Rachel and Matt | Summer Wedding at Stone Mill Inn, Pennyslvania

Their day was finally here. Their guests waited anxiously under the sun kissed trees for the celebration to begin. The music faded into the next track. The anticipation was rising (and so was the humidity). Close friends and family had made their way down the aisle and took their place up front. The flower girls prepared the way for the grand entrance with their bright coral flower petals. Then, the big moment arrived. Matt took a deep breath. Finally, Rachel turned the corner arm in arm with her dad. He watched his bride walk down the aisle in all of her glory. Matt’s expression reflected what was in his heart and his tears flowed freely.

It was the moment they had been dreaming of since they were young. A beautiful bride and a handsome husband, standing in front of one another with their loved ones on their wedding day. As you watched this beautiful exchange of emotions, you wouldn’t have thought that these two were married just two short months before. But their vows explained how this ceremony and the words spoken had even more depth and meaning.

Matt and Rachel were going to have their original wedding day at Stone Mill Inn in June of this year. Due to the pandemic, their celebration with family and friends was postponed, but their marriage didn’t need to be. Their pastor officiated an intimate ceremony for them on the beach in New Jersey. The very same beach where deep conversations took their life long friendship down a new path of “something more”.

Rachel and Matt have known each other since the 1st grade. They didn’t grow up knowing it was “love at first sight” and they didn’t end up as high school sweet hearts either. Even after graduating high school and college, they still went their separate ways. But one day during an annual get together, something changed. You can read more of their sweet story here.

Their deep and genuine love for one another was evident throughout their wedding day. They were FULL of joy. Rachel shared with me that she was looking forward to saying their vows, because she knew it was going to feel different. It was such a unique experience to hear their perspective as newlyweds on the actual wedding day. Rachel shared these impactful words to her new husband, “I am committed to this study of you in all our tomorrows. The past two months have impressed upon me the value of our shared foundation in Christ, and I am so thankful that no matter how we grow and change over time, He will continue to be the solid rock upon which we build out tomorrow.”

I get teary eyed myself as I think about this moment. I’ve known these two since middle school. You can’t make up this kind of love. This true, genuine and joyful love. It’s evident that God has orchestrated all of this and its beautiful.