Best Day Ever Wedding. Our Story.
Second Wedding Ideas. Easy ways to keep it simple and the best day ever.
We were married a couple of weeks ago. It really was the best day ever.
If you have been reading my blog over the past nine years you might know that I went through a divorce, depression and a hard time over the past few years. There are definitely some things I would change if I had a do-over but I truly think that going through all of that heartbreak and sadness gave me a depth of character and understanding that I would never have understood otherwise, and a strength that I built having to go through hard things and stand up for myself and my kids. Over the past couple of years I really spent my time trying to help my kids and be the best mom I could be for them. I decided to put my wants and needs on hold while I focused on them. And while I was focusing on them, my husband came into my life when I least expected it.
We started off very slow, taking walks by the lake for a few minutes each night while we talked. The first time we met I ran away after 10 minutes and almost didn’t go on another walk with him. It turns out that he had gone through a few of the same things I had experienced and that gave us a bond. Right after we met he discovered my blog and read it start to finish in one weekend. He then sent me a text saying – I know we will always be friends. And I thought I had blown it. He would never want to date me after he read all of those details. But it turns out he did.
Over time we met each other’s children and started spending time together. I was very apprehensive about getting remarried. My kids were as well. We took things slow as we all got to know each other. My kids and I continued to go to therapy and learn ways to be healthier and happier. My kids made friends in our new neighborhood and school. Every night Dave and I would walk and talk together – it was “our” time to connect. We talked about everything. We shared everything.
Best Day Ever Wedding. Our Story.
He proposed in May and we got married in August. We kept the ceremony small and intimate. My kids really didn’t want us to get married at my house, so we looked for an outdoor venue. I found the most beautiful gardens in the next town. It’s called the Conservation Garden Park. And it’s completely beautiful. It’s filled with flowers and plants that thrive in Utah’s climate, and it’s open to the public so anyone can come to the garden and see all of the possibilities that are available for Utah landscaping. They have plants in the garden that I only thought would grow in the tropics – but they grow great here. If you are local – be sure to stop by sometime – it’s free and it’s a beautiful spot to walk through!
Since we were getting married in the morning, having waffles seemed natural. We chose Waffle Love – an awesome local food truck/business. We love them because they come to our Daybreak neighborhood on Thursday nights for food truck night during the summer. It’s one of our favorites. I will have more details on Waffle Love in another post this week – that’s how awesome they are!
Best Day Ever Wedding. Our Story.
The most important part of the day to me was getting photos of my kids and new family together. I am SUPER lucky to be related to one of the BEST photographers around – my sister Wendy Vonsosen. She is an amazing lifestyle photographer. I asked her if she would take some photos of us and of course she blew us all away with the pictures. They are beautiful and SO special to me.
Best Day Ever Wedding. Our Story.
Another aspect that was important to me were the flowers. I found the most talented and adorable sisters – The Sisters Bloom on Instagram. I reached out and they came through with gorgeous flowers for me, our girls, Dave, my boys and my mom!
Best Day Ever Wedding. Our Story.
I had a really hard time deciding on what to wear. I felt strongly that I wanted a tea-length off-white dress since this was my second marriage. I ordered a dress and it just didn’t feel right. Meanwhile I found an amazing site for bridesmaid dresses. It’s called Azazie. There are many things I love about Azazie. There are literally dozens of styles of dresses for any type of body shape and style. There are even junior bridesmaid dresses which worked out great for Dave’s nine-year-old daughter. The thing I love most about the site is that there are 40+ different colors of material you can order your dresses in. So if you have bridesmaids with different body shapes and styles they can pick out a style they like and order it in the same color. All of the bridesmaids will have the same exact color dress which makes photos look great and each girl will feel comfortable in the style dress they picked. If you order dresses at the same time those dresses will be made out of the same dye lot and the colors will match identically. Cool! One other thing that is awesome is that you can input your EXACT measurements into the order form for your dress and Azazie will make the dress to those measurements. You even put the shoe height in and they make it to hit the floor with those measurements. And this is NO COST. I mean, really. I’m not getting paid at all to write this, it’s really a cool site.
Once I ordered the dresses for our girls, I started thinking about it and decided to order one for me in white. At $100 it was so affordable. I entered my measurements and they made it to fit me exactly. You can’t beat that price. I didn’t want to spend $2,000 on a wedding dress. I wanted to keep it simple. So that’s what I did. Once the dresses came, we all tried them on and they fit like a glove. I’m a big fan.
I hadn’t been to many wedding ceremonies so I didn’t really know what the format should be. We ended up having our local church leader marry us. We wrote our own vows which was really special.
I loved the words that Dave said and I had him write them out for me so I can keep them forever.
Best Day Ever Wedding. Our Story.
After the ceremony we had waffles and took pictures. We even got a little Kardashian with some of them LOL!
I made a giant canvas sign and had Dave hang it from a tree so we could take some pictures!
I was so grateful and thankful that my sisters — Wendy and Ashley and mom traveled out to the wedding to celebrate with us. My dad passed away a few years ago, but I could feel him there. My mom walked me down the aisle, which was really special.
After the ceremony we all changed and played miniature golf with the kids and then came back to our house and had lunch.
In the evening we went down to the lake where it all started and took pictures with just Dave and I.
It really was the best day ever. Every day that I am able to be with my husband and kids is a gift. I am so thankful for everything. And I know that my blog has really saved my life. I am so grateful for the experiences I have gained through blogging, the friendships and I am thankful to people that have stopped by and said hi over the years. Thank you for reading my blog. I am SUPER excited about the future and I hope you will follow along with me in my new #ColorfulHappyHome chapter.
Love,
Congrats, Jen! It looks so beautiful for many reasons, but most of all because you are radiating happiness. May you enjoy a lifetime of love!
Thank you Carrie!!!
xoxxo
I am so happy for you! God Bless you and your family! Much happiness and blessings!
Thank you Kim!!
xoxo
Such a beautiful day! Congratulations, and hooray for second chances. Wishing you every happiness together.
Thank you Dannyelle!
xoxoxo
Hi Jen
What a great start to a second chapter. I have followed you for years, you were one of my “firsts.” Thanks for sharing your story… it will help so many women. xo laura in Colorado
Thank you Laura! And thank you for following me. That means a lot.
xoxoxo
Many congratulations! I remember reading your story when you first wrote it, and it always stayed with me. Your wedding looks like it was just beautiful from start to finish. I wish you the absolute best, and can’t wait to see all the fun projects you create in your new home!
Oh thank you Leslie1 It means so much to me that you have followed along with me over the years! I am super excited about the next chapter and we are all so happy. Thank you!!!
xoxoxo
What a special,seeet and beautiful story of love,family,and that great things happen when least expected!Absolutely made my day!So much heartache and strife happening,makes for a heavy heart and tons of prayers.Thank you for sharing your special day with us,and shedding a glimmer of light on our day!????????
Thank you Teri!
I really think that things get better even when they seem bleak. I am so glad I struggled through it. I hope things are good with you.
xoxox
You are so talented and amazing! It’s such an honor to be married to you! I’m excited about our chapters together in life. I love you!
I love you more and more every day. I never knew I could find someone that would love me and accept me the way you do. Every day is a gift that I get to be with you. You make me so happy.
xoxo
I’m so glad that we could watch you and Dave as you’re relationship has grown and that we could be there for your special day. The photos are amazing!!!!
You’ve been such a great friend. We both appreciate you and love you so much!
xoxo
Congratulations! Your happiness radiates from the pictures…best of luck!
Thank you Gina!
xoxo
Awwww, so sweet! Thanks for sharing it with us!
Thank you!!
I am so incredibly happy for you Jen! Your day was absolutely stunning and obviously filled with so much heart.
Thank you Katie!
xoxo
Jen, I’ve followed you for years and have always admired you. We’ve only met a few times, but you are always so nice and so kind, so it was sad reading your post a few years ago about your personal struggles. I’m a firm believer that everything happens for a reason and there was a reason that your sweet new husband was brought into your life and you had a second shot at true love. I’m so happy for you and wish you both all the best. Congratulations!
Thank you Abbey!! Yes I think there is a reason we experience things and that it puts on a path to something better. I think you are wonderful.
xoxo
Jen, I’m so thrilled for you!
Thank you Kim! I love you!
xoxo
Congratulations Jen! I am so happy for you! I love that you shared your special day with us! I wish you tons of joy and a lifetime of happiness!!
Thanks Candice! I appreciate that so much!
xoxo
Congratulations Jen! All I see is joy and love in those pictures and those two are the best. Wishing you many years of happiness!
Thanks Kim!! We are so so happy. Thanks for coming by and the sweet comment!
xoxo
Congradulations! So happy for you. You look beautiful and happy!!
Thank you Ronda!! xoxoxoxo
Jen,
Congratulations! I’m so happy for you and your new beginnings. My oldest daughter went through a divorce at 26 years old and two young children. I felt as though I also went thru the divorce with her as she and the kids moved in with us. It’s been a long hard journey – she had been a stay at home mom and now needed to figure out how to make it on her own. She went thru depression in the worst way. She is finally making progress working full time and going to school at night to be a special needs teacher. It’s been very hard on her and the kids but i pray daily that she will be ok. Thanks for sharing your story it sure helps knowing that life can turn around and there can be joy again. Love kim
Oh Kim!
I am so sorry your daughter is going through that. Divorce is so hard and it’s so hard to see the kids suffering too. I am so glad she has you to help her. I think having the support of family and friends is so important when going through something so traumatic. I had a complete break down while going through mine. Please give her a hug for me. And tell her she can email me any time if that might help. I am actually in the middle of creating a site for people who have gone through a divorce or death of a spouse. It is going to be an informational site and will have a forum so people can connect and support each other. Big hugs to your family!
xoxoxo
Jen, I wish you a lifetime of happiness! You certainly deserve it! Thank you for sharing such wonderful photos of your special day! Each one is filled with love. Blessings to you for a fabulous future!
Thank you Kathy!! It was such a special day for all of us! Thanks for stopping by and commenting!!
xoxoxo
What a fun and special day. I love your best day ever sign! How did you make it/ where did you get it printed?
Thanks Taylor!! I am going to do a tutorial on the sign! It’s no-sew. Just a canvas from the hardware store. You fold over the top to create a tab and hot glue it. Then insert a rod through the top and hang the sign with rope. The letters are heat transfer vinyl. xoxoxo
EEeeeeeeekkk! I love it all! I love that he read your blog from start to finish, what a MAN! How sweet that he truly wanted insight into YOU! I am in love with that last picture of you two looking at each other, dress flowing, etc. You deserve happiness, and I’m so glad you’ve found it, can’t wait to meet him, and hopefully it’s over Waffle Love because they are my FAVE! Hugs and kisses, friend!
Thanks my friend!! And thanks for being such a wonderful friend to me through everything. I think you are just the most amazing person, friend, blogger and photographer. I am grateful for you!
xoxo
wow! congratulations! you look gorgeous in that dress, and what a major steal at that price point. loved the kardashian pics with serious faces. best wishes!
b
Thank you!! Aren’t those kardashian pictures fun? My sister did such a wonderful job on the photos. I am so lucky!! And yes! The dress was an awesome price. I am so happy I decided to take a chance and order it!
xoxox
Hi Jen – So happy for you! Your pictures are beautiful! It is a nice to see you happy and smiling. Congratulations and enjoy your new #ColorfulHappyHome chapter.
Thank you Diane!! I am so excited about this new chapter. Thanks for stopping by and for the sweet comment!!
xoxox
Congratulations, Jen. What a wonderful story. I’m so glad you got to enjoy your “Best Day Ever.” My daughter is getting married next spring, so I am enjoying reading about ideas from others getting married. This is such a sweet story!
Hi Seana!! Thank you!! Congratulations to your daughter!!
xoxo
Jen, your pictures were simply fabulous and your story put tears in my eyes! I wish you and your beautiful family all the love and joy that you deserve, dear. Thank you for sharing this with your readers.
Thank you Kelly!! It has been a crazy journey but we are all so happy now!
xoxo
Congratulations! Wishing you and your family love and happiness!
Hi Stacy!
Thank you so much! That means a lot to me!
xoxox