This is a blog post I wasn’t sure I was ever going to be able to write! My sister, Val, and her partner, Amy, have been together for 20 years.
While MN passed same-sex marriage last year, they live in WI, where it finally passed and was ultimately revoked within 6 days. But during those six glorious days Val and Amy started planing their wedding. When it was revoke they decided to go ahead with a legal wedding in MN and I couldn’t have been more excited for them! Two Brides are better than one 🙂
They were married aboard a boat on the St. Croix Scenic Riverway in Afton, MN. They were surrounded by about 80 of their closest family and friends and I had the honor and pleasure of capturing through my lens. The two of them could barely keep their eyes off of each other, and I don’t think there was a single moment throughout the day that they didn’t have a HUGE smile on their faces! You could just feel the amazing love present amongst them and their friends and family. And a little rain shower during the ceremony didn’t put a damper on any of it!
As you may notice, my sister is 17 years older than me. I was the “opps” baby. With my niece and nephew being only 6/8 years younger than me, my sister always felt as more of an aunt to me until probably my late 20’s. I think the pivotal point in our relationship is when I returned an engagement ring to a boyfriend who told me my sister was “no longer welcome in our house” because of her sexuality. He thought I was joking. I told him “nope. I love and support my sister, and my family will always be number one to me.” He moved out a few weeks later.
Val & Amy met at the United Methodist Church in Riverfalls, WI where my sister lived. Amy was in Seminary school studying to become a Methodist pastor. She was later brought on trial by the church for performing a same-sex commitment ceremony (learn more about Love On Trial HERE and my account of their journey HERE). Amy was forced to keep Val a “secret” during much of their relationship while Amy was pastoring. Their life has now come full circle as Amy accepted a position at the exact church they met at, and is now able to be completely out 20 years later!!
Val’s favorite color for as long as I can remember has been purple, so it was very fitting that she found a gorgeous PURPLE wedding dress!! Amy wore a rainbow tie and cufflinks. Their friends all pitched in to make the flower arrangements, centerpieces, cake, etc. The details were all so classy and perfect, exactly what I would expect from these two!! They have a great sense of style and class and it showed in all aspects of their wedding!
I am so incredibly happy for them, it was such a joy to watch them throughout their wedding day!! The love was just oozing from that boat!! Here is a sneak peek, I hope you enjoy!! I love you both to the moon and back!!!
