I am married! After dealing with all the nonsense in the world, I honestly wasn’t sure if getting married this year would even be possible. The court houses were closed, no one was talking wedding appointments, and so on. We got so lucky and were the LAST couple in our county to be granted permission to apply for our marriage license and certificate by mail. So without further adieu, here is a little glimpse at the Jones Wedding (part 1).
June 20, 2020.
It was the first day of summer and Ben and I couldn’t wait another moment to become husband and wife. For over a year, we had a big, beautiful, traditional wedding planned for in Saratoga, CA. When COVID-19 crashed the party, we decided to postpone the big wedding to 2021 and to have an intimate ceremony on the original date with only our closest family and friends.
The wedding we envisioned was classic, romantic, and a bit whimsical. Regardless of where we were getting married since the virus had changed our plans, we knew we wanted the atmosphere for our guests that feel intimate and comfortable. We asked guests to come in semi-formal attire, as the details of the wedding (including the location) became very last minute due to gathering restrictions.
The new location at Gamble Gardens in Palo Alto was whimsical and romantic. Sweet chirping echoed from the trees, dripping water cascaded down the fountain, the leaves rustling in the light breeze sang the song of their joyous day.
With no string quartet, no bridal party, and no fancy decorations the day truly became one that focused on our marriage rather than the celebrations that typically follow the ceremony. The ceremony was short & sweet, as my uncle spoke beautiful words about the power of love & the importance of deep relationships amidst the chaos in the world. It was extremely moving and brought me to tears instantly.
My favorite part of the day was exchanging personal vows. We had made the decision to keep our vows private and to take the time to truly enjoy our wedding day – just the two of us. It was a magical moment as we read our vows. We were placed under the shade of the tall trees, only surrounded by the foliage and flora. We both laughed, cried, and smiled – a truly special moment.
Following our vows, we jumped back in our car and headed back to my mom’s house for a small reception. Our parents, siblings, officiant, Maid of Honor, and little puppy Betty were in attendance. We intensely realized on our wedding day that the only things that matter to us are our union to one another, our unbreakable bond, and our promises to uphold rest of our lifetime. We are so elated to have had such a special day, and we look forward to doing it all again for our friends and family who were not able to be with us.
Leave a Reply