Today I’m excited to share the second installment of wedding pictures. Jesse and Anna were a radiant couple, their hearts centered on Jesus, as they made their vows before God and witnesses.
There is such anticipation which builds for a ceremony. It’s the beginning of a lifetime of joy and commitment.
Jesse and Anna planned special details such as both dads sharing, Anna’s mom and sisters doing music, friends also involved in music (and some from afar that pre-recorded it–very kind of them!), Jesse and Anna each spoke to their parents, sharing gratitude for how they raised them and all the investment.
Enjoy a peek into the ceremony and sendoff!
The groom ready!
In the back room before the ceremony.
Jesse talking with Dad and Mom
This is when it’s really feeling real!
Instead of unity candles, they chose sand, and it’s a beautiful picture of something that can’t be separated.
Jesse opened the ceremony, welcoming his guests and also sharing who was missing in the family.
Sweet dad/daughter time before walking down the aisle
Here she comes!
Pouring the sand together.
The radiant couple
Sharing to the parents
Praying together
Saying their vows
Their first kiss!
Mr. and Mrs. Jesse Maxwell!
Jesse and Anna dismissed by rows.
Waiting for the sendoff
Part 3 will share bride and groom pictures from the park and then the family good-byes!
“House and riches are the inheritance of fathers: and a prudent wife is from the LORD” (Proverbs 19:14).
We’re so excited to share with you the first installment of Jesse and Anna’s wedding pictures. It’s been a long time coming, but it took me two months to even give them pictures due to my book and website projects.
Where do we start? Jesse and Anna, like most couples during COVID, navigated a huge twist to their wedding planning. Yet, their ultimate desire was to have family and some close friends witness their marriage covenant before God. They willingly and graciously gave up their large(r) wedding and reception plans.
So much had changed in a few short months, including Anna Marie leaving for treatment (and the week of the wedding, she was in the hospital!). We missed Joseph and family along with Gigi who felt it best to stay back and watch the wedding remote due to the COVID situation.
Saturday, May 23rd, dawned beautiful and bright. Mom and Dad cared for Christopher and Anna Marie’s children on the wedding day, which was no small feat with 5 under 7.
Christopher and I photographed the wedding together. The day started about 8:30 when the girls arrived. I took getting ready photos and Christopher started Jesse’s formals about an hour later.
This bridal party was a lively bunch consisting of all family except for one groomsman!
Anna’s sister did her hair.
Mary
Jesse walked over from the AirBnb we stayed at with a note for Anna.
Anna
Coffee for all the gals!
Jesse
The happy groom!
Throughout the day, I enjoyed working with some posing ideas.
Anna with her lovely bridesmaids
The radiant bride
A nearby church lent a perfect background.
The entire bridal party
Maxwell siblings minus Joseph
Mom and Anna
Mom and Dad with Jesse and Anna
Dad and Mom with Christopher’s kids (and Abby helping too)
Groom and groomsmen photos
Capturing mid-day formals in bright sunlight presents some challenges.
Guests consisted of mostly family with some friends.
Girls praying before the ceremony!
“Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh” (Genesis 2:24).
We wanted to share a preview of Jesse and Anna’s wedding weekend via iPhone pictures. Christopher and I photographed the wedding via our Nikon cameras, but for now, I thought you’d enjoy some iPhone pics.
Thank you for rejoicing with us!
Love, Sarah
The rehearsal
My lil’ buddy, Benji
Wedding day: the groom ironing
Anna’s love for kids is evident: even on wedding day, she was enjoying time with them.
Pictures!
Yes, and we had “help” for pictures too.
Ceremony
The front row. We sure missed Anna Marie!
Pictures in a park afterward
They did a small send-off before pictures in the park–and after family good-byes and more pictures inside, Jesse and Anna left.
The final good-bye with Anna, Mary, and little kiddos.
“But I have trusted in thy mercy; my heart shall rejoice in thy salvation” (Psalm 13:5).
Y’all, we have a lot to catch up on! Some were surprised not to know Jesse was in a relationship. While our family is very public, for the sake of privacy for individual family members, on different relationships, we choose to keep it quiet based on preference. Jesse enjoyed an amazing courtship, and we’ll share more on that later.
Obviously planning a wedding during COVID-19 time held its interesting twists. Jesse and his new bride handled it beautifully. They knew the important key was their Christ-honoring, marriage union and having family there to witness it. The wedding was in a state where it was considered essential but still limited to a small number. Because of restrictions, they couldn’t have a reception.
Anyway, because Anna and Mary have been over at Christopher’s house so much to help with the kids, some of our last days together were very precious. I’ll share a glimpse into special times during these past few weeks.
Love, Sarah
Jesse moving his things out
Anna, Jesse, and Mary have enjoyed Sunday evening walks together for quite some time. These three share a special bond. I grabbed their picture as they were headed out for their last one with Jesse single.
We had a special prayer time for Jesse before he left.
Last Sunday lunch with Jesse (single :))
Saying good-bye to Jesse as he headed out two days earlier than we did.
Bridesmaids chats: Jesse and Anna’s sisters
Special times
Checking out a photo location Friday with the to-be bride and groom
At our VRBO
“Ye shall walk after the Lord your God, and fear him, and keep his commandments, and obey his voice, and ye shall serve him, and cleave unto him.” (Deuteronomy 13:4)
About a week after the wedding, I shared iPhone pictures from John and Chelsy’s wedding, along with the story + timeline of the day.
Now, it’s time to share the real pictures! Laura did an excellent job, and her smiling, joyful presence was a huge blessing.
Enjoy a peek into the day.
Mary Maxwell
Hair time.
Sarah Maxwell
John Maxwell
Amazing the day had arrived for John to become a married man.
Anna and Chelsy
Mary and Chelsy
Chelsy and me
Lots of bridesmaids!
Love this one.
The entire wedding party.
The new Maxwell family
John and Chelsy with Steve and Teri
Dad and Mom with the new couple
With GiGi
Maxwell siblings with John and Chelsy Maxwell
The moms
The time had arrived, and John walked Mom down the aisle.
If you’ll notice, Danny didn’t make it in the group. He ended up coming out with Christopher on stage.My favorite part of the ceremony might just have been when Mr. Bontrager asked my younger siblings to step forward. You see, if it hadn’t been for Dad and Mom’s change of heart regarding children, those lives wouldn’t be here. Including, no wedding for John and Chelsy. A very tender moment.
As you can see, there were so many people to fit into a relatively small space for the reception. But people managed!
I thought the coffee station clever and inviting.
Taco soup for dinner!
Some in the bridal party shared during the reception, and then they opened it up for others.
Those in the kitchen worked hard!
The new couple with Christopher and Anna Marie’s family.
Joseph, Jesse, and a few others braved the cold (as in 0 degrees!) to decorate John’s truck. They did a stunning job.
That inflatable was really grand.
After the send-off, John and Chelsy came back, they did a private family goodbye. Such a special time!
“And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.” (Colossians 3:17)
The Maxwell family and ministry blog of Titus2.com.
