So often we get caught up in the amazing details of the wedding. Making sure everything is perfect and pretty. And while we definitely think the details of the wedding can be a fabulous way to show off your personality and love in a super sweet, super unique way, the words on the back of the groom’s + groomsmen’s’ ties say it all: Be Happy. We love this wedding from Sweetwater Portraits for reminding us that the biggest, most beautiful thing about a wedding is the love and the happiness apparent in the union of two special people. And because of that reminder, we’re convinced the gallery is going to make us all a little happier today!
From the happy groom … It was actually my eldest brother who at 2 or 3 years old, while our Aunt Mary was getting ready for her own wedding, looked up to her and said the words, “Be Happy.” Our mom never forgot the moment and two years ago when our aunt made ties for my brother’s wedding, those words were an obvious choice to mark such a special family connection. We were so honored to have my Aunt Mary make the ties for our wedding and thought those words to be the perfect send-off for our marriage as well.
From the blushing bride … Having grown up in the town of Swarthmore, with my mom an employee of Swarthmore College, the amphitheater has always been a special place to me. Tim, now a student in architecture school, fell in love with the space years before our wedding so it was really a natural choice for our ceremony. We decided early on that we would design and make as many of the day’s details as we could. Save the dates, centerpieces, signage and other parts became chances to experiment with wood and other materials as we tried to pay tribute to the truly beautiful arboretum that Swarthmore College sits in and we were so lucky to share. Tim had experience through school with laser cutting and etching which we used on a lot of the wood but in the end it was many hours that family and friends helped out with that put it all together.
Tim and I met upon arriving at Williams College in the fall of 2002 where we happened to have rooms assigned just doors away from each other. Our parents actually met first in the hallway while helping us move in which was sufficiently awkward but we both managed and soon thereafter were headed to where we are now. Tim proposed after 9 years including 4 between San Francisco and Philadelphia (he just couldn’t seem to make it to 10!). To have our amazing families and friends in Swarthmore for our wedding meant the world to us and we really couldn’t have hoped for anything more.
Photography: Sweetwater Portraits / Ceremony Venue: Scott Amphitheatre, Swarthmore College / Reception Venue: Sharples Hall of Swarthmore College / Caterer: Swarthmore College Dining Services / Flowers: Petah Bashano of Alvin’s Flowers / Invitations: Paper Source, Save the Dates: Belletristics / Music: Kinky Spigot and the Welders / Hair: Calista Brides / Makeup: Cheekadee / Shoes: Kate Spade / Bridesmaids Dress: J.Crew