Small weddings don't have to mean 'less.' We've photographed a good handful of smaller, more intimate ceremonies and gatherings, and we always feel like they're more rather than less. There is more time, more purpose, more intention, more meaning.
One of our favorite little ceremonies took place in the woods at dusk. Hannah and Ben invited about 15 of their family and closest friends to a big cabin in Hocking Hills, where they spent the day slow and purposeful. Because our words can't explain what this meant to them, we asked Hannah and Ben if they would recount their experience this week for their second anniversary and here is what they said:
" Ben and I chose an intimate ceremony after a lot of reflection on what we truly valued from our marriage. The floral arrangements, ball gowns, three-course meals, and wedding favors are all wonderful things- they just didn't represent what we wanted to focus on for our wedding day. Our wedding ceremony was a weekend away in the woods for our families and a few of our closest friends. We made meals together, took time to tell each person who was present why we held them in high regard and wrote each other love notes peacefully amongst the trees. Our ceremony was simple- the girls wore colorful skirts, and the men wore white collared shirts and grey pants. The bouquet I carried Ben and I made together at a local florist shop. The ceremony was conducted by my brother, and he and his wife did our marriage counseling as well. We wanted the day to be about family because, in the end, we were building our own new little family unit. We would never be just a "son" or "daughter"- we were becoming a package deal.
We wanted to start the rest of our lives off in a beautiful natural setting, with this new family tie were we creating, and some friends who were essentially family- and still are to this day. We chose a small, intimate ceremony- and I wouldn't change a thing about it. Thank you, Mallory and Justin, for capturing the joy, excitement, and the overwhelming love from our wedding day. We truly cherish the pictures and remembering our day in such artistic and authentic reality. "
Happy Anniversary, you two! We’re so happy we got to be there for you on this day!
