Erin
and Andrew were first introduced through his brother at a party seven years ago
while they were both students at Kutztown University. Eventually they became a couple, but
they joke that Andrew never actually asked Erin out. This summer they became
husband and wife, finally putting an end to a difficult long distance period in
their relationship.
 | |
| Andrew takes Erin's hand and together they step in to the Circle of Love that their guests created before taking their seats. |
When I asked them what emotion or vision they wanted their guests to take away from their ceremony, Erin said she wanted her friends and family to understand how happy
"Andrew and I are together and support our marriage. I want them to feel
excitement, joy and love.”
 |
| Andrew surprises Erin by promising that he will "give up playing rugby....one day". |
Their
Ceremony:
One of my favorite moments in a ceremony is when the couple faces
each other, holds hands and I read aloud unique attribute, feelings and memories that they
each have for the other, things that are part of their story or hopes for the
future. For Erin and Andrew, this was a tender moment of their ceremony where
their friends and family were able to get a glimpse at who they are to the
other and what they want most out of life.
Highlights:
About Erin’s
Andrew:
“He’s
romantic and comical-- He has the ability to make you laugh under any
circumstance. He’s adventurous, charming and sometimes a little stubborn too ... And
even though, he never “officially” asked you out at the start of your romance,
this is the man who wanted to make sure family and friends were close when he
got down on his knee and told you that it was with you whom he wants to spend
the rest of his life.”
And about
Andrew’s Erin:
“These
are the hands that will, together with yours, decorate your first home and
raise and care for your family ... Erin
wants you to know that although being apart from you these last four years has
been difficult, she’s been confident that you would spend your lives together
ever since you first told her that you loved her on the Fourth of July, three
years ago.”
For the future, Erin and Andrew have hopes to buy their own home
and start a family. They decided
to take an additional step toward this dream by planting a tree to
mark their intentions. Erin’s father, a professional landscaper, helped them
choose a beautiful flowering hydrangea for this ritual.
As
Erin and Andrew added fresh dirt and water to their potted hydrangea, I said, “as
you plant this tree together, realize that in order to keep it healthy, you
will need to nurture it—water and feed it. So too, you will keep your marriage healthy—by nurturing and
caring for it together. May
your love grow like this hydrangea, sending roots deep and branches wide and
high, strengthening with every season, and nurturing new life in all of your
years.”
With
a little help from Mother Nature, Erin and Andrew’s marriage got off to an
auspicious and memorable start. “One
day” has not yet happened, and at the time of this posting, Andrew says he is
still playing Rugby.
Thank
you to Will Blochinger Photography for sharing these images from Erin and
Andrew’s blessing-filled wedding celebration. For more information please visit
www.blochingerphotography.com
