knocks you down and you can’t do it for yourself.”
Greg and DeAnne leaned on one another through the adoption of their two children as well. “It is tremendously comforting knowing there is one person that you can share all of your excitement, fear, and vulnerability with and who will be by your side no matter how challenging the circumstances,” says Greg. DeAnne agrees, “In the end, the family we have created is so special and irreplaceable. This is something that we undertook as a team and I can’t imaging having gone through that process with anyone else. We learned that there is more than one way to make a family and the only necessary ingredient is love.”
SNAPSHOT SUBMISSIONS Do you know a married couple whose relationship you admire? Or maybe you’re married and want to share your words of wisdom! We’re now accepting submissions from couples who have been married for ten years or longer. Email Emily at emily@fromchinavillage.com with your first names, how long you’ve been married, and a few sentences about why you’d like to be interviewed for our Snapshot of a Marriage series.
My little sister is in the midst of planning her own wedding right now, and when she asked me for registry suggestions, Traveler’s Joy immediately came to mind. For couples who already have all the household items they need, Traveler’s Joy is the perfect alternative, making it a cinch to register for your honeymoon. Whether you want to sunbathe in Hawaii, eat your way through Italy, or see Patagonia on horseback, Traveler’s Joy will allow your loved ones to contribute to the trip of a lifetime.
With their pre-made theme-based (think cruise or mountains) or location specific (think Paris or Bali) registries, you can instantly add items and experiences with just one click. The best part? Traveler’s Joy allows you to register for any portion of your honeymoon, so you’re not limited to flights, hotel stays, or even activities. You can register for items like luggage, guidebooks – even a digital camera to capture your honeymoon adventures!
Traveler’s Joy is also full of ideas and inspiration, in case you need tips for places to go and things to do. Not only are there thousands of real honeymoon stories and real registries from Traveler’s Joy members to inspire you, but now you can get personalized suggestions with Honeymoon Tipster, a one-on-one consulting service to help you figure out all the details.
It gets even better! Right now, Traveler’s Joy is giving away $5,000 toward a honeymoon or first anniversary trip to one lucky couple that signs up between January 1, 2013 and April 30, 2013. The winner will be notified on May 8, 2013. So where do you want to go?!
I’m so glad I don’t have to pick just one thing to love about today’s wedding – I don’t even know how I’d choose! The timeless details, the marching band parade, or the fact that the bride wore her best friend’s wedding dress – so much to love! Photos by Virgil Bunao.
Virgil Bunao, Ooh Events
Virgil Bunao, Ooh Events
The bride’s parents’ neighbors generously shared their home for the wedding reception.
Virgil Bunao, Ooh Events
The bride wore a Romona Keveza gown borrowed from her best friend and Matron of Honor, and completed the look with a handmade peach silk belt and an altered Monique Lhuillier lace bolero.
Virgil Bunao, Ooh Events
Virgil Bunao, Ooh Events
Virgil Bunao, Ooh Events
What a priceless shot of the bride and groom walking through the Navy sword arch!
Virgil Bunao, Ooh Events
Virgil Bunao, Ooh Events
Says Liz, “Matt and I both went to high school in Charleston together and our high school didn’t have a marching band, but on special occasions, the Burke High School Band would come to our games and play for us. They are amazing and so talented! My cousin gave me the idea of asking them to lead a wedding parade from the church to the reception (she had been to another wedding where they did this) and it was magical! They led us down Broad Street, one of the old historic streets in Charleston to our street. The bridal party split off and took photos in my parent’s yard while cocktail hour started up across the street and then we joined the party. It was perfect.”
Virgil Bunao, Ooh! Events
Virgil Bunao, Ooh Events
Bridesmaids wore nude chiffon dresses from Amsale.
Virgil Bunao, Ooh Events
Virgil Bunao, Ooh Events
Virgil Bunao, Ooh Events
Virgil Bunao, Ooh Events
The “scratchy sounds” of the bride’s father’s collection of oldies transferred from records to MP3s were played during cocktail hour, with a band taking over after dinner.
Virgil Bunao, Ooh Events
Virgil Bunao, Ooh Events
Signature drinks were Prosecco with a splash of St. Germaine and fresh honeydew juice, as well as traditional mint juleps.
Virgil Bunao, Ooh Events
Virgil Bunao, Ooh Events
Virgil Bunao, Ooh Events
Why did you choose this location for your wedding? We both grew up in Charleston so this was a natural choice for us. We knew we wanted to have a church wedding and were originally supposed to be married in my childhood church; however, there was damage from an earthquake (really!) and reconstruction going on so we moved to St Michael’s, another old and very lovely historic Charleston church. It’s only a few blocks from where I grew up, and my mom suggested asking the neighbors if we could use their backyard for the reception (since my parents’ yard is too narrow). They were so kind and gracious to let us use their home.
What inspired you when you were planning your wedding? My favorite flowers are peonies and I decided to go with a soft palette of pastels. I wanted the decor to be elegant and sophisticated but relaxed and comfortable. I was drawn to creams, whites, peaches and soft pinks.
What was your favorite moment or part of the day? This is so tough! I have several. At the top would be walking down the aisle to Matty and holding his hand throughout the ceremony – I was so giddy! The parade was also unbelievable. Exiting the church and hearing the band start up was like magic.
Did you include any traditions in your wedding? My dad had gotten a Salmanazar of Chateauneuf du pape for each of his children’s weddings – he had been saving this since I was little and it was so special finally getting to open and drink it with everyone. The bottle is now sitting by our bar in our house.
Do you have any budget tips for other brides? If you have a dear friend who is a similar size as you, think about borrowing your dress. I borrowed my best friend’s dress and had a monogram of her maiden initials and wedding date sewn in, along with my maiden initials and wedding date. This gives the dress even more meaning and we hope one day our kids will want to use it. To make it my own, I went to Fabulous Frocks in Charleston, who sells pre-worn dresses and samples. I found a gorgeous Monique Lhuillier bolero that was several sizes too big and had a mandarin collar that I wasn’t wild about and had it reconstructed.
Is there anything else that helps tell the story of the day? Matty and I had to include our dog, Eloise, in our wedding. She was our “greeter” and wore a little flower wreath and helped my cousin greet guests at the church.
Menu
Signature Cocktails: Mint Julep / Prosecco with St. Germaine and Honeydew Juice // ”Pick Table” Hors d’Oeuvres: Assorted Local and Imported Cheeses / Fresh Fruit / Crostini / Lobster and Crab Spread / Vermont White Cheddar Pimiento Cheese / Caramelized Mushroom Goat Cheese and Charcuterie // Passed Hors D’Oeuvres: Mini Vermont White Cheddar and Pimento Grilled Cheese Sandwiches / Fried Oysters // French Station: Steak Au Poivre / Truffle Grilled Zucchini / Duck Fat and Truffle Oil French Fries // Italian Station: Handmade Wood Oven Pizzas / Pasta // Southern Station: Miniature Pulled Pork Sandwiches on Cheese Biscuits with Pulled Smoked Pork, House-Made Pickle and Dijon / Shrimp and Creamy Mascarpone Grits / Buttermilk Marinated Fried Chicken / Fried Green Tomatoes Topped with Balsamic Reduction and Goat Cheese // Dessert: Carrot Cake / Classic Yellow Cake with Vanilla Buttercream Frosting
I’m so excited about this month’s giveaway from the new online wedding shop, Pressed Cotton! A collaboration between wedding designer Jennifer Rose, and wedding photographer Millie Holloman, Pressed Cotton is full of delightful, hand-picked objects for your wedding and home. And today we’re giving away a $200 gift certificate to one Snippet & Ink reader!
Pressed Cotton
You can browse the site by category (favors, signage, lighting) or by style (Modern, Garden, Eclectic). Here’s a little peak at my favorite style collection, Southerner. I can see exactly how these beautiful pieces would move seamlessly from wedding to home…
Pressed Cotton
Pressed Cotton
Pressed Cotton
If you’re not sure how to pull together a cohesive look for your wedding, just take a look at Pressed Cotton‘s perfectly curated collection of wedding goods – they’ve done all the work for you!
Pressed Cotton
Pressed Cotton
Pressed Cotton
Pressed Cotton
Pressed Cotton is just getting started, so be sure to keep an eye out for new collections and products!
Okay, so how to win that $200 gift certificate toward anything from the Pressed Cotton online boutique?! Head over to the Pressed Cotton site, and check out their different style collections. Then leave a comment on this post letting us know what’s your style and what you like best about that collection.
Contest begins Tuesday, March 12, 2013 at 10:30AM PST, and ends Friday, March 15, 2013 at 11:59PM PST. The winner will be selected by Snippet & Ink, and notified by email. Please note: winner must live in the United States or Canada (excluding Quebec).
How darling is this couple? And don’t you love the bride’s short dress?! Dominique Bader captured their intimate courthouse nuptials near the shore of Lake Geneva, Switzerland…
Dominique Bader
Dominique Bader
Dominique Bader
Says Anna, “Gareth and I got ready together as our lives have been intertwined already for a while. I had something blue, something old, something borrowed and something new (I bought the dress two weeks before the wedding!).”
Dominique Bader
Dominique Bader
Dominique Bader
Dominique Bader
Dominique Bader
The couple’s closest friends and family met up with them outside the courthouse.
Dominique Bader
Dominique Bader
Dominique Bader
Everyone returned to the bride’s parents’ home on Lake Geneva for cake and cocktails.
Dominique Bader
Dominique Bader
Dominique Bader
Dominique Bader
The parents of the bride surprised the newlyweds with Swiss alphorn players!
Dominique Bader
Dominique Bader
Dominique Bader
Why did you choose this location for your wedding? We wanted it in the town where we live and that we love. My parents had just renovated their house and we wanted to use it and its beautiful surroundings to their full potential.
What inspired you when you were planning your wedding? We wanted something simple and elegant for this small wedding. We are having a bigger celebration at the end of the year in London but we wanted the civil wedding to be intimate.
What was your favorite moment or part of the day? It’s hard to choose. I loved walking around town doing the pictures in all the places we love, I loved when my father gave us his speech and I loved ending the day with at an amazing Chinese restaurant with dim sum and Peking duck!
What advice do you have for other brides? Have fun! Don’t worry! Everything will just fall into place! It doesn’t matter if it rains, that will just make it more special!
Is there anything else that helps tell the story of the day? We were so lucky to have everyone close to us around us on that day! Gareth’s family came from Wales, his witness from Oxford, my family from the States, our photographer from London… all to meet up in a little town in Switzerland.
