Gloria & Von Celebrate 60 years! | Vow Renewal

Posted in weddings

Sometimes, in this career we call “wedding photographer” it’s easy to get caught up in the pretty and excitement of a beginning.  Pretty flowers, pretty details, pretty dress and a young couple at the very beginning of their journey together through life.  Their family and friends gather around them to send them off into their future and are excited and happy and wish them the best, but still no one KNOWS what the future will bring.  As much as we LOVE celebrating a beautiful beginning to marriage with our fabulous couples we were completely honored and humbled to be invited to document a different kind of celebration last Saturday.

We headed out to Granbury last weekend to photograph the vow renewal of Gloria and Von.  60 years ago these two eloped and never had a “real” wedding.  I’ve worked with many excited brides, but Gloria will always hold a special place in my heart!  There is something so awesome (and inspiring) about a woman that has been married for 60 years and still giggles with giddiness about planning her wedding.  I just LOVE her!  The story their son so eloquently told during the ceremony was that Von asked his wife if there was anything she would change or do differently in their 60 years together and her answer was that she wished they had had a big church wedding.  So he gave her one.  I pray that my own daughters find a man that loves them so well after 60 years together!

I know you are now dying to see just a peek at this special couple’s big day so here goes. I hope we were able to capture the joy felt!gloriavon_photogfavs_001P I N this to pinterestgloriavon_photogfavs_003P I N this to pinterestgloriavon_photogfavs_005P I N this to pinterestgloriavon_photogfavs_006P I N this to pinterestgloriavon_photogfavs_007P I N this to pinterestgloriavon_photogfavs_008P I N this to pinterestGloria shared with me that one of her favorite details of the day was the photo charm of her father attached to her bouquet.  She told me that her Dad passed away when she was 16 years old and never had the chance to walk her down the aisle so he would be with her today as she walked down the aisle.  Having just lost my Dad recently I can tell you that this was something that I could completely relate to.  It doesn’t matter your age or how long he has been gone a girl still wants her Dad there with her on her wedding day.gloriavon_photogfavs_010P I N this to pinterestgloriavon_photogfavs_012P I N this to pinterestgloriavon_photogfavs_013P I N this to pinterestgloriavon_photogfavs_015P I N this to pinterestgloriavon_photogfavs_016P I N this to pinterestgloriavon_photogfavs_017P I N this to pinterestgloriavon_photogfavs_018P I N this to pinterestThe bride and groom requested a first look before they walked down the aisle. 🙂gloriavon_photogfavs_019P I N this to pinterestgloriavon_photogfavs_020P I N this to pinterestgloriavon_photogfavs_021P I N this to pinterestOne of the things about their ceremony that was my favorite part of the whole day was that instead of the bride coming down the aisle by herself they walked down the aisle together.  They stopped and hugged and shook hands with their guests.  They waved and laughed and basically had the best time ever as they made their way to the front of the church. I wish I could describe the feeling of joy in the room. gloriavon_photogfavs_022P I N this to pinterestgloriavon_photogfavs_023P I N this to pinterestgloriavon_photogfavs_024P I N this to pinterestgloriavon_photogfavs_025P I N this to pinterestgloriavon_photogfavs_026P I N this to pinterestgloriavon_photogfavs_027P I N this to pinterestgloriavon_photogfavs_029P I N this to pinterestgloriavon_photogfavs_030P I N this to pinterestgloriavon_photogfavs_031P I N this to pinterestgloriavon_photogfavs_032P I N this to pinterestgloriavon_photogfavs_033P I N this to pinterestgloriavon_photogfavs_034P I N this to pinterestgloriavon_photogfavs_036P I N this to pinterestgloriavon_photogfavs_037P I N this to pinterestgloriavon_photogfavs_038P I N this to pinterestgloriavon_photogfavs_040P I N this to pinterestgloriavon_photogfavs_041P I N this to pinterestgloriavon_photogfavs_043P I N this to pinterestgloriavon_photogfavs_044P I N this to pinterestgloriavon_photogfavs_045P I N this to pinterestgloriavon_photogfavs_046P I N this to pinterestgloriavon_photogfavs_047P I N this to pinterestThis photo is special.  This represents so many things about why Saylor and I love weddings and have chosen this career.  It’s about celebrating marriage and love and heritage.  Think of all the things that Gloria and Von have experienced together between the taking of these two photos.  🙂gloriavon_photogfavs_048P I N this to pinterestgloriavon_photogfavs_049P I N this to pinterestThen just a casual photo of the happy couple at their beautiful home on the lake.  When we saw their stairway of family photos we knew we had to take a photo of Gloria and Von there.  It brings to mind the chorus of one of my favorite songs by Brad Paisley:

“There ain’t nothin’ not affected
When two hearts get connected
All that is, will be, or ever was
Every single choice we make
Every breath we get to take
Is all because two people fell in love”

How very true those words are.  Thank you Gloria and Von for allowing us to capture such an important day for you.  It was an honor! gloriavon_photogfavs_050P I N this to pinterest