Sara and Rachel had the most beautiful wedding day! Not only was it a feast for the eyes, it was a feast for the soul. I honestly walked away from their wedding feeling so much love and hope and joy! It was incredible to be in the middle of such deep and unabashed love for this amazing couple. Sara and Rachel are so loved and adored by their amazing group of family and friends. I always feel such gratitude to be a part of weddings like theirs – where hearts are on sleeves, laughter is on lips and eyes are perpetually wet with happy tears. I asked Rachel and Sara to share some of their thoughts about their wedding day with you as well. As you scroll through the photos, you find some Q&A’s with them that lead me to happy tears when I read them. Sara and Rachel – thank you just doesn’t seem like enough! Your wedding made my heart expand and my soul full! Congratulations on your marriage!!
What was the most memorable moment of your day?
Rachel: At the end of the night (for us, anyway), a friend drove us to our car and then we started to our hotel back through the vineyard. We crested a hill, and suddenly from a distance we could see all our friends and family under the lights, still dancing and engaging in other revelry. The candles were still flickering on the tables. I was overcome with joy and burst into tears, saying “that’s our wedding!”
Sara: I loved watching Rachel burst into happy tears. That was probably my favorite moment. But my next favorite moment was just looking out during our ceremony at everyone gathered, their loving attention on us. I loved seeing the glistening eyes and wistful smiles. I could just feel their support and love, and it meant so much to me, particularly as a queer woman who not long ago never thought something like this would happen.
Do you have any advice for other couples planning their wedding?
Both: At the very start, we determined what our most important values were around our wedding (for us, it was community and hospitality–and also great photography!). We would encourage couples to figure out what two or three values are most important to them for this day and allocate their resources accordingly.
Rachel: Literally everything will be more expensive than you imagine. Try not to panic. Prioritize (back to those values). Save where you can and then just surrender.
Sara: It’s super hard for some people to do, but let go of some tasks. Delegate to people who are genuinely excited to do those tasks (and believe me, there’s always someone who wants to do something), and let go of your expectations around it. Save the stuff that you want to be just right for you and those closest to you, but let go of the rest.
If you could do it all over, would you change anything about your wedding?
Rachel: I wouldn’t change anything about the day itself! It was beautiful. The only thing that really went wrong was the smell of sewage drifting over the dance floor towards the end of the evening, and that couldn’t be controlled. It made for some good laughs. I would have involved more people in the planning process, realizing now how much people enjoy being part of such a special day.
Sara: I wish I hadn’t stressed so much about the number of people we were inviting (and the related costs!) and just invited everyone who mattered to us (and to my mom). I had family there who I’d never met but who showed up to support me, and it was so incredibly moving. I wouldn’t want to leave anyone out of how amazing that day was.
Where did you honeymoon?
Oregon: Portland and Hood River. Honestly, the best part of our honeymoon was collapsing and ordering burgers and beers to eat in bed the night we arrived (the day after our wedding).
This wedding made my heart sing! It was more beautiful than I imagined. So much work lovingly went into it. Rachel and Sara looked amazing and it felt like just one huge family attending! These pictures are so awesome! Thank you!