Happy first day of fall! It also happens to be our 5 YEAR WEDDING ANNIVERSARY TODAY! So, we thought it would only be right to share our wedding photos! First, take a look at our wedding video and try not to tear up, like we always do:
Now, take a photo journey with us through our dream come true wedding day (click on the photos for a closer look)! We always knew we wanted to have an autumn wedding and when we found our dream venue in the mountains of California at a 1920s log mansion bed & breakfast, we knew it was meant to be!
We rented out the whole B&B for the weekend and had a glorious time there with our closest family & friends. Some of our fondest memories of the weekend were eating breakfast with everyone and getting ready in the morning, like one big happy family!
[supsystic-gallery id=’1′]
Jonas & I did a “first look” before the ceremony to get out some of the jitters! Seeing Jonas in his medieval inspired vest & handmade white shirt was like seeing my Prince Charming from my childhood dreams come to life! Jonas had no idea what my dress looked like and he absolutely loved it + my custom made elvish inspired headpiece with autumn leaves. We were ready to step into our storybook wedding!
[supsystic-gallery id=2]
After months of planning it was a dream come true to see the stage set for our big day. We had meticulously hand crafted every detail; fusing our love of autumn, vintage, medieval, and fairy tales to create a unique wedding experience.
[supsystic-gallery id=3]
As the guests arrived, they were greeted by fairy tale soundtracks and airy celtic music and were welcomed to take a satchel of bubbles and autumn leaves to celebrate with after the ceremony. Our seating assignments were vintage travel postcards of places we had been to together. As a couple from Sweden & California, traveling was a big part of our relationship and something we love to do.
[supsystic-gallery id=4]
Then it was time for the ceremony to begin. Jonas & his groomsmen took their places and watched as my lovely bridesmaids went down the aisle. *Cue “The Shire” theme from “Lord of the Rings” (it was National Hobbit day as well, after all)* It was time for my entrance! I knew exactly the moment I should take my first step in my Victorian boots down the leaf scattered aisle with my father by my side. Oh, the looks of joy and the smiles on my friends faces gave me unimaginable courage as they saw me as a blushing bride.
I’ll never forget the look on Jonas’ face as my misty eyes met his! I expected him to be nervous, but he only had this absolute depth of love & steadfastness in his eyes.
[supsystic-gallery id=5]
My high school youth pastor presided over the vows and ribbon ceremony as we stood beneath the pines and pledged our love to each other before the eyes of God. Then it was time for that moment, THE KISS, but Jeremy surprised me when said “you may kiss the bride” in SWEDISH! We had quite a chuckle and then we kissed! And we were one!
[supsystic-gallery id=6]
We floated back down the aisle together in a cloud of bubbles and fall leaves as our friends & family applauded! As the last part of “The Shire” theme played, we had a quiet moment off to the side as we embraced each other and realized we were truly married! Since we had met each other it had been an incredibly hard but adventurous journey to at last be united and never have to leave each others side again because of immigration borders.
[supsystic-gallery id=9]
Speaking of which, we were so blessed that a few of our Swedish family members were able to make the voyage as well as other family members and friends from out of state. It was a small but intimate gathering and I remember the looks of joy on every one of their faces.
[supsystic-gallery id=7]
Also, many thanks go to our incredible wedding party who dressed in their black & gray Victorian best (something they wouldn’t normally do) and stood by our sides. We are every grateful for their love and friendship as are we to every guest that attended.
[supsystic-gallery id=8]
As the appetizers commenced, Jonas & I were swept away by our amazing photographer (Julie Lynn) to a magic meadow beside Big Bear lake.
[supsystic-gallery id=10]
It was the golden hour of day on the autumn equinox where light & dark are equal and there was a sense of enchantment as we strolled through the meadow.
[supsystic-gallery id=11]
In my vows to Jonas I pledged: “…Wherever you go, I will go. Wherever you live, I will live. Loving you always above myself. Sharing one love, one song, one life. In everything giving God the glory for our dream come true.”
[supsystic-gallery id=12]
I made a nod to “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” in my vows and standing here with my prince charming was like walking into our own happily ever after.
[supsystic-gallery id=13]
On our wedding bands we had inscribed “dreams come true” in viking runes which was the theme for our wedding decor and has been a lifelong theme ever since.
[supsystic-gallery id=14]
Back at Gold Mountain Manor, our guests had been mingling and enjoying woodsy hobbit style appetizers while a mix of classic big band and medieval folk tunes played.
[supsystic-gallery id=15]
We hired a silhouette artist (which is what we had on our invitations) to portrait our guests profiles. She could cut two copies at once and one they signed for our guest book and the other they could take home as a memento. It was such a kick to go through them later and see how perfectly she had captured the essence of our loved ones.
[supsystic-gallery id=16]
It was time for us to make our entrance to the reception and just like magic our special song “Fly Me To The Moon” came on as we headed toward our autumnal Victorian throne to preside over the festivities! My father said a prayer and began a song where the whole crown joined in, reaching out their arms to bless us and our marriage. The energy and love was unlike anything we had every felt before! My sister gave a moving speech about dreams coming true that had us all in tears.
[supsystic-gallery id=17]
The Italian dinner was served and the hurdy-gurdy musicians began to play while we had our favorite autumn candle burning. It was a feast for all the senses and we realized we had created our very own personalized fairy tale evening as the fairy lights twinkled under the full harvest moon. Something quite similar to Bilbo Baggins birthday party, I’m sure Tolkien would be proud!
[supsystic-gallery id=18]
Time for cupcakes! Pumpkin spiced with cream cheese frosting of course, with Swedish & American flags on top. We cut into a wee cake covered in flavorful autumn leaves and topped with Snow White & Prince Charming. My mum had our wedding date inscribed in the very same knife she & my dad had on their wedding day, a special tradition that will be passed to my sister as well!
[supsystic-gallery id=19]
The grand finale was dancing around the maypole (or rather, autumn pole as we liked to call it!) Almost all of our 60+ guests (including the B&B owner) took a ribbon and weaved in and out as the hurdy-gurdy players covered one of our favorite medieval songs! It was absolute chaos but the most fun we’ve ever had! We got to laugh and see each of our beloved guests as we danced ’round and ’round until the ribbons were woven into a beautiful black, gray, and orange braid.
[supsystic-gallery id=20]
Jonas & I had our own dance beneath the moon and a string of lights to “So This Is Love” from Cinderella. Our fairy tale wedding day was complete and our hearts so full of love that we could burst! We will be ever grateful for all the joy and magic we shared with our friends & family that 1st day of fall, 5 years ago.
Bye For Now,
-Lindsay & Jonas
