Flagstaff, Arizona
Last blog post, Matt and Mecah baked and frosted their own cake for their vow renewal. SEE IT HERE IN IT’S FULL GLORY.
OKAY okay, I’m so proud of how it turned out. I was in charge of bringing the cake to Flagstaff after we baked it, and I decorated it only using pine cones and needs we found in the area. And also berries (we brought those).
Essentially I’m starting a cake making business. Only decorating. Not the frosting bit, just placing random twigs and foliage in aesthetically pleasing manners.
Joke. But look how pretty he is.
We planned this shoot on the day after Matt and Mecah one-year anniversary. Mecah wore the same shoes and dress, from LUV Bridal. The florals were provided by Honey and Shaw.
We drove up the winding path to the meadow just past Flagstaff, Arizona… only to find that a SERIOUS LOGGING OPERATION was happening in the middle of the meadow. So, we took refuge in the aspens. Not. A. Bad. Thing. Aspens are my absolute favorite tree.
Dressing
Boots. All the way. Give me a pair of hiking boots over heels any day. For adventure elopements and vow renewals, boots are super essential. For keeping your feet warm, dry, and clean from the elements, etc. etc.
Writing the Vows
After getting dressed, Matt and Mecah wrote short, meaningful letters to each other. They used the same vow books they from their wedding day.
How you renew your vows is COMPLETELY up to you. You can re-read the vows you made on your wedding day, as a reminder of what you promised.
Or, you can write new vows to each other, based on the new people you’ve become and the new challenges you’re facing together.
Use your vow renewal to celebrate the things you love to do together. A vow renewal is a day completely meant to be yours. Relax together in a beautiful place. Hike together. Drink a beer together. Watch the sunset tangled up in some blankets.
Cake Cutting
And if you choose to incorporate a dessert into your vow renewal, make that yours too!! Matt and Mecah made a cake out of all the flavors of their wedding cake from the year before: chocolate, lemon, white, and strawberry.
I’m gonna say my opinion real quick, and you can take it or leave it!
I’ve lived through a marriage where my spouse never chose me. From the very beginning, divorce was on the table. I believe that the vows said on the day of your weddings shouldn’t be said once, and then immediately forgotten. The promises should be repeated often, and constantly improved. Marriage is a choice, and keeping the vows you made is an intentional choice. Every. Single. Day. Essentially, a vow renewal shouldn’t be the first time you review the vows you made, but it should be a time to celebrate the process you’ve made in keeping those vows.
Your vow renewal should be all about you and your spouse. That’s it. It should leave you feeling closer to your partner, with goals and renewed hope in the the relationship. There shouldn’t be distractions, pressures, or drama. If you felt that your wedding day was all about pleasing other people and conforming to others’ expectations, you can totally still have a day just for yourselves. Renew your vows. At a beautiful location. Let me know your vision and I can make it happen!
[…] is the last part of the vow renewal series (See part 1 and part 2 here) for Matt and Mecah from our Flagstaff vow renewal shoot, in Lockett Meadow. After the sun […]