All of our photos were taken by Sarah Cramer Shields of Cramer Photo. Follow her online and on Instagram!
The ceremony is always my favorite part of a wedding. I love the charged air, the formality, and all the talk about love.
Just as the ceremony began, the sun was setting and golden rays were coming through the trees. We had the world’s most perfect crisp, sunny weather.
I walked in to Make You Feel My Love by Adele. I just love the piano introduction and the romantic lyrics of devotion. We waited 26 seconds (<– a coincidence) for Adele to begin singing to open the doors for a dramatic entrance before leaving the Carriage House.
The first look!
I just love this photo so much – our faces, the sun, my shoe peek, my bouquet, Mazen’s proud smile.
Kiss for mommy!
Our ceremony was emotional, and I’ve been told that there were tears in the eyes of most of those present.
Our minster, Rev. Bhagavan Metro, did a beautiful job with our ceremony. While we wrote most of it ourselves, including passages on love and marriage and our vows, he did a minster’s address that he personalized with our own words. We filled out a questionnaire before so he could get to know us and he used our responses in his address. When I heard him share the reasons why we fell in love, what marriage meant to us, and why we chose each other, in our own words, I started to ugly cry. It was so surprisingly beautiful that I couldn’t keep it together!
The sweetest part of the ceremony for me was our vow exchange. We decided on a format so our vows would mirror each other, and we opened and closed with the same lines. The middle part was open ended and we each wrote about four lines. I think everyone in the garden, myself included, shed a tear when Thomas spoke about Mazen and struggled to hold back emotion. We both cracked jokes that got a good laugh out of the crowd too. I have videos of us reading our vows, and I’ve watched them 100 times already and tear up every time!
He had me laughing through tears! <3
We walked out to Israel Kamakawiwo’s Somewhere Over The Rainbow, a nod to my childhood favorite and a fun beat to walk out to!
Just married!
Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog says
I cannot express how happy I am for you. The feels scrolling through these photos! The venue is beautiful, and everything looks picture perfect. Congratulations!
Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog
http://charmainenyw.com
Amanda H. says
I had never heard Make You Feel My Love until I was asked to play piano at someone’s wedding, and the bride wanted to walk down the aisle to it. I was immediately in love with it and super excited to do the honor. You are so lucky to find someone who not only loves you, but that sweet boy, too. Wishing you guys all the love, light, and happiness to come <3
Jen says
You look so happy, Kath!! I’m so glad for you and Mazen and Thomas :). Iz’s version of Somewhere gets me every time.
Claire says
Wow, that really was a beautiful ceremony, you’re so lucky to have had such a perfect day
Tonya says
“I’ve been told that there were tears in the eyes of most of those present.”
Well, there just may be tears in my eyes right now. As soon as I saw the pic of Mazen leading you out of the carriage house– I’m done. I’m just done. LOL That pic of you laughing at whatever Thomas is saying is my favorite pic of you ever. I’m so happy for you. 🙂
Carrie this fit chick says
I love the vow idea! So cute to open and close the same, but surprise each other in the middle. Looks like beautiful weather there too!
Farah says
These are so beautiful. Seeing the photos of Mazen made me tear up! I remember when he was just a baby, and now he’s turned into this handsome little boy. I’m truly so happy for you all!
Julie says
Oh my gosh, how beautiful! That picture of you, Mazen and your dad made me tear up! So sweet!
julie says
SO beautiful kath!! just really, really lovely.
i love the pic of mazen and thomas high-fiving, so cute 🙂
Rachel says
I teared up just reading this. So beautiful!
Erin Hack says
Simply stunning. Congratulations!
Ann says
Congrats!! Looks like a beautiful ceremony and a perfect day. You look beautiful, Mazen adorable and Larbs looks classy and elegant! Wishing you many years of happiness!
Andrea @ French Pressed Kitchen says
So happy and exciting!
Bethany says
Ok – when the picture came of you, your dad and Mazen, i started tearing up. Kath! So much love to you!
Kaci says
I LOVE everything about this! You were stunning! My husband and I walked out to Somewhere Over the Rainbow by The Piano Guys! Congrats!
marie says
You can feel the love in these photos. Congrats. And that last picture is THE BEST!
Leigh says
You are glowing and so clearly in love. I’m so very happy for you. Thank you for sharing such a personal part of your life with your readers.
Tamara says
What a beautiful ceremony and post about it! The way you described everything that happened gave me chills! The ceremony was beautiful and your love for each other is obvious. And yes, that picture of you, Mazen and your dad is amazing- so much emotion in one picture. Congrats!
Janet says
Beautiful.
Connie says
Mazen walked you down the aisle…aaaand I’m weeping. So lovely.
Melanie says
SPECTACULAR!!! So beautiful in the most meaningful of ways. Cheers to you three! Thanks for sharing the photos and stories with us. XOXO
Chelsea says
I got goosebumps reading this. So happy for you and your family. Thomas is a great addition!
emily says
Congratulations to you both! It looks and sounds like it was the most perfect day.
Kelly says
What a beautiful couple and ceremony! Mazen looks so happy!!:)
Erin m. says
How sweet! I’m so happy for you!
ashley says
beautiful! congratulations!
Anne J McCormick says
A beautiful ceremony and such lovely photographs.
Veronica says
Beautiful photos. I have to say that you can really feel the love and emotion through them.
Jenny Paxton says
I fall more in love with your earrings with every post so thanks for mentioning the source! I just ordered them via Mercari today. There are also pairs (and the cuff) on Poshmark for any other fellow admirers. Congrats – everything and you look so lovely!
Karen H says
Breathtakingly beautiful! Thanks for sharing!
Sandra Dixon says
Thank you for sharing all of this with us. It looks like a wonderful day and the photos are gorgeous, congratulations once again.
Jo says
What a PERFECT day! I love Iz!! I wish you many happy years together!!
Niki says
Hey Kath, I have been a reader for at least 7 years now and never have I left a comment before… but this post compelled me to drop a message to you. Congratulations on your wedding – you look radiant and definitely in love! I loved all the pics – first to last. But the one where Mazen is walking you down the aisle is by far my favorite – it embodies such grace and womanhood… you do look like a goddess. Lots of best wishes for a happily ever after
KathEats says
Thank you!!
Ally Behne says
I am a LONG time reader, first time commenter and yoga teacher who has trained extensively in Yogaville. Bhagavan is the father of one of my dearest friends, and he was my very first meditation teacher. What a fun surprise to see that he officiated your wedding! He and Bhavani have a truly inspirational marriage. CONGRATULATIONS to you, Thomas and Mazen. The happiness is oozing from every photo!
KathEats says
awww how cool!! He was so nice and did a wonderful job.
Jolene (www.everydayfoodie.ca) says
Wow – that last photo is incredible!!
I love that you put a big focus on the vows and writing your own sentiments.