RACHEL AND JOE ARE MARRIED!! Actually, they were married a year ago! Their wedding day at Castle in the Clouds was originally planned for June 2020 but had to postpone their plans for a year later. Rachel and Joe were married in the backyard of their home, with about 9 guests in total ( including myself) and about 50+ friends and family live with them on zoom.You can see their backyard wedding HERE. They celebrated their 1 year anniversary getting re-married and they had one heck of a party!
This was my first time shooting at Castle in the Clouds! It was ABSOLUTELY BREATH TAKING! Rachel and Joe shared a first look together in the gardens at the Castle and it was the sweetest thing. I just kept thinking about all the things they have been through over the past 3 years ( from their engagement until now) and how exciting this moment was for them, to see each other for the first time on their (second) wedding day. A moment that I was able to capture for them, and for that, I am forever grateful.
I say 3 years because really, I’ve had the pleasure of getting to see them for the past 3 years. It all started with their engagement session which was so much fun, then their wedding in 2020 and again for their anniversary/wedding in 2021. I hope we get to make this an annual if not more than annual thing. I just love being in their company and I am so excited for them as they got through the toughest part of planning a wedding during a pandemic.
One of my favorite parts was getting to witness their ceremony on this day. They performed a beautiful hand-fasting ceremony. For this, a ribbon was wrapped around their hands as they were asked the following:
Spouse 1, Will you cause her pain?
Spouse 1 says, “I May.”
Is that your intent?
Spouse 1 says, “No.”
Spouse 2, Will you cause him pain?
Spouse 2 says, “I may.”
Is that your intent?
Spouse 2 says, “No.”
*To Both*
Will you share each other’s pain and seek to ease it?
Couple says, “Yes.”
First cord is draped across couple’s hands
And so the first binding is made. Join your hands
Spouse 2, Will you share his laughter?
Spouse 2 says, “Yes.”
Spouse 1, Will you share her laughter?
Spouse 1 says, “Yes.”
*To Both*
Will both of you look for the brightness in life and the positive in each other?
Couple says, “Yes.”
Second cord is draped across couple’s hands
And so the second binding is made.
Spouse 2, Will you burden him?
Spouse 2 says, “I may.”
Is that your intent?
Spouse 2 says, “No.”
Spouse 1, Will you burden her?
Spouse 1 says, “I May.”
Is that your intent?
Spouse 1 says, “No.”
*To Both*
Will you share the burdens of each so that your spirits may grow in this union?
Couple says, “Yes.”
Third cord is draped across couple’s hands
And so the third binding is made.
Spouse 2, will you share his dreams?
Spouse 2 says, “Yes.”
Spouse 1, will you share her dreams?
Spouse 1 says, “Yes”
*To Both*
Will you dream together to create new realities and hopes?
Couple says: “Yes”
Fourth cord is draped across couple’s hands
And so the fourth binding is made.
Spouse 1, will you cause her anger?
Spouse 1 says, “I May.”
Is that your intent?
Spouse 1 says, “No”
Spouse 2 , will you cause him anger?
Spouse 2 says, “I may.”
Is that your intent?
Spouse 2 says, “No.”
*To Both*
Will you take the heat of anger and use it to temper the strength of this union?
Couple says “We Will.”
Fifth chord is draped across couple’s hands
And so the fifth binding is made.
Spouse 2, Will you honor him?
Spouse 2 says, “I will.”
Spouse 1, Will you honor her?
Spouse 1 says, “I will”
*To Both*
Will you seek to never give cause to break that honor?
Couple says, “We shall never do so.”
Sixth cord is draped across couple’s hands
And so the sixth binding is made.
The knots of this binding are not formed by these chords but instead by your vows. Either of you may drop the chords, for as always, you hold in your own hands the making or breaking of this union.
Their eyes were glued on each other as they answered the ceremony questions. You could feel their truth to one another as they answered and the ribbon was placed around their hands. It was a beautiful touch to their ceremony and something that I will never forget.
Rachel and Joe, I’ve said it before, and I am going to say it again! I love you guys! Something about you choosing hot pink and orange flowers, going to Rowan University (NJ REPRESENT!) having a feather pink purse, a dress that made me think of the ocean and having a mutual friend that you actually work with for real life before I even met you both, you two ( and pepper and nutmeg) have a special place in my heart and I can not wait to see what the next few years have in store for you guys! Enjoy reliving your wedding day (again) with a ton of my favorite photos. I can not wait to see you both again. xoxo.
read more about hand fasting HERE.
Dress: Leanne Marshall | Florist: Clementina Floral Co | Venue: Castle in the Clouds | Band: Wellfleet | Cake and Dessert Table: Autumn Nomad | Catering: The Red Blazer | Bridesmaids: Jenny Yoo | Groom attire: Men’s Wearhouse | Invitations: Beacon Lane | Change the Dates: Minted
One Comment
Dear Rachel and Joe!
What wonderful photos. And a perfect day.
Thank you so much for sharing with us.
Love to you both always,
Jack and Linda