Tag Archives: wedding-photos

John and Chelsy Maxwell’s Wedding Pictures

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)

Joseph and Elissa Maxwell: Wedding Pictures, Part 4

The joy continued, and we loved talking with our guests! What a blessing that they came to share in Joseph and Elissa’s special day. There were many who had driven or flown quite a distance to come. We appreciate their sacrifice of time and resources.

The reception continued the celebration of these two lives joined together. The light dinner served was delicious and afforded guests extra time to fellowship. JandE-202

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Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Maxwell were introduced, and then they shared some words with the group, along with thanking both sets of parents for all they did raising them.
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Of course, they cut the cake.JandE-208JandE-207JandE-204JandE-215

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While Joseph and Elissa greeted guests, the truck-decorating committee was hard at work. John, as a very benevolent best man, let his truck be used.  Our friend Dave did an amazing job with the writing (he thinks fonts!).

John rented a helium cylinder, so Anna manned that. They filled the entire cab with balloons.
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Notice the hat and veil on the top? Very clever, John!
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Then, it was time for the send off. JandE-217

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Here’s an updated Maxwell family picture, with our newest addition, Elissa Maxwell.

After the reception, Christopher took some bride/groom photos. Even though the day had held a strong forecast of rain, the Lord graciously held it off.JandE-228JandE-230JandE-231JandE-233Each moment of the special day was a treasure–after all, it’s not every day you have a sibling get married! Joseph and Elissa’s wedding was a beautiful testimony of their purity, their commitment to each other, and their love and gratefulness to the Lord Jesus.

Love,
Sarah

“The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart:
the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes.
Psalms 19:8

Joseph and Elissa Maxwell: Wedding Pictures, Part 3

So we’re on to the ceremony. Excitement continued to run high. Weddings are such a joyous occasion!

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Jesse is practicing above. He played the bride’s processional.JandE-151JandE-152

Anna practicing her special “How Beautiful.”
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Joseph greeted guests, which was a special touch. People love interacting with the groom!JandE-159

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And it begins! Joseph seats Mom.

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Joshua was such a cute ringbearer!

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And the trio of flower girls–wow! So precious.

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Joseph and Elissa chose sand as their symbol instead of a unity candle. I love the sand idea: it shows how the two lives become so intertwined they’re inseparable! You can’t sort the different colored sand out once it’s mixed.
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Joseph invited the guests to another wedding–the marriage supper of the Lamb (Revelation 19:9).

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Joseph and Elissa sang “Channels Only.” It was such a sweet thing to see them sing.JandE-199

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The first kiss!JandE-201

Introducing Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Maxwell!
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After the recessional, we played a slideshow for the guests of Joseph and Elissa’s lives. People loved it! Anna spent many hours compiling the pictures. Great job, Anna!JandE-180JandE-182

Carter played music while they dismissed guests by row. Thanks, Carter!

JandE-183“… and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.”
Ecclesiastes 12:9

Joseph and Elissa Maxwell: Wedding Pictures Part 2

Elissa’s dress was gorgeous.

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Tina’s not too thrilled with her headband–at first.

Now she’s all smiles.

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Mary spent many hours on the flower girl sewing project. Her time was filled this summer, so Anna Marie helped out and made the flowers that went on the dresses.

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Nathan and his girls.

Time went quickly, and excitement continued to build. Now, onto the girls’ formals. We had such fun together.

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“Both young men, and maidens;
old men, and children:
Let them praise the name of the LORD:
for his name alone is excellent;
his glory is above the earth and heaven.”
Psalms 148:12-13

Joseph and Elissa Maxwell: Wedding Pictures Part 1

Saturday, September 6th was finally here. It was a day my brother and almost-sister-in-law had been counting down to. Yes, it was wedding day! It was a day that promised to bring much excitement.

By 8:45 am, most of the bridal party was at the church. As we arrived, the flower lady stopped in, and wow, did the flowers look gorgeous. We girls went to our getting-ready room and unloaded our dresses, bags, and hair stuff. Our hair stylist was there and ready to begin Elissa’s hair. Meanwhile, Mary and Elissa’s sisters started on their own hair. Anna and I, while waiting for our hair to be styled, enjoyed talking and observing the fun.

Our girls’ room became busier as all the nieces and nephews joined us and sisters-in-law too.

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Joseph practicing his message.
Joseph practicing his message.

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The flower girls arrive and set up shop!

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Joseph and Elissa had figured out a wedding day schedule, and that really helped things flow smoothly. Here you see Joshua, who had just opened his ring-bearer gift. It looks like Ruthie’s entertaining herself there.

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My brother looked so handsome–what an awesome groom!
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The three J brothers.
The three J brothers.

After groom formals, they did the guys’ formals. The farm next door gave permission for pictures there, which was perfect.

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Here you have, left to right, Jesse, Joseph, John, Elissa’s brother, and Nathan. Christopher was technically a groomsman, but he took pictures that day.

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“This is the day which the LORD hath made;
we will rejoice and be glad in it.”
Psalms 118:24