Their ceremony started with a story. Ryan and Emma’s love story was told to all of their treasured family and friends in the middle of a forest. Ryan’s youth pastor and long time mentor’s words rang out through the trees as he recounted the way they met, fell in love, and fell more in love with Jesus together. It was the perfect way to set the stage before Emma and her father walked, breaking through the trees, Emma’s lace and tulle train gathering pine needles along the way. Throughout the ceremony the guests heard bits and pieces of who Ryan and Emma are, both separately, and together. Emma’s a bright spot in anyone’s day, a constant encourager, a constant friend. Ryan’s quiet and thoughtful, a listener and a leader. Together they’re passionate and even more of who they were made to be. Toward the end of the ceremony, the whole crowd sang out a hymn together and it seemed to be exactly what Ryan and Emma had envisioned. If only for a moment, as voices lifted and rang out among the sounds of creation, there was Glory there with us.
As Ryan and Emma leaned in to kiss after being pronounced husband and wife, everyone was in agreement, these two are world shakers and life changers. Everyone there had been changed by the new Swishers presence in their lives. It’s certainly better for them to be together. Ryan and Emma were visibly more at peace at each others’ sides. All was right when they could stand hand in hand. Emma’s maid of honor shared with the crowd that they’d dreamed of this day since their freshman year, sitting in the halls of their dorm, and Ryan was everything they’d dreamed and more. He even knew to keep ice cream on hand :] And Ryan’s best man shared that he knew it was getting serious when Emma started stealing his spot at the coffee shop they frequented, talking for long hours with his best friend.
All in all it was a day all about the joy that Ryan and Emma both find in living for Jesus. They walked off through a bubble storm and hopped into their limo with bright smiles on their faces, hand and hand, just as they should be.
Emma was the most beautiful ray of sunshine!
Sweet prayers before heading off to the forest to be wed.
Such a crazy beautiful ceremony site.
Good looking bridal party alert :]
Love this one.
Ryan and Emma LOVE being outdoors, so this was the perfect spot!
Such fun, simple reception decor! So perfect for Thorpewood.
It’s not a Hokie party without Enter Sandman 😉
Ryan and Emma, we SO loved being a part of your day! We’ll ride up a mountain for you two, anytime!
venue: thorpewood //coordination: Julie Castleman // florals: blossom & basket // gown: Gowns by Design // bridesmaids: azazie // groom: jos a bank // cake: sweet celebrations cakes by melanie adams //
