Weddingbee Blog

Marriage is like a well-developed garden; it takes time, commitment and hard work.

That was the quote my uncle shared with us as he wrapped up his short message. Then it was time for our vows. Mr E and I wrote them together—each different but each expressing the same love and promises. I have used our real names in these sections…just ’cause vows seem to require that level of real.

Josh, I love you.

You know me better than anyone and have always been there for me even when we were oceans apart.

The happiest thing I can imagine is having you in my life each and every day.

You are my best friend, the most thoughtful person I know, and there hasn’t been a day gone by since we have been together that you haven’t been able to make me laugh.

Thank you for accepting me flaws and all and calling me perfect even when I know I’m not.

Thank you for never, ever giving up on me.

Today I promise to cherish our friendship and love you today, tomorrow, and forever.

I will laugh with you in times of happiness and comfort you in the hard times.

I will share in your dreams, and support you as you strive to achieve your goals.

I vow to listen to you, to encourage you, to trust you with all that I am and to be honest with you always.

I vow to believe in you and all that you do.

And I promise that my love for you will not diminish but will only grow deeper and stronger every day.

I love you, Joshua James.

Bonnie, I love you.

You mean everything to me, and I can’t imagine life without you because together we just fit.

You are my soul mate, and you make me feel at home no matter where I am in the world.

You are the most beautiful woman in the world and you are my closest and best friend.

I really admire how you are so passionate about everything that you do, and I don’t tell you that enough…but I am so proud to be by your side.

Thank you for being with me through all the hard times and loving me unconditionally.

And thank you for you being you…because I wouldn’t change a thing.

Today I promise to give you my heart completely and stand by your side for the rest of my days.

I will celebrate in your victories, support you in times of sorrow, and cherish every day loving you.

I vow to believe in you always and trust you with every part of me.

And I promise that my love for you will not diminish, but will only grow deeper and stronger every day.

I love you, Bonnie Joy.

My uncle prayed over us again.

Then: These rings are made of gold, and as a precious metal they signify the high value of a deep and faithful love. As a circle the rings signify the unending quality of a marriage relationship. Josh and Bonnie had in mind the verse from Song of Solomon 8:6,7:

“Set me as a seal on your heart, like a seal on your arms. For love as strong as death…much water may not put out love, or floods overcome it.

So we ask your blessing on these rings Lord, that are symbols of the love and trust between Bonnie and Josh.

Joshua, take Bonnie’s ring. Place it on her finger and repeat after me:

(I talked about our plan to tie the rings to our wrists here. But on the day we forgot in the rush, so Mr E kept them in his pocket)

As a ring has no end, neither shall my love for you. Let this ring symbolize our one life together.

Bonnie, take Joshua’s ring. Place it on his finger and repeat after me:

As a ring has no end, neither shall my love for you. Let this ring symbolize our one life together.

Bonnie and Joshua, you have fulfilled the formalities required to establish a relationship of marriage. You are aware that such a deep personal relationship is not easily attained. There will be times when it seems so difficult that you will be tempted to give up. At such times recall the sincerity of the promises you have just made, and draw strength from them to go on.

Remember that our sharing with you is a desire to continue our friendship and support in the days ahead. There will be times of sadness, and we will be there to comfort you. There will also be times of great joy and we will be there to rejoice with you.

Bonnie and Joshua, you are now husband and wife. You may kiss the bride!

And with that, we were married!

*All photos by Jane Sanders, unless otherwise noted

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So far in our midsummer dream…

• We welcomed our guests with pizza on Wednesday, DIYed our flowers on Thursday, and had a nightmarish Friday
• The girls got ready, I shared some of my favourite details, and then I put on my dress!
• I posed, he posed, and then we had our first look
• We showed a London cab some love, and let you in on our garden romance
• I walk down the aisle
• Ceremony Part I