I write poems. It’s something I’ve done my whole life. Now, I’m not claiming I’m good at it or anything. But it’s something I just do, because some part of my brain just needs to do it.
This is why I “minored” in poetry in college (although my university didn’t really have minors). It’s why I got a Master’s in Fine Arts in poetry.
It’s why, when trying to come up with the perfect gift for my first Valentine’s Day with my now-husband (then boyfriend), my mom suggested getting him a book of love poems. So I picked out a pocket-sized hard-bound copy of Shakespeare’s sonnets and dedicated them to my then-boyfriend with the words, “May poetry always be in your life.”
(Of course, by “poetry” I actually meant me.)
(CORNY. I know.)
So it was natural that our wedding would include some poetry. Our Save the Date cards had some poem-y language on them. We wrote our vows together (we said the same words – but we wrote them) which was poetry of sorts. We had a dear friend read a poem (and a poem-ish excerpt from The History of Love) during the ceremony.
And then we had poems written up and placed on every table at the reception.
It was lovely, to be surrounded not only by our most adored loved ones, but also by words – some of them hundreds of years old – written out of this deep feeling we had for one another.
The poem table decorations were designed by Kristy Rice at Momental Designs. She is AWESOME by the way. She did our invitations and programs, and they were incredible. She hand paints everything she produces, giving it this lovely artistry that is so wonderful. And she will work with you to create custom designs. For instance, she custom-made the mountain backdrop and snowflakes that appeared on the things she produced for us. I highly, highly, highly recommend Kristy. She is amazing. I never met her in person – we lived in different states. But she was easy to work with and creative and quick and wonderful. (And SO affordable it is shocking.)
So of course you want to see some of her handiwork, right?
Here is a close up of one of the poems.
And a few of them, laid out on the table.
And then a couple leaning against frames.
My husband and I planned every element of our wedding with great care. Every detail – from the choice of flowers to the choice of poems to the songs the band played – was hand picked with love. The wedding wasn’t perfect (I think the vision of “the perfect day” is a horrible myth perpetuated by Hollywood and the wedding industry). But it was wonderful. It was an incredible “bon voyage” into this committed, special relationship my husband and I share.
Tomorrow is our anniversary. I’ll leave you with another poem:
Once in the 40s
by William Stafford
We were alone one night on a long road in Montana. This was in winter, a big night, far to the stars. We had hitched, my wife and I, and left our ride at a crossing to go on. Tired and cold - but brave - we trudged along. This, we said, was our life, watched over, allowed to go where we wanted. We said we'd come back some time when we got rich. We'd leave the others and find a night like this, whatever we had to give, and no matter how far, to be so happy again.
that poem is beautiful. happy anniversary!
That is beautiful! I always admire people who are good at poetry because I am not. I love that you incorporated your passion into you wedding.
Those are beautiful poems!
I love poetry… I love that it’s open for interpretation by everyone and anyone who reads it.
Lovely!
Aw, thanks so much for the kind words, Happy Anniversary!
Love the poetry idea! It’s so creative and unique!
Happy Anniversary!