“There was a time when I would have believed them
If they told me you could not come true
Just love’s illusion
But then you found me and everything changed”
– Sara Bareilles

This wedding was a little bit of an extra special wedding for me. I grew up with Kasia. Our Polish families did just about everything together in our growing up years. Backyard birthday parties, Sunday school, day trips, and eventually us following them in moving out to Langley. As we entered our teenage years some things stayed the same and some changed. We still went to the same church, did Christmas and New Years together, celebrated birthdays, and had movie marathons. As the inevitable happened and we grew up, life took us down different paths. Still crossing from time to time “keeping the wonderful memories” but growing in new places with new people.

Paul came into the picture two years ago. They connected quickly, and soon they were falling in loooooooooveee.

“We fell in love, despite our differences, and once we did, something rare and beautiful was created. For me, love like that has only happened once, and that’s why every minute we spent together has been seared in my memory. I’ll never forget a single moment of it”
– Nicolas Sparks

Over the years, I’ve seen some men come into Kasia’s life. But it was never right. She never fell for them like she fell for Paul. Her eyes never lit up when she talked about them and there was never surety in her voice. But with Paul, there was a confidence in their relationship and in him from the beginning. She knew.

Now anyone who knows Paul and Kasia as individuals knows that they are affectionate people, but anyone who know them as Paul and Kasia, the couple, knows that they are really really affectionate people, hahaa! Aside from the obvious outward love for each other, there is something deeper that runs between them, a genuine friendship and admiration.

And on Sunday, they ” [told] the world that we finally got it all right, I choose you. I will become yours and you will become mine. I choose you.”

I loved Kasia and Paul’s first look and portraits in our beautiful Pacific Northwest forest. This is why I love living where I do. This was literally their backyard. I don’t mean leave their house and walk to a park backyard, I mean “walk out the back door and into this” backyard. SO magical.

Their ceremony incorporated all that they are and their faith.

“I’ll unfold before you what I’ve strung together. The very first words of a lifelong love letter”

Another fun connection: Mark (brother to Paul) is married to Vesna (another dear Polish friend whose family also did everything with us growing up). Now Kasia and Vesna are not “just like sisters” but really sisters. Pretty fun how life worked out like that.

 

After a delicious meal and some fun wedding games, there were speeches, songs, dances and laughter. I have never been to a wedding where siblings and friends contributed so much to the entertainment. It was great and very “Paul and Kasia.”

One of the things that Paul and Kasia love to do together is dance. Their first dance was choreographed and special and very “them.” They danced to “I choose you” by Sara Bareilles. Kasia also changed into a shorter, flowy pink dress for the dancing which was super fun. The danced with each other and with their parents and then with their friends and family. I love how much these two value family and how involved both of their families were, not only on the big day but also in the planning process. Just about everything at the wedding was done by family or close friends, which is pretty special.

“Let the sun fade out to a dark sky, I can’t say I’d even notice it was absent… Cause I could live by the light in your eyes”

Paul and Kasia, I loved being a part of your big day. I am so excited to see where life takes the two of you. Love you guys!

I am now books for the 2015 wedding season! Contact me about YOUR wedding day. I’d love to go for coffee {my treat} and chat.