Wedding Anniversary
Yesterday was our 8th wedding anniversary. 8 years!
Sometimes it feels like just yesterday, while at other times it seems so long ago. We’ve moved 3 times, had 3 babies, each had a number of jobs, been on a dozen or so road trips, and had a lot of crazy adventures. We’ve had some really difficult times, and it’s been a lot of work, but I wouldn’t change a thing. I love our family, and of course, my husband. I couldn’t imagine this journey without him.
A look Back
While I was wracking my brain at what to get my husband for our wedding anniversary, I started looking back through all our old wedding photos.
We got married on a beautiful Friday in October, 2008. I think it was the last nice weekend before it turned super cold here in WI. We were even able to have our ceremony and pictures outside.
After getting engaged in New Orleans, we had first toyed with the idea of a destination wedding. We thought it would be fun to be somewhere warm and exotic to tie the knot. Unfortunately, it wasn’t going to work for all of our family, so we had a change of plans. It was definitely more important to have our family there than anything else.
Instead, we found a place about an hour away in Lake Geneva. It was a beautiful resort with a gold course called Geneva National. There was a wedding coordinator on site, and I did the rest of the wedding planning myself. We were able to book a bunch of rooms, so no one had to worry about driving home.
A lot of the guests arrived on Thursday night, we had our rehearsal dinner right at the resort, and a quick rehearsal under the tent outside. I then said goodbye and goodnight to my “fiance” for the last time. I have to admit, I don’t think I slept at all the night before the wedding.
Getting Ready
My and my future husband kept the tradition of not seeing each other until I walked down the aisle, so we had to be careful about where we went up until the ceremony. Everyone helped keep us apart too!
Me and my bridesmaids went and got our hair and make-up done, and then my mom helped me get ready.
I got a sneak peak at the reception area, and it was just as I imagined….so beautiful. We then went to wait in a private area until the ceremony.
My Dad came to collect me, and we took a golf cart to the wedding tent. I remember having to take a moment and some deep breathes. Walking down the aisle, I was still really nervous, but once I saw my husband, I knew everything was going to be OK.
The Ceremony and Reception
We didn’t want a very religious ceremony, as we come from mixed religious backgrounds, so we found a wonderful Reverend to marry us. She was so kind and easy to work with. We had friends read some special words, and then it was time to kiss as husband and wife. It went by in a blur.
We got our group pictures taken, while the rest of the guests went to the lobby for drinks. After greeting everyone, we cut the cake, had speeches, a slide show, and dinner. We had our wedding dance to Ryan Adam’s Two, and then our Father/Daughter and Mother/Son dance.
Then, the party got started. There was dancing, lots of drinks, more dancing, and more drinks. It was a really fun night!
There are so many other details, but I’m sure you’d rather see some pictures. So, here’s a little look back at our wedding eight years ago in honor of our wedding anniversary. All photos in this post were done by Olga Thomas Photography. Thank you Olga!
PS I finally decided to get my husband copper Moscow Mule mugs (and all the stuff to make them!) since the 8th wedding anniversary gift is copper.
Hope you enjoyed a look back at our wedding!
PPS Yes, our cake topper was Hello Kitty and Dear Daniel. When you put them together they make a kissing sound. Awe.
What gorgeous pictures! Congrats on your anniversary.
You looked absolutely beautiful on your wedding day! Cheers to 8 years and many more:)
This is such a sweet memory to look back on! I’ll be getting married myself in a little over a month so it’s fun to see how others wedding days were 🙂
Happy Anniversary!! This post was so perfect! I love wedding day recaps!
Awe happy Anniversary Shann! I am so happy for you two. You are a beautiful bride! To many more.
Happy Anniversary! Our 4th is this month. October is the best!!! I love that you did a “traditional” gift. I do the same.
1-paper(scrapbook)
2- cotton (Georgia tech dress shirt – this was a serious sacrifice for me!!!)
3- leather (personalized coozie via etsy)
4- fruit/flowers. I’m planning to get some type of tree bc my hubs is currently
Into gardening.
Happy Anniversary! Mine is next week, something I just now remember – oops! Loved the wedding day photos!!!
Happy anniversary! I love looking back at your photos. So sweet:)
Looks like such a wonderful day! Your dress is gorgeous!
Greta | http://www.gretahollar.com
So beautiful! I love the cake toppers! We also toyed with the idea of a destination wedding (in Disney World of course) but decided to stay close to home so more family and friends could attend,as that was the most important thing to us. We’re hoping to maybe do a small vow renewal at Disney for a 15 or 20th anniversary! We’ll see 🙂
Happy Anniversary!! Your wedding photos are absolutely beautiful. I just had my 8th anniversary this year as well – we are looking forward to our 10th so we can go on a vacation together with NO KIDS!! 🙂
Gorgeous photos! Happy Anniversary!!
I LOVE LOVE LOVE these!! Happy anniversary!!!
Your cake is adorable!!! Everything looks so pretty!!!! You look like you had a blast at your reception!
I’m speechless, lady! Gorgeous pictures. I look back on my own wedding with fond memories and I’d love to do it all over again. It was such fun! Happy Anniversary! 🙂 xo
Happy Anniversary!!!
Super cute! I love the cake. I’m getting married next year and can’t wait to look back on our wedding anniversary years from now!
xo. Christina
http://www.xoxochristina.com
Well aren’t you a stunning bride! Such a beautiful day love and happy anniv! The Hello Kitty cake topper was adorable!
Awe. Thank you!
Happy anniversary! Looks like a lovely wedding. I like the cake toppers!
Happy anniversary! Such beautiful pictures. We have our 6th anniversary coming up in a few months. It’s crazy how quickly that time goes!
Yes…too fast!
I love this post! And your husband is a hottie LOL! Congrats and happy anniversary!
Beautiful pictures! Lake Geneva is a wonderful place to get married ?
beautiful wedding!!! I love reminiscing about ours!
Yes, good memories. Thank you!
OMG, how sweeet!!! Happy Anniversary to you both! 8 years?! Wow, what an achievement-nearly a full decade.
I love that you waited until the ceremony to see each other, I’m sure it was definitely a special feeling when you saw each other for the first time at your wedding <3 Thanks for sharing the love!!
Yes! Thank you so much Savannah!
That is a beautiful ceremony— such great pictures!
Happy anniversary ?
— DT | Here I Scribble
Thank you!
Happy anniversary! Love the cake toppers!
Thanks Jen!
happy anniversary! gorgeous photos and such sweet memories! <3
Thank you Ananda!
This is such a sweet post! You look beautiful and the wedding looked gorgeous?
Thank you so much!
Congratulations. Love the celebration of marriage and all it stands for. I know this is a post about your anniversary, but where did you get those adorable cake toppers?
I actually ordered them off of Ebay 🙂
Love all these beautiful photos! Your cake toppers are awesome. Moscow mule cups are a great anniversary gift. Thank you for sharing about your special day. ❤️
Thank you!
Congrats on 8 years. You guys looked so beautiful. One day I hope to be there. To 80 more!