We are celebrating our 20th Wedding Anniversary- oh mY!
So please forgive me as i take a moment to remember this day- it's so vivid in my mind and of course share a few photos.
Now mind you, this was 20 years ago, our wedding took place before digital cameras, before hd video, before martha stewart wedding magazines, before themed weddings and the oodles of wedding stylists, before the world wide web and the realm of pinterest with it's abundance of visual inspiration and whimsical wedding details.
And looking back on this day with all the options that are available today-- i would not change any of it. Well... okay maybe the 'poofy' sleeves or bridesmaid's dresses. But truly - this was our wedding, we planned it ourselves and it was beautiful, it was happy, it was fun, it was personal and it was definitely a celebration wrapped up with a few magical moments. It was our day-- July 11th, 1992.
We're standing in front of the Hotel De Haro, part of the Roche Harbor Resort on San Juan Island, and we were married outside in the gardens. This was such a beautiful and scenic location, it holds a special place in our hearts.
Our bridesmaid processional began from the balcony of the bridal suite, down these stairs then across the cobblestones to the garden. I remember getting ready in this room, waiting-- feeling nervous - a bit anxious until I glimpsed this...
I know this image is a bit fuzzy (these are scanned images- they didn't all turn out) but can you see Craig's smile -- his head looking up at me. I will never forget his expression -- from the moment i saw his face, all my nerves melted away. I felt calm. And all the crazy jumble of emotions I had just minutes earlier were replaced by just one single emotion- happiness. I could not stop smiling. The entire time. The entire evening.
Can you see Craig's smile here? Well all the guys are smiling-- maybe because I was smiling so much!
Again, a bit fuzzy but wasn't this location beautiful.
For our wedding, Craig and I wrote letters to one another which were read out loud during the ceremony by the best man and maid of honor. This was one of those memorable - magical moments.
Since we were in the gardens, our ceremony drew a crowd.... from the resort guests and tourists. Can you see them along the stone wall and garden fence.
Of course this is a favorite moment!
It was such a gift to have so many of our friends and family join us for this destination wedding. It meant the world to celebrate this day with them. And by the way, who are those two on the left? Geesh, we were young.
At sunset, all our guests were invited outside to the cobblestone walkway for the Resort's evening ceremony-- the retiring of the flags with the national anthem, then tapps playing over the resort sound system. We were up on the balcony enjoying this tradition as they announced our marriage at the end-- a surprise to us all.
Did I mention this place was scenic?
So very happy. Yes, a magical day indeed. 20 years- oh mY
p.s. we're celebrating this 20th anniversary on an island (but a tropical one) - just the two of us, oh my ;)
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