Events on 6th Tacoma Wedding {Bethany and David get hitched}

A wedding that makes the photographer teary… well, I think that’s a good one. When I first met Bethany and heard her and David’s love story, I knew their day was going to be romantic and infused with their personality. And it was. But I wasn’t expecting to feel the way I did… like I just wanted to be part of her family. Bethany’s father gave the homily and performed the ceremony and I don’t think there was a dry eye. It is clear that her large family is full of big love. The kind that knows you deeply and surrounds you. It was clear that David won her heart with his relentless pursuit of her. It was clear that together they were weaving a rich new story, already full of anecdotes, inside jokes and literary nods. I mean, for crying out loud, the man dressed as Mr. Darcy to propose to her and it went viral. As much as I loved all the unique details Bethany and David put into their wedding, it was the focus on the gospel and the gift of love through Jesus that I really appreciated. The whole day was such a celebration not only of Bethany and David, but of the much bigger story of the Groom who pursues his Beloved at a great cost. And how that desire to be known and fully loved is met in Jesus, how our earthly love is a mere reflection of that.

Bethany and David and their families did indeed celebrate well- gorgeous bright and festive colors, incredible Moroccan and Indian food, a swordfight for her honor, a choreographed Bollywood dance. Seriously. They went all out. And the dancing. Oh boy, the dancing. Take a look at the pictures at the end of the post yourself and see what fun it was. Nothing quite lights up a dance floor like a bunch of friends who know how to really swing.

Here are a few words from Bethany and David about their wedding day:

David and I met swing dancing at the University of Washington, but neither of us remember it. David is a hopeless romantic who fell hard and fast while I was the practical student who was baffled by this older man pursuing me (when you are a teenager, a twenty-five year old seems way out there). It was almost two years after David first said “I love you” that I said it back.

David first declared his feelings for me on Christmas Eve, 2010, when he showed up unannounced on my family’s doorstep with a book box he had carved with an exacto-knife (it was filled with chocolate and pipe tobacco). I was an English literature major, so he figured books would be a good way to my heart. I turned him down, but for each subsequent Christmas Eve there was a literature-related gift to me from him, until this past Christmas Eve when he proposed dressed as Mr. Darcy, after ten months of dating.

Bethany: I think my favorite moment was walking down the aisle and seeing all of our family and friends who came to celebrate, and seeing David standing there at the end. David and I both were intentional about being present in the moment. We continually marveled that this was our wedding, that we were the bride and groom, that we were the ones embarking on marriage together. I was overwhelmed with joy and gratitude for everyone that was there, and for all the work and time that they had contributed to the wedding. For the reception, our goal was to create a festive party vibe with lots of fun and dancing – and I think the photos capture that!

David: When I think back to the day of the wedding, I am struck mainly by emotions – happiness, tears, laughter, anxiety. I was actually quite anxious about both the sword fight and the Bollywood dance, as both only had one rehearsal, but they went off without a problem. I lived to tell the tale. As for laughter, there was absolutely plenty of that, from the speeches to Gary’s quips, to small children refusing to dance with me. I had a number of strongly emotional moments – the big ones were waiting for Bethany to come walking down the aisle, and the dance later with my mother. So much meaning wrapped into everything, and all sorts of emotions effervescing together. But happiness was the carrying theme throughout, so much so that I had to remind myself that this was actually happening – that I was the guy standing at the altar, that this was the girl I was marrying, and that this was the beginning of something completely new and wonderful.

Indeed. And in the perfect words to end the day, “SO WEDDING, VERY MARRIED WOW!”

By the way, how sweet is it that Bethany and David share an anniversary with both her parents and grandparents? Pretty cool. I asked Bethany’s aunt what the secret was to their close-knit family. Her advice was to raise kids without TV! Love it!

Bethany and David, thank you for choosing me to capture your beautiful day. I had so much fun!  I’m pretty sure you did too! Congratulations.

Thanks to these vendors:

Dress: The Wedding Bell, Venue: Events on 6th, Catering: Flame Catering