2020 has changed plans for so many couples. Couples have handled these changes so differently. Some have chosen to postpone to next year. Others have decided to have backyard weddings, while some have gone the elopement or the intimate wedding route. Chelsey and John were one of those couples.

Last year Chelsey and John picked July 18th, 2020 as the day they wanted to get married. They planned to have a big ceremony, surrounded by family and friends. 2020 had other plans for them. (Hello Covid.)

Instead of letting 2020 ruin their joy, they chose to make their own path and celebrate their love in their own way. They postponed their big celebration to next year. However, they wanted to still get married on their original date. They chose an intimate wedding surrounded by their immediate family. They said their vows in a little park by their old apartment. The sun was shining, the birds were chirping and the stream was running in the background. They chose not to have an officiant, but opted for a self-uniting ceremony instead.

Before the ceremony, Jesse and I got to talk with John about what exactly a self uniting ceremony is. John explained that a self-uniting marriage is one in which the couple are married without the presence of a third-party officiant. This method of getting married is sometimes referred to as a “Quaker marriage”, after the marriage practice of the Religious Society of Friends. Currently, self uniting marriages are only recognized in 9 states.

We love that Chelsey and John chose to blaze their own trail and make a wedding that was unique to them and got to start their life together as husband and wife!

Congratulations Mr. and Mrs. John Bruce! Thank you for making us a part of your beautiful, intimate wedding day!

We’re looking forward to celebrating with them again next year at The Bank Street Annex in Easton, Pennsylvania.

Florals by Talana Maria’s.
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