J&J Wedding Part III: A really good day

We got married at 10am on a Thursday in May under a giant Copper Beech tree in our neighbor's back yard. The specific day was chosen partly by coin flip and partly by necessity. It wasn't what we planned but ended up being pretty close to perfect. If you want to get in the wedding mood by listening to the Reception playlist Jared made, you can find it here!

First thing in the morning Jared went over to Cathedral, our favorite local coffeeshop, to pick up some drip and pastries for us while we all got ready at the house. It was a great choice. I chose to get ready on the front porch so that my mom and dad and photographer/dear friend Allison Harp could be present and part of it without coming inside the house or getting too close (COVID wedding precautions are REAL and exhausting). 

I started a playlist and grabbed a bite of some delicious pastry while one of my roommates (conveniently she was formerly a Mary Kay consultant, so she was well-equipped with eyeliner and lipstick samples. Again, the adventures of getting married during COVID) helped me with my makeup. My favorite music was playing and friends and my parents were around and it felt so good! 

The rest of getting ready was full of little moments- meeting my dad in the backyard while he was setting up the keyboard, Jared fastening the hook and eye on my wedding dress, my little roommates telling me I looked beautiful- it was so special. 

Before I knew it, Jared and our guests and roommates were headed across the street to the backyard where we'd set up the ceremony. I walked over a little behind them and then waited at the top of the stairs, listening to my dad play the song he'd written for me and Jared and also the droning construction of a soccer field down by the river (it was so loud through our whole ceremony and it was hilarious). I laughed and took in the moment and took my short walk down to Jared. 

I'd always wanted to get married in the morning and have been set on the idea of a Quaker ceremony for a while, and I was so thankful that we got to do both! After I joined hands with Jared, all went quiet (except for the construction) while Jared and I reflected and prepared to share our vows. I loved standing there with him and looking around at our guests- the simplicity and intimacy of our setup allowed us both to feel so present.  

Jared's Vows: "My sweet and dearest Jazmin. You are my bright, radiant sky... I promise to love you like this all the days of my life. To support you, celebrate you, cherish you, and even confront you. I promise to be your stumbling block and foundation stone so that we are always learning to love together. I love you, Jazmin. I am so excited to be marrying you today—come hell or high water.

My vows: Jared Daniel Price, you are the love of my life. On good days and bad days, in joy and sadness, plenty and scarcity, doubt and confidence, I will be your partner, teammate, and most intimate friend. Nothing but death will separate us, but even in death, love remains. I love you and am so happy to share all of life with you.

After we shared our vows, the time was open for anyone else present to speak as they felt led. This was a really special time for us of hearing "welcome to the family" from each other's parents and affirmation from the few dear friends we had present. The silence also had room for alllll the feelings that were part of the day-- it felt magical, and there were also many people we missed. The silence had enough room for us to notice all of those feelings, happy and sad, and not rush past them. To close our time Adam, our roommate and premarital counselor and friend, gave a homily:

“Remember, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.” 

A promise is at the heart of what we have gathered to behold today. Although we are grieving the loss of a larger, grander celebration that Jazmin & Jared deserve, we have a unique opportunity here to experience a wedding at its very core: a promise between two people, ratified by their witnesses. 

Through their grief, through their disappointments, through their fears, through their bewilderments these two have walked to stand before each other, before you, and before their God to make a promise. They have overcome much in order to be here today. 

Jared and Jazmin are here today to affirm their love for one another and declare it publicly by cutting a covenant with one another in front of all of us. They are here to establish their love in a promise to one another, formally declaring their union, their partnership, their marriage. Our God is present here today and we join with God this morning in affirming that Jared and Jazmin belong with one another.

Today you have bound yourselves to love. That binding we believe works in both directions––love has bound itself to you. 

So may you be bound and made captive by nothing but love.

May you have faithfulness tied around you in knots. 

May you have lovingkindness stitched in the hems and the seams of your life."

Then everyone present was invited to affirm our commitment. In keeping with the Quaker ceremony, it felt like everyone present participated in marrying us. It was soooo special.

Then our roommates went back to the house to get everything ready for our wedding brunch while our parents drank coffee on the side porch and Jared and I took our wedding portraits with Allison and Johnny! 

We're one of several couples we know that got married during this COVID-19 pandemic, and even though it's far from what we'd planned, we really loved our wedding. It felt so intimate and memorable and special-- every moment a gift. I sincerely hope that other couples that have had to make major changes to their plans, whether they simplify or postpone, love their wedding day as well. 

xo, Jaz